The Silent Struggle: Water Scarcity in Nagarparkar

Nagarparkar, a remote district in Sindh, Pakistan, battles severe water scarcity, forcing women and children to walk miles for contaminated water. Climate change has deepened this crisis, claiming lives and livelihoods.

Nagarparkar, a remote district in Sindh, Pakistan, is a land of stark contrasts. While its rugged beauty and ancient temples tell stories of resilience, its people face an invisible crisis: Water scarcity and Contamination. Over the past two years, I have traveled thousands of kilometers just to document the lives of the Hindu tribes living here, whose survival depends on the mercy of the rains.

The region, already arid and unforgiving, has been pushed to the brink by climate change. The last rain fell in August 2024 and by December as I visited, the land was parched, the wells dried and the people desperate. Women and children, burdened with the task of fetching water, walk kilometers under the scorching sun, carrying pots and containers in hopes of finding a source. The water they do find is often contaminated, yet it is their only option. Most of the places their pets drink water alongside.

In Nagarparkar, Water is not just a resource; it is a lifeline. The few functional wells are overused, and the water table has dropped alarmingly. Reverse osmosis (RO) plants installed along the main roads offer some relief, but most villages are far from these facilities. The untouched villages I visited—places where stories of hardship remain unheard—are the worst affected. These communities are on the frontlines of climate change, yet their struggles are invisible to the world.

During past few decades, Hundreds of children have died in Nagarparkar due to malnutrition, lack of clean water and inadequate healthcare. Today, the crisis persists. Women and children, who bear the brunt of this scarcity, face daily hardships that go unnoticed. My photographs capture their resilience—the determination in their eyes, the strength in their steps, and the hope that persists despite the odds.

This photo project is more than documentation; it is a call to action. Through exhibitions in cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, I aim to amplify the voices of Nagarparkar’s people. Their stories deserve to be heard and their struggles demand solutions. International and national organizations must step in to provide sustainable solutions—whether through rainwater harvesting systems, deeper wells, or accessible RO plants.

Nagarparkar’s people are a testament to human endurance, but they cannot fight this battle alone. By raising awareness, I hope to bring attention to this critical issue and inspire action. Water is a basic human right and for the people of Nagarparkar, it is a matter of survival. Let their stories move us to act before it is too late.

"Over the past 16 years, I have traveled from the north to the south of Pakistan, capturing stories through my lens—stories of resilience, struggle, and hope. "My journey as a photographer has been driven by a singular purpose: to bring change to the lives of those who are often forgotten." I believe in the power of visual storytelling to ignite empathy, inspire action and transform livelihoods.

Through my work, I aim to shine a light on the unseen, amplify the voices of the marginalized, and create a bridge between their struggles and the solutions they deserve."