AHD wins WWF Indus Conservation Award 2012

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AHD Chief Executive Muhammad Yaseen Rind (2nd from right in back row) in group photo after winning "Indus Conservation Award-WWF-Pak" on June 22, 2012.

Transporting light to dark island of Kharo Chhan was a Dream that came true in 2009 with Support from WWF-Pak under the project "Promote Alternate Energy for sustainable conservation of Indus delta ecosystem". With this project AHD installed 5 wind tubines at Kharo Chhan Island that received world wide applause and appreciation from International Media.

This was not an easy task as to working in island area of Kharo Chhan, District Thatta with 1% literacy rate to make them understand the importance of environment in their lives and using wind as a source of energy to light their houses. This act did not only require high level of sincerity and commitment but also needed high level of professional teams to stay at remote Thatta city to bring this dream to reality. 

The Taluka and Union Council Kharo Chhan lies 70 Km away from Thatta at Longitude 24^O08’37.76” N and Latitude 67^O27’05.12” E. The UC consists of 228 villages. Total population of Taluka is 37636. Kharo Chhan Taluka is coastal ecosystem Thatta that is one of fourteen priority sites of Indus eco-region of priority sites). Area route is Thatta to Sakro to Baghan to Kharo Chhan dockyard on right bank of Indus River, after 15 minutes boat travel the project site would be access on Left bank of Indus River. Total Population of purposed villages is between 2000 and 2300. These villages are semi-islands on river bank of Indus River.

Houses in the target villages are 100% thatched (straw and wood shelters). Due to high salinity, winds, and moisture, cemented houses are not reliable and feasible in the area. Another factor of choosing thatch houses is lack of land communication infrastructure and cemented construction material.Fishing is major livelihood source of the inhabitant community of selected villages. 70% of the population is dependent on fishing resources. 25% is engaged in agriculture and 5% are engaged in labor in other sectors. Selected villages are deprived of all civic facilities of modern life like road infrastructure, telephone, health centers, electricity and schools.

AHD Finance Secretary Mr. Allah Bux Khoso visiting Kharo Chhan for a meeting with community.

The area is counted in the arid zones of Indus Delta with subtropical climate, a land of creeks and mangroves. It is located in the coastal area edging with Arabian Sea. River Indus stream end in union council Kharo Chhan. Due to shortage of water in downstream Kotri Sea water rises up to 20-30 km during high tides. The agro land was very fertile in the past, but has been degraded pushed towards salinity and aridity. The frequent sea intrusion has kept the communities quite paralyzed. The downstream Kotri barrage irrigates the lands in the area, but due to the recent acute scarcity of water in Indus River, the agriculture has sustained a tedious setback. Farmer groups of Kharo Chhan also have some livestock in the area. Mangroves are major source of feed for this livestock. Due to usage of mangrove forests as feed block for the livestock, deforestation of mangroves in the area is at large.