‘Water has surrounded us’: The slow death of Pakistan’s Indus delta
Summary
The Indus delta in Pakistan is experiencing significant seawater intrusion, which is harming local communities and wildlife. Many people have been forced to leave their homes because farmland and water have become too salty for farming and fishing. Efforts are underway to address these environmental challenges.Key Facts
- Seawater intrusion has caused farming and fishing in Pakistan's Indus delta to decline.
- The town of Kharo Chan's population has decreased from 26,000 in 1981 to 11,000 in 2023 due to rising seawater.
- Over 1.2 million people have left the Indus delta region in the last 20 years.
- The flow of water into the delta has decreased by 80% since the 1950s.
- The increased salinity of the water has made growing crops and fishing difficult.
- The delta, once rich in wildlife and plant life, is shrinking due to environmental changes.
- The "Living Indus Initiative" aims to restore the delta by addressing soil salinity and supporting local agriculture.
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