Analysis of the Indus Delta in Light of International and National Environmental Laws: Implications for Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59926/jodprp.vol10/2026/12Keywords:
Indus Delta, Environmental Law, Environmental Justice, Water RightsAbstract
The Indus Delta, where the Indus River enters the Arabian Sea, lies at the end of the Indus Basin and is one of the world’s largest arid deltas, of immense ecological value. However, the Indus Delta faces unprecedented environmental decline due to upstream water diversions, conventional agricultural practices, excessive water storage, and the adverse effects of climate change, all worsened by weak enforcement of environmental laws and obsolete water management policies. This research critically examines the effectiveness of environmental laws protecting the Indus Delta at national and international levels. Despite robust legal provisions, such as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 (PEPA 1997), the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 (SEPA 2014), and treaties, including the Ramsar Convention and the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, the Indus delta remains vulnerable due to weak law enforcement, insufficient institutional coordination, and outdated legal mechanisms. By using a doctrinal research methodology, the study highlights the disconnect between legal protections and ground realities, particularly in relation to newly adopted Article 9A, which recognises the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The study recommends stronger law enforcement measures, guaranteeing fixed annual water flows to the Indus Delta, modernising Pakistan’s water and environmental laws, creating an independent Indus Delta Protection Authority, enhancing monitoring and effective accountability, and increasing dedicated funding for environmental justice and Delta restoration. The study also adds to the growing discourse on environmental justice and water governance in Pakistan.
JEL Classification Codes: K320, K330
Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement: The views and opinions are those of the authors and do not represent the views of any institution.
AI Declaration/Use of Generative AI: No AI tools were used in this study.
Funding: No
Article History
Submitted: 7 Oct. 2025; Last Revised: 27 Sep. 2026; Accepted: 10 Oct. 2026
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