Water Scarcity Issue in Pakistan
Major reasons for Water Scarcity in Pakistan and Measures to be taken
Today, if we see any newspaper or website, we see some news about water scarcity in any region of the world. But now the crisis of water scarcity is severely hitting Pakistan, particularly in Cholistan and Sindh, where even drinking water is not available. So, as a result, livestock suffers so much along with the human population. Water is a major part of life. Every living body has water as the main component, and every animal body is composed of 70% of water, so water is “life”. So in this scenario, we can see that if Pakistan did not make sufficient efforts, it could come into a severe crisis of water shortage that would be unbelievably alarming.
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- 1. History of Water Scarcity Issue in Pakistan
- 2. Causes of Water Scarcity in Pakistan
- 2.1 Indus Waters Treaty
- 2.2 Climate Change
- 2.3 Urbanization
- 2.4 Deforestation
- 2.5 Less Number of Dam
- 2.6 Old Irrigation System / Open Canals System
- 3. Widely Effected Area of Water Scarcity in Pakistan
- 4. Efforts and Measures to Save Water Reservoirs in Pakistan
- 4.1 Plantation and Restoration of Forests
- 4.2 Construction of New Dam
- 4.3 Irrigation with Covered Paved Canals
- 4.4 Restoration of Natural Lakes
- 5. Conclusion
1. History of Water Scarcity Issue in Pakistan
Water scarcity is the burning issue of the world and Futurists and Environmentalists that the next war will be done for water. In past, it is assumed that only deserts have water crises. But with the passage of time, we are observing that the major parts of the world have the same issue and Pakistan is one of them. The Water Scarcity issue rose in Pakistan in the ’90s and going to worse day by day. Now the situation is this Sindh and Punjab which had abundant water in past have not enough water to irrigate their field and even to drink. Baluchistan had already been facing the same issue for many decades before. Adding fuel to fire Pakistan Government is still very away to resolve the water scarcity issue and has not yet any plan to make enough efforts.
2. Causes of Water Scarcity in Pakistan
There are many reasons for Water Scarcity in Pakistan but the Major Reasons are as follow.
2.1 Indus Waters Treaty
Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan and brokered by the World Bank. According to the treaty three Eastern Rivers i.e. Beas, Ravi and Sutlej handed over to India, while control over the waters of the three Western Rivers i.e. Indus, Chenab and Jhelum handed over to Pakistan. So as a result, Pakistan lost a major portion of water which seems not bad at that time but now it is scary. So after-shock of this treaty was observed after many decades mainly after 1980 as a water shortage and now Pakistan has a severe water shortage issue.
2.2 Climate Change
Climate Change is another major reason for Water Scarcity in Pakistan. Because temperature rise gives results less rain on the forest. The worldwide industry revolution produced so much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which causes global warming. So as a result of global warming the water present on earth turns into vapours result and the earth is vacated of water. Many Lacks and Seas have disappeared totally because of these effects and living creatures have died.
2.3 Urbanization
Urbanization requires more space to build houses so trees are cut down. Concrete Buildings absorb more light so they play a vital role in rising temperature hence climate change which results in Water Scarcity in the end.
2.4 Deforestation
Deforestation is another factor in Water Scarcity. Forests cool down the climate which gives results in pretty rainfall. When rainfall occurs a lot of fresh water is accumulated on earth that is utilized by every living.
2.5 Less Number of Dam
Water scarcity has happened in Pakistan because Pakistan has only a few dams which cannot even store water for up to 120 days. A few dams were constructed in Pakistan in the era of the ’60s, which helped Pakistan till the ’90s. As the population increased in Pakistan, more water was required to be used to cultivate more areas to produce more food. Then these dams were not enough.
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2.6 Old Irrigation System / Open Canals System
Pakistan is an agricultural country hence it has the world’s biggest irrigation system. But unfortunately, that system is based on the old Opened Canal System which is even not paved yet. Nowadays canals are not even paved with concrete but also covered completely like tube structures. Ans even large pipes are used to distribute water for irrigation purposes to avoid evaporation and seepage effects.
3. Widely Effected Area of Water Scarcity in Pakistan
Men are protesting for water in Cholistan, Punjab
Water Crises in desert part of Pakistan (Tharparkar)
Water scarcity in Pakistan is a general issue and most areas of the country are affected by it nowadays. The most affected areas are Tharparkar and the Coastal Area of Sindh, Complete Baluchistan Province, Thal and Cholistan Region of Punjab and the High Hill Areas of KPK.
4. Efforts and Measures to Save Water Reservoirs in Pakistan
Many efforts and measures are required to save water reservoirs in Pakistan on a government and personal basis. The government needs to motivate people in this regard.
4.1 Plantation and Restoration of Forests
Plantation and restoration of forests have a key role in protecting climate control. So, actually, they cool down the climate. Hence, they provide a reason for rainfall.
4.2 Construction of New Dam
In the era of the ’60s, the government of Pakistan built a few dams in Pakistan, like Tarbelanand, Mangla, etc., which were enough at that time and fulfilled the requirements of that time. But these dams had become insufficient before the ’90s for irrigation purposes. After 2000, these dams had no capacity to provide water for drinking purposes. The vast majority of Punjab’s areas have shifted to tube wells, so the groundwater level in Punjab is going down day by day.
But the alarming situation is that when the water level in Punjab drops down to sea level and salty water will come out from the tube well and that water will not be able for drinking purposes. At that time Pakistan will be in a miserable situation. Existing Dam water then will be used by Punjab instead of Sindh which raises a socio-political impact on Pakistan. So it is pretty needed the Government of Pakistan should take special measures to construct as many dams as they can and take private partnerships for this purpose. Many a project already have been started in Pakistan like Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project etc.
Read more: Water Scarcity Issue in PakistanWorld Water Day 2022: How India is addressing its water needs
4.3 Irrigation with Covered Paved Canals
Pakistan is an agricultural country and has the world’s largest irrigation system. So Pakistan needs a paved and covered canal system to stop the loss of water in the form of vaporization and seepage. Today’s irrigation systems have a tube-like structure. In various countries, even pipes are used to transfer water to the desired location.
4.4 Restoration of Natural Lakes
Lake already Restored
Lake needs Restoration
The lake is a natural reservoir of water resembling a pond and a dam. Due to climate change, many lakes have dried out or their water has been used by people. The Pakistani government, unfortunately, could not manage to stop these lakes from drying out. These lakes may be filled with water from rivers when rivers have sufficient water in the months of July and August due to heavy rainfall in northern areas of Pakistan and flood conditions in rivers. At that time, these lakes may be filled with the flood water of rivers and can be used later on. Unfortunately, neither the government nor civil society is paying close attention to it. So it is the best time to restore these lakes to collect water so that their water may be used later for any purpose.
5. Conclusion
Water scarcity in Pakistan is increasing day by day and now even drinking water is not available in various parts of Pakistan. The situation is miserable and will become more alarming if no proper action is taken. Dams may be constructed, natural lakes may be restored, and small reservoirs may be maintained along the hillside. This situation can be controlled now, but if the government of Pakistan doesn’t take serious action soon, this situation will be uncontrolled after a few years and Pakistan will not be able to do anything if it wants to. After all, the next wars will be done over water.
