The Indus River, a lifeline for millions across Pakistan and India, is facing an unprecedented crisis. Originating in the Tibetan Plateau and traversing over 3,000 km before emptying into the Arabian Sea, the Indus has historically been a source of life, shaping civilizations and inspiring culture. However, today, its delta is shrinking, its mangroves are dying, and its aquatic life is vanishing.
Once the second-largest delta in Asia, the Indus Delta is now a fraction of its former self due to upstream diversions. The annual freshwater flow to the delta has plummeted from 150-180 million acre-feet (MAF) to less than 10 MAF. This drastic reduction in water flow has led to seawater intrusion, poisoning croplands and groundwater up to 80 km inland. The delta, predominantly located in Pakistan's Sindh province with a small portion in India's Kutch region, is experiencing an ecological disaster.
The consequences are severe. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced from the Indus delta region in the last two decades as their livelihoods have been destroyed by increasing soil salinity. Fertile land has decreased by over 16% due to encroaching seawater. Fishing communities, who have relied on the river for generations, are also facing displacement.
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS), developed over the past 140 years, is the largest contiguous irrigation system in the world. While it has been crucial for Pakistan's agricultural production, particularly in the Punjab province, it has also contributed to the river's diminished flow. Dams, barrages, and irrigation works, constructed since the 1940s, have diverted significant amounts of water away from the delta. Plans to divert more Indus water to Cholistan, a desert in Punjab, for corporate farming raise further concerns about the future of the delta.
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, allocated the Indus River and its western tributaries to Pakistan, while giving India control over the eastern rivers. However, the treaty did not account for the river's ecological needs or the impacts of climate change. With India signaling potential disengagement from the IWT, tensions between the two countries have resurfaced, exacerbating the challenges facing the already-stressed river system.
Climate change is adding another layer of complexity. Himalayan glacial melt, which feeds the Indus, is becoming increasingly unpredictable, leading to more frequent floods and droughts. Groundwater levels are declining in both countries, and outdated water governance models are further compounding the problem.
In response to the crisis, the Pakistani government and the United Nations launched the "Living Indus Initiative" in 2021. This initiative focuses on restoring the delta by addressing soil salinity, protecting local agriculture and ecosystems, and planting mangroves to create a natural barrier against saltwater intrusion. The Sindh government is also running its own mangrove restoration project.
The Indus River's plight highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management and a reimagined approach to transboundary water governance. Viewing the Indus as a living system, rather than just a water pipeline, is crucial for ensuring its survival and the well-being of the millions who depend on it.
