The Parametric Estimation of Tidal Potential Power Density using Modeling Strategies at Hajambro Creek of Indus Delta, Pakistan

There are many accessible resources for electricity generation using renewable energy, like, solar, wind, tidal and wave etc. The output of all these resources depend on weather conditions, force of gravity or rotation of the Earth, but tidal energy has a major advantage over many other forms of renewable generation as it is predictable over a long period of time. Pakistan has about 1000 km long coastline with complex network of creeks in the Indus delta region which include 17 major creeks and further divide into a number of estuaries with considerable tidal ranges and tidal current. This research study is carried out at one of these major creeks namely Hajambro (Hajambro river) and extends from Hajambro 24ᵒ 08’N 67ᵒ 22’E (sea mouth) to Keti Bander 24ᵒ 09’N 67ᵒ 27’E (mouth of river Indus). Study area is targeted within creek region where there is a large shortfall of electricity observed and this situation has threaten the community socioeconomically. In this research study, available tidal energy resources of Hajambro creek are assessed, tidal power density models and bathymetry model are developed in Arc-GIS (geographical informationsystem) environment, for the first time. A comprehensive tidal turbine technology review is conducted and based on up-to-date tidal turbine technology review and results achieved from assessment of tidal energy resources, deployment of a turbine at Hajambro creek is proposed. With effective area of 9.46 km2 mean spring estimated power (seasonally) is observed as 14 MW in winter, 12.9 MW in Pre-Monsoon, 13.6 MW in Monsoon and 13.1 MW in Post-Monsoon.

Diversity and Conservation of Cetaceans in Pakistan

Pakistan has total coastline of about 990 km, while diversity, distribution and abundance of cetaceans are not well understood. All historic and most recent information are based on opportunistic stranding or incidental bycatch in fishing nets, which has been a big obstacle in formulating any conservation strategy for cetaceans in Pakistan. Recent initiatives were taken and conducted surveys along the entire coastline. Although, some species have been identified well, however, still, lack of detail studies on population biology and ecology of these species. Many other species are still lack of the expertise for identification or they were misidentified. So far, a total of 18 cetacean species have been recorded in Pakistan, consisting of 3 endangered species namely blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Arabian sea humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), 2 vulnerable such as the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocoenoid) and others 13 species are listed as data deficient. Future studies should be focused to systematic investigations on stock identification, distribution, and also evaluate the anthropogenic threats to the cetaceans. As the cetaceans has unique evolutionary history among mammals and top predator in the aquatic ecosystem. The national policies and legislations should be revised to declare them as protected species. More protected areas should be established in some important areas, such as Indus delta along the Sindh coastline to sustain the integrity of habitat and long-term conservation and management of cetaceans along the entire coastal area of Pakistan.

The Indus Delta Between Past and Future: Precarious Livelihoods and Neoliberal Imaginaries in a Parched Coastal Belt

The Indus delta, at the terminus of the Indus river system, is presently home to 300,000 residents. Over the last century, upriver hydrology has reduced the flow of water through the river. The result is salination and seawater incursion that has led to the loss of arable land and with it, agriculture as a sustainable livelihood. This has created precarious livelihoods, as people are forced either into the informal fishing sector, or to migrate; this is a departure from earlier times when agriculture was the primary vocation, and forests covered large swathes of the region. I also discuss future plans for port development in the delta that is constitutive of a neoliberal developmentalist imaginary. This vision, in which a future Pakistan will be connected to markets in Asia through its ports, has been propagated for decades, and most recently as a consequence of China’s ongoing investment regime in Pakistan. In the conclusion, I reflect on the paradox of fixation on fantastical futures while the population is caught up in an uncertain present.

Geochemical/isotope characterization of sediments from the Great Indian Desert, Thar

<p>The Great Indian Desert, Thar is a natural source of the atmospheric mineral dust burden over India and nearby landmasses/seas and regulates the regional climate and ecosystem health. However, the limited geochemical/isotope data of Thar sediments from the source region in Rajasthan restrict their source delineation and implication for characterization of the Thar dust signatures. For this purpose, we have measured major, trace, and rare-earth elemental concentrations, and radiogenic Sr and Nd isotope compositions in 51 surface sediment samples collected over a wide area from the Thar Desert, Rajasthan. The geochemical data reveals a low degree of the chemical index of alteration (CIA ~43–54), a quartz dilution of major oxides, and depletion of heavy minerals such as zircons. The UCC normalized spider diagram, as well as La/Yb–Eu anomaly plot, reveal that the Thar surface sediments collected in this study are geochemically similar to that of a sedimentary sequence from the Luni River originating from the Aravalli mountains. The <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr and ε<sub>Nd</sub> of Thar sediments overlap with the reported values for the Indus delta and Luni river sediments but are distinctly different from those of the Ghaggar river sediments. Thus, the sediment contribution from the Indus delta cannot be completely ruled out, while the Ghaggar sediment contributions are minimum. Furthermore, the radiogenic isotope compositions of the decarbonated Thar sediments are strikingly contrasting to the reported values for silicate fractions of eolian deposits in northwestern India. These differences could be due to grain size effects during the dust production/transport or local sediment contributions to the eolian deposits.</p>

The Role of Claim-Makers in Media Coverage of Environmental Problems in Pakistan

Media coverage plays an important role in social construction of environmental issues all over the world. The coverage is often triggered by the claim-makers who play an active role in highlighting the environmental issues in media. In this context, this study is aimed at analyzing the role of claim-makers in media coverage of the environmental problems in Pakistan. The region of Indus Delta is selected as a case study for this research because this deltaic area is considered as one of the most highly productive eco-region of the country that is facing several environmental threats. The study provides the perspective of journalists covering the Indus Delta about the role of non-governmental organizations, political parties, community groups and concerned governmental bodies and departments in making the environmental problems of the region more news worthy for local and national media. Then the main themes of the data were analyzed and interpreted to answer the research questions of the study.

Indian Stance on the Territorial Dispute over Sir Creek in the Context of India-Pakistan Relations

The author analyses in depth the long-lasting territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over Sir Creek situated in the Indus Delta and the neighboring area. This area is of great importance for the economy and security of the two nations. The article encompasses an overview of the historic background of the dispute and highlights both Indian and Pakistani positions during the negotiation process. The author looks at the legal aspects of the territorial dispute, including an overview of international rules relevant to regulating the dispute. The paper highlights the economic significance of the area from different perspectives including the importance of fishing for local populations as well as energy security, crucial for such emerging economies as India and Pakistan. The significance of the area in terms of defense and security, especially in the context of combating terrorism is also considered. The author argues that the territorial dispute is not likely to be resolved in the short or medium term. Both India and Pakistan will continue to refer to the international rules that are consistent with their stances in the dispute, and the situation in the region is likely to become more and more explosive. The author uses historical methods to compare the positions of India and Pakistan over time and to scrutinize the role of the territorial dispute in the Indo-Pakistani relation, analyses and interprets official statements concerning the territorial dispute and applies statistical methods to assess the economic potential of the disputed area.

COASTAL RESILIENCE IN THE INDUS DELTA; UPSCALING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

Sindh province, Pakistan is home to the seventh largest delta, at the mouth of the River Indus and holder RAMSAR designation. A large arid mangrove forest system once occupied the coastal belt. Systematic removal over the past 50 years has exposed the delta to energy higher during cyclones and climate related threats, most notably rising water levels and combined flood risk from extreme events. The loss of mangrove has resulted in agricultural land loss, saline intrusion, and population migration. The Sindh Coastal Resilience Project introduces a National Adaptation Plan alongside investment in key flood risk management interventions; enhancing the mangrove buffer to provide stability, improving water and sediment connectivity, and introducing embankments and flood schemes at key nodal points through the Indus Delta.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/MzBJzHOw4yw