HYDERABAD: A two-day national field excursion training workshop on “Indus River Deltaic Depositional System” was held at Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies, University of Sindh Campus Thatta.
The event was jointly organized by Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies University of Sindh Campus Thatta and Centre for Pure and Applied Geology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro in collaboration with Federal Urdu University for Art, Science & Technology Karachi and GeoHikingClub Islamabad from 03 to 04 March, 2018. In this excursion field oriented training workshop more than 100 students of different universities and colleges of Muzaffarabad Kashmir, Islamabad, Sargodha, Lahore, Karachi and Jamshoro, faculty members prominent geologists, officials form Highway Department and Professionals were participated.
In the presidential remarks Dr Sarfraz Hussain Solangi Meritorious Professor and Pro Vice Chancellor of the campus stated the significance not only of this two days field trip but he also discussed all the issues related to Indus Delta. He pointed out that since last so many decades, the deterioration of Indus delta is continue due to non-availability of fresh water down-stream to Kotri barrage. He also mentioned that the size of Delta has been decreased and no way as it is only remained some 100Km2; while in the past it was 10,000 Km2. Due to non-availability of fresh water, so may environmental problems are there which need timely response. This is the time to come forward and sit together for the solutions with collective wisdom. He also stressed about the availability of data and facilities to promote the scientific studies related to Indus Delta.
Mr Sadiq Ali Memon, the present president of Pakistan Peoples Party was the Chief guest of the event. In his speech, he warmly welcome all the participants who came from around the Pakistan. He said that Thatta is not only a historical place but in the past it was an educational city and was the hub of trade through the course of Indus River. He also pointed out that because of shortage of fresh water resources in Thatta, the poverty ratio is being increased day by day. He urged that it is right not only of people residing in this region but it is the fact throughout the globe that the biodiversity of deltaic regions should be protected. Moreover, he also stressed for more scientific studies, where we may come with solutions for the protection of Indus Delta, which is the seventh largest delta of world.
The Guest of Honour Nusrat Kamal Siddiqui, General Manager (Retd) and Ex-official PPL encouraged the organizers for arranging frequent field trips, and advised the participant students that his 45 years field experience in petroleum Industry and other disciplines has given him the lesson that “there is no Geology without field work”. He further emphasized that students should develop the urge for knowledge, and that there is no end when and how one could learn.
Prof Suhail Anjum Chairman Department of Geology Urdu University was appreciating the centre that on short time intimation their arrangement is well and thanks for their hospitality. He encouraged the Geohiking club to continue their mission that is sharing of the knowledge and linkage between the academia and industries.
During the inaugural ceremony Prof. Dr. Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar Director Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies welcomed the participants and highlighted the aims and objectives of this two day field excursion training workshop. He also briefed about newly established Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies at University of Sindh Campus Thatta along its curriculum activities during last two years.
Mr Tariq Mehmood course coordinator said that in Pakistan 32 universities are teaching geosciences and GeoHikingClub is actively participating in their geological events through out the country. It organizes technical workshops, field excursions and hiking programs from Nagar Parkar to Khunjerab Pass in collaboration of universities. Motto of GeoHikingClub is to share the knowledge with the industry and academia. Around 800 geoscientists are its member and contribute their role to share the knowledge. In future, we are committed to serve our community to lead. In this excursion, we have requested Sindh University to make our visit possible in Thathah district to learn “Indus River Modern Deltaic Depositional System and its Facies Change” down stream. Its a key to learn the paleo-depositional environments of the rocks exposed in Kirthar, Sulaiman fold belts and Salt Range. As Indus Delta is river and tide dominated delta so creeks (tidal channels) have been developed in its distal part. These creeks are only passage of ships to the shallow waters and making trade feasible in Pakistan to the deep sea.
Prof Dr Mohammad Hassan Agheem, Director Centre For Pure and Applied Geology, said that it is the first time that students of this centre along with other universities visited the Indus Delta and learned a lot about the formation, types, issues of deltas, particularly Indus Delta.
Most of the presentations related to Indus river deltaic depositional system and facies were delivered on spot in the field at Dolha Daryah Bridge of Sujawal and Thatta, Shah Bander, Jangiser, Kharochaan, Sajanwary Creek and Keti Bandar. Senior Geologist and Environment experts of national and international level Tariq Mehmood, Nusrat Kamal Siddiqui, Prof Dr Mohammad Hussain Agheem, Prof Dr Rafique Ahmed Lashari, Afzal Hussain Jamali, Aftab Alam, Syeda Fiza Shah, Syed Amir Ahmed and Mumtaz contributed the scientific knowledge to students. In the closing ceremony, the certificates were distributed to the participants.