HYDERABAD: Speakers at a one-day conference have underlined the need to establish an efficient and systematic water management system for Thar, keeping in view its population and their livestock.

The moot was held on `Water Security Planning Tharparkar` organised at the Institute of Sindhology on Wednesday under the aegis of Abida Taherani Sindh Development Studies Centre in collaboration with Sukaar Foundation, Water Aid Pakistan and Big Lottery Fund, UK.

One minute silence was observed on the occasion in memory of late vice chancellor Prof Dr Abida Taherani. A documentary film on her life and accomplishments was screened amidst applause from the audience.

Acting Sindh University VC Prof Dr Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro saidTharparl(ar could be the richest among all districts of the country provided that coal extraction scheme and water projects got required attention. He assured NGOs of SU`s support and cooperation for extension of academic collaboration.

He said NGOs working for the development of Thar could capitalise on faculty and human resource of the varsity towards designing and development of water-related projects. Upon approval, those projects could help overcome water crisis in Thar, he said.

Prof Dr Parvez Ahmed Pathan, pro-VC of Mirpurkhas campus, said efficient and systematic water management, not water scarcity, was the real problem and issue of water conservation remained integral part of national agenda since 1947 when dams were built.

He said that in 1980, the same infrastructure was rehabilitated and currently bodies like Indus River System Authority (Irsa) andCouncil of Common Interests (CCI) were formed to ensure judicious distribution of water among the provinces. But now, he proposed, national-level efforts for resolution of water crisis in Tharparkar.

Dr Sarfaraz Hussain Solangi, pro-VC of Thatta campus, elaborated geological zone break-up of Tharparkar and assured that the SU faculty were capable of extending technical and academic assistance to Sukaar Foundation and other NGOs working in Thar`s water sector.

Abid Channa, chief executive officer of Sukaar Foundation, said they had formulated recommendations for improvement of water crisis in Thar after ground research, involving 75 villages of Thar. He said it would be submitted to the Sindh government in Dec 2016. He said that prior to it, they would consult water experts in the SU to refine those recommendations.

Hina Dastagir, CM`s coordinator for youth development, said the Sindh governmenthad tried its best to resolve water related problems of the people of Thar by establishing water supply schemes and reverse osmosis plants, but massive demographic and physical scope of Thar always came as a major hurdle.

Dr Arfana Mallah, president of Sindh University Teachers Association, said the people of Thar felt neglected and marginalised and the denizens of Thar were as good as anyone else in Sindh. She said they were an integral part of socio-cultural fabric of Sindh.

Senior development activist Prof Mushtaq Mirani said that population in Thar was a major factor responsible for its dilemma.

He said human population of 1.5 million and that of livestock six million were huge to use resources whatsoever.

He said that for improving water situation in Thar, one needed to control population first.

Senior academicians attended the conference.