water crisis essay css

Essay on “Water Crisis in Pakistan and its Remedies” for CSS, PMS, Judiciary Examinations

• August 30, 2021
• Essay for CSS PMS and Judiciary Exam

This is an essay on “Water Crisis in Pakistan and its Remedies” for CSS, PMS, and Judiciary Examinations. Pakistan’s big arguably, biggest — problem is water scarcity. The country faces acute water scarcity by 2025 and will be the most water-stressed country in South Asia within two decades. Almost 30 million Pakistanis have no access to clean water. Find below the complete Essay on the water crisis in Pakistan and its remedies.

World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) report

Causes of the water crisis

• No dams construction
• Dispute between the provinces
• Demands of Sindh
• Punjab’s role
• Lack of proper water management
• Climate change
• Mismanagement of resource

Indian propaganda since 1947

• Standstill Agreement
• Role of the president of the World Bank
• Indus Basin Treaty 1960
• Wullar Barrage (The Tulbal Navigation Lock)
• Kishanganga Project
• Baghlihar Dam

Sources of Water

• Indus River
• Closed basin Kharan desert
• Makran coastal basin
• Water reservoirs/ capacities
• Terbela dam reservoir
• Mangla dam reservoir
• Chashma barrage reservoir
• Utilization of water
• Power generation

Water and Agriculture

Impact on Economy

Recommendations for Water Crisis

• Kalabagh dam
• Thal reservoir
• Raised Mangla dam
• Gomalzam dam
• Water management
• Use of alternative sources of energy

Essay on “Water Crisis in Pakistan and its Remedies” for CSS, PMS, Judiciary Examinations

According to the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan is one of the most “water-stressed” countries in the world; it is likely to face an acute water shortage over the next five years due to lack of water availability for irrigation, industry and human consumption. A WB report states that the water supply in Pakistan has fallen from 5,000 cubic meters per capita to 1,000 cubic meters in 2010, and is likely to further reduce to 800 cubic meters per capita by 2020. Contributory factors consist of an increase in population, climate change, lack of a solid vision to construct water reservoirs, and misplaced use of Jhelum and Chenab rivers by India under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960 that has resulted in reduced flow of water to Pakistan.

The water crisis has two dimensions. First is the distribution of water among the four provinces, particularly between Punjab and Sindh. The second is between Pakistan and India arising because of utilizing water from the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. The first problem basically arises from the second one.

India got the right to fully utilize water from the three eastern rivers; Ravi, Bias, and Sutlej, while Pakistan was to utilize water from the three western rivers; Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). India was also permitted limited irrigation of 1,343 million acres (2.85 MAF) from western rivers. Water for Pakistan was not quantified. However, it is implied in the treaty that India is not to exceed the specified limit for water utilization. If India continues with its current strategy of building dams on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, then there would be serious implications for Pakistan’s agriculture and national security. It would aggravate the already strained relationship between the two countries, which is due to the unresolved Kashmir issue.

A very strong perception exists in Pakistan that India in its quest to utilize water from Chenab and Jhelum rivers and is not fulfilling its obligations under the IWT. It wants to constrict the flow of water to Pakistan. This strategy has a hidden political agenda to create scarcity of irrigation water that would hurt Pakistan’s economy and agriculture sector in between 10-15 years. The national interests of both countries would be best served if India honored its comn1ittnents under the IWT. But, is India ready to address Pakistan’s concerns or wants to safeguard its own interests by violating the IWT that could lead to worsening of relations between the two countries?

The Water Crisis at the National Level Exists due to the following reasons:

•  In the past, the public leadership did not succeed to develop a consensus on the construction of huge water reservoirs, particularly the Kalabagh dam that could have addressed many of the power and water problems that are being faced today.
• Provinces are in dispute over their respective share of water under the IWT, with particular reference to utilizing water for Kharif and Rabi seasons through link canals managed by the Indus River System Authority (Irsa). Irsa has stopped satisfying Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces over the distribution of irrigation water for the current Rabi season because of a 34.0 percent shortage of water, primarily due to the construction of the Baglihar dam on Chenab. Water supply would be further constricted because of the planned construction of the Basrur multipower project, Siwalkot dam, and Pakot Dul dam on Chenab river by India. Unless resolved it would continue to be a recurring problem.
• The Sindh Assembly has demanded scrapping the Hydropower project on the Chashma Jhelum link canal, a key project for the Punjab government . There is a strong perception in Sindl1 that the project would constrict the flow of water to the province and hurt its agriculture as well.
• Punjab 1s accused of stealing 16,000 cusecs of water between Taunsa and Guddu, from 2nd to 4th Feb 2010. The Punjab government claims that system losses are to blame for the water that has disappeared.
• Because of an absence of proper water management essentially at the secondary canal level, water crisis, particularly at the lower parts of these canals, is very evident. Coupled with flood irrigation, either irrigation by flooding basins or using the old Punchoo system, the water crisis keeps on increasing its intensity day by day. IRSA has no telemetry system and we cannot decide to distribute water by going beyond letter sense and include the spirit of the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, we do not see an end to this water crisis in Pakistan.

As far as the scarcity of water in Pakistan is concerned, apparently, it has also to do with:

1. Climatic changes

2. Negligence and mismanagement of water resources by successive governments in Pakistan

Global warming has led to the melting of the Himalayan glaciers and consequent depletion in the flow of water into the Indus River system. The trend is likely to continue with rising temperatures. It is not that only the agricultural sector, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy , is suffering; due to depleting water supply, there is reduced power generation from the hydroelectric plants, having a devastating impact on the country’s industries too. Pakistan has no control over nature. However, it can improve the management of water resources. Pakistan needs to address the following problems on an urgent basis:

• The silting of dams and barrages is a continuous process. Due to heavy sediments carried by the rivers, Tarbela, Mangla and Chasma Dams have lost nearly 25% of their capacity.
• An estimated 40% of the water that runs through canals is lost because of seepage. The reason is the canal beds and banks are unlined, poorly lined, or porous.
• Traditional and antiquated agricultural techniques lead to excessive loss of water.
• While water-intensive varieties of crops, like sugarcane and rice, are cultivated. Optimum crop rotation is imperative but is not done effectively.

On 2 June 2008, Pakistan’s National Economic Council met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and approved the development strategy based on the Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10. The water sector part of the overall strategy concentrates on water augmentation, water conservation, and effective use of water. It calls for the development of additional medium and large-size reservoirs with priority.

The water storages to be completed, by 2016 include Akhori Dam, Basha-Diamer Dam, Kalabagh Dam, and Munda Dam. Simultaneously the ongoing projects such as raising the structures of Mangla Dam, Gomal Dam, Satpra Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, and Sabakzai Dam are also to be the top priority. The Medium-Term Development Framework 2005-10 also envisages a number of other measures, including reclamation of land from waterlogging and salinity, improvement of watercourses and ground-water management, etc.

Last year, 20 different UN bodies had warned; “Water is linked to the crisis of climate change, energy and food supplies and prices, and troubled financial markets. Unless their links with water are addressed and water crises around the world are resolved, these other crises may intensify and local water crises may worsen, converging into a global water crisis and leading to political insecurity and conflict at various levels”.

In a recent report, the United Nations has estimated that Pakistan’s water supply has dropped from about 5,000 cubic meters per person in the 1950s to about 1,420 cubic meters. Any further drop would seriously jeopardize economic growth and would be a health hazard. Notwithstanding Indus Basin Treaty, The need for effective international cooperation among riparian countries is greater now than ever before. The demand for water in all countries is escalating and increasingly the harmful effects of activities in upstream countries are being observed. Over a third of the 200 international river basins, are not covered, by an international agreement; only some 30, including Pakistan and India, have co-operative institutional arrangements.

Clearly, efforts are needed to formulate and reach an agreement on an international “code of conduct” or convention in the utilization of shared water basins so that the water needs of some countries are not undermined by irresponsible utilization of water resources by others. Improved international co-operation is also necessary regarding the transfer of knowledge and technology in the water resources field. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, 1998, sets the standard for all agreements involving the shared use of trans boundary water, resources.

It specifically establishes the dual criteria of “equitable and reasonable utilization”‘ of the water resources and the need to “exchange data and consult on the possible effects of planned measures on the condition” of the water resource. The U.N. Convention provides the overall framework for Transboundary water sharing.

The partition of the South Asian Subcontinent on 14 August 1947 into the dominions of India and Pakistan gave birth to a host of problems, including that of the sharing of waters of the mighty Indus River System. The issue was of concern to Pakistan because the headworks of the rivers that irrigated Pakistan’s Punjab province mostly went to the Indian side. On 30 December 1947, Pakistan and India concluded a ‘Standstill Agreement’ for a three-month period under which Pakistan continued to receive water supply from the headworks of Madhopur on River Ravi and Ferozepur on River Sutlej, the two tributaries of River Indus. As the interim arrangement ended on 31 March 1948, the next day the Government of Indian Punjab stopped the supply of water to Pakistan from the Madhopur headwork, affecting, according to one estimate, 5.5% of Pakistan’s irrigated area.

Pakistan raised the issue at the Inter-Dominion Conference held on 3-4 May 1948. India dismissed Pakistan’s claim over water, from the headworks on its side as a matter of right but agreed to release water as a provisional arrangement. It was thus abundantly clear that slowly and gradually the quantity of water would be reduced. In 1951, David Lilienthal, who had formerly served as Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority and as Chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission, undertook a research tour of Pakistan and India for writing a series of articles. In one of his articles, he opined that it would be very beneficial for the region if the two countries cooperated to jointly develop and operate the Indus Basin river system. He further suggested that the World Bank might play its role in bringing India and Pakistan to agree on some plan to develop the Indus river system for mutual benefit.

President of the World Bank, Eugene Black, picked up the idea and offered his good offices to resolve the issue of water sharing between India and Pakistan. The two neighbors welcomed the initiative and after tough bargaining during the protracted negotiations that spread, over nine years arrived at the contours of the agreement. Broad parameters thus settled the work of drafting began. Finally, m September 1960, President of Pakistan Field Marshall Mohammad Ayub Khan and Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru signed the Indus Water Treaty in Karachi.

Following are the provisions of the Indus Basin Treaty 1960

• Pakistan surrendered three eastern rivers, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas to India with some minor rights to Pakistan.
• Largely three western rivers namely Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab remained with Pakistan.
• India was allowed to use water from the western rivers for irrigation of 642,000 acres of land that were already being irrigated from these rivers along with an entitlement to further irrigate 701,000 acres for crops.
• India was also given specified entitlement for ‘other’ storage, including, power and flood storage i.e., storage for non-consumptive purposes.
• Pakistan was to meet the requirements of its eastern river canals from the western rivers by constructing replacement works.
• Both parties are bound to. regularly exchange flow data of rivers, canals, and streams.
• A Permanent Indus Water Commission, with one Commissioner from each side, was to be set up to resolve issues.
• The procedures were set out for settlement of ‘questions’ ‘differences’ and ‘disputes’, bilaterally and through neutral experts and International Court of Arbitration as the case might be.

Since Pakistan required considerable time to build the necessary infrastructure to divert water from western rivers to eastern rivers and their canals on its side, India was to allow the ‘historic withdrawals’ on the part of Pakistan during the transitory period. According to the Treaty, two dams (Mangla on River Jhelum and Tarbela on River Indus) were to be built It also envisaged five barrages Maraia and Qadirabad on River Chenab, Sidhnai on River Ravi, Rasul on River Jhelum, Chashma on River Indus, and Mailsi on River Sutlej. Besides, one siphon and seven link canals (Rasul-Qadirabad on Rivers Jhelum-Chenab, Qadirabad-Balloki on Rivers Chenab-Ravi, Balloki-Suleimanki II and Sidhnai-Mailsi on Rivers Ravi-Sutlej, Chashma-Jhelum on Rivers Indus-Jhelum and Trimmu-Sidhnai on Rivers Indus-Ravi), to be constructed in Pakistan.

To meet the financial cost, India was to pay a fixed amount of US $ 62.060 million over a period of ten years. An international consortium pledged the US $ 900 million. The World Bank was to administer the Indus Basin, Development Fund. The Indus Basin Project was completed despite all hurdles those included opposition and reservations from many quarters in Pakistan who felt that Pakistan’s rights as a lower riparian state had been compromised. This amounted to a successful resolution of a major dispute over the world’s largest, contiguous irrigation system with a command area of about 20 million hectares.

Although the Indus Water Treaty has been a remarkable success story, lately some projects are undertaken by India in the Occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir from where the western rivers flow into Pakistan have become major irritants and raised serious concerns in Pakistan:

India has embarked upon the construction of a huge network of water storage facilities, the national river linking project at an estimated cost of $120 bn likely to be completed by 2016. It includes the construction of the Basrur multi-power project, Siwalkot dam, and Pakot Dul dam on Chenab, in addition to the already constructed Baglihar dam. In 1985, India started construction of a barrage known as ‘Wullar Barrage (The Tulbal Navigation Lock)’ some 439 feet long and with a lock at the mouth of Wullar Lake, the largest freshwater Lake in Indian occupied, disputed, and held territory.

Purportedly but not so innocently, the stated purpose of the barrage was to make possible navigation in a 22 km stretch between the towns of Sopore and Baramula, during the lean winter season by regulating the flow of the River Jhelum. Pakistan raised objections to this project and the construction work halted in 1987. Pakistan contends that India cannot store water in excess of 0.01 MAF as ‘incidental storage’ on River Jhelum. Pakistan also apprehends that the Wullar Barrage may cause damage to its own project of linking Jhelum and Chenab with the Upper Bari Doab Canal. One important concern of Pakistan, which is extraneous to the Indus Water Treaty but squarely a security issue, is that in case of war between the two countries, India would take advantage of its ability to control the flow of water and make the crossing of the river easy or difficult according to strategic and tactical military requirement.

India, as usual, but erroneously contends that the Wullar Barrage would regulate the flow of water into Jhelum and control the floods. It would not reduce the overall quantum of water flow rather increase it during the lean winter season. All fair weather pretension and an obvious ruse, to get away with an extremely hurtful project to Pakistan. The project’s impact, India asserts, would be beneficial to Mangla Dam in power generation and to Pakistan’s triple canal system due to the regulated flow of water. The matter remains unresolved.

Outrageously on the Kishanganga Project, the Indians hawk on the premise that it will ostensibly bring water from River Kishanganga to Wullar Lake, where a hydroelectric power station is proposed. The project envisages the construction of a channel and a tunnel for this purpose. Simultaneously to build a dam, near the place where River Kishanganga crosses the Line of Control to enter Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where it is known as Neelum.

Here Pakistan plans to construct a 969 MW-capacity Neelum-Jhelum Power Plant with Chinese assistance. The Pakistani project is to going to be completed in 2017, due to a delay in construction work. Pakistan is genuinely concerned and fears that the Kishanganga Project would lead to a shortfall of water flow into Neelum, reducing its power generation by an estimated 9%. The Indus Water Treaty does not bar any party from storing water for power generation as per entitlement.

However, there is the principle of prior appropriation enshrined in the Treaty. India intends to complete the Kishanganga Project by 2016 to avail the opportunity of diverting K.ishanganga’a water to Wullar Lake before Pakistan is able to invoke the provision of prior appropriation. India also claims that Pakistan need not worry because the water diverted by the l<ishanganga Project would reach Pakistan through River Jhelum, no matter Neelum-Jhelum project suffers.

In 1999, India began construction work of 470-feet high, 317 meters wide Baghlihar Dam, also known as Baghlihar Hydroelectric Power Project, oh River Chenab in Doda District of Indian occupied Kashmir. Although India called it a run-of-the-river project, the dam was to have a ‘pond age’ of 15 million cubics! Deters with submerged gated spillways.

Pakistan raised objection to the project design on the ground that the submerged gate ‘spillways would enable India to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir and, if India desired, to halt the supply of water to Pakistan for more than three weeks during the winter season. Pakistan fears that it would lose between 7000 to 8000 cusecs of water per day for Rabi crops. Pakistan also sensed the danger of inundation of the area above Maraia Head Works, if India released water simultaneously from Dulhasti, Baghlihar, and Sala! Darns into River Chenab. Pakistan viewed the Baghlihar Project as another security risk, in times of tension or war, as India would be able to control the flow of water facilitating or hampering the movement of Indian/Pakistani troops according to its requirement.

After the Indus Water Commission failed to resolve the Baghlihar Dam issue, the matter was referred to the World Bank which acknowledged that the issue amounted to a ‘difference’ and appointed Professor Raymond Lafitte, an engineer from Switzerland, as the neutral expert to decide the matter. On 12 February 2007, Lafitte gave his verdict directing India to reduce the capacity of pond age by 13.5% and the height of the Dams’ structure by 1.5 meters. He also called for raising power intake tunnels by 3 meters to reduce flow-control capability. Pakistan had reservations about the verdict but both India and Pakistan agreed to abide by it. The matter, it appears, stands closed.

It is heartening to see that during its recent visit to Pakistan to discuss Indus Water issues, the Indian delegation conceded that all “water disputes must be resolved within an agreed timeframe.” Pakistan’s Indus Commissioner Syed Jamaal Ali Shah told the Indian delegation that a reduction in supplies was jeopardizing the water transfer operation to the eastern part of Pakistan. He also conveyed the message that Pakistan wanted India to take necessary steps if deforestation and environmental impact affected the river flow on its side.

Now dams will be Discussed in detail.

World’s largest earth and rock-filled dam were built at Terbela on river Indus in 1976 with a gross capacity of 11.62 maf and a live storage capacity of 9.68 maf. With the passage of time, due to silting, 24.6% of the storage has been lost and now it has a live storage of 7.295 maf.

Mangla reservoir is the second major storage of Pakistan. It was built in 1967 on river Jhelum with a gross capacity of 5.882 maf and live storage of 5.41 maf. Again due to siltation it has lost 13.2% of its storage and presently can store 4.636 MAF of water.

Chashma barrage is situated on river Indus and was built in 1972 with a gross storage of0.870 maf and live storage of O.717 maf. It has also reduced its storage capacity by 39.3% and is left with a storage capacity of0.435 maf.

In Pakistan, we utilize the water available to us for different purposes. The basic utilization is for irrigation and then used for power generation, drinking, and also provided to some Industries.

Whereas impact on the economy is concerned, according to the estimates of the federal government, the agriculture sector would suffer a loss of about Rs. 90 billion because of drought. Since agriculture has remained a major source of shouldering the already crippled economy , it has a vital role to play particularly in terms of food security and employment of the ever-burgeoning population of the country. It contributes around 35 % to the GNP and employs about 44% of the labor force. It also contributes 65% of our export earnings. The adverse effects of water shortage on agriculture would have a spiraling effect on the prevailing level of poverty.

•  Less water means less agricultural yields and to fulfill the food requirements of the nation, we will be dependent on other countries.
• Raising livestock is the main source of livelihood in rural areas. It is also an important economic activity, which contributes 9.7% of GDP, which will be affected due to a shortage of water.
• Orchards of Pakistan bring home a healthy amount of foreign exchange, which can be affected due to water shortage.
• Due to less production of main crops, which are wheat, cotton, sugar cane, and rice, the Industries related to them will suffer adversely.
• Then due to drought and more dependency on groundwater for irrigation, the water table will go down, and this will cause water constraints to the population.
• Less agricultural outputs will compel people to head towards urban areas for jobs, which will increase unemployment further.
• The distribution of water is controlled from the center by IRSA (Indus river system authority) as per the 1991 agreement between the provinces. Now the shortage of water will cause disputes between the provinces, which may cause harm to the national integrity.

So for overcoming the water crisis, following steps are recommended:

The national water strategy must be based upon two essential elements covering

1. Water developments

2. Water management

In water development, the following dams should start immediately;-

Bhasha dam would be located 200 miles upstream of Terbela on river Indus. its gross storage capacity would be 7.3 maf and live storage 5.7 maf. Its power generation capacity would be 3360 mw.

Kalabagh dam site is located 132 miles downstream of Terbela. Its gross storage would be 6.1 maf. It would have a power generation of 3600 mw.

That reservoir would be located on the right bank of Chashma – Jhelum link canal, along the western bank of river Jhelum. Its reservoir would have a gross capacity of 2.3 maf.

In this, the present Mangla dam would be further raised by 40 ft and thus increasing its gross capacity to 9.5 maf. In addition, its power generation capacity would be increased by 15%.

Mirani dam is located on Dasht River about 48 km of Turbat town in Mekran division. Its main objective is to provide water for irrigation. Its gross storage is 0.30 maf.

Gomalzam dam is located at Khajori Kach on Gomal River in South Waziristan, about 75 miles from Dera Ismail Khan. Its main objective will be to irrigate 132000 acres of land, power generation of 17.4 mw, and flood control.

From these projects, we shall be able to store an additional 20maf of water. Managing water resources is the need of time, and we in Pakistan are already short of water, mnst chalk out a strategy. Following are recommended in this regard:-

Presently the losses occur due to seepage, infiltration, and leakages, etc. seepage results in waterlogging, and these losses can be reduced or eliminated by lining the canals.

In addition, people should be educated to conserve water by cooperation”: Furthermore government should make laws on water conservation, like many western countries.

The second-largest contribution to the total water available comes from groundwater sources. This source has been exploited and very well used by public and private tube wells. It can still provide over nine maf of water. This source can be exploited and judiciously used for irrigation purposes. However in some areas, groundwater is rapidly depleting due to excessive pumpage, authorities should take control in such areas to save them from depleting.

Efforts would be made to convert the present rotation-based irrigation system to a demand-oriented system. The modem irrigation techniques, that is trickling, sprinkling, etc, have the potential to improve water distribution and its utilization.

Authorities should take appropriate steps to curb the illegal extraction of water and ensure its equitable distribution.

Presently irrigation department has failed to stop the illegal theft and extraction; thus irrigation distribution system needs to be privatized through·water user associations.

In addition, water, nowadays is supplied to farmers at a very negligible cost and that is why they do not treat water as a precious resource; therefore there is a need to increase the water prices to make irrigators realize the importance of this asset.

Farmer’s organizations, water user associations, and the private sector must be involved in the construction, operation, and maintenance of i.e irrigation system. Such associations are conceived as a mechanism for creating a cooperative framework for the improvement of watercourses.

The problems faced by the water sector in the country are many, acute and serious and it is also known that we can generate about 83 maf of more water. Therefore, building more reservoirs and an effective management strategy are the needs of the time. Also, implementation of the recommendations will enable the country to ·meet the challenges, and achieve the objectives of integrated, efficient, environmentally and financially sustainable development and management of limited water resources. At the same time, it will enable us to utilize every drop of our water for our bright future.

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Water Crisis in Pakistan!

Water is essential to life on Earth, yet our planet is suffering a serious water crisis. Water scarcity has become an international crisis affecting millions of people around the globe and contributing to climate change, urbanization and unsustainable water management practices – including Pakistan. Amid all this turmoil is Pakistan where its own unique water crisis exists.

Rapidly rising global population:

One of the main factors contributing to our current water crisis is an ever-increasing global population . As this figure rises, so too does demand for water, needed for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and agriculture purposes. With growing populations comes increasing demands on already limited freshwater resources resulting in water scarcity across many regions.

Climate change: Another significant contributor to the water crisis, climate change has altered weather patterns with less predictable rainfall patterns and an increase in droughts and floods, further diminishing availability of water in dry and semi-arid regions with limited resources.

Urbanization and industrialization:

Water consumption by humans has also contributed significantly to the global water crisis. As more people move to cities, their demand for water increases, straining resources. Furthermore, industrial activities require large volumes of freshwater which results in overuse and depletion of freshwater sources.

Unsustainable water management strategies:

Over-extraction of groundwater, pollution of water sources. And ineffective irrigation techniques all play a part in creating the current water crisis. Such practices depleted freshwater reserves making it more challenging to meet growing demands for freshwater supplies.

Access to Clean Water is limited:

The water crisis has severe repercussions for human health, agriculture and the environment. Due to limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery spread quickly through populations without access. Furthermore, agriculture – an industry which heavily consumes water resources – is particularly hard hit. Crops fail to flourish which create food shortages while farmers struggle for survival in an unforgiving landscape.

The water crisis also has environmental ramifications:

Depletion of freshwater resources leads to degradation of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. While impacting their functioning rivers, lakes, and wetlands that provide essential ecological services. Such as purifying drinking water supplies, controlling flood waters, providing flood control measures, or serving as habitat for aquatic species.

To address the water crisis:

There is an urgent need for a coordinated and integrated response. That takes into account all the contributing factors of this problem, including promoting water conservation and efficiency. Investing in infrastructure projects that facilitate sustainable management practices, adopting sustainable water management practices, and encouraging renewable energy sources. This may require measures such as increasing conservation efforts, investing in infrastructure investments, adopting sustainable water management practices and encouraging renewable energy production to address this complex situation.

Water conservation and efficiency measures:

Environmental water conservation involves both minimizing wastage and optimizing its use, through measures such as fixing leaky pipes, using more efficient appliances, and encouraging water-saving behavior. Investment in infrastructure such as dams, canals, or reservoirs may provide storage and distribution solutions in times of drought.

Sustainable water management practices:

At its core, water management involves balancing demand and supply, protecting sources from pollution, and encouraging more water-efficient irrigation techniques. Renewable energy sources like solar or wind power may help decrease carbon footprint of water supply systems.

Water crisis is an international challenge:

The water crisis is an impending global threat that requires immediate attention. It stems from multiple factors including population growth, climate change, urbanization and unsustainable water management practices. Addressing the water crisis requires a multidisciplinary and holistic strategy including conservation/efficiency initiatives, infrastructure investments and renewable energy promotion; only together can we overcome it and ensure its sustainable future for all.

Pakistan: Water crisis and Pakistan

Pakistan is among the countries most affected by the water crisis. Being predominantly arid and semi-arid with limited water resources. And with population growth fuelling increased demand for water sources; climate change resulting in unpredictable rainfall leading to droughts and floods only compounding this situation further.

Agriculture Sector in Pakistan: The agriculture sector accounts for over 90 per cent of total water usage. Unfortunately, inefficient irrigation techniques such as flood irrigation have resulted in significant wastage of water resources. And have resulted in the depletion of aquifers leading to decreased availability.

Implications of water crisis:

Pakistan’s water crisis has had far-reaching repercussions for human health, agriculture and the environment. A lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has resulted in waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery sweeping through. Water scarcity also threatens agriculture which relies heavily on freshwater supplies. Leading to crop failures and food shortages while depletion of freshwater sources has degraded ecosystems and reduced biodiversity levels significantly.

How can Pakistan address its water shortage issue?

There is an urgent need for an integrated approach that encompasses water conservation and efficiency initiatives, investing in infrastructure development projects, adopting sustainable water management practices and encouraging renewable energy sources.

Promoting water conservation and efficiency measures, such as using efficient irrigation techniques, can reduce water waste. Investing in infrastructure such as dams, canals, and reservoirs can aid with water storage and distribution during periods of drought. Adopting sustainable management practices such as groundwater recharge can replenish aquifers to ensure sustainable usage of groundwater resources while encouraging renewable energy sources such as solar-powered pumps can help lower carbon footprint of supply systems.

Pakistan has taken several measures to address its water crisis:

Such as the National Water Policy of 2018 which seeks to ensure sustainable use of water resources. Furthermore, the government has initiated various water management projects, such as building the Diamer-Bhasha dam which increases storage capacity while simultaneously increasing hydropower generation capacity.

Urgent action must be taken immediately to combat Pakistan’s water crisis:

Pakistan faces a critical water crisis that requires urgent action from all levels of government. This issue stems from multiple factors, including population growth, climate change and unsustainable water management practices. Addressing it effectively will require taking multiple approaches such as conserving and efficiently using water resources; investing in infrastructure; adopting sustainable management practices and using renewable energy sources for renewable power production; prioritizing water issues to secure sustainable future for all Pakistanis.

Impact of Pakistan’s Water crisis:

Pakistan’s current water crisis has had serious repercussions, which include:

Agriculture: Pakistan’s economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector for food security and rising prices, yet due to the water crisis this sector has been severely hit. Crop failures and reduced yields have caused food insecurity as prices skyrocket.

Human Health: Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has caused an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery – making their prevalence an important public health risk.

Environment: Toxic chemicals from agricultural runoff have polluted freshwater resources and degraded ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and reduced ecosystem services.

Energy: Pakistan’s energy sector relies heavily on hydropower generation, but has been seriously compromised by the water crisis. Less water availability has resulted in reduced hydropower generation leading to power shortages and an increase reliance on fossil fuels for generation of power.

Socio-Economic: The water crisis has contributed to increased poverty, inequality and social unrest – particularly in rural areas where agriculture provides primary employment. Competition over water resources has caused conflict which subsequently escalates social tensions further.

Overall, Pakistan’s water crisis has had an immense negative effect on socio-economic development, public health, and the environment. Addressing it requires prompt action and a comprehensive strategy encompassing water conservation/efficiency promotion/investing in infrastructure/sustainable water management practices/promote renewable energy sources/ etc.

Conclusion: mes The global water crisis affects many countries, including Pakistan. Pakistan stands out in this respect due to its arid and semi-arid climate as well as rapidly growing population. Pakistan is facing a water crisis with devastating impacts for agriculture, human health, the environment, energy consumption and socio-economic development – urgent action are required immediately to mitigate them. Addressing Pakistan’s water crisis requires taking an integrative approach that encompasses conservation and efficiency measures, investing in infrastructure improvements, adopting sustainable management practices and encouraging renewable energy use. While the government of Pakistan has made steps towards solving its crisis, more needs to be done as an international community if we hope for a brighter future for all.

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What are the impacts of the water crisis in Pakistan in present and future due to lack of planning and shortage of dams?

• March 6, 2023
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1-Introduction

• ✓The sovereignty, political might, and international image of a country stand still on the availability and usage of its natural resources sagaciously for economic growth. 
• ✓Lack of planning and shortage of dams in the country has led to the country’s depletion of resources of water and ultimately impacts the burgeoning declivity of socio-economic development and political progress of the country.

2-What is the current portfolio of crisis in the country?

• ✓Pakistan is an agriculture-based economy, and one-third of hydropower generation depends upon water
• ✓More than 80% of the population of the country faces water scarcity for at least one month in the year.
• ✓Water availability is less than 1000 cubic meters per capita in the country and less than 500 cubic meters in Baluchistan.   

3-What are the reasons behind this dilemma?

• ✓Climate change
• ✓Excessive water withdrawals
• ✓Minimal storage of water or dams
• ✓Dependence on a single water system
• ✓Trans boundary tussles
• ✓Lack of policy implementation and planning

4-What are the impacts of this crisis in present and future?

• Existential threats
• Urbanization
• Food insecurity
• Intensification of droughts
• Melting of glaciers
• Deteriorating health sector
• Inter-provincial tussles
• National disintegration
• Cross-national tensions
• The declivity of the agriculture sector
• The decline in the industrial sector
• Less per capita water availability

5-Critical analysis 6-Conclusion 

Answer to the Question

Introduction.

For preservation and survival, every nation in the universe is highly reliant on the availability of its natural resources, while water secures the uppermost position in all these resources. However, the burgeoning situation of the dearth of water resources in a country can abolish its political and socio-economic fabric and can become a threat to its geological existence. According to the World Bank, the countries that have an availability of water of less than a thousand cubic meters per capita are enlisted in water-scarce countries. Similar is the case with Pakistan, which faced a drastic transition from water abundance at its inception to water scarcity nowadays. According to a report, Pakistan ranks 14 among 17 extremely high-risk countries of the world that also include hot and dry countries like Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, the factors like excessive annual water withdrawals, climate change, minimal storage of water or dams, Transboundary rustles, and lack of possible implementation have exaggerated the condition of the country desperately. As a result, all these aspects are impacted gravely at the social, political, and economic levels nowadays and might affect in future also if not treated sagaciously. This article will enlighten the root causes and impacts of this crisis in Pakistan in the present and future. 

The present water shortage is the greatest future threat to the viability of Pakistan as a state and a society. Anatol Lieven

The current portfolio of the water crisis in Pakistan

Availability of water at the right time, at the right volume, and at the right price is an essential underpinning of economic growth and development. Unfortunately, Pakistan is suffering from miserable circumstances in the availability of its significant water resources. Pakistan is an agrarian country that is highly dependent upon water reservoirs, but it has the highest water intensity rate in the world, and 78% of its water sources are out of the country. According to the World Resource Institute, Pakistan will be ranked as 23rd number in the top 33 water-stressed countries in 2040. Nonetheless, Worldwide, the country ranks 36 th in total renewable water resources compared to India’s rank at 8th and Bangladesh at 12 th . 

What are the causes behind this calamity in the country?

Since its inception, the country has been facing declivity in its water resources owing to several reasons. For instance, the country is enlisted among the ten most vulnerable countries which are facing huge effects of climate change. Nevertheless, according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), glaciers in the Himalayas are receding faster than in any other part of the world, and if the present rate continues, the likelihood of them disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the Earth keeps warming at the current rate. Similarly, Pakistan ranks 160 th  in the ratio of water withdrawals to water resources performing better than 18 countries only. Along with all these, the country has had no construction of dams in the last 50 years, while it has the lowest storage capacity only of 30 days in its existing reservoirs. Despite of an agrarian country with and water-intensive economy, the country relies on single water reservoirs; for instance, The Indus River system accounts for 95.8 per cent of the total renewable water resources of the state. Correspondingly the country has also suffered Trans boundary tussles right after its independence. So, all these root causes burgeoning the halting condition and aggregate its water severity.

What are the impacts of this watershed in present and future?

This watershed has catastrophic consequences socially, politically, and above all at the economic level nowadays in the country and if not treated sagaciously and plan wisely, it will affect all aspects of the country in the near future.

• ✓ Social impacts

Because of water shortage, scarcity, and unavailability, day by day, the increasing populace is discerning towards urbanization for the fulfilment of their basic needs. According to a survey, Pakistan has a rapid flow of migration from rural to urban areas as the total urban population was 19.9% in 1955 but 38.9% in 2016 and expectedly will be 45.9% in 2035 and 50.3% in 2050. Similarly, the country is suffering from food insecurity as the country is the second most vulnerable to rising food prices, and an estimated shortage of around 70 million tons of food is expected by 2025. Meanwhile, where there is no food and availability of basic needs for the preservation of life, there are always existential threats to the survival of that state.

• ✓ Environmental impacts

With all sectors, the country has also grieved in the health sector as lack of safe drinking water accessibility to the public leads to poor sanitation and cleaning of water that results in waterborne diseases, like, cholera, diarrhoea, hepatitis, liver abnormalities and ultimately death. Similarly, according to a survey, more than 80% of glaciers, which are the main sources of water for the country, have been melted and will destroy the conditions in future if not wisely treated. Meanwhile, in the near future, due to extreme climate change effects country might face intensification of droughts and super floods occurring once in 5 years which may raise the average flow.    

• ✓ Political impacts

            Water scarcity in the country has badly affected the political atmosphere and created national disintegration all across the state. Every lower riparian province claims that upper riparian is blocking their water that had decided according to the water accord. So, Sindh alleges Punjab of water theft while Baluchistan accuses Sindh of not giving its share from Guddu and Sukkur Barrages. According to a survey, in 2021, the government of Pakistan’s Sindh province received 5.38 million acre-feet (MAF) of irrigated water, which is a 35 per cent decline in its share in provincial allocation. The emerging water scarcity all over the world can lead to cross-national tensions between countries claiming access to the same rivers, lakes, and basins. According to the world water council, more than 260 river basins are shared by two or more countries, a fact which indicates this catastrophe m become military might to access clean water.

• ✓ Economic impacts

As the country is travail from less water availability per capita and poor water management, it impacts badly upon the economy as the agriculture and industrial sector of the country endured more. Consequently, The Indus Basin aquifer has been ranked as the 2nd most over-stressed underground water reserve in the world. According to a study, water productivity for cereal crops in Pakistan is almost one-third of that in India and one-sixth of the productivity realized in China. So that it influences the economic growth of the state gravely as the absence of a scientific basis, the neglect of water quality issues, the absence of targets, less storage capacity, political will and the provision of financial resources have burgeoned the existing situation and could escalate this in future too. 

Critical analysis

The intensification of water scarcity and shortage all across the world has created unrest, and it might have calamitous effects on cross-boundary relations in countries. As per the accounts of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), almost two hundred scientists from fifty countries have declared that there are two most devastating concerns for the new millennium, one of which is water scarcity and the other is global warming. The need of the hour is to change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource. If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century would be fought over water.

Water is the essential and foremost resource for the preservation of life on Earth as it is necessary for food, health, crops, and animal yielding. But with every passing moment, this precious resource is going towards declivity and shortage. In Pakistan, no dams have been constructed after 1975, and the vested interests of politicians do not allow them to give responsiveness to this serious dilemma. Water disputes may harm the existence of the country, and the country can lack politically, socially, and above all, economically. 

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CSS Essay: Water Crisis in PAKISTAN – Causes and Consequences

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• Presentation on Water Sector Development PRESENTATION ON WATER SECTOR DEVELOPMENT By AFTAB AHMAD KHAN SHERPAO Minister for Water and Power At Pakistan Development Forum March 18, 2004 COUNTRY PROFILE • POPULATION: 141 MILLION • GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: 796,100 KM2 • IRRIGATED AREA: 36 MILLION ACRES • ANNUAL WATER AVAILABILITY AT RIM STATIONS: 142 MAF • ANNUAL CANAL WITHDRAWALS: 104 MAF • GROUND WATER PUMPAGE: 44 MAF • PER CAPITA WATER AVAILABLE (2004): 1200 CUBIC METER CURRENT WATER AVAILABILITY IN PAKISTAN AVAILABILITY (Average) o From Western Rivers at RIM Stations 142 MAF o Uses above Rim Stations 5 MAF TOTAL 147 MAF USES o Above RIM Stations 5 MAF o Canal Diversion 104 MAF TOTAL 109 MAF BALANCE AVAILABLE 38 MAF Annual Discharge (MAF) 100 20 40 60 80 0 76-77 69.08 77-78 30.39 (HYDROLOGICAL YEAR FROMAPRILTOMARCH) (HYDROLOGICAL YEAR FROMAPRILTOMARCH) 78-79 80.59 79-80 29.81 ESCAPAGES BELOW KOTRI 80-81 20.10 81-82 82-83 9.68 33.79 83-84 45.91 84-85 29.55 85-86 10.98 86-87 26.90 87-88 17.53 88-89 52.86 Years 89-90 17.22 90-91 42.34 91-92 53.29 92-93 81.49 93-94 29.11 94-95 91.83 95-96 62.76 96-97 45.40 97-98 20.79 98-99 AVG.(35.20) 99-00 8.83 35.15 00-01 0.77 01-02 1.93 02-03 2.32 03-04 20 WATER REQUIREMENT AND AVAILABILITY Requirement / Availability Year 2004 2025 (MAF) (MAF) Surface Water Requirements 115 135 Average Surface Water 104 104 Diversions Shortfall 11 31 (10 %) (23%) LOSS OF STORAGE CAPACITY Live Storage Capacity (MAF) Reservoirs Original Year 2004 Year 2010 Tarbela 9.70 7.28 25% 6.40 34% Chashma 0.70 0.40 43% 0.32 55% Mangla 5.30 4.24 20% 3.92 26% Total 15.70 11.91 10.64 [Show full text]
• FOR PRINT.Cdr Registration No. L8071 VOLUME 44 NUMBER 2 NESPAK NEWSREPORT APRIL - JUNE 2018 Dr. Tahir Masood takes over as new MD NESPAK .... page 2 1,180 MW RLNG Based Combined Cycle Power Plant at Bhikki .... page 5 Corporate News 02 - 03 Project News 04 - 13 Staff News 13 - 15 02 CORPORATE NEWS ngr. Dr. Tahir Masood has taken career as a junior engineer with Research Engineer at the University of Eover the charge of Managing NESPAK back in 1984 and later served California at Berkeley, USA. Registered Director/ President of NESPAK on July on key positions in other high profile as a Professional Engineer with 13, 2018, according to a notification engineering organisations like M/s Pakistan Engineering Council, Dr. Tahir issued by the Ministry of Energy (Power Balfour Kilpatrick Limited. Before Masood has many active professional Division). assuming the charge of MD NESPAK, he affiliations as Member American Society was serving as the Chief Executive of Civil Engineers, Member Pakistan Dr. Tahir Masood is a well-known Officer of a Consulting Engineering firm Institute of Engineers, General professional engineer of Pakistan who M/s Berkeley Associates Pvt. Limited. Secretary Pakistan Geotechnical possesses a highly distinguished Engineering Society and Member academic and professional record. He During his illustrious career, he has International Society for Soil Mechanics secured second position in B.Sc. Civil worked on many mega projects of and Geotechnical Engineering. Engg. (Honours) in 1983 at UET Lahore national importance such as 1223 MW and was awarded a Silver Medal and a CCPP Balloki, 1180 MW CCPP Bhikki As head of Pakistan's premier Merit Scholarship by the Govt. [Show full text]
• WATER SECTOR in PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT IDSA Monograph Series No. 18 April 2013 WATER SECTOR in PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT MEDHA BISHT WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN: POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT | 1 IDSA Monograph Series No. 18 April 2013 WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT MEDHA BISHT 2 | MEDHA BISHT Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sorted in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). ISBN: 978-93-82169-17-8 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Monograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute or the Government of India. First Published: April 2013 Price: Rs. 280/- Published by: Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No.1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 110 010 Tel. (91-11) 2671-7983 Fax.(91-11) 2615 4191 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.idsa.in Layout & Cover by: Vaijayanti Patankar & Geeta Printed at: M/S A. M. Offsetters A-57, Sector-10, Noida-201 301 (U.P.) Mob: 09810888667 E-mail: [email protected] WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN: POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT | 3 CONTENTS Acknowledgements ......................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 6 PART I Chapter One ................................................................. [Show full text]
• Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2014 - 15 Original Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2014 - 15 Original 06-18-2014 1 of 162 Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2014 - 15 Original Chapter: AGRICULTURE Sector: Agriculture Subsector: Agricultural Extension Estimated Cost Exp: Upto June 2014 Fin: Allocation 2014-15 Fin: Thr: Fwd: S No Project ID Project Name GOB / Total GOB / Total Achv: Capital/ Revenue Total Target GOB / FPA FPA FPA % FPA % Ongoing 1 Z2004.0083 CONST: OF MARKET SQUARES 187.881 187.881 140.456 140.456 74% 10.000 0.000 10.000 80% 37.425 Provincial AT LORALAI, K. SAIFULLAH, 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved PISHIN, LASBELA, PANJGUR & KHUZDAR. 2 Z2008.0015 MIRANI DAM COMMAND AREA 150.000 150.000 105.000 105.000 70% 10.000 0.000 10.000 76% 35.000 Kech DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved 3 Z2008.0016 SABAKZAI DAM COMMAND AREA 134.500 134.500 119.519 119.519 88% 14.981 0.000 14.981 100% 0.000 Zhob DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved 4 Z2013.0187 AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT 19.100 19.100 0.000 0.000 0% 5.000 0.000 5.000 26% 14.100 Pishin SCHEME FOR WATER 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN DIST. PISHIN. 5 Z2013.0195 AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT 30.100 30.100 0.000 0.000 0% 10.000 0.000 10.000 33% 20.100 Qilla SCHEME FOR WATER 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Abdullah RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN Approved DIST. [Show full text]
• Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2017 - 18 Original Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2017 - 18 Original 06-15-2017 1 of 226 Public Sector Development Programme (Sectorwise) 2017 - 18 Original Chapter: AGRICULTURE Sector: Agriculture Subsector: Agricultural Extension Estimated Cost Exp: Upto June 2017 Fin: Allocation 2017-18 Fin: Thr: Fwd: S No Project ID Project Name GOB / Total GOB / Total Achv: Capital/ Revenue Total Target GOB / FPA FPA FPA % FPA % Ongoing 1 Z2004.0083 CONST: OF MARKET SQUARES 187.881 187.881 159.856 159.856 85% 15.000 0.000 15.000 93% 13.025 Provincial AT LORALAI, K. SAIFULLAH, 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved PISHIN, LASBELA, PANJGUR & KHUZDAR. 2 Z2008.0015 MIRANI DAM COMMAND AREA 677.412 677.412 246.000 246.000 36% 50.000 0.000 50.000 43% 381.412 Kech DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved (PHASE-II) (PHASE-I EXP. 105 MILLION). 3 Z2008.0016 SABAKZAI DAM COMMAND AREA 309.419 309.419 185.500 185.500 59% 50.000 0.000 50.000 76% 73.919 Zhob DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved (PHASE-II) (PHASE-1 EXP. 119.519 MILLION). 4 Z2013.0072 UPGRADATION OF 4589.397 4589.397 1678.062 1678.062 36% 225.500 0.000 225.500 41% 2685.835 Quetta AGRICULTURE COLLEGE 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved QUETTA INTO AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY BALOCHISTAN AT QUETTA. 5 Z2013.0170 SETTELMENT OF KACHHI AREA. 51.164 51.164 44.894 44.894 87% 6.270 0.000 6.270 100% 0.000 Kachhi 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved 6 Z2014.0020 WATER MANAGEMENT 1500.000 1500.000 1483.722 1483.722 98% 16.278 0.000 16.278 100% 0.000 Provincial PROGRAM (WATER COURSES, 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Approved PONDS ETC). [Show full text]
• Water Resources and Conservation Strategy of Pakistan ©The Pakistan Development Review 46 : 4 Part II (Winter 2007) pp. 997–1009 Water Resources and Conservation Strategy of Pakistan * AYAZ AHMED , HENNA IFTIKHAR , and G. M. CHAUDHRY 1. INTRODUCTION Water is one of the basic necessities of life. God has gifted Pakistan with abundant water resources, with rivers flowing down the Himalayas and Karakoram heights from the world’s largest glaciers and free and unique bounty for this land. Pakistan is basically an agrarian economy. Out of its total geographical area of 79.61 million hectares, cultivated area is 22.05 million hectares. The total area under irrigation is 19.02 million hectares [Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan (2005-06)]. Irrigated land supplies more than 90 percent of agricultural production and most of the country’s food. Agriculture sector is regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. It contributes 25 percent of the GDP. About more than 50 percent labour force is employed in this sector. Agriculture sector is also the major user of water and its consumption will continue to dominate water requirement. Similarly, for industrial development main source of energy is hydropower which is generated by dint of water stored in big dams and reservoirs. Therefore the importance of the water for the survival of our economy cannot be denied. The objective of this paper is to analyse in-depth the water resources and conservation strategies for Pakistan. Some scholars have recognised the integrative effects of partition on water resource governance in Pakistan. In Pakistan, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was established to build and operate major dams and canal constructed by Indus Basin Development Programme. [Show full text]
• Psdp 2008-2009 WATER & POWER DIVISION (WATER SECTOR) (Million Rupees) Sl. Name, Location & Status of the Estimated Cost Expenditure Throw- Allocation for 2008-09 No Scheme Total Foreign upto June forward as Rupee Foreign Total Loan 2008 on 01-7-08 Loan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 On-going 1 Raising of Mangla Dam 62553.000 0.000 59896.310 2656.690 18000.000 0.000 18000.000 2 Mirani Dam 5861.000 0.000 4931.540 929.460 300.000 0.000 300.000 3 Resettlement Action Plan - Mirani Dam 1243.940 0.000 662.690 581.250 50.000 0.000 50.000 4 Sabakzai Dam 1576.550 0.000 1455.970 120.580 120.000 0.000 120.000 5 Kurram Tangi Dam 17205.266 5368.222 874.710 16330.556 500.000 0.000 500.000 6 Satpara Multipurpose Dam 2090.431 195.786 2442.040 0.000 100.000 0.000 100.000 7 Gomal Zam Dam 12829.000 4964.000 3678.610 9150.390 2000.000 0.000 2000.000 8 Greater Thal Canal (Phase - I) 30467.000 0.000 8091.530 22375.470 1500.000 0.000 1500.000 9 Kachhi Canal (Phase - I) 31204.000 0.000 19517.820 11686.180 8500.000 0.000 8500.000 10 Rainee Canal (Phase - I) 18861.580 0.000 5871.730 12989.850 3000.000 0.000 3000.000 11 Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & 14707.000 0.000 11072.110 3634.890 2500.000 0.000 2500.000 Drainage, Sindh 12 Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. [Show full text]
• Construction of Large and Medium Dams for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture and Environmental Protection World Environment Day June-2012 61 CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE AND MEDIUM DAMS FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION By Irshad Ahmad1, Dr. Allah Bakhsh Sufi2, Shahid Hamid3 and Wassay Gulrez4 Abstract: Pakistan is suffering from drought conditions since year 2000 till June 2010, due to which reduction in river discharges and lesser rains occurred. The reliance on ground water increased remarkably and extensive pumping was observed during the period. To integrate the available surface water in the system, a series of dams are needed, in a cascading manner for adequate storage as well as flood regulation and which also provide more hydel generation of cheap energy for reducing load-shedding. The catastrophic floods of 2010 critically focused the need of large reservoirs to minimize flood damages to human life, crops, buildings, roads as well as environmental hazards. In using natural resources, agriculture can create good and bad environmental outcomes. The storages and water regulations will enhance agriculture benefits if at the same time reduction of water losses from water conveyance system are also properly managed. 1. Introduction Water is the essential component both for the existence of mankind and for the sustainable country’s economic growth and environment protection is the key to the suitable development of water resources. Today emphasis on proper and balanced utilization of available water resources is more than ever before. Pakistan is suffering from drought conditions since year 2000 till June 2010, due to which reduction in river discharges and lesser rains occurred. The average annual flow across the rivers is 138 MAF. The average escapage below Korti is 31.35 MAF (1976-2011), whilst downstream Kotri requirement is only 8.6 MAF, also considering the raising of Mangla dam and future usage by India, there is still 17.81 MAF water available for future development. [Show full text]
• Psdp 2010-2011 WATER & POWER DIVISION (WATER SECTOR) 0.823109275 (Million Rupees) Sl. Name, Location & Status of the Estimated Cost Expenditure Throw- Allocation for 2010-11 Allocation for 2011-12 Allocation for 2012-13 No Scheme Total Foreign upto June forward as on Foreign Loan Rupee Total Total Foreign Total Foreign Loan 2010 01-7-10 Loan Loan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 On-going Schemes 1 Raising of Mangla Dam including 62553.000 0.000 78535.030 0.000 0.000 2469.328 2469.328 2469.328 0.000 0.000 0.000 resettlement 2 Mirani Dam 5861.000 0.000 4993.980 867.020 0.000 82.311 82.311 82.311 0.000 0.000 0.000 3 Sabakzai Dam Project 1960.820 0.000 1588.990 371.830 0.000 82.311 82.311 82.311 0.000 0.000 0.000 4 Satpara Multipurpose Dam 4480.020 554.680 2545.715 1934.305 0.000 164.622 164.622 164.622 0.000 200.000 0.000 5 Gomal Zam Dam 12829.000 4964.000 5431.380 7397.620 0.000 823.109 823.109 823.109 0.000 3000.000 0.000 6 Greater Thal Canal (Phase - I) 30467.000 0.000 8652.440 21814.560 0.000 200.000 200.000 740.798 0.000 1500.000 0.000 7 Kachhi Canal (Phase - I) 31204.000 0.000 23589.180 7614.820 0.000 2263.551 2263.551 2263.551 0.000 4000.000 0.000 8 Rainee Canal (Phase - I) 18861.580 0.000 8930.960 9930.620 0.000 1810.840 1810.840 1810.840 0.000 3000.000 0.000 9 Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & 14707.000 0.000 11783.080 2923.920 0.000 658.487 658.487 658.487 0.000 400.000 0.000 Drainage, Sindh 10 Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. [Show full text]
• Audit Report on the Accounts of Wapda Ministry of Water Resources Audit Year 2017-18 AUDIT REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF WAPDA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AUDIT YEAR 2017-18 AUDITOR GENERAL OF PAKISTAN TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS i PREFACE v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii SUMMARY TABLES & CHARTS I Audit Work Statistics xiii II Audit observations regarding financial xiii management III Outcome Statistics xiii IV Irregularities pointed out xiv V Cost-Benefit xiv WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (WAPDA) CHAPTER 1 COORDINATION WING 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Comments on Financial Statements 1 1.3 Audit Paras 3 CHAPTER 2 WATER WING 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 Comments on Financial Statements 25 2.3 Brief comments on the status of compliance with PAC 26 directives 2.4 Audit Paras 27 CHAPTER 3 POWER WING 3.1 Introduction 69 3.2 Comments on Financial Statements 69 3.3 Brief comments on the status of compliance with PAC 69 directives 3.4 Audit Paras 70 ANNEXURE MFDAC Paras 161 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AGP Auditor General of Pakistan AGPR Accountant General Pakistan Revenues AJ&K Azad Jammu and Kashmir B&C Budget & Consolidation BoD Board of Directors BOQ Bill of Quantity BPS Basic Pay Scale CCA Cultural Command Area CCC Central Contract Cell CDA Capital Development Authority CDL Cash Development Loan CDWP Central Development Working Party CEO Chief Executive Officer CMTL Central Material Testing Laboratory CRBC Chashma Right Bank Canal CRRK Chief Resident Representative Karachi CSA Consultancy Services Agreement CPPA Central Power Purchasing Agency DAC Departmental Accounts Committee DG Director General DISCOs Distribution [Show full text]
• Psdp 2011-2012 WATER & POWER DIVISION (WATER SECTOR) (Million Rupees) Sl. Name, Location & Status of the Estimated Cost Expenditure Throw- Allocation for 2011-12 No Scheme Total Foreign upto June forward as on Foreign Loan Rupee Total Loan 2011 01-07-11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 On-going Schemes 1 Raising of Mangla Dam including 62553.000 0.000 82366.250 0.000 0.000 6000.000 6000.000 resettlement 2 Mirani Dam 5861.000 0.000 5101.520 759.480 0.000 100.000 100.000 3 Sabakzai Dam Project 1960.820 0.000 1744.580 216.240 0.000 200.000 200.000 4 Satpara Multipurpose Dam 4480.020 554.680 2810.837 1669.183 500.000 500.000 1000.000 5 Gomal Zam Dam 12829.000 4964.000 7902.742 4926.258 500.000 500.000 1000.000 6 Greater Thal Canal (Phase - I) 30467.000 0.000 8801.940 21665.060 0.000 100.000 100.000 7 Kachhi Canal (Phase - I) 31204.000 0.000 24961.480 6242.520 0.000 1500.000 1500.000 8 Rainee Canal (Phase - I) 18861.580 0.000 9506.580 9355.000 0.000 1500.000 1500.000 9 Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & 14707.000 0.000 12116.860 2590.140 0.000 1000.000 1000.000 Drainage, Sindh 10 Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. 4485.200 0.000 3814.612 670.588 0.000 1000.000 1000.000 (RBOD-III) 11 Land and Water Monitoring / Evaluation 427.000 0.000 164.480 262.520 0.000 100.000 100.000 of Indus Plains (SMO) 12 Revamping/Rehabilitation of Irrigation & 16796.000 0.000 9675.000 7121.000 0.000 900.000 900.000 Drainage System of Sindh 13 Extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain 29217.000 0.000 15980.000 13237.000 0.000 2600.000 2600.000 from Sehwan to Sea, (RBOD-II), Dadu & Thatta District [Show full text]
• University of the Punjab, Lahore, 2012 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS (Prof. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad) NO. OF PUBLICATIONS Research Publications = 37 Computer Publications = 08 Technical Reports = 34 WAPDA Technical Publications = 39 Total Publications = 118 OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES Seminars/Work Shops/Conferences =46 Significant Software Development =09 M.Sc Theses supervised =90 M.Phil Theses supervised =51 1. Published in HEC Approved International and National Journals those are accepted for appointments/promotion Sr. Title of Paper Name of Year Vol.(No.) Page Impact HEC No. Publishing Factor Recognized/ Journal Category Environmental 1. Highlighting the implications 2010 167 565- 1.436 Yes Monitoring and of Selenium dispersion from 579 Category W disposal of Kahota Industrial Assessment Triangle area, Islamabad, ISSN: 0167-6369 Pakistan using 3-dimension solute transport model Environmental 2. Implications of depletion of 2010 166 41-58 1.436 Yes Monitoring and groundwater levels in 3 Category W layered aquifers and its Assessment management to optimize the ISSN: 0167-6369 supply demand in the urban settlement near Kahota Industrial Triangle area, Islamabad, Pakistan Journal of the 3. Ground Water Contamination 2008 30(3) 348- 1.2 Yes Chemical Society by Effluent from Tanneries in 351 Category W Kasur (Pakistan), of Pakistan ISSN: 0253-5106 Journal of Asian 182- - 4. Criterion of Sanitary Landfill 2006 XXIX Yes Civilization 196 site Selection of using Category Y surface geophysical method ISSN: 1993-4696 Pakistan Journal of - 5. Seismotectonics and 2005 Yes Hydrocarbon 15 64-72 Seismic Hazard analysis in Category Y selected area of Margala Research hills, Islamabad Pakistan ISSN: 1017-0626 Sr. Title of Paper Name of Year Vol.(No.) Page Impact HEC No. [Show full text]

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Water crisis: Why is Pakistan running dry?

Pakistan could “run dry” by 2025 as its water shortage is reaching an alarming level. The authorities remain negligent about the crisis that’s posing a serious threat to the country’s stability, DW reports.

According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan ranks third in the world among countries facing acute water shortage. Reports by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) also warn the authorities that the South Asian country will reach absolute water scarcity by 2025. “No person in Pakistan, whether from the north with its more than 5,000 glaciers, or from the south with its ‘hyper deserts,’ will be immune to this scarcity,” said Neil Buhne, UN humanitarian coordinator for Pakistan.

Researchers predict that Pakistan is on its way to becoming the most water-stressed country in the region by the year 2040. It is not the first time that development and research organisations have alerted Pakistani authorities about an impending crisis, which some analysts say poses a bigger threat to the country than terrorism says DW in its report on water issue in Pakistan.

In 2016, PCRWR reported that Pakistan touched the “water stress line” in 1990 and crossed the “water scarcity line” in 2005. If this situation persists, Pakistan is likely to face an acute water shortage or a drought-like situation in the near future, according to PCRWR, which is affiliated with the South Asian country’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

Table of Contents

A water-intensive country

Pakistan has the world’s fourth-highest rate of water use. Its water intensity rate — the amount of water, in cubic meters, used per unit of GDP — is the world’s highest. This suggests that no country’s economy is more water-intensive than Pakistan’s.

According to the IMF, Pakistan’s per capita annual water availability is 1,017 cubic metres — perilously close to the scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic metres. Back in 2009, Pakistan’s water availability was about 1,500 cubic metres.

The bulk of Pakistan’s farmland is irrigated through a canal system, but the IMF says in a report that canal water is vastly underpriced, recovering only a quarter of annual operating and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, agriculture, which consumes almost all annual available surface water, is largely untaxed.

Experts say that population growth and urbanisation are the main reasons behind the crisis. The issue has also been exacerbated by climate change, poor water management and a lack of political will to deal with the crisis. “Pakistan is approaching the scarcity threshold for water. What is even more disturbing is that groundwater supplies — the last resort of water supply —are being rapidly depleted. And worst of all is that the authorities have given no indication that they plan to do anything about any of this,” Michael Kugelman, South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Centre, told DW in a 2015 interview.

Qazi Talhat, a secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, told DW the situation is “scary” for Pakistan.

Water scarcity is also triggering security conflicts in the country. Experts say the economic impact of the water crisis is immense, and the people are fighting for resources.

Climate change

Water scarcity in Pakistan has been accompanied by rising temperatures. In May, at least 65 people died from heatstroke in the southern city of Karachi. In 2015, at least 1,200 people died during a spate of extremely hot weather. “Heat waves and droughts in Pakistan are a result of climate change,” Mian Ahmed Naeem Salik, an environmental expert and research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told DW.

“The monsoon season has become erratic in the past few years. The winter season has shrunk from four to two months in many parts of the country. On top of it, Pakistan cannot save floodwater due to a scarcity of dams,” Salik said. “At the time of Pakistan’s birth in 1947, forests accounted for about 5 percent of the nation’s area, but they have now dropped to only 2 percent. Pakistan must invest in building water reservoirs and plant more trees,” he added.

Water politics

The Tarbela and Mangla dams, the country’s two major water reservoirs, reached their “dead” levels last week, according to media reports. The news sparked a debate on social media over the inaction of authorities in the face of this crisis. “We have only two big reservoirs and we can save water only for 30 days. India can store water for 190 days whereas the US can do it for 900 days,” Muhammad Khalid Rana, a spokesman for the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), told DW.

“Pakistan receives around 145 million acre feet of water every year but can only save 13.7 million acre feet. Pakistan needs 40 million acre feet of water but 29 million acre feet of our floodwater is wasted because we have few dams. New Delhi raised this issue with international bodies, arguing that it should be allowed to use the western rivers because Pakistan can’t use them properly,” Rana said.

In 1960, the World Bank brokered the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that gives Pakistan exclusive rights to use the region’s western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — while India has the authority over three eastern rivers.

The Pakistani government says New Delhi is not fulfilling its responsibilities under the IWT as it voices concerns over India’s construction of new dams. New Delhi is building the Kishangaga hydroelectric plant in the north of Bandipore in India held Jammu and Kashmir region. In May, Islamabad approached the World Bank complaining that India violated the IWT by building the dam on a Jhelum River basin, which it lays claim on.

Kugelman says that the Pakistani authorities need to step up efforts to overcome the water crisis, which is partly man-made. “First of all, Pakistan’s leaders and stakeholders need to take ownership of this challenge and declare their intention to tackle it. Simply blaming previous governments, or blaming India, for the crisis won’t solve anything. Next, the government needs to institute a major paradigm shift that promotes more judicious use of water,” Kugelman emphasized.

Wastage of water

Apart from the water storage issue, experts say that water wastage is also a big issue in the country. Abid Suleri, executive director of the Islamabad-based Sustainable Development Policy Institute, says the mismanagement takes place at many levels.

As the water crisis worsens in Pakistan, foreign diplomats and activists have taken to social media, urging people to save water. “Using a bucket to save water while washing my car! #Pakistan ranks third amongst countries facing water shortage. One major reason is excessive use. 100 liters wasted washing a car with running tap water. Many ways to #SaveWater in our daily life! #SaveWaterforPak,” Martin Kobler, German ambassador to Pakistan, wrote on Twitter.

In April, former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced Pakistan’s first National Water Policy, promising consolidated efforts to tackle the water crisis. But experts are skeptical about the authorities will to deal with the issue. The country will hold general elections on July 25 and there is an interim government currently in place. Water crisis is a priority neither for the caretaker government nor for the political parties contesting the polls.

Originally Published in : Daily The News

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Home → Research Papers → Examining the Water Crisis of Pakistan

Written by Kashaf Imran • May 25, 2022 • 6:02 pm • Pakistan , Published Content , Research Papers

Examining the Water Crisis of Pakistan

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Crises don’t rise out of the blue; they are the result of ongoing circumstances and are consequences of the actions of a single individual that starts the chain reaction of complicated existence. Even World War I was sparked by the actions of a single individual (Khan, 2021). The water crisis around the world, specifically in Pakistan, is of grave concern.

“Anyone who can solve the problem of water, will be worthy of two noble prizes: one for peace and one for science” – John F. Kennedy

Water is a finite resource. If it’s not managed wisely, overcoming climate issues is a great challenge. The paper analyses how the water issue is more of a management crisis than a natural disaster in Pakistan. Moreover, this paper also analyzes the case of the Tasman Spirit oil spill for a holistic analysis of mismanagement and crippled governance

Methodology

The paper is based upon qualitative research focusing on “how” the water issue prevails and “what” caused the water issue. The qualitative data is obtained from sources like articles, journals, reports, books, official and unofficial documents, and academic studies.

Water Issue

Water’s central role in the biosphere implies that several of the large issues confronting humanity are in fact related to water be it security issues, pollution, shortage, etc. (Falkenmark, 1990). Whenever the issue of water is being talked about the terms that are widely used in the international discourse are water shortage, water stress, water scarcity, and water insecurity (Chellaney, 2012).

The issue of water revolves around crisis, scarcity, insecurity, and shortage. These terms will be used often in this research paper with the purpose of analyzing and understanding the water issue prevailing in Pakistan. Water shortage is the condition when there is a lack of sufficient water resources. This includes a lack of access to safe water supplies and deprivation to meet basic water needs.

According to UN-Water, water scarcity is defined as scarcity in the availability of water due to physical shortage or access due to failure in management and governance (Water Scarcity, n.d.). When the demand for water exceeds the amount available during a specific period of time, such a situation is known to be water-stressed (Green Facts, n.d.). Lastly, water insecurity, as defined by Norins, is the lack of sufficient water to meet all the needs and the inability to adapt to disasters (Defining Water Insecurity, n.d.).

Introduction

The continent of Asia is the hub of the water crisis where water emerges as a source of increasing competition and an underlying discord between the Asian states (Chellaney, 2012). India and Pakistan are prime examples of such discord. Asia faces a daunting challenge in the form of the water crisis that threatens its economy, political rise, and most importantly its environmental sustainability (Chellaney, 2012).

Due to Asia’s water efficiency and productivity being the lowest in the world, it is a center of global water issues, be it crises or security issues. A South Asian country like Pakistan, which has been struggling in almost every aspect ever since independence, is no exception. Pakistan is amongst those countries of Asia that are on the hitlist of water issues be it in terms of a crisis, security, scarcity, or even shortage.

Scope of Water Issue in Pakistan

Firstly, about 92% of Pakistan has been classified into semi-arid to arid. Moreover, the vast majority of Pakistan is dependent upon surface and groundwater from a single source known as the Indus Basin. Secondly, ever since Pakistan came into existence, its population has more than quadrupled and by 2100, its population will have increased by tenfold.

Thirdly, about 90% of the country’s agriculture production comes from land irrigation by the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) which firmly links national food security to water levels in the Indus River. Fourthly and lastly, Pakistan’s water storage capacity is limited to a maximum of 30 days supply which is far below a 1000 days storage capacity  (Parry, Terton, Osman, Ledwell, and Asad, 2016)

Water Issues of Pakistan

The water issue poses a great threat to the country’s future security, sustainability, and stability. In 2030, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization, Pakistan is expected to move from being a water-stressed to a water-scarce country (Omestad, 2013).

The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) delivered a grave warning that if the government didn’t take action, the country will run out of water by 2025 (Kundi, 2017). IMF ranked Pakistan 3 rd on the list of water-scarce countries (Zhang, et al., 2020). Pakistan is hence regarded as one of the most water-intensive countries (Akbar, Khan, Dilawar, & Hassan, 2021).

One of the deadliest issues that Pakistan faces is water security, particularly due to political disputes and upheavals. The security concerns related to Pakistan are primarily Islamist militancy and terrorism, stability in regard to Afghanistan, and nuclear rivalry with India. While all the concerns are driven towards these issues, the country’s deteriorating water situation naturally becomes a lesser-known issue. Despite being a comparatively lesser-known issue, the intensity and situation are highly alarming.

According to the Peacework report titled “Understanding Pakistan’s Water-Security Nexus,” authored by Danish Mustafa, Majeed Akhtar, and Natalie Nasrallah, “Coupled with institutional, operational, and governance failures, increasing pressure on water, its use, and misuse is fostering domestic discord. Although water is not a direct driver of conflict, it is an aggravating factor that threatens various dimensions of Pakistan’s political fragility” (Mustafa, Akhter, & Nasralla, 2013).

The construction of dams on the Indus River and the depletion of groundwater in Balochistan are exacerbating tensions and hurting small farms in provinces that are wracked by extremist violence and the Pakistan Army’s counterinsurgency operations (Omestad, 2013).

Indicators of Water Scarcity

Despite being a country with the world’s largest glaciers, Pakistan faces the prospects of water scarcity (“Issues in Managing Water Challenges,” 2015). When we talk about scarcity, there are four main indicators to measure water scarcity:

1. Water Stress Indicator

The first indicator provides the relationship between available water and human pollution. As per the indicator, if a country’s per capita water is below 1700m 3 , it is water-stressed. When per capita water is below 500m 3 , the country is in absolute water scarcity. In 1950, the per capita water was over 5000m 3 in Pakistan. In 1990, Pakistan touched the water stress line (Ashraf, 2018).

2. Water Resource Vulnerability Index (WRVI)

This indicator compares national annual water availability with the total annual withdrawals. When withdrawal is between 20%-40%, the country is said to be water scarce. If it exceeds 40%, the country is said to be severely water-scarce. In the case of Pakistan WRVI is 77% (Ashraf, 2018).

3. IWMI’s Physical & Economic Water Indicator

Countries that won’t be able to meet the estimated water demands by 2025 are called physically water scarce. In 2004, Pakistan faced an 11% of shortage in water which is likely to be increased to 33% by 2025, leading Pakistan to physical and economic scarcity (Ashraf, 2018).

4. Water Poverty Index

This indicator has the following components:

• Access to water
• Water quality, quantity, and variability
• Water usage for domestic, food, and productive purposes
• Capacity for water management
• Environmental aspects

If water is available but of poor quality, the country is said to be water scarce. According to a survey conducted by PCRWR, in Pakistan, only 23% of urban and 14% of rural areas were provided with safe drinking water (Ashraf, 2018).

Root Causes of the Water Crisis in Pakistan

• Climate Change

Due to climate change, we may witness a decline in aggregated water flows in the future because climate change disrupts weather patterns, leading to unpredictability in water availability, exacerbating water scarcity, and contaminated supply of water (UNICEF, 2022). Pakistan is among the list of 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change (Parry, Terton, Osman, Ledwell, & Asad, 2016).

• Urbanization and Population Growth

The endless and rapid growth in population and, most importantly, the unplanned urbanization don’t only portray a threat to a sustainable future but rather put great pressure on water supply and demand. The lethal combination of climate change and rapid increase in population puts an adverse effect on water resources leading to water scarcity (Lamm, 2020).

• Water Policies & Distribution Issue

The growing scarcity of water resources is a prime source of conflict among the provinces of Pakistan. The conflict is centered on the distribution of available water. In 2018, Pakistan formulated its first-ever National Water Policy. Although the policy acknowledges that water is a finite source yet, at the same time, it fails to reach up to the mark due to several shortcomings. Such shortcomings include the absence of basic scientific knowledge, neglect of water quality issues, and lack of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) references.

• Mismanagement

Pakistan’s water issue and crisis are the results of the nation’s failure in water management, poor governance, and the inability of bureaucracy to deliver basic needs and provide basic facilities (Yusuf, 2020). The dependence of Pakistan on a single source – the Indus River system and its tributaries – for most of its water supply is a key cause of the mismanagement breeding water issues (IMF, 2015).

Moreover, water issues arise because there’s a lack or zero development in the approach of water resource management prioritizing the conservation and sustainable use of water. In 2017, the State Bank of Pakistan argued that Pakistan is characterized by multiple authorities with overlapping responsibilities and duplication of work (Cooper, 2018). This shows that the problem isn’t in water availability but rather in the governance and management system.  

As mentioned earlier, due to the incapable bureaucracy, Pakistan suffers from the prevailing water crisis. The prime example of such an argument is the flood that hit Sindh in August 2019 which highlighted that Pakistan suffers from water mismanagement . The flood caused 10 deaths and multiple causalities due to electrocution via the water (Salman, 2021).

• Indus Water Treaty

Another root cause of the crisis is the signing of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Before the treaty was signed, Pakistan’s total inflow of water was 117 MAF and now it is only 80 MAF. The allocation of this inflow amongst the provinces is done on the basis of number rather than water quality (Salman, 2021). According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s poor water management is estimated to cost the country nearly 4% of its GDP which is around $12bn (Dawood, 2020).

Case of the Tasman Spirit

The case of the Tasman Spirit oil spill is a prime example of mismanagement and poor governance that led to a huge marine and water crisis. The entire marine crisis showed how Pakistan as a nation is incapable of crisis management owing to institutional paralysis and crippled governance.

On July 27, 2003, a ship carrying crude oil ran aground near Karachi and after two weeks, it released 37,000 tons of its cargo into the sea (Janjua, et al., 2006). According to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the accident was reported to the owner of the ship, Polembros, which assured that another tanker (the Endeavour II) would be sent to remove all of the crude oil in the Tasman Spirit (Khan, 2021).

Three attempts were made to tow it away but all of them failed. Cracks appeared in the hull on 14 August. Two main beaches of Karachi—Clifton and Sea View—were adversely affected by the puddles of oil that were clearly visible on the shoreline. Due to the entire catastrophe, the government of Pakistan declared an emergency (WWF, 2003).

Lethal natural disasters, pertinently climate change, are indeed the strongest agents for the rise in water issues. However, when management is crippled, the water issues are likely to prevail at a very high intensity as seen in the case of Pakistan. Today, Pakistan is struggling to tackle and manage its water issues.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water Scarcity — Water Shortage: A Global Crisis

Water Shortage: a Global Crisis

• Categories: Water Water Scarcity

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Words: 503 |

Published: Sep 12, 2023

Words: 503 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

The causes of water shortage, the consequences of water scarcity, potential solutions and mitigation strategies, conclusion: preserving the blue gold.

• Water Conservation: Promoting water-saving practices in agriculture, industry, and households can significantly reduce demand. This includes adopting efficient irrigation methods, fixing leaks, and implementing water recycling systems.
• Improved Infrastructure: Developing better water infrastructure, including dams, reservoirs, and distribution networks, can help manage and distribute water more effectively.
• Desalination: Investing in desalination technology can provide a source of freshwater in coastal regions where seawater can be converted into potable water.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Encouraging rainwater harvesting at the household and community levels can provide an additional source of freshwater, particularly in areas with irregular rainfall patterns.
• Policy and Governance: Implementing effective water management policies, regulating water use, and promoting international cooperation in water management are essential steps toward sustainability.

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