Saline drain water turns historic Manchar Lake toxic, crippling fisheries and local livelihoods

Manchar Lake, once famed for its abundant fish and birdlife, is now suffering severe salinity after receiving roughly 2,000 cusecs of polluted water each day from the Main Nara Valley Drain, according to Shir Mohammad of the Sehwan Irrigation Department. The lake's total dissolved solids sit at about 4,000, a slight improvement from 6,000 despite a water-level rise to roughly 112 feet RL following temporary fresh inflows from the Indus River.

Local elders like Juman Khatoon note the disappearance of all fish varieties and the erosion of a centuries-old boat culture, while Shama Mallah describes water-borne illnesses and dysfunctional RO plants that force residents to buy expensive tanker water. Water-resources expert Imran Aziz Tunio calls for the drain's diversion to the sea through the unfinished Right Bank Outfall Drain, and environmentalist Nasir Panhwar warns that the crisis also threatens regional agriculture and bird habitats. Socio-economic analyst Khadim Soomro stresses that restoring water quality is as crucial as raising water levels for the lake’s future.