DADU: Experts have urged government to ensure constant flow of water downstream Kotri barrage to save lives of aquatic and terrestrial animals and tens of thousands of people who are solely dependent on fishing in deltaic belt for their livelihood.

They warned that if serious measures were not taken in this regard, Sindh could face losses on an unimaginable scale in the years to come because of sea erosion.

They recommended that the federal as well as Sindh government should devise a durable policy for ensuring constant flows of water downstream Kotri.

They were speaking at a seminar organised by the Department of Freshwater Biology and Fisheries at the University ofSindh to mark the the World Fish Migration Day on Wednesday.

The experts urged the government to save water and fish as per theme of the international day, `Connecting fish, rivers and people`.

Inland Fisheries Sindh deputy director Khaleeg Ahmed Soomro said that initiatives should be taken to ensure collaboration for research between the university and the Sindh government for the advancement of fisheries in Sindh.

Prof Dr Anila Naz Soomro said that during her research project in Japan, it was proved that juveniles of shrimp were in higher population at the tail of rivers that entered into the sea. `It is therefore, proved that the flow of rivers is most important for the population of aquatic animals for their growth and survival,` she added.Prof Dr Sujo Mal said that climate change had great impact on the life of terrestrial of aquatic animals and it was also one of the main reasons for migration of animals.

Dr Punhal Khan Lashari talked about the importance of world-famous `Pallo` fish and said it was one of the most delicious and expensive species found in the Indus river.

Pallo fish travelled up the river from sea for breeding during monsoon season and the flow of the river had a direct relation with the survival of this precious species, he said.

Dr Mohammad Younis Leghari, who was also moderator of the program, warned that if the government did not devise a strategy to cope with climate change and stop anthropological activities Pallo fish would be in serious danger. If the government wasnot serious about it, Sindh would face losses from sea erosion on an unimaginable scale in the years to come, he warned.

SU`s Department of Freshwater Biology and Fisheries chairman Prof Dr Khalid Hussain Lashari urged the federal as well as Sindh governments to make a strict policy of ensuring constant flows of water downstream Kotri. `If we ignore the issue at this stage, we will lose many fish species in future,` he said.

He offered services of expert faculty members of his department to the Sindh government for further research and policymaking.

Prof Dr Wazir Ali Baloch, Bashir Ahmed Dogar and Prof Dr Mukhtiar Ahmad Mahar said that migration was a natural process among animals including fish.