The Cholistan Canal Project, aimed at transforming barren lands, faces criticism over environmental concerns and inter-provincial water disputes. Explore the controversy and its implications.
Table of Contents
🌍 Introduction
In early 2025, the Government of Punjab, in collaboration with the federal administration, launched the Cholistan Canal Project under the Green Pakistan Initiative. The project’s objective is to construct six canals from the Indus River to irrigate approximately 4.8 million acres of barren land across the country. While the initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity and combat desertification, it has ignited significant controversy, especially from stakeholders in Sindh province.
💧 Environmental and Provincial Concerns
Critics argue that diverting water from the Indus River could exacerbate existing water shortages in downstream regions, particularly in Sindh. Environmentalists warn of potential ecological damage to the Indus Delta, a vital ecosystem that relies on the river’s flow to maintain its biodiversity and support local livelihoods.
The Sindh Provincial Assembly passed a resolution on March 13, 2025, opposing the project and urging the federal government to halt construction. Subsequently, various political parties and civil society organizations have organized protests, highlighting concerns over water rights and environmental degradation.
🧑⚖️ Legal and Political Actions
The opposition to the Cholistan Canal Project has not been limited to public demonstrations. Legal challenges have been mounted, citing violations of the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, which governs water distribution among Pakistan’s provinces. Lawyers’ associations in Sindh have staged sit-ins, notably the Babarloi Dharna, demanding a halt to the project until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is conducted and inter-provincial consensus is achieved.
🏛️ Government Response
In response to mounting pressure, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a temporary suspension of the Cholistan Canal Project on April 24, 2025. A committee has been established to review the project’s implications, with an emphasis on ensuring that any future developments are in line with environmental standards and respect the rights of all provinces involved.
📸 Suggested Images
Indus Delta Ecosystem: Showcasing the biodiversity at risk.
Map of the Cholistan Canal Project: Illustrating the proposed canal routes and affected regions.
Protests in Sindh: Capturing public demonstrations against the project.
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