4. Water-crisis in Pakistan: dam-building debate and other necessary measures to cope with it
Pakistan is facing acute water-shortage. A report by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) reveals that "the country will run dry by 2025 if the prevalent situation continues ". The storage capacity of the existing dams has reduced to 12 Million Acre Feet (MAF) due to silting and sedimentation. And over the decades, the per capita availability in Pakistan has decreased from 5000 m3 at the time partition to a mere 800m3. The per capita water availability in neighboring India, China, Bangladesh and Nepal stands at 1800m3, 2200 m3, 8051m3 and 8900m3 respectively, that explains why the situation in Pakistan has been declared 'grave' and the country was included among top five water-scarce countries in the world by the World Resource Institute. Moreover, Pakistan can survive only 30 days with the storage capacity it has against the international bench mark of 125 days. On contrary, India has the storage capacity for 220 days survival without water-supply.
Surface water= 136 MAF (65% Indus, Chenab 19% , Jhelum 17%)
ground water= 56 MAF (decreasing due to over-pumping)
A) Storage Capacity of various dams
Tarbela= 6.5 MAF (original capacity was 9.5 MAF)
Mangla= 4.41 MAF (Original capacity was 5.34 MAF)
Chashma= 0.5 MAF
Other minor dams= 0.5 MAF
Total capacity= 12 MAF approx. (current capacity)
B) On consumption side
Agriculture sector= 91%
Industrial+ domestic use= 9%
⦁ Bad water management: According to a research study on water resources of Pakistan, approximately water having economic values of $70 billion is being thrown into the sea every year due to non-construction of water reservoirs. A water-starved country, which has the foreign reserve of only $20 billion, can’t afford to throw water of mammoth economic value. The indifference of successive governments to water-related matters of the country can be gauged from the simple fact that until recently, we did not have a National Water Policy to regulate use of water.
⦁ India's use of water as political weapon: India first stopped water-supplies to Pakistan in April, 1948. Indus Water Treaty was later signed to resolve conflict over water distribution between India and Pakistan. India continued violating the treaty by building dams on Pakistani rivers. It started building Wullar Barrage on Jhelum River in 1985. Then it had begun construction of Baglihar dam on River Chenab in 1999. Similarly, Krishanganga and Ratle dams are being constructed on Pakistani rivers. India always tried to put pressure on Pakistan through water-politics. Due to incessant dam building by India on Pakistani rivers, the water-flow to Pakistan has reduced considerably. According to the media, India has ventured upon an ambitious plan worth $120 billion to divert water of the Pakistani rivers.
⦁ Outdated irrigation system and farming practices: Agriculture sector consumes 91% of total water available in Pakistan. Ironically, water is tax-free in Pakistan. So farmers are free to waste precious water. According to a report, 25% of total water is wasted in unpaved and unlined canals and mini-canals. Moreover, farmers grow sugarcane and paddy crops which consume more water.
⦁ Inter-provincial bickering and lack of consensus: Part of the reason that the previous governments failed to build dams was the lack of consensus among provinces on water issues. Despite the Water-apportionment Accord 1991, the smaller provinces continued to accuse Punjab of water-theft and vehemently opposed any dam-building proposal on the pretext that it might deprive them of their due water-share. The work on proposed Kalabagh dam (6.5 MAF) was halted after the three provinces passed resolutions to oppose its construction. Now Sindh has voiced its concerns against the construction of Diamir-Bhasha dam (7.5 MAF).
⦁ Boosting Storage capacity: Since the partition, India has built around 4000 dams, while we could only build 46 dams. It is imperative that we build 5-10 mega dams during the span of next 15 to 20 years to enhance our storage capacity from 12 MAF to 40 MAF in line with our VISION 2025 provision that pledges to boost our storage capacity from 30 to 90 days. The critical question arises here is: where do we get funds from to finance mega dams?. Well, we can Learn from Ethiopia's experience ,which has recently built a dam worth $5 billion through investments from international institutions, treasury bonds and assistance from friendly countries. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and China can be invited to finance dams in Pakistan.
⦁ Efficient Irrigation System: To reduce losses, canals and mini-canals must be lined and cemented. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation techniques can be introduced in agriculture sector to save precious water. Moreover, technology can be incorporated to regulate flow of water across the country. Many developed countries have employed computer-release technology in which water is released at night for irrigation to minimize evaporation losses. Water is released from canals only when it is needed.
⦁ Water-pricing system: Farmers in Pakistan recklessly use water because its free of cost. They do not have to pay for the wastage. The government needs to impose tax on water so that people use it carefully. Everyone should be made to pay for water-use.
⦁ Better water-management: A credible telemetry system needs to be put in place across the country to accurately ascertain water-flows to provinces and various areas. In that way, equitable sharing of water can be ensured. Moreover, it will help in better management of water resources.
⦁ Water-conservation techniques : Water-conservation guidelines should be defined at nation level. These may include: don't leave water tap open when it's not in use, laser-leveling of fields before cultivation, take shorter showers, check faucets and pipes for Leaks, don’t run the hose while washing your car, turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush and eat less water-intensive foods. Every citizen must take part in the conservation drive to avert the impending crisis. Media must play its pivotal role of spreading awareness among people about water-conservation techniques.
⦁ IRSA's technical, financial and administrative abilities should be scaled up: Indus River System Authority's capabilities must be enhanced. IRSA should be empowered to impose fine on provinces and individuals from violating water laws.
A cursory glance at Pakistan's water resources and consumption pattern
According to a PILDAT report furnished in 2013, the total water availability in Pakistan is as follows:
Surface water= 136 MAF (65% Indus, Chenab 19% , Jhelum 17%)
ground water= 56 MAF (decreasing due to over-pumping)
A) Storage Capacity of various dams
Tarbela= 6.5 MAF (original capacity was 9.5 MAF)
Mangla= 4.41 MAF (Original capacity was 5.34 MAF)
Chashma= 0.5 MAF
Other minor dams= 0.5 MAF
Total capacity= 12 MAF approx. (current capacity)
B) On consumption side
Agriculture sector= 91%
Industrial+ domestic use= 9%
What are the causes of the ominous water-crisis?
⦁ Low-storage capacity: As has already been mentioned that the water storage capacity of Pakistan is the lowest in Asia currently stands at 12 MAF, which is insufficient to fulfill needs of an agrarian economy of 200 million people during Summer Seasons. Last year, Kharif crops suffered huge losses due to water-scarcity.⦁ Bad water management: According to a research study on water resources of Pakistan, approximately water having economic values of $70 billion is being thrown into the sea every year due to non-construction of water reservoirs. A water-starved country, which has the foreign reserve of only $20 billion, can’t afford to throw water of mammoth economic value. The indifference of successive governments to water-related matters of the country can be gauged from the simple fact that until recently, we did not have a National Water Policy to regulate use of water.
⦁ India's use of water as political weapon: India first stopped water-supplies to Pakistan in April, 1948. Indus Water Treaty was later signed to resolve conflict over water distribution between India and Pakistan. India continued violating the treaty by building dams on Pakistani rivers. It started building Wullar Barrage on Jhelum River in 1985. Then it had begun construction of Baglihar dam on River Chenab in 1999. Similarly, Krishanganga and Ratle dams are being constructed on Pakistani rivers. India always tried to put pressure on Pakistan through water-politics. Due to incessant dam building by India on Pakistani rivers, the water-flow to Pakistan has reduced considerably. According to the media, India has ventured upon an ambitious plan worth $120 billion to divert water of the Pakistani rivers.
⦁ Outdated irrigation system and farming practices: Agriculture sector consumes 91% of total water available in Pakistan. Ironically, water is tax-free in Pakistan. So farmers are free to waste precious water. According to a report, 25% of total water is wasted in unpaved and unlined canals and mini-canals. Moreover, farmers grow sugarcane and paddy crops which consume more water.
⦁ Inter-provincial bickering and lack of consensus: Part of the reason that the previous governments failed to build dams was the lack of consensus among provinces on water issues. Despite the Water-apportionment Accord 1991, the smaller provinces continued to accuse Punjab of water-theft and vehemently opposed any dam-building proposal on the pretext that it might deprive them of their due water-share. The work on proposed Kalabagh dam (6.5 MAF) was halted after the three provinces passed resolutions to oppose its construction. Now Sindh has voiced its concerns against the construction of Diamir-Bhasha dam (7.5 MAF).
Solution to Pakistan's water woes
⦁ Political will: First of all, strong political will is needed to unite the nation on the issue of water-crisis. In the past, governments avoided talking about controversial water storage projects due to vested political interests. It is the need of the hour that a strong government undertakes the responsibility of resolving countries water-woes. It embarks upon the process of building dams on a war-footing irrespective of its fate.⦁ Boosting Storage capacity: Since the partition, India has built around 4000 dams, while we could only build 46 dams. It is imperative that we build 5-10 mega dams during the span of next 15 to 20 years to enhance our storage capacity from 12 MAF to 40 MAF in line with our VISION 2025 provision that pledges to boost our storage capacity from 30 to 90 days. The critical question arises here is: where do we get funds from to finance mega dams?. Well, we can Learn from Ethiopia's experience ,which has recently built a dam worth $5 billion through investments from international institutions, treasury bonds and assistance from friendly countries. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and China can be invited to finance dams in Pakistan.
⦁ Efficient Irrigation System: To reduce losses, canals and mini-canals must be lined and cemented. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation techniques can be introduced in agriculture sector to save precious water. Moreover, technology can be incorporated to regulate flow of water across the country. Many developed countries have employed computer-release technology in which water is released at night for irrigation to minimize evaporation losses. Water is released from canals only when it is needed.
⦁ Water-pricing system: Farmers in Pakistan recklessly use water because its free of cost. They do not have to pay for the wastage. The government needs to impose tax on water so that people use it carefully. Everyone should be made to pay for water-use.
⦁ Better water-management: A credible telemetry system needs to be put in place across the country to accurately ascertain water-flows to provinces and various areas. In that way, equitable sharing of water can be ensured. Moreover, it will help in better management of water resources.
⦁ Water-conservation techniques : Water-conservation guidelines should be defined at nation level. These may include: don't leave water tap open when it's not in use, laser-leveling of fields before cultivation, take shorter showers, check faucets and pipes for Leaks, don’t run the hose while washing your car, turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush and eat less water-intensive foods. Every citizen must take part in the conservation drive to avert the impending crisis. Media must play its pivotal role of spreading awareness among people about water-conservation techniques.
⦁ IRSA's technical, financial and administrative abilities should be scaled up: Indus River System Authority's capabilities must be enhanced. IRSA should be empowered to impose fine on provinces and individuals from violating water laws.
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