MARALA HYDROPOWER PROJECT (MHPP 7.64 MW) DUE ...

Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Program (REDSIP)
2.5 Culture and Local Traditions
32. The culture and tradition prevailed in the area is discussed as under:
i. The influence of religion on routine life of the people is distinctly felt and their
conduct is regulated by the dictation of the religion. The majority of the
population follows the Islamic tradition, which is well practiced in rural area
and has high moral values in the society.
2.6
ii. Food of the inhabitants is very simple. Wheat and rice are generally eaten in
the Project area. The use of refined butter (Desi ghee), milk and a diluted
yogurt (lassi) is very popular in the rural area, which is available in sufficient
quantity.
iii. “Shalwar Qamiz” is the most commonly worn dress of both men and women
of the Project area. However, women also use Dopatta/ Shawl at their heads.
iv. Marriage is a special happy occasion in the family, which is performed with all
its charms like singing and dancing. The members of the family and adjacent
locality are invited by the bridegroom’s family and are entertained with
delicious meal. The bride’s parents donate the dowry to the girl for equipping
her new house.
v. The joint family system is predominant in the Project area. However, new life
style and cultural impacts from the outside world have directly influenced the
family system, gradually shifting to the nuclear family system.
Religion
33. Majority of the population is Sunni Muslims but Ahl-e-Hadis (Wahabis) and Ahl-e-
Tashi are also present in a cordial atmosphere of a co-existence. The people of all the sects
are usually living peacefully; there is no sectarian feeling among people of different sects.
Non-Muslims are also living side by side at total ease with their Muslim brothers.
2.7 Settlement Pattern
34. The availability of water determines the location of hamlets/settlements.
Approximately 200 Hacter land is owned by the Punjab Government (I&PD), leaving little
room for any established private communities, except the
i. Barrage Market situated on the left bank of MRL Canal, contains two fish
restaurants and three small Cabins, selling candies and cigarettes to the
visitors.
ii. Mai Mulani da Dera is a small community found nearby on the government
land, situated downstream of Marala Barrage on Chenab river.
35. Mai Mulani da Dera is a small riverside hamlet consisting of only eight settlers’ mudhouses
with population of 62 persons, who migrated from the Kashmir Control Line area in
1971 nearest to project area. Their main source of income is construction and industrial
labor and production and sale of buffalo milk in Sialkot town. During survey, five (5) men,
five (5) women and eight (8) children were found at the village. Women used to stay at home
and always busy in domestic activities like cooking, washing and taking care of children etc.
There are 3 to 7 buffaloes per household. They usually graze the buffalo-herds in the open
grassy flood-affected lands between the river and I&PD Colony.
2.8 Forest Resources
36. Along the UCC and project area, there is some plantation of trees – nearly all
eucalypts, which have been planted and owned by the I&PD. Some other species of trees
also exist in the area include Sheesham (Dilbergia sisoo), Keekar (Acacia arabica), Peeloo
(Salvadora persica), Bohar (Ficus religiosa), Gaz (Tamarix indica), Nim (Azadrichta indica).
DDR Marala Hydropower Project 8