BAHAAWALPUR: The irrigation department has agreed to restore after years the supply of canal water to world-renowned Patisar lake in the Lal Sohanra national park, situated about 35 kms from here on Hasilpur highway.

The Patisar lake, which is presently on the world tourism list as an international wet land comprised an areas of 48 acres and during previous years it had been in abundance of aquatic animals including large quantity of fish of high standard, which had been fetching millions of rupees to the park.

Besides, this wetland had also been an abode of the migratory birds travelling from Siberia and other coldest countries during winter season. But, due to the alleged apathy of the irrigation department, its officials during previous years discontinued the supply of canal water to the lake in alleged violation of international and local irrigation laws on the pretext of shortage of water in canals even during the flood season when ample quantity of water could be available for the purpose.

During the regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf, a separate canal water quota for the lake had been sanctioned, but afterwards the department halted supplying water unilaterally to the lake and thus caused irreparable loss to aquatic life with the result that the nourishment and breeding of fish in it was almost stopped and the department faced financial losses to the tune of millions of rupees annually.

In addition, with the stoppage of canal water in the lake, the forest department’s efforts to convert the lake into an attractive picnic spot of an international standard faded and the number of picnickers also dropped considerably as the general public lost its interest in the deserted lake.

Talking to Dawn, Commissioner Nadir Chattha said the issue was taken up for consideration with the respective irrigation officials who have agreed to release 100 cusecs canal water into the lake.

Chattha, who also paid a visit to the Lal Sohanra park the other day, said new measures for its improvement would be taken in view of the interest of the visitors and tourists. He expressed satisfaction over the promotion of the breeding of wildlife there particularly the black bucks and blue bulls, for whose breeding a number of steps were being taken by the government.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2024