Daily Times

In Tharparkar District and the surrounding areas of Sindh Province, cereal production shortfalls due to drought, coupled with losses of small animals, has aggravated food insecurity and caused acute malnutrition.

Livestock also falls victim to droughts in various ways; water shortages and their impact on grazing make animals weaker and more prone to disease. The consumption of herbs mixed with sand causes digestive problems, metabolism disorders and viral infections that are highly contagious.

High livestock mortality rates and losses of weight significantly reduced the income of the people in the drought-affected areas. The impact of drought in rain-fed areas of Thar and Khirthar was much more severe. More than 80% of respondents reported that high costs and unavailability of feed and water and lack of clinical facilities were the major reasons for the death of their livestock.

As such, prices of livestock fall and farmers are either unable to sell their animals or do so at prices that jeopardize their income. Seeing as there is barely any kind of veterinary service in Tharparkar, the final outcome of disease is often death, and given that the population depends on livestock for milk and meat, this inevitably increases their vulnerability to malnutrition and reduces their resilience.

Because a drought is affecting your area and high temperatures are forecast for the rest of the summer, animals – including birds and other wild animals that are in danger of dying from lack of water.  Already this year, there have been at least 48 hot weather-related many animals’ deaths – and these are just the ones that have been reported.

Sindh wildlife has entered red zone as a drought in Sindh has left Nagerparker and Khirthar National park with receding grass and dried up ponds. As per information from Sindh Wildlife department, there are 20,000 Ibex, 14,000 Urials, and 10,000 Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) at the Khirthar National park , while there are around 250 to 300 Nilgai (Blue Bull) in the vicinity of Nangerparker.

Sindh wildlife has entered red zone as a drought in Sindh has left Nagerparker and Khirthar National park with receding grass and dried up ponds

Because of no rain there is serious danger to ibex, urial, and deer in Khirthar National Park and Nangerparker, the wildlife of Jamshoro and Umerkot are also in severe danger. If the situation persists till March there will be an increase in the deaths of animals. Wild life made five ponds in Nagerparker, while water is being provided to Khirther national Park through a solar tube Well which is insufficient.

A devastating drought is claiming thousands of livestock in these areas and promoting many to fear famine. Many farmers have taken advantage of rain when it does come, by making hay and stockpiling other fodder. Many are careful to protect their pastures and therefore their soil by selling or locking up livestock and feeding- a practice known as drought lotting in dry times.

Farmers and Villagers pray, GOD give us rain because we have a big problem, fearing widespread Starvation. We cannot do anything.  Said migrating person going towards water area. We have to protect our animal from Heat and supply proper water, keep animals indoor and never leave them outside in the current hot climate.

We may migrate to the barrage area where sufficient amount of water is available to save ourselves and the Animals.

The writer is a retired doctor of the Sindh Health Department

Published in Daily Times, October 9^th 2018.