 |
|
Manchar Lake Mohannas -
Safeguarding the Last Surviving Houseboat Village from Extinction Funded by Cultural Protection Fund-UK |
|||
|
|
|||
|
The Heritage Cell at the Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, has secured funding from the UK’s
Cultural Protection Fund to protect one of Pakistan’s most endangered cultural heritages—the last surviving houseboat village on
Manchar Lake. About the Project: Launched in April 2024, this 20-month initiative focuses on safeguarding the floating settlement of Mohanna houseboats, known locally as Galiyo, and preserving the centuries-old traditions of the Mohanna community. The project has two key objectives: • Restoration and Repair: To conserve the remaining houseboats and extend their life through careful repairs and preservation work. • Community Upliftment: To provide basic facilities like clean drinking water and sanitation, while introducing alternative livelihood options through sustainable tourism and skills development. |
××
|
||
|
Cultural Significance: The Mohannas are an indigenous boat-dwelling community with deep historical ties to the Indus River and Manchar Lake. Their livelihoods—fishing, river navigation, and boat-building—have evolved over centuries with the lake’s natural cycles. Some families also engage in seasonal farming, water fowling, and trade in aquatic plants. This heritage is not just architectural—it is living culture, shaped by generations and closely connected to the natural ecosystem of Manchar Lake. |
|||
|
Threats to Survival:
Manchar Lake has endured extreme natural challenges such as droughts and floods. However, the greatest threat to its ecosystem has come from over 30 years of pollution through the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD). This has devastated aquatic life and the traditional way of life for the Mohannas. |
|||
|
In recent years, climate change—with increasingly severe floods and rains—has further endangered both the lake and its communities. Coupled with decades of marginalization and lack of basic services, the Mohannas now face the risk of cultural and physical extinction. |
|||
|
Our Mission This project is a step toward reversing this decline. It aims to: • Protect a unique floating heritage and way of life. • Empower a marginalized community with dignity, skills, and opportunities. • Showcase the resilience and richness of Pakistan’s living cultural landscapes. Together, we strive to ensure that the story of the Manchar Lake Mohannas does not fade into history—but continues to float, thrive, and inspire. |
|||
 |
|||
|
|||