Potential and Constraints Jhall Magsi
Conclusion of the study of the district Jhall Magsi presents interesting and useful points, which are discussed below:
- The district has ample resources at its disposable. It has alluvial soil covering 80% of its area with all type of water sources i.e., canal, flood and rain water. Its climate is very hot in summer and mild in winter. The remaining 20% of the area is hilly in which minerals are assumed. The people of the area have high expectations concerning the availability of different minerals on basis of their own local knowledge. All these resources are not exploited efficiently yet, due to a variety of reasons, including lack of awareness and lack of infrastructure.
- The population of the district was 68,092 people according to the 1981 census and 102,995 according to the 1995 projection. The male/female ratio is close to one. No tribe is dominating. The district is multi-lingual. The density of the population is 27 per sq.km. However, as the district has been registered in 1992 only, all data related to its population, agricultural and livestock development, etc. are not yet clearly identified according to the current district boundaries. Therefore detailed surveys are required to get the necessary base line data for any major development intervention.
- Socially district Jhall Magsi presents a mixed picture. At one hand co-operation on different occasions like death and marriage is visible. Conflicts are resolved through traditional ways like Jirga, etc. Religious tolerance is practised in the district. The women play an important role in family affairs, but no role in collective and community decisions. At the other hand the district presents a hub of tribal centralism. It is filled with arms. Tribal feuds are common. Actually tribal centralism and tribal feuds are a real problem for the development of the district.
- Government organisation in the district is weak and not according to the need of the area and its development. Federal government has few departments in the district. Many district headquarters have not started functioning in the district of Jhall Magsi. For instance, departments of minerals, geology, industry and fishing have no representative in the district. The Xen B&R has its headquarters at DM Jamali, the Xen irrigation at Dhadar, assistant director livestock at Dhadar, the Xen WAPDA at Usta Muhammad, the DFO at Sibi, the DEO female at Dhadar and the SP at DM Jamali. Though local government institutions are physically present, they are not playing their assigned role, mainly because of their poor financial position. Women are hardly found in either the government administration or in any of the local councils.
- Agriculture is the main productive sector of the district Jhall Magsi. The district has 50% cultivable land and sufficient water resources; 90% of the population is earning its livelihood directly or indirectly from agriculture. But agriculture and its way of cultivation is based on traditional methods. The use of machines in agriculture has only started recently, but is becoming popular. However, the farmers are not aware of modern agriculture, due to the lack of interest of the Agriculture Department and its officials in the district.
- Livestock is also an important productive sector of Jhall Magsi district. The district has suitable climate, resources and potentials for the livestock. It has suitable number of goats, cattle, buffaloes, horses and camels. Poultry is also there, not in the shape of poultry forms, but just at household level. Livestock does not have adequate attention from government side. There is no separate Assistant Director Livestock in the district. The livestock support sector is not well developed yet and administered from Bolan district headquarters. The livestock sector could play an important role in the development of the district. If awareness is created among the population and proper facilities are provided by the government to look after the livestock.
- The district has no activity in the sectors of fisheries and minerals. The district has wide forests, but no data is available to analysis the real position. It is sad to narrate that trees are being cut down and exported to other areas mercilessly by contractors. The trees are not guarded carefully by the Forest Department.
- Economic infrastructure in the district is gloomy. There is no industry and road links are poor. Commercial activities are poor. The information system is very weak. There is no radio station. PTV signals are very weak in the district. Very few post offices, rather only two sub branches post offices, are in the district. Only six buses are shuttling in and out the district. Therefore, economic infrastructure and communication are real bottlenecks for the development of the district.
- Social infrastructure in the district is not good either. Only 20% of the population is getting potable water, which is not even up to standard, because these schemes are not looked after properly the system of sanitation is traditional and non hygienic. There is no proper system of disposing garbage. Efforts of UNICEF through LGRDD are under way, but satisfactory achievement looks a distance call.
- The position regarding health again can not be considered satisfactory. There is no district headquarters hospital in district Jhall Magsi. Similarly, no X-ray facilities or pathological laboratory are available in the district. The district has one DHO, three male MOs but not any female doctor or female nurse. The result is clear that the population in general, and its female part in particular, which faces many health problems, is not supplied with adequate health services.
- General education in the district is spreading satisfactory. But the quality of this education could be questioned. Teachers are not taking classes regularly. Students are getting degrees through cheating. Education is not technical, therefore, is not useful any more. Young educated children are becoming a burden on their parents. Therefore, parents are reluctant to admit their children to the schools. This situation is another real problem for the development of the district. It is recommended that technical and qualitative education may be introduced as early as possible.
- In general, the condition and position of women is very poor. In health, education unemployment, etc., women are more affected than men. In addition, women have no role in the decision making process. Their skills in handicraft are wasted. There is no training institute and there are no income generating activities developed. Women are active in agriculture, although their role is invisible and much of their labour is unpaid or underpaid.