Government College

University Lahore

Department of Political Science

Assignment of Geography

Submitted by: Mr. Anas khanzada

Roll no. 1646-BH(E)-PS-20
Gmail: anaskhanzada69@[Link]
Submitted to: Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Sayal
Topic: Water Scarcity in Pakistan…

Outline:
 Introduction
 Fact and Reports
 Causes of Water Scarcity
 Impact of Water Scarcity
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusions
 Water Scarcity in Pakistan…
Introduction:
“Water is not only for life … water is life”

Humans require water as one of their most basic needs. It is difficult to survive without water.
Due to human ignorance, water is becoming scarcer by the day. Water scarcity is one of the
most dangerous issues that every country in the world is dealing with. When a person lacks
access to safe and affordable water to meet his or her needs for drinking, washing, or sustaining
a livelihood, we refer to that person as water insecure. When a large number of people in a
given area are water insecure for an extended period of time, that area is considered water
scarce. Water scarcity is also caused by poor water quality (both for drinking and agricultural
purposes).

According to a World Economic Forum report, the water crisis is the number one global risk
considering the damage it is predicted to cause. The problem is particularly concerning in
Pakistan, which, despite having the world's greatest glacial resources, is facing a water scarcity.
As Pakistan's water availability is highly reliant on the Indus Basin, the predicted demand and
supply mismatch is posing residential, agricultural, and industrial issues. Water scarcity is a
terrible situation that is all too real yet unavoidable in Pakistan.

Facts and Report about Water Scarcity in Pakistan:

 According to a recent IMF report, Pakistan is one of the world's 36 most water-stressed
countries.
 It has the world's fourth highest rate of water use.
 It has the greatest water intensity rate per unit of GDP in the world.
 Pakistan is also the world's third most water-stressed country.
 According to new NASA satellite data on the world's subsurface aquifers, the Indus
basin aquifer is the world's second most strained. According to the Running of Empty
report, Pakistan's water shortage by 2050 will be five times the quantity of water that
could be stored in the huge reservoir of the Indus River.
 According to the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan is one
of the world's most "water-stressed" nations, with extreme water scarcity expected over
the next five years due to deficiency of available water for agriculture, industry, and
human use. According to a World Bank assessment, Pakistan's water supply has
decreased from 5,000 cubic meters per capita in 2010 to 1,000 cubic meters in 2010, and
is expected to decline to 800 cubic meters per capita by 2020.

Reasons of Water Scarcity in Pakistan:

 Failure of Successive Governments:
 In 1950s Pakistan Population is 75Million and water availability at that time is 5000
cubic meters per annum. Now, Pakistan population is three time greater than before,
Alas! Water availability decline four times and it is less than 1000 cubic meter per
annum now. Governments’ come and go in Pakistan, but not a single government focus
on water scarcity issue. Every government done its paper work to secure water of
Pakistan but not the actions. One of the main example which show failure of previous
govt. is diplomatic failure of Pakistan in Indus Water Treaty.

 Limited Storage Capacity:

Pakistan has limited resources to store water. Pakistan has great number of glacier
which can be helpful against water scarcity despite this we have not enough dams to
restore it properly. The two major Dams of Pakistan tarbela and Mangla was created in
Ayub Khan regime, but after this not a single government constructed major dams.
Pakistan total number of Dams is 150 which can store waters for only 30 days. As
compare to our neighboring countries and rest of world, it is less than half numbers.
India has more than 400 plus dams which can store water for 220 days, China has
thousands of dams. It is the main reason behind looming Water scarcity in Pakistan.

 Shrinking Water Resources:

Pakistan is lacking their resources of water day by day. When we cannot do anything to
secure it, it is to obvious that thing will be end soon. And same in the case of Pakistan. As
I said earlier, Pakistan is declining its water capacity per annum day by day. Its mean
water resources will end soon if we will not focus it.

 Malicious design of India:

As we all know India and Pakistan has historical controversy. India is always try to make
haurdle for Pakistan, whether in term of defence or river. India constructed Dams in
thad way, it can increase water scarcity in Pakistan. In 1949 India stop water and we all
know it hyas so devastating effect. Now,India is working on two projects named as
Krishannagr Project and other which will minimize water availability for Pakistan.

 Poor Governance & Management:

As in every other field, Pakistan also show its poors governance in management of water
scarcity. Water crisis is especially visible in the lower portions of these canals due to a
lack of adequate water management mostly at the secondary canal level. Coupled with
flood irrigation, either through flooded basins or through the traditional Punchoo
system, the water issue worsens by the day. We cannot decide to allocate water by going
beyond letter-sense and include the spirit of the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991
since IRSA lacks a telemetry system, and we do not see an end to Pakistan's water
problem.
 Water intensive agriculture technique:
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan GDP. But we are stickled to old traditional
method of agriculture cultivation. By the passage of times our technique of cultivating
crops remain constant. Rice demand more water for cultivation but if we developed on it
seeds its quantity of water will be half. But unfortunately, we are stuck in past. In
Pakistan there are many crops which demands more water, byut by the research we can
minimize its demand.

 Population Harmony:
Pakistan population is growing ghastly day by day in this way demand for drinking water
increase. As demand increase its wastage also increase. Our more than half population
is illiterate and it is totally unaware of water scarcity dilemma. They use water less
rather they misuse it. Growing of youths also a major cause which create a dilemma like
water scarcity.

 Intra-provincial Disharmony:

Pakistan also lack harmony in the division of water at provincial level. In the past, public
administrators were unable to reach an agreement on the construction of massive water
reservoirs, notably the Kalabagh dam, which may have addressed many of today's
electricity and water concerns. This disharmony lead Pakistan toward Water Scarcity.

 Poor & Ill construction Canal System:

Pakistan has one of the best canal system despite this we are so ignorant enough to
manage it. According to National Survey, Pakistan has looses its 40% water in canal due
to seepage and its ill construction. Our canal system is good but management is week
which encourage water scarcity to grow.

 Indus Water Treaty:

Indus Water treaty is treaty of water between India and Pakistan which represents
division of water. This treaty has serious impact on the water scarcity of Pakistan.
Because Pakistan needed time to create the necessary infrastructure to shift water from
western rivers to eastern rivers and their canals on its side, India agreed to tolerate
Pakistan's 'historic withdrawals' during the transition phase. The Treaty called for the
construction of two dams: Mangla on the Jhelum River and Tarbela on the Indus River.
It also included five barrages: Maraia and Qadirabad on the Chenab River, Sidhnai on
the Ravi River, Rasul on the Jhelum River, Chashma on the Indus River, and Mailsi on
the Sutlej River. In addition, one syphon 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-Si.
Impact of Grooming Water Scarcity:
 Destruction of Agriculture:
One of the devastating effect of water scarcity is the destruction of our agriculture
system. When there is not enough water to meet demand of agriculture than the
agriculture will destroy. One of the practical impact is water shortage in 1949. As we are
stuck in old traditional way of cultivation. So, we need proper water to harvest it.
Otherwise, it will decline the system of agriculture as well as the GDP of our country.

 Regional instability:
When there is shortage of water, it will lead to regional instability. In Pakistan the main
reason which causes regional peace is regional instability. Due to regional instability we
face difficulty to start trade. We all know water is so precious and important component
by everyone. But when there is hurdle in way to meet demand of water. It lead country or
state to violence same in case of Pakistan and India. One of the major example of
Regional Instability is conflict of Kashmir.

 National disintegration:
As earlier I said, Pakistan lack harmony at natio0nal level with province in dealing with
the division of water. That made way easier to become a water scarcer. Imbalance
division and demand for more even whole state face water shortage can only disintegrate
the whole nation. Somewhere, there is more agriculture and somewhere there is less, but
less one want more right of water.

 Economic Crisis:
As we all know, our economy is entirely based on agriculture. Our 20% of GDP is based
on agriculture. That’s why, it’s known as backbone of our economy. Agriculture need
water to cultivate and harvest plant. Almost all kind of crops need more and less water to
prepare itself. But when demand increase more than source. Crop will unable to make
itself good. In this way, we came to know water scarcity also caused economic crisis in
Pakistan.

 Unemployment and Migration:

Our more than 65% of jobs are created by agriculture, when water scarcity effect
agriculture than unemployment will increase. Fishermen who hunt fishes and sell. When
there is shortage of water fishes will travel than what the fisherman do. In this way water
scarcity also create Unemployment. When there is unemployment than there must be
migration. For example: when an inhabitant get not enough of water to meet his daily
drinking demand, how he can survive there. In this way Water scarcity also affected
migration and unemployment.
  Social Crises:
Water scarcity also give birth to social crisis. Social crisis just like health are born from
it. When there is shortage of water, people will drink unhealthy water which will harm
their health. Water borne diseases like Hepatitis are also creation of Water Scarcity. In
Pakistan 26% people are affected by hepatitis, in indirectly way water scarcity is killing
people.

 Loss of Biodiversity:
Each and every kind of living either it is plant or animal need water more or less for
survival. But when there is less water to meet their demand they will die. In this way, we
will loose our diversity if we will not take important measure against water scarcity.

Remedial Measures:
To overcome water scarcity and its crises our national strategy or policy must be changed.

Policy or strategy must be based on these below component:

 Water Developments
 Water Management

The water development strategy is heavily reliant on the construction of additional storage
reservoirs, whilst the water management strategy will aid in the reduction of current losses.

Water Developments:

The construction of the following dams should begin immediately:

 Chasha Dam:

It would be 200 kilometres upstream of Terbela on the Indus River. Its gross storage
capacity would be 7.3 maf, while its live storage capacity would be 5.7 maf. It would
have a power generating capability of 3360 mw.

 Kalabagh Dam:

The Kalabagh dam location is 132 miles downstream of Terbela. It has a gross storage
capacity of 6.1 maf. It would have a power output of 3600 mw. I would also advise that
the construction of Kalabagh be undertaken only when all provinces have been
persuaded and are prepared to collaborate.
  Thal Reservoir:

It would be built on the right side of the Chashma-Jhelum link canal, along the western
bank of the Jhelum River. Its reservoir would have a gross capacity of 2.3 million acre-
feet.

 Raised Mangla Dam:

The current Mangla dam would be raised by 40 feet, raising its gross capacity to 9.5
maf. Furthermore, its electricity generating capacity would be boosted by 15%.

 Mirani dam:

The dam is located on the Dasht River, about 48 kilometres from Turbat in the Mekran
division. Its primary goal is to provide irrigation water. It has a gross storage capacity
of 0.30 maf.

Water Management:

Water resource management is an urgent issue, and Pakistan, which is already short on water,
must devise a strategy. This attempt has the potential to conserve around 1.3 maf of water from
present losses. In this regard, the following is suggested: -

 Currently, losses occur as a consequence of seepage, infiltration, and leakages, among

other things. Seepage causes water logging, and these losses can be mitigated or avoided
by lining the canals.
 Groundwater sources contribute the second-largest share of total accessible water. This
supply has been extensively used and exploited by both public and private tube wells. It
can still supply more than nine maf of water. This supply may be explored and wisely
used for irrigation. However, in other regions, ground water is fast decreasing owing to
over-pumping; authorities should take control of such areas to prevent depletion.
 Furthermore, individuals should be taught about the need of water conservation through
collaboration.
 Governments, like many Western countries, should enact water-conservation legislation.
Attempts should be made to change the current rotational irrigation system to a demand-
oriented approach.
 Modern irrigation systems, such as trickling and spraying, offer the ability to increase
water distribution and usage.
 Authorities should take adequate measures to reduce unlawful water extraction and
guarantee fair water distribution.
 Because the irrigation department is currently unable to prevent illicit theft and
extraction, the irrigation distribution system must be privatized through water user
groups.
 Furthermore, water is presently delivered to farmers at a very low cost, which is why
they do not regard water as a valuable resource; so, water rates must be raised to let
irrigators recognize the value of this asset.
Conclusion:
The difficulties confronting the country's water sector are many, acute, and critical, and it is
also known that we can create around 83 maf of more water. As a result, new reservoirs and an
effective management system are urgently needed. Implementing the recommendations will also
help the country overcome the difficulties and accomplish the goals of integrated, efficient,
ecologically and financially sustainable development and management of limited water
resources. At the same time, it will allow us to use every drop of water we have for our bright
future.