Sengupta, M. and Dalwani, R. (Editors).

2008
Proceedings of Taal2007: The 12th World Lake Conference: 1397-1407

The Lost Paradise (Manchar Lake)

Muhammad Yahya
Environmental Protection Agency, Government of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan

The largest freshwater perennial lake located in evident that its reclamation seems almost impossible
province of Sindh, the southern part of the country. especially in view of limited knowledge/expertise,
The surrounding of the lake is arid, with Kirthar experience and meager resources. The lake presents
range hills on one side and conglomerate clay on the a true picture of complete destruction of natural
other. The lake was covering an area of 200 to 250 environment.
sq. km during monsoons with maximum depth up to The main objective is to adopt the scientific
25 meters and 75 sq. km area and 18 meters depth in measures for its rehabilitation towards natural
the dry seasons, now presents a picture of 'lost restoration with the cooperation, interaction and
paradise'. discussion among scientific experts for preparing
The present area does not exceed 60 sq. km, comprehensive work plan towards its natural
with some water channel scattered here and there. restoration.
During monsoons, however, it reaches up to 125 sq. To achieve the objectives and to address the
km. The water is blackish gray in color, with smell of issue a detailed study was carried out in the year
hydrogen sulphide evaporating in the area. Weeds 2004 and subsequently water quality was further
are decaying and hydrogen sulphide is bubbling up reported in the later years. The findings have been
from the water, particularly in the littoral area. In compiled for discussion at this forum to gain
1985, 1,500,000 aquatic birds were reported from knowledge for preparing rehabilitation strategy of
Manchar Lake during migratory season but the year environmental degradation of the said lake.
1999 the winter received and accommodated just
about 12,000 birds. According to local fishermen, IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS:
they have not seen a single Rohu (major carp) during
the last 3 years. Wetlands can be defined as those areas where water
The present state of Manchar Lake is described table is at, near or above the land surface long
in the attached report after conducting detailed enough to promote the permeation of soils that can
investigation / research and causes of environmental support the growth of hydrophytes. Wetlands include
degradation that includes sources, water quality, soil marshes, swamps, mudflats, tidal faults, lakes, ponds,
sediment with respect to its Physical, Chemical, river, streams, paddy fields, estuaries, delta systems
Biological factors and eutrophic condition with and storage reservoirs. Permanently flooded lands
luxurious growth of variety of species of algal flora. lying beyond the deep water boundary of wetlands
No doubt that the existing state of this biggest lake of are referred to as aquatic habitat.
the Asia has been completely destroyed which is

The physio-chemical conditions for few parameters are given below:

PARAMETERS LAKE CONDITION

Temperature (C) 18
Colour of water Bluish Green
Biomass (ml/L) 8.3
Productivity (ppl) 4.6
PH 7.9
Free Co2 (ppl) 0.059
Dissolved O2 2.1
Salinity (0/00) 0.3
Total Alkalinity (Meq/L) 5.9
Phosphate (mg/L) 0.055
Nitrates (mg/L) 0.94
Sulfates (mg/L) 49.9
Suspended Solids (mg/L) 5.8
Conductivity (Micromole/cm) 428
Turbidity FTU 37
The Ramsar Convention (International convention Fauna in Wetlands
on conservation of wetlands, Annexure-I) adopts the
definition of wetlands as “Areas of marsh, peat land Both resident and migratory bird species find habitat
or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or in Pakistan's wetlands. Some 30 percent of the bird
temporary, with water that is static or flowing, species recorded in the country (210 out of 688) are
fresh, brackish or salt including areas of marine Palaearctic migrants (mainly from Siberia and North-
water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed Central Asia), and for bird species living in wetland
6 meters”. habitats, this percentage is probably even higher.
Wetlands constitute valuable ecosystems that There is also inter-regional and local migration of
play an important role in supporting and sustaining birds. The Indus Basin is considered as a part of one
life on earth. In recent years there has been a growing of the world's most important bird migration flyways,
awareness about the economic, environmental and and the critical importance of its wetlands as
ecological importance of wetlands. wintering habitats stretches far beyond Pakistan's
boundaries (Roberts, 1991).
More than 1,350,000 aquatic birds belonging to 109
species were counted on selected wetlands in 1991.
Wetlands in the Indus Basin also contain a large
variety of reptiles and amphibians. The fate of the
gharial (Gavialus gangeticus) is unknown; it is
believed to have gone extinct. The marsh crocodile
(Crocodylus palustris) is also threatened with
extinction through habitat destruction and reckless
persecution killing. Still widely found in fair
numbers is the monitor lizard (Various monitor).
Fresh water tortoises and terrapins include Kanchuga
smithii of which unknown numbers survive in the
river system, lakes and dhands.

Flora

Pakistan is enriched with plant species which average

6,000 in number. Approximately 5% of the total
floras i.e. around 300 are endemic.
Wetland plants are highly productive in
waterlogged conditions. Their bodies have
specialized tissues which can transport the oxygen to
their roots. They have larger leaves in comparison to
Figure 1. Map of Sindh Province many land plants thereby making them more active
towards photosynthesis. Most of these plants are
perennial. They do not die each year which allows
WETLANDS OF PAKISTAN more effective storage and more efficient use of
nutrients. Many wetland plants are economically
Pakistan situated at the junction of three major important e.g. as staple food. Rice –grown mostly in
regions of Asia viz Central Asia to the north, the flooded soil is the primary food source of over half
Middle East to the west and the Indian Sub-continent the world's population.
to the east and southeast has a total area of 803, 941
sq. km. Of its total area, approximately 9.7% or THREATS TO WETLANDS IN PAKISTAN
7,800,000 hectares is covered with wetlands. These
wetlands are both man-made and natural, and include Pakistan's natural wetlands are under threat from
110,000 ha of natural lakes, 92,000 ha of water various forces including man as a major force.
storage reservoirs, 108,000 ha of ponds. Although most of the local communities have
The Indus River and floodplains form the main exploited wetland resources in sustainable manner
wetland artery for the country and the majority of the for centuries, a combination of increasing population
population of Pakistan is closely dependent as the pressure and over-exploitation has meant that current
wetland resources provided directly and indirectly by patterns of water usage are no longer sustainable.
this great river. Water resources of Pakistan comprise According to the Asian Directory of Wetlands, over
of surface run-off from catchment areas of the Indus the past sixty years, many of Pakistan's natural
River and rainfall. wetlands have disappeared as result of irrigation and
drainage projects aimed at providing more land for
food production and housing. However, because of

1398
construction of dams and barrages, many of the introduction of herbivorous fishes, resulting
major rivers, several new lakes and marshes have in changes in areas around wetlands,
been created upstream of these dams. Other wetlands causing a change in the water quality and
have been created as a result of faulty drainage water regime.
systems and overspill from irrigation canals and 5. Changes in land use practices in areas
several of these now provide excellent habitat for around wetlands causing a change in the
waterfowl. water quality and water regime.
6. Forestry projects, range management and
The principal threats of wetlands and waterfowl quarrying activities in the water catchments
in Pakistan are as follows: areas of wetlands.
7. Increased sedimentation caused by serious
1. Drainage to provide more land for erosion in the water catchments areas.
agriculture, industry and housing. 8. Eutrophication and the resulting spread of
2. The construction of dams and large scale aquatic vegetation to the disappearance of
agricultural improvement works, which open water areas.
have reduced the flow of water to many 9. Heavy hunting pressure outside protected
natural wetlands and resulted in some areas and illegal hunting in the reserves
former rice-growing areas drying out. particularly in the northern and tribal areas.
3. Pollution, particularly the release of 10. Deliberate poisoning and scaring of
industrial waste into rivers and lakes. waterfowl on a agricultural land.
4. Intensive development of wetlands for 11. Excessive recreational use of wetlands.
fisheries production and large-scale

Table 2. Major Lakes of Sindh

S. No. NAME TYPE AREA LOCATION STATUS THREATS

1 Indus Dolphin Reserve RS 44,200 ha 27º36’N,68 ºE GR Barrages, pollution
2 Ghauspur Jheel and Sindh Dhoro Lake FL 600 ha 28 º08’N,69 º06’E Nil Hunting
3 Beroon Kirther Canal BL, FL Unknown 28 º06’-28 º09N Nil Hunting
4 Drigh Lake FL, BL 182 ha 27 º34’N,68 º02E WS, R Eutrophication & Hunting
5 Hamal Katchri Lake FL, BL Unknown 27 º23’N,67 º55’ E Nil Hunting & Salinity
6 Pugri Lake BL Unknown 27 º18’N,68 º03’E Nil Hunting & Drainage
7 Manchar Lake FL 6,000 ha 26 º25’N,67 º39’E Nil Pollution & Hunting
8 Nara Canal Area (200 small lakes) BL Saline 300,000 ha 68 º47’-69 º18’E Nil Hunting & Drainage
9a Sonhari Lake Saline 245 ha 26 º10’N,69 º04 Nil Hunting
b Sadhori Lake FL Unknown 26 º12’N,69 º07’E Nil Hunting
c Sanghriaro Lake BL 380 ha 26 º07’N,69 º12’E Nil Fishing/ Hunting
10 Khipro Lakes BL, FL Unknown 25 º32’-25 º38’E Nil No information
11 The Tando Bago Lakes BL Unknown 24 º45’.24 º50’N Nil Shooting
12 a Phoosna Lakes BL 160 ha 24 º48’N,68 º54’E Nil Shooting, Trapping
b Charwo Lake FL 100 ha 24 º50’N,69 º00’E Nil Shooting, Trapping
c Khanjo Lake FL 500 ha 24 º47’N,69 º05’E Nil Hunting, Drainage
13 The Badin & Kadhan Lagoons Lagoons Unknown 24 º15’-24 º30’N,68 º35’-69 Nil Hunting, Grazing
º05’E
14 Shahbuder Salt Waste & Jafri Lake Brakish 20,000 ha 24 º06’-24 º12’N,67 º54’-68 Nil No information
º15’E
15 Mahboob Shah Lake FL/BL/M Over 100 ha 24 º30’N,68 º03’E Nil Fishing, hunting
16 Kinjhar Lake FL 13,468 ha 24 º56’N,68 º03’N WS, R Fishing, Eutrophication,
Hunting
17 Hadero Lake BL 1,321 ha 24 º49’N,67 º52’E WS Fishing & Hunting
18 Haleji Lake FL 1,704 ha 28 º48’N,67 º47’E WS, R Fishing & Eutrophication
19 Hub Dam RV 27,219 ha 25 º15’N,6707’E WS Fishing, Hunting

LEGEND: FL= Fresh water Lake R= Ramsar Site BL= Brackish lake RV= Reservior M= Marshes RS= River Stretch
WS= Wildlife Sanctuary GR= Game Reserve
SOURCE: A directory of Asia Wetlands.

1399
WETLANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF SINDH also found south of Ghulam Muhammad Barrage, in
Thatta and Badin Districts. A large number of lakes
Sindh Province (Figure 1) contains a variety of are also located in the Sanghar District and along the
wetlands. These include the Indus River and its flood Nara Canal at the edge of the Thar desert.
plain, barrages, canals, lakes, ponds, waterlogged Lakes on either side of Nara Canal (a major
areas, paddy growing areas, the delta of the Indus irrigation channel which takes water from the Indus
River near the Arabian Sea, salt lakes, marshy areas, River at Sukkur Barrage) are in the form of a chain
swamps, tidal flats and creeks. There is a larger of small permanent and seasonal, freshwater,
number and a greater variety of wetlands in Sindh brackish and saline lakes and marshes located in sand
than in the other provinces. The Indus River and its dunes. These lakes receive very little of surface
flood plain, the Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages runoff and are mainly fed by monsoon rains and
built on the Indus in Sindh Province and the canals seepage from Nara Canal. The depth of these lakes
originating from these barrages are permanent depends on the intensity of rainfall and the smaller
wetlands. However, changes in the course of the lakes dry out in early summer.
Indus and the areal extent of water in the Drigh, Manchar and Hamal are three important
reservoirs/barrages can be monitored by studying lakes in Dadu and Larkana Districts. Drigh Lake,
satellite data of different seasons or periods. Some of formerly and ancient arm of River Indus, is a small
the prominent freshwater lakes of Sindh, easily slightly brackish lake with extensive marshes on the
identifiable on satellite data of both the dry and wet flood plain of the Indus River. The lake is fed by
seasons, are Manchar, Kalri (or Kinjhar) and Haleji monsoon rains, small streams and a small irrigation
Lakes. These lakes are fed by the Indus River canal. During early summer some parts of the lake
through canals coming out from barrages built on the receive little water and usually dry out. Manchar and
river. Rainfall during the monsoon also contributes Humal are two major lakes in the area that mainly
significantly to filling up these lakes. These lakes receive flood waters from Kirthar Hill torrents. The
experience significant variations in the surficial Manchar lake also receive drainage effluent from
extent of water over the year; Rainfall also plays an Main Nara Valley Drain. Manchar Lake is the larger
important role in the development of different sizes of the two and was once the largest natural lake in
of water ponds. Since these ponds are fed by rainfall, South Asia. It is an important habitat for various
their sizes vary with the season. types of local and migratory birds. Manchar was an
The deltaic region, where the Indus River flows extremely valuable resource in the area and was used
into the Arabian Sea, is another type of wetland for agriculture, fisheries, domestic water supply and
covering a large area in lower Sindh. This area is flood protection.
greatly influenced by the neighboring sea Kinjhar and Haleji lakes are two largest lakes in
environment. The delta consists of a large number of the Thatta district downstream of Ghulam
tidal creeks, channels, salt lakes, marshes and Muhammad Barrage. These are artificial freshwater
swamps. During high tide, these areas are lakes developed for the purpose of water supply to
submerged, because of which the demarcation of Karachi. Kinjhar lake was developed in the 1930's by
individual creeks and channels, particularly the raising the level of two smaller lakes Kinjhar and
smaller ones, becomes difficult. Kalri, by the construction of a dam at Chilia Bangla
There are several paddy growing areas in the and a 12 Km long embankment along the east side.
districts of Larkana, Jacobabad and Thatta in the The lake is fed by the KB feeder canal and a number
Sindh province. During the cropping seasons, the of small streams. Haleji originally a saline lagoon,
paddy fields receive excessive flood irrigation and was developed into a water storage reservoir in
monsoon rainfall, which results in the trapping of 1930's. The lake is fed by the Jam branch canal
additional water in the low-lying areas. Seasonal carrying water from Kinjhar lake. Other smaller
migratory birds usually visit these areas during the lakes in this area are Hadero and Chatteji Lakes.
paddy growing season. Hadero is a shallow brackish lake between Kinjhar
During the dry season, except for the rivers, and Haleji lakes. The lake is fed by SLM drain and
dams lakes, canals, creeks and tide-affected areas, by several seasonal streams.
most of the seasonal wetland patches dry up or are There are a number of lakes in the Badin
reduced in areal extent due to percolation, district southest of Ghulam Muhammad Barrage.
evaporation and lack. These include a number of fresh to slightly brackish
lakes and associated marshes and have variable water
MAJOR LAKES OF SINDH quality. These lakes are mainly fed by seepage from
nearby irrigation canals and monsoon flood waters.
Sindh has a number of lakes covering an area of A very large area of shallow brackish lagoons at the
78,000 hectares. Table 2 gives preliminary end of the drainage canals in the eastern part of the
information about lakes of Sindh is. These lakes are Indus delta also lie in the Badin district. The water
mainly located to the west of the Indus River in level in these lagoons varies widely and large areas
Dadu, Larkana and Jacobabad Districts. Lakes are of the lagoons dry out in some years. Kinjhar and

1400
Haleji lakes are the two most important lakes in the schemes. The major potential changes would result
area. from the construction of Sehwan Barrage; under this
The reservoir of Hub dam is another artificial project the lake would be used as a storage reservoir.
water storage reservoir located on the border between To date, the lake has not been studied in detail.
Baluchistan and Sindh. The reservoir is used for However, few reports have been written on some
water supply and irrigation and is reported to have aspects of the river.
the highest fishery potential of the small reservoirs in
Pakistan. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAKE:
In arid area like Sindh these lakes are a natural
resource and form a backbone for economic and The topography of the lake is such that in cold
social activity. Some of these lakes provide a weather the Manchar may be only 2 Sq. miles or so
livelihood to a number of fisherman, they supply in area at its lowest basin level RL 100-101. In past
water for irrigation, store drainage and flood water there have been years when the lake had dried up
and support a wide range of flora and fauna. Most of entirely. However, at the time of heavy rainfall the
these lakes are important habitats for local and lake extends northwest with the result that it may
migratory birds and provide a major wintering area cover an area of about 100 Sq. miles or nearly 64000
for waterfowl. Haleji, Hadero, Kinjhar, Chatteji and acres at RL 113. The area of lake has been restricted
Drigh Lake provide a breeding area for a number of at higher levels by construction of Manchar
waterfowls and have been declared wildlife Containing (MC) and the Flood Protective
sanctuaries under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Embankments (Bunds). On the eastern side, MC
Ordinance 1972. Kinjhar and Haleji Lakes apart from bank joins the bank of Aral Manchar at mile 0 in the
being a source of water supply to Karachi are also south-east and in the north-west links with the Flood
used for recreational activities, education and Protective Bund at the out fall bridge of MNV drain.
scientific research.
LOCATION OF THE LAKE
INTRODUCTION OF MANCHAR LAKE:
The land of Sindh can be divided into three divisions
Manchar is the biggest shallow water natural lake of from north to south. They are Siro (upper), Vicholo
Pakistan; situated at a distance of about 18 kms from (Central), and Larr (Lower). It lays between a little
Sehwan Sharif, district Dadu, Sindh. It is a vast below 24 and 28.5 north latitudes and between
natural depression flanked by the Khirhar hills in the longitudes 67 nad 71 east. Its length from north to
west, the Laki Hills in the south and the river Indus south is about 360 miles, and from east to west it is
in the east. Flood bunds constructed in 1932 form its 170 miles in breadth, it varies in north and south.
northern and northeastern boundaries. Indeed such a In the same way Sindh is divided in three
large natural body of fresh water is a major resource natural regions; Thar (the eastern desert), Kacho –
in an arid region. Pako (central division irrigated by the river and
Being a natural storage it was free from the defects canals), and Kaachho or Kohistan (mountainous high
and drawbacks of an artificial storage. Manchar Lake land) in the west. Physiographically as a whole Sindh
has been substantially supporting various economic forms 'The Lower Indus Basin'. The mountainous
activities. It provided a livelihood for a large number tract in the west of the main Indus plain corresponds
of fishermen, irrigation water for various crops and with the desert region in the east.
aquatic plants including lotus. The lake could have Keeping in view these natural divisions, the
also contributed a lot in boosting tourism industry if plain from Kashmor – Kandkhot to Sehwan on the
its beautification was properly maintained. However west of River Sindhu, and from Rohri to Hala on the
due to various reasons the primitive beauty and river, may be called 'SINDH HALLOW'.
usefulness of the lake have been degraded. Thus waters flowing from Sindhu and its main
The human activities have changed ancient channels SINDH DARYAH, KUNBH
significantly the original regime of the lake. Such DARYAH (Western Nara) and Nai Gaj, Nai Angai,
activities include construction/enlargement of the and Nai Naing form a big inundation in miles in Johi
artificial channels linking the river to the lake and the and Sehwan talukas of Dadu district. That big
construction of flood embankments to the north and inundation is called 'Lake Manchar'.
most important, Main Nara Valley Drain (MVND), Lake Manchar is situated between longitude 67
constructed at the time of Sukkur Barrage brings a -34' and 67 – 43' east and latitude 26 -23' and 26 –
considerable supply of saline water into the lake. The 28' north. It occupies the extreme southern portion of
operation of lake is linked to control the flooding in a low-land formed by the dipping of the Khirthar
the barrage-irrigated area and to maintain water range of mountains near its flanks and the high
levels for irrigated agriculture from the lake itself. alluvial bed of the River Sindhu.
In future, the lake is likely to receive more The bed of the Lake Manchar is about 17-18
drainage effluent by construction of drainage feet lower than the bed of the river. Thus a
network under Right Bank Outfall Drainage (RBOD) depression has been formed by a little raised alluvial

1401
bed of the river in the east and hilly fringes of The modern feeders of Lake Manchar are almost the
Khirthar range and its off-shoots in the west. The same ancient ones. Dadu canal and Main Nara Valley
lake fills the area of that natural depression –a part of Drain have come in place of the Western Nara.
'Sindh Hallow' and on the west of river Sindhu Danaster Canal has been re-commissioned with
(Indus). reasonably good discharge of the river water towards
Manchar is the biggest natural sweet water lake the lake. Certain new water courses have been dug
of Asia, though primarily it can be called 'AN from this channel in order to feed the agricultural
INUNDATION LAKE'. It is roughly oval in shape. lands around Lake Manchar. This canal also flows
The lake water spreads in two hundred ten sq. miles like River Aral.
in summer, during inundation period, when the level There are around 31 drainage units and all of
of the water rises to 116-118 R.L. while the bed of them discharge their effluent into a Spinal Drain. The
the lake is 100 R.L. spinal drain is the same channel called Main Valley
Drain (MNVD) connecting two natural depressions,
THE FEEDERS OF THE LAKE: Hamel Lake and Manchar Lake. The command area
already has some drainage units (about 8) with their
Ancient. The lake is fed by three main sources. effluent discharge ranges from 400 cfs to 900 cfs. At
These sources permanently or periodically pour their present the design discharge capacity of exiting
waters into the lake, throughout the year, since the RBOD stage I&II drainage units are as follows:
formation of the lake by the natural geographical,
geological and other events and actions, during the Drainage Unit Design
Lower Palaeolithic period. First of the feeders is the Discharge Capacity
drained off water from the main Khirthar range of Saifullah Main Drain 311
mountains and its off-shoots like Bado, Lundo, Cusecs
Manchar and Lakki hills. Shahdad Kot main Drain 276
The main hill-torrents which fall in Lake Cusecs
Manchar are the Gaj, The Showl, The Angai, The Miro Khan Main Drain 415
Naig, The Gumrach, The Lunni, The Bandhuri, Cusecs
Angai, The Jhangari and The Bajari. Gaj, Showl, Hamal Brach Drain 43
Angai, and Naig flow from the main Khirthar range, Cusecs
while others come from the branches mentioned Warah Brach Drain 77
above. Cusecs
Nai Angai and Nai. Nai flow from the Bhit Ghar Brach Drain 719
(wall) mountain about two thousand seven hundred Cusecs
feet high. It is one of the important ranges of the Mehar Main Drain 302
Khirthar Mountains. Nai Naig runs from south north- Cusecs
ward between Bhit and Bado ranges. It is about fifty K.N. Shah Main Drain 128
miles long, and at the village of Sawro joins Nai Cusecs
Angai, and then turning towards east falls in Lake Total: 2271
Manchar. Many important pre-historic sites like
Naig, Gorandi and Gazi Shah are situated on the Cusecs.
western bank of this Nai.
During summer, River Sindhu flows into the This means that present maximum discharge
Manchar, through Aral river, provided its discharge capacity of RBOD stage I&II is about 2271 cusecs
at Sukkur rises above 5 lac cusecs. and all of this effluent fall into Manchar Lake via
Aral river is as old as river Sindhu and lake MNVD. This flow does not remain uniform
Manchar. In fact it is the link river between Lake throughout the year but maximum flow occurs at the
Manchar and river Sindhu. It presents a strange and time of rice cultivation.
curious phenomenon of flowing in two directions. It
depends on the water level of the river and the lake. Main Sources of Manchar Lake water
It feeds Lake Manchar, when river Sindhu is on
spate, generally during summer monsoons. At present the water supply for Manchar Lake is very
The Lake Manchar water recedes, when the unreliable. It essentially depends on flood flows
level of the river water falls. After the flood, from:
thousands of acres of land within lake Manchar 9 River Indus flows via Aral Canal and
catchments area are cultivated with wheat, oil seeds, Danistar canal
peas, chick-peas, and grams. 9 Storm water flows and hill torrents of
Khirthar hills.
MODERN FEEDERS. 9 Drainage effluent from Main Nara Valley
Drain (R.B.O.D)

1402
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OF
MANCHAR LAKE:

Environmental degradation is damage to local or

global ecosystem of the biosphere as a whole due to
human activity. It occurs when nature's resources
(such as tress, habitat, earth, water and air) are being
consumed faster than nature can replenish them.
Great environmental degradation has occurred in this
lake in recent years due to:

• Build up in salinity due to effluent disposal

through MNVD
• Scarcity in freshwater
• Waste refuse disposal in the lake
• Rise of lake bed due to sedimentation

Basically, the major factor which contributed to this

tragedy is high flow from:
Drainage effluent from Main Nara Valley Drain
(R.B.O.D)
The objective of this project is to reclaim the
agricultural land which is affected by the twin Figure 2. Sketch of Manchar Lake
menace of water logging and salinity. The existing
Main Nara Valley Drain (MNVD) with rehabilitation
and extension would provide an outfall of the The status of Manchar on the sampling day
drainage effluent on the right bank of the Indus indicated that total dissolved salts (TDS) were within
command area. the range 3200-3283 mg/L and 3686 mg/L and 4198
In 1990, the RBOD effluent was diverted to the mg/L at tail and head regulators. The water from tail
Manchar Lake. This contamination of the Manchar regulator was being allowed to drain in river Indus
Lake resulted in not only the sharp decline of fish and head regulator was closed with zero discharge.
production but also in the discontinuation of drinking The higher salts concentrations at tail and head
water supply of local area (Sehwan Sharif) from the regulators than Manchar was due to the stagnant
lake. The fishermen living in and around the lake are water and evaporation from the surface. This may
also facing hardships in fetching potable water. Same have resulted in higher salt concentrations at tail and
is the fate of fish catch. In 1950, the annual fish head regulators. However due to the release of water
production of Manchar Lake was 3000 tons which from tail regulator, a movement of water from
got reduced to 300 tons in 1994 and presently it is Manchar towards tail regulator has occurred and has
just 100 tons. resulted in some what decrease in salt concentration
at tail regulator as compared to head regulator. The
POLLUTION STATUS OF MANCHAR LAKE: salt concentration from the samples collected from
MNVD near inlet point to Manchar and Kharani
A layout out sketch of the Manchar Lake is shown in Moori about 4 Km Manchar lake indicated 2099
fig. 2 showing the status of the drain MNVD into mg/L and 2618 mg/L TDS. This indicated that salts
lake and outfall of the lake through two canals concentration at MNVD was increasing, but still was
(Danister & Aral) into river Indus. The water quality lower than Manchar at this time of year. Chloride,
with respect to Physio-chemical and Microbial load hardness and metal ion concentration also crossed the
is table 3&4 which are self explanatory and maximum permissible levels of WHO at Manchar
reflecting the accumulation of pollutants in the lake table 5. The concentration of arsenic at Manchar
and its discharge into river Indus, the only fresh Lake was within permissible limits.
water source of drinking water for the people of The Manchar Lake was observed in eutrophic
downstream in Sindh. condition with luxurious growth of algal flora.
Other phase of the sampling was carried out on Among these species Microcysits flosaquae,
24-12-2006. The analyses were carried out on the Microcystis marginata, Microcystis proticystis,
sight and laboratories of Dr. M.A. Kazi Institute of Trichodes mivshnlacvstre, Lyngbya sp., Oscilatoria
Chemistry and High Tech. Central Resource sp., Merismopedia sp., Anabaena sp., and
Laboratories, University of Sindh. The results of Anabaenopisis sp., considered as toxic and may be
analysis are summarized as attachment. responsible for gastro intestinal illness were also
identified in large population.

1403
 It is sad to note that the underground water the concentration of mercury at Manchar was within
which is being supplied through water supply scheme the range 3.57-4.30 mg/L and 6.77 mg/L and 9.50
to a limited number of villages for human mg/L at tail and head regulators respectively. The
consumption contained the salt concentration of 2918 analysis was carried out by atomic absorption
mg/L TDS and arsenic was also detected at the spectrometry. The mercury is a toxic element and the
concentration of 50µg/L (or ppb parts per billion). concentration even within the range 3.57-9.50 mg/L
The permissible limit of salt concentration for human may be considered as a source of health hazard. I
consumption is 500 mg/L TDS and 10µg/L arsenic. think there is a need to investigate possible sources
of mercury contamination, to prevent the possible
Analysis for Mercury Concentration sources from addition of mercury to the water of
National importance.
The water samples were analyzed for the
concentration of mercury. The results indicate that

Units=mg/l
S.No: TEST PSI/WHO MNVD - CENTER- UNDER-CANAL- CANAL- RIVER
(Ground) (Aral) (Danister) (Indus)
1. TDS 500 1230 4130 1946 4750 4230 187

2. Chloride 200-600 660 2285 903 2566 2316 68

3. Sulphate 200-400 176 302 366 398 328 60

4. Calcium <100 96 192 72 136 88 88

5. Magnesium <40 254 18 577 336 160 45

6. Phosphorous -- 0.62 1.47 0.39 0.39 0.95 0.04

7. COD 10 96 93 96 0.88 105 92

8. Coliforms Nil + + + + + +

Figure 3. Water quality status of Lake

Table 4. H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry University Of Karachi Plant Screening Section Sterility Test by
MPN Technique

MICROBIAL LOAD

ARAL CANAL, May - 2004:

1- BACTERIA Uncountable
Coliforms Uncountable
Salmonella/ Shigella Nil
Gram Negative Enteric Bacilli Uncountable
Streptococci/Staphylococci 53
2- Yeast Uncountable
3- Mold Nil

RIVER INDUS, May – 2004:

1- Growth Observed: E.Coli isolated

2- Total available count: 1000 colonies/ml

1404
Table 5. Water Analysis of River Indus and Manchar Lake (December -2006)

S. Parameters Unit S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 WHO
No. LIMIT
1. Color L.Y L.M Clear Clear Muddy L.M L.M Clear Muddy Muddy
2. Ph 8.05 8.14 8.00 8.40 8.16 8.27 8.21 8.22 8.26 7.46 6.5-
8.5
3. Conductivity µS/cm 5760 5760 4560 5000 5130 3280 4090 1400 416 512
4. Total dissolved mg/L 3686 4198 2918 3200 3283 2099 2618 896 266 328 500
salts (TDS)
5. Salinity g/L 3.1 3.6 2.4 2.7 2.7 1.8 2.2 2.7 0.2 0.2
6. Chlorides mg/L 1292 1276 973 1085 1069 750 845 338 77 89 250
7. Bicarbonates mg/L 190 203 180 158 158 180 135 180 79 84
8. Hardness as mg/L 537 537 555 455 473 373 410 278 118 137 500
CaCO3
9. Chemical mg/L --- 88 44 77 68 105 65 52 42 44 50
oxygen demand
(COD)
10. Mercury mg/L 9.50 6.77 1.90 4.30 0.157 3.22 3.18 2.44 0.20 0.33 0.005*
11. Lead mg/L 0.174 0.138 0.124 0.105 0.106 0.078 0.106 0.081 0.031 0.038 0.01
12. Copper mg/L 0.035 0.026 0.020 0.020 0.017 0.015 0.020 0.016 0.008 0.011 1.3
13. Nickel mg/L 0.08 0.076 0.052 0.054 0.055 0.045 0.058 0.042 0.008 0.015 1.0
14. Manganese mg/L 0.017 0.017 0.007 0.009 0.014 0.007 0.007 0.005 0.003 0.009 0.1
15. Zinc mg/L 0.055 0.034 0.067 0.067 0.027 0.035 0.037 0.095 0.023 0.026 5.0
16. Cadmium mg/L 0.013 0.013 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.01 0.013 0.01 0.007 0.007 0.005
17. Arsenic µg/L 0.00 5.00 50.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.0

• L. M = Light Muddy
• National Primary Drinking Water Standards (Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality Geo
Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department)
• S-1 = Sample 1 collected from above tale regulator Manchar Lake Sehwan
• S-2 = Sample 2 collected from above head regulator Manchar Lake Sehwan
• S-3 = Sample 3 collected from underground water supplied by water supply scheme, collected near
Dhal Bund, Qadir Bhalai Village.
• S-4 = Sample 4 collected from the Manchar Bund about 2 km from Dhal Bund Village about 4 km
from MNVD (Main Nara Valley Drain)
• S-5 = Sample 5 collected from Manchar Bund, near Ali Nawaz Mallah Village about 4 km from
MNVD (Main Nara Valley Drain)
• S-6 = Sample 6 collected from inlet to MNVD (Main Nara Valley Drain) to Manchar Lake
• S-7 = Sample 7 collected from MNVD at Kharani Moori about 4 km from Manchar Lake
• S-8 = Sample 8 collected from Lal Bagh Spring from Lal Bagh Sehwan
• S-9 = Sample 9 collected from River Indus Near Lakhi Village RD 62
• S-10= Sample 10 collected from the Kotri barrage

RESULT AND DISCUSSION: tail regulator, a movement of water from Manchar

Towards tail regulator has occurred and has resulted
The status of Manchar on the sampling day table 6 in some what decrease in salts concentration at tail
indicating that total dissolved salts (TDS) were regulator as compared to head regulator. The salts
within the range 6675 mg/L and 6300 mg/L and 6080 concentration from the samples collected from
mg/L at tail and head regulators. The water from tail MNVD near inlet point to Manchar and Kharani
regulator was being allowed to drain in river Indus Moori about 4 Km Manchar Lake indicated 3000
and head regulator was closed with Zero discharge. mg/L and 3120 mg/L TDS. This indicated that salt
The higher salt concentrations at tail and head concentration at MNVD was increasing, but still
regulators than Machar was due to the stagnant water were lower than Manchar at this time of year.
and evaporation from the surface. This may have Chloride, hardness and metal ion concentration also
resulted in higher salt concentration at tail and head crossed the maximum permissible levels of WHO at
regulators. However due to the release of water from

1405
Manchar. The concentration of arsenic at Manchar In some areas of Manchar Lakes salinity is an
Lake was within permissible limits. inherent situation (enormous amounts of salts are
It is said to note that the underground water stored in the soils). However, human practices have
which is being supplied through water supply scheme increased soil salinity by changing the natural
to a limited number of villages for human balance of the water cycle. Salinity can occur when
consumption contained the salt concentration of 330 the water table is between two to three metres from
mg/L TDS and arsenic was also detected at the the surface of the soil. The salts from the
concentration of 50 ppb. The permissible limit of salt groundwater are raised by capillary action to the
concentration for human consumption is 500mg/L surface of the soil. This occur when groundwater is
and 10um arsenic. The mercury is a toxic element saline (which is true in many areas), and is favored
and the concentration even within the range 130-140 by land use practices allowing more rainwater to
ppb may be considered as a source of health hazard. enter the aquifer than it could accommodate.
Salinity from Irrigation can occur over time
Table 6. Test report of Manchar lake (2 km inside wherever irrigation occurs, since almost all water
from bank) June 2006. form MNV drain contains some dissolved salts and
heavy metal. When the plants use the water, the salts
S. PARAMETERS RESULTS WHO Limits are left behind in the soil and eventually begin to
No. accumulate. Since soil salinity makes it more
1 pH 8.2 6.8-8.5
2 Partial Alkalinity 3.5 <10 mg/l
difficult for plants to adsorb soil moisture, these salts
3 Total Alkalinity 235 <100 mg/l must be leached out of the plant root zone by
4 Total Hardness 1415 <140 mg/l applying additional water. This, in turn can lead to
5 Calcium 425 <100 mg/l rising water tables, requiring drainage to keep the
6 Magnesium 990 <40 mg/l saline ground water out of the root zone. It the water
7 Sodium 605 12 mg/l
8 Potassium 23 10 mg/l
table rises too high, then natural soil evaporation will
9 Iron 320 <300µg/l being to draw the salts back upward into the soil
10 Copper 120 <200µg/l profile. The problem is accelerated when too much
11 Mercury 99 1 µg/l water is added too quickly due to inefficient water
12 Arsenic 70 10 µg/l use such as over-irrigation, applying more than is
13 Phosphate 410 <300 µg/l
required for leaching, using bad estimates of
14 Chloride 3890 200 mg/l
15 Sulphate 490 200 mg/l evapotranspiration and is greatly increased by poor
16 Total Dissolved Solid 6675 500 mg/l drainage and use of saline water for irrigating
17 Conductivity 8900 650 µs/cm agriculture crops. These practices result in the
18 Turbidity 74 <10 NTU concentration of salts.
19 Colour Blackish Clear Largest Manchar Lake the largest fresh water
20 Odour Bad Acceptable
lake in Sindh has changed saline with total soluble
salts 6000-6500 mg/L and mercury concentration
130-140 mg/L. Fresh water vegetation, fish and
Soil Degradation
fauna has been disturbed and destroyed due to the
addition of less amount of fresh water from river
It occurs when base cations such as calcium,
Indus and hill torrents from its catchments area and
magnesium, potassium, and sodium are lost from the
addition of agriculture drainage water from Main
soil. Losses occur when these bases are leached from
Narra Valley Drain (MNVD).
the soil. This leaching increases with increasing
A large population of toxic algal flora
precipitation. Plants take bases from the soil as they
Microcytis flosaquae, Microcystis marginate,
grow, donating a proton in exchange for each base
Microcystis Protocystis, and Aphanizomenon
cation. Where plant material is removed, (as when a
flosaqua were also present within Manchar Lake.
forest is logged or crops are harvested) the nutrients
they have taken up are permanently lost from the
REMARKS:
soil.
Attention is invited by the technical/ scientific experts
to support in rehabilitation of the lake on its natural
Soil Salination in Machar Lake
state and also manage the donors for improving the
existing status of the lake as model.
Soil Salination is the accumulations of free salts to
such an extent that it leads to degradation of soils and
THE RAMSAR CONVENTION
vitiation. Salination is a natural process that results
from high levels of salt in the soils.
The international treaty for the protection of wetlands
Salt is natural element of soils and water. The ions
in the Ramsar convention, to which Pakistan is
responsible for salination are: Na+. K+, Ca²+, Mg²+
signatory. The convention is named after the town of
and Cl¯.
Ramsar in Iran where it was held in 1971. The

1406
Ramsar convention came into force in Pakistan on • To formulate and implement planning so as
20th November 1976. The main obligation to signing to promote conservation of listed sites.
the convention is to ensure the wise use and • To advise the Ramsar Bureau of any change
conservation of wetlands. To support this broad in their ecological character.
obligation, contracting parties are asked to designate • To compensate for any loss of wetland
at least 1 wetlands site as a “WETLAND OF resources if deleted or respected.
INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE” and promote • To use criteria for identifying wetlands of
the wise use of wetland in their territory, create international importance and to establish
wetland reserves, consult each other about “Shadow” lists.
implementing obligations, encourage research and • To formulate and implement planning, so as
exchange of data and promote training of personal in to promote the within “Wise Use” of
the wetland management techniques. wetlands.
The mission of the Ramsar convention on the • To make environmental impact assessments
wetlands is: before transformations of wetlands, ad to
“The conservation and wise use of wetlands by make national wet land inventories.
national action and international co-operation as a • To establish nature reserves on wetlands and
means to achieving sustainable development provide adequately for their wardening and
throughout the world” through management to increase waterfowl
(RAMSAR 1995) populations on appropriate wetlands.
• To train personal competent in wetlands
Ramsar defines wetlands as: research management and wardening.
“A area of marsh, fen, peat land or water whether • To promote conservation of wetlands by
natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with combining farsighted international actions.
water that is static or flowing fresh, brackish or salt • To consult with other contracting parties
including areas of marine water the depth of which at about implementing obligations arising from
low tide does not exceed six meters” (1971) the convention.
• To promote wetlands conservations
Principle Obligations of contracting parties to the concerns with development aid agencies.
Ramsar conservation: • To encourage research and exchange of
: data.
• To designate wetlands for the list of
wetlands of international importance.

1407