Sindh Govt Restores Freshwater to Manchar Lake After 25 Years

News Desk

Dadu: The Sindh government has initiated the release of freshwater from the Indus River into Manchar Lake, marking the first such intervention in nearly 25 years.

This effort aims to counteract the toxic conditions that have plagued the lake for years, turning its once-sweet waters into a hazardous environment.

Manchar Lake, once celebrated as Asia’s largest freshwater lake, has suffered a significant decline in water quality due to environmental pollution and the lack of freshwater inflows. The lake’s water had become increasingly toxic, posing a threat to both the ecosystem and the local communities dependent on it.

According to the Irrigation Department, the process of releasing Indus River water into the lake has begun through the Aral Wah regulator. This intervention is part of a broader strategy to detoxify the lake.

Arbab Domki, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Manchar Lake, informed the media that the water level in the lake had dropped to RL112, prompting the release of Indus River water.

Over the past three days, the continuous inflow of river water has successfully reduced the lake’s Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from 6000 to 1800, indicating a 60 percent improvement in water quality.

The SDO also highlighted the broader benefits of this initiative. The introduction of Indus River water is expected to revitalize over 100,000 acres of agricultural land in the Jhāngāra Bajārā area during the upcoming wheat season via the Aral Wah and Danister Wah channels.

Additionally, the infusion of freshwater is likely to lead to the revival of various fish species in Manchar Lake, providing much-needed economic benefits to the local population.

This significant step by the Sindh government is seen as a critical move towards restoring the ecological balance of Manchar Lake and improving the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

The report has been published on the Sindh Matters website and reproduced by PenPK.com.