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30-03-2010

Preliminary Back To Office Report: Gawadar to Jivni:

1. TASK: Task given by Chairman, PARC for Gawadar District Coastal Belt:

a. Collect & Identify local Plant Species.

b. Collect Water Samples.i. Sea.

ii. Sub-soil.

c. Identify Fruit Trees.d. Identify Production Systems.

2. Industrial Effluent: A wide bed, side lined channel runs along the Lyari

Expressway for Storm Water and Effluent Drainage. Highly polluted Industrial effluent isdischarged into this channel. Milch Animals are kept along the sides and sometimes

inside the channel. These animals are drinking this water as a result of which poisonous

heavy metals are most probably entering into the food chain. This needs scientific data

and proving; in case the observation is proved, immediate measures must be taken to

prevent spread of disease. Municipal Solid Waste is also dumped directly into the bedcausing spread of disease vectors.

a. Remedial Measures: At the very least Botanical Beds along the sidesmust be introduced and planted with Water Hyacinth and Papyrus Reed, as

well as other plants to be identified. This would provide ample Bio Mass

for non consumptive use as well as material for Energy Generation.Composting should not be allowed as Heavy Metals are bound to be

transported despite presence of Hyper Accumulators.

3. Fruit Orchards: Small fruit orchards were observed in the suburban areas near

Karachi consisting of Cheeku and some Mango plantation. These orchards are irrigatedby water from Hub Dam. Date Palms; Cocoanuts; Falsa; Jujuba; Olives; Jack Fruit;

Shireefa; Bananas; Papita (Dwarf Variety) and Oil Palms can be planted and do exist insmall quantities. Area in Nilaint near Gawadar has a number of Orchards of local varietyof Mangoes and Cheekos. Tip die back due to nutrient starvation is present. There is

heavy pest attack (Aphids?) which needs to be identified. Crown Gall is also observed.

There were signs of Magnesium and Boron deficiency which needs to be corrected.During rainy season Barani tomatoes are reported. There are reports of Sheer Go

(Gummosis) in Date Palms in other areas which needs correction by applications of

Calcium and Boron to strengthen the cell walls. This application has been provensuccessful in Hazara area. Area in Gawadar reports that despite observing correct cultural

practices there are very little fruit most probably due to high humidity.

4. Other Plants:

a. Mesquite (genusProsopis) is a thorny shrub or tree of the legume familywhich occurs naturally in arid and semiarid areas of North and South

America, Northern Africa, and Eastern Asia. I am not aware of the variety.

The plant is a low tree and is being used for charcoal making and

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firewood. The plant is stabilizing Sand Dunes and can be valuable if

extensively planted.b. Accacia Nilotica: This tree is comparatively widespread and under heavy

pressure. It needs to be further spread as it is valuable as firewood and

fodder. The tree is reported to have medicinal properties.

c. Devi Bush: A bush called Devi by the locals is used as fire stock and is not

used as fodder as it is harmful if consumed.

aa. Desert Saltbush Atriplex polycarpa (Kahoor): There is someevidence of this plant and the variety though obviously known

to scientists is yet to be determined by the writer of this report

Meat from sheep which have grazed on saltbush has surprisingly

high levels of vitamin E, is leaner and more hydrated than regular lamb

and has consumer appeal equal to grain-fed lamb. The vitamin E levelscould have animal health benefits while extending the shelf-life and

maintaining the fresh red color of saltbush lamb. Saltbushes can be used to

prevent soil erosion in coastal areas.

d. Salt Cedar Tamarix: Seedlings require extended periods of soil saturation for

establishment. Tamarix species are fire-adapted, and have long tap roots that

allow them to intercept deep water tables and exploit natural water resources.

They are able to limit competition from other plants by taking up salt fromdeep ground water, accumulating it in their foliage, and from there depositing

it in the surface soil where it builds up concentrations temporarily detrimental

to some plants. The salt is washed away during heavy rains. Tamarix trees aremost often propagated by cuttings.

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e. Others: Peesh (used for mats); Khushk Aaheer; Jand; Sur Phool

(medicinal value as stomachic, Desert Flame name given by DG NARC);

Shechen

f. Possibilities: There is a possibility of raising Castor, Jatropha Curcas;

Salicornia and Aloe Vera. Kalair and wild Cherry is also reported.5. Poultry: There are many Poultry farms consisting of low

Mat Roofed Sheds with open sides in the proximity of Karachi. This is probably

due to availability of Market. There are no hatcheries and day old chicks comefrom Karachi. Feed is provided by reject fish and is available in plenty. There is a

strong case for establishing Hatcheries and providing Alternate Energy Incubators

for small Poultry farming as a micro enterprise as well as nutrition enhancement.This intervention is required all along the coast. There is a great need of

improving the Poultry Sheds to create better insulation for summers. Small Bio

Gas Plants; alternate energy incubators and Insulated Sheds have been designedby the writer of this report.

6. Production Systems/ Crops: When there are rains Water

Melons and Melons are reportedly very sweet around Gawadar, some Water

Melons exceed 10 to 12 Kgs. Leguminous crops such as Maash and Mung as wellas some pulses are reported. It is stated that Nodulation is observed which proves

the presence of appropriate Rhizobium species despite almost complete lack of

organic matter. There is very little agriculture of the Khushk Aaba and Sailaba

variety. Jawar is planted as a Rabbi in place of Kharif crop. Kitchen gardening bythe use of Environment/ Predator Control Dome Structures and Composting is a

useful intervention for the area.7. Domestic Animals: Camels range from Rs. 1 to 10 Lacs;

Donkeys are Rs.20 to 60,000 while Cows are at Rs. 40,000 to Rs.200,000. Breed

improvement and Breeding can be introduced.

8. Local Industry: This consists mainly of near coast fishing,as such Boat making and Net finishing is practiced. Fish exported consists of Sole

and Mackerel. There is a need to transfer Fiber Glass Boat making expertise for

which Turkey can be approached as it is pre eminent in this regard. Fishprocessing is present on small scale and this can be enlarged. Deep Sea Fishing

Trawlers can be introduced successfully. Net Making should be introduced locallyas there is very little evidence as such. Half finished nets are brought fromKarachi. Eco Tourism has been introduced by the Pakistan Wetlands in Gawadar

area and this can be extended. Vehicle repair is also a small industry of some

significance. Fish drying is carried out and Brine/ Salt are extracted from SeaWater. The local practice can be improved by use of Passive Solar practices.

Passive Solar Stills can be introduced for drinking water or even at large scale.

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9. Ecology: The area ranges from Sea level to 100 120 feet

above Sea level along the Coastal road. There are some bare hills further back

forming natural barriers in some places. There is evidence of Wind and Watererosion as the landscape is desiccated. As such Biomelioration is required and

methods of water harvesting must be introduced for plantation and creation of a

wetter micro environment. There is evidence of much drainage of rain water andthis can be tapped. The sub soil water is saline due to proximity to the sea. The

soil is mostly sandy along the coast and clay-loam close by. This is forming an

impervious layer and there is hardly any penetration as evidenced by standingwater in natural and man made declivities and depressions along the road even

though rains occurred over one month ago. There is evidence of Gullying and rill

erosion. Due to complete absence of proper zoning, excellent potential

agricultural land around Gawadar has been converted to Housing Colonies (yet tobe built). Hardly any organic matter is observed and nutrient enriched surface run

off is providing nutrition to the soils. Due to excessive cutting of trees there is

restricted nutrient recycling from deep sub soil. The geologic analysis of rocks on

the nearby hills and their nutrient content needs investigation. It is reported thatSardasht Forest is completely exhausted while Kolanch Forest near Kalmat is

nearing exhaustion. Soils are sandy; rocky; clay loam. There are some large mudflats and vestiges of Mangroves. Coral Reefs (Phylum anidoria) off the coast

from Jivni are important and should exist in other locations as well. There are

reports of damage due to pollution. Deep Sea Port at Gawadar has adversely

affected the Corral Reef and Fossils as well as local Pearl Industry (needsconfirmation). The presence of Crystals needs confirmation by analysis whether it

is Silica or Salt.

10. Wildlife: Urial; Sind Ibex; Leopard; Chinkara Deer; SeaSnakes; See See Partridges; Water Fowl; Crested Lark; Sand Lark; Plumbeous

Dolphin and Marine Turtles are reported though there is evidence of over hunting

and destruction of natural habitat. There are reports of 125 species of birdsendemic to the area. Wetlands Pakistan as well as IUCN should have data on

these species.

11. Remedial measures:a. Aquifer Mapping: A strong case exists for underground aquifer mapping

using electric conductivity. This will provide a view of possible aquifer

improvement through construction of underground weirs.

b. Surface Water Harvesting: As underlying water is saline and surface isimpervious and extremely hard (Clay content?) there will be a requirement

of small ponds with reed mat (Mazri?) covering to prevent evaporation

and perhaps plastic lining even though the surface is impervious. TheBritish WWII Rainwater Harvesting site on Jivni Airport (Both now

disused) was visited. The Rainwater Harvesting facility is extensive and

was highly successful. The plant can be made operational at very little costto provide water to Jivni City. Small Dams need to be introduced as there

is great potential from seasonal and some flowing water Bodies such as

Dasht River near the Iranian Border.

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c. Aquifer recharging: Dry bores for aquifer recharging to form fresh water

plumes over saline groundwater is very much possible. Impervious surface

calls for such an intervention. There are reports of fresh water in the deepaquifers where available, this needs to be confirmed.

d. Polyacralamide (PAM), Water Gel Crystals & Hydro Seed Mulching:

The use of PAM along with Hydro Seed Mulching should prove to be avaluable intervention, especially during Wet Cycle to establish plantation.

Water GelCrystals is a water-absorbing polymer that expands over 400%.

Reduces irrigation requirement and costs, cuts plant watering in half andreduces plant stress. When the three are combined and used during Wet

Cycles there is every possibility of successful plantation on wide scale

with minimum cost and labor.

e. Windbreaks: Suited trees and bushes should be identified to createwindbreaks along the coast.

f. Dune Stabilization: There is a pressing need to undertake this exercise as

dunes are spreading and have done so for many years.

g. Afforestation: Where ever possible attempts for reforestation must beundertaken. Aerial seeding needs to be given another chance with addition

of pre-germination; hormone and nutrient doping of seed includingpolymer coating is advised for trials. It is possible to increase survival

rates if Hydro seed mulching and aerial foliar nutrient support is provided

during establishment phase. The wet cycles need to be used as aerial

seeding was carried out previously in Baluchistan during dry cycle. Thereexists strong possibility of planting trees along roads and water courses.

Rainwater harvesting ponds and pitcher burying can contribute to this.

h. Gawadar Development Authority and Small Towns: There is a greatneed for Municipal Solid & Liquid Waste Management. Water can be

recycled and Composting can be practiced on relatively large scale. The

DG GDA is very much interested in working with PARC and visit byChairman can be arranged in this regard.

i. Alternate Energy:aa. Solar Ponds: This intervention can be used on Saline water for

harvesting fresh water and harnessing energy through the use of

Rankine Engines.

bb. Wind Mills: Small Wind Generators (500 W to 1 KW) can be

easily introduced and will prove to be very successful as evidencedby a few such installations. Wind Pumps are also of great potential.

cc. Photovoltaics: As pointed out by DG NARC, local roadside

hotels are consuming Rs. 600.00 per day for generators to power 6-10 bulbs (600Watts/ 1 KW). This totals Rs. 219,000.00 per annum

excluding cost of generator and repairs. Prices of Solar panels need

to be checked for such an intervention and should prove to beeconomically feasible.At a guaranteed life of 20 years cost against

minimum Rs.4.4 million (Diesel at current rates plus Genset cost,

excluding repairs) the intervention appears to be very feasible.

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Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan

Bioenvironmental Consultant