Pakistan is among the countries that are recurrently affected by catastrophe caused by extreme weather events and disasters related to climatic changes. The country continues to be ranked as being one of the most vulnerable when it comes to climate change.
The South Asian region, where Pakistan is located, is prone to extreme weather events, particularly the heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and the resulting flooding. These floods not only cause the loss of life but also huge economic losses that are estimated at billions of dollars, each year.
These climatic changes, affecting the region, not only create new environmental challenges everyday but also have a more profound effect on the fishermen community. The fishing industry, and those whose livelihood is connected with it – particularly the fishermen, is more severely affected by climate changes and environmental pollution, than any other industry in the country.
Due to lack of education and awareness, majority of the people in Pakistan consider climate change to be just extreme changes in temperature and environment pollution, when in fact it is much more than that. They fail to comprehend the severity and complexity of the crisis posed by it.
Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan and one of the most vibrant, diverse and generous cities in country, contributes significantly to the country’s prosperity and provides opportunities to millions to make living. Despite its importance, the city has not received anything return and is plagued by a number of issues, which are the basic rights of any citizen.
Besides man-made calamities, Karachi is also faced by natural disasters each year, in the form of intense monsoon rains and heavy urban floods.
The story delves into the phase of Sidra’s life, where for the past few years she has been exploring the reasons for climate change, the significant impact it has on the local communities and the effects the lack of mangroves has on the lives of the local fishermen communities in Karachi. Working closely with these communities and observing their lifestyles, she realized that this is a story worth telling. The sufferings of these people demand to be brought to light, in order to create awareness, which may lead to efforts on a national or regional level to help them. Sidra started meeting a number of individuals from these local communities and shooting their stories. The story highlighted a common theme – the severe climatic changes and catastrophic flooding is caused by the decline in Mangrove population in the recent years. The situation is further exacerbated by the local industrial sector, whose only focus is to make profits at the expense of the environment.
Hassan is a local fisherman lives in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi. Severe storms, the frequency and intensity of which is increasing at an alarming rate, have adversely affected his day-to-day life. During one of the interviews, Hassan mentioned that because of the nature of his work, his son’s life had been put at risk on several occasions due to the extreme sea storms. Waves do scares Hassan but one has to toughen up. Despite of so many trials he believes that everything will be fine someday. He said that “Take Allah’s name and you will surpass any sea easily”. Hassan is not aware about the climate change which is the main reason of his sufferings. After marriage he invested in spicy fritter making business, it sustained for 20-25 years then he sold this business and started fishing which turns out to be good for his family. In the months of June and July the sea becomes vicious but fishermen still go into the sea. Some days are bad. He has to face the sea even if it turns vicious. Hassan said, “you have to be courageous there. If you fear and take a step back you will drown. The boat is your business you have to take it to the safe place”. Hassan family is of 7 members, 3 sons and 2 daughters. Once his boys went into the sea. Hassan couldn’t manage to go with them so they took the small boat. And the storm came with rain, he lost the hope. He sent 2 boats to search his sons but they couldn’t find them and therefore returned. Storm came to an end and it took 2 days for their son to return. His sons told us that because of the storm they didn’t take the boat out, if they take it out it will drown. Because of fear they climbed down from the boat. the water was so deep so they dragged the boat. Waves kept crashing into the boat, they hid themselves behind the boat. His story sums up the fact that if there is large number of mangroves forest in the area then these types of incidents would not have occurred frequently because wide area of mangroves can reduce floods and tsunamis and it helps to reduce loss of life and damage to property of locals.
By: Sidra Altaf
