THATTA, Sept 17: The degradation of Thatta and Badin districts' deltaic parts, shrinkage of sources of livelihood due to non-release of water downstream Kotri and an acute shortage of potable water are factors compelling fishermen to migrate from the Indus delta to urban areas.

This has been revealed in a survey conducted by a team of journalists in the coastal towns of Kharo Chhan, Keti Bunder, Ghora Bari, Sajan Wari, Mor Chadai, Bhabeeho, Jhalo, Bughan, Udasi, Shah Bunder and Jati.

The team talked to People's Party Parliamentarians MPA Sassui Palijo, the chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Mohammad Ali Shah and newsmen Abdullah Rano, Ahmed Samo, Gulsher Khaskheli and Yamin Kumbhar.

They said over 2,500 families of fishermen have shifted from Thatta district to Ibrahim Haideri, Karachi and Gwadar in the last six months. They said the sea had swallowed 1.2 million acres of fertile land in the last two decades in Thatta and Badin districts.

They said approximately 4.488 million acres of agricultural land had been rendered barren due to a shortage of water. They said at present the Left Bank Outfall Drain was discharging more than 2,500 cusecs poisonous water daily into the Indus delta.

They said the LBOD's water carried agricultural run-offs comprising pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers. They said about 3,000 million gallons urban sewerage and about 37,000 tons of industrial waste of Karachi were being drained into the sea which was greatly affecting the delta.

They feared the release of agricultural run-offs into the Gharo creek through the Right Bank Outfall Drain would destroy the delta. They said the RBOD drain carried poisonous substances to the extent of 3,500 PPM.

They said under the National Drainage Programme, the government was planning discharge of effluent of Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan into the Indus delta. They said releasing of waste water would totally destroy agricultural, fisheries and livestock of Sindh's coastline and disturb the entire Indus delta eco-region.