Water Crisis in Pakistan: A Necessity of Life Demanding a Solution
In recent years, lots of concerns related to the water crisis have surfaced in national newspapers. Innumerable debates have occurred on the construction of dams, not just for electricity but also to counter the water crisis. The term "water war" has also surfaced and speculations are intensifying. Some reports even say that Pakistan will run out of water by 2025.
Construction of dams yield lots of advantages; water storage and power(electricity) production for sure but can also help and succour in flood control, irrigation and even generates jobs for decades to come. The saga of Kalabagh Dam is well known, however a number of small dams have been built in the past decade in Pakistan, which include Darawat Dam , Dandy Dam , Gomal Zam Dam, Satpara Dam etc.These dams are a good source of water for irrigation of land and also act as reservoirs to store water. A few Hydro- power plants have been built in recent past too such as Allai Khwar Hydro-power plant, Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-power plant etc for the generation of electricity.
Pakistan is located at a very strategic landscape encompassing mountains, plains, forests and deserts. The mountains bring the Glaciers in the lime light as glaciers are one of the primary sources of water and Pakistan is considered to have abundance of glaciers (7253 known glaciers). Pakistan is further blessed to have four seasons and apart from them also faces a fifth season, monsoon, which brings plenty of rain. The Government of Pakistan must take advantage of glacier and monsoon season, and take effective measures to store and conserve water, as on the flip side, the glaciers and monsoon have resulted in floods in the past sometimes due to lack of preventive measures and infrastructure.
The most critical part of water crisis is the awareness for the conservation of water. The Government of Pakistan is urged to organize and administer water conservation campaigns in all cities of Pakistan. Through this manner, the Government and the public will join hands to combat the water crisis in their own spheres. The public on its part can start by implementing small changes for efficient use of water such as: turning off taps when water is not in use during shaving and brushing teeth, fixing leaky faucets/pipes on urgent basis, using broom to clean drive ways and garages instead of hoses, not watering lawn on daily basis but when required etc and on a larger scale to recycle water such as routing water used in sink towards flushing toilets.
The report that Pakistan will run out of water by year 2025 paints a very grim picture but Pakistan has seen many crisis in the past and is still encountering multiple crisis on many fronts, the water crisis being one of them. Pakistan has withstood natural calamities and internal conflicts. Pakistan is a country of Saints and Sufis. A lot of prayers are made for prosperity of Pakistan everyday. There are many talented, patriotic and dedicated Pakistanis within the ranks of Pakistan's establishment who work with sincere efforts to direct the country on the right track.
Collectively, with the joint efforts of Pakistani Government and Pakistani public, the water crisis can be handled effectively, with proper management and utilization of resources.
In recent years, lots of concerns related to the water crisis have surfaced in national newspapers. Innumerable debates have occurred on the construction of dams, not just for electricity but also to counter the water crisis. The term "water war" has also surfaced and speculations are intensifying. Some reports even say that Pakistan will run out of water by 2025.
Construction of dams yield lots of advantages; water storage and power(electricity) production for sure but can also help and succour in flood control, irrigation and even generates jobs for decades to come. The saga of Kalabagh Dam is well known, however a number of small dams have been built in the past decade in Pakistan, which include Darawat Dam , Dandy Dam , Gomal Zam Dam, Satpara Dam etc.These dams are a good source of water for irrigation of land and also act as reservoirs to store water. A few Hydro- power plants have been built in recent past too such as Allai Khwar Hydro-power plant, Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-power plant etc for the generation of electricity.
Pakistan is located at a very strategic landscape encompassing mountains, plains, forests and deserts. The mountains bring the Glaciers in the lime light as glaciers are one of the primary sources of water and Pakistan is considered to have abundance of glaciers (7253 known glaciers). Pakistan is further blessed to have four seasons and apart from them also faces a fifth season, monsoon, which brings plenty of rain. The Government of Pakistan must take advantage of glacier and monsoon season, and take effective measures to store and conserve water, as on the flip side, the glaciers and monsoon have resulted in floods in the past sometimes due to lack of preventive measures and infrastructure.
The most critical part of water crisis is the awareness for the conservation of water. The Government of Pakistan is urged to organize and administer water conservation campaigns in all cities of Pakistan. Through this manner, the Government and the public will join hands to combat the water crisis in their own spheres. The public on its part can start by implementing small changes for efficient use of water such as: turning off taps when water is not in use during shaving and brushing teeth, fixing leaky faucets/pipes on urgent basis, using broom to clean drive ways and garages instead of hoses, not watering lawn on daily basis but when required etc and on a larger scale to recycle water such as routing water used in sink towards flushing toilets.
The report that Pakistan will run out of water by year 2025 paints a very grim picture but Pakistan has seen many crisis in the past and is still encountering multiple crisis on many fronts, the water crisis being one of them. Pakistan has withstood natural calamities and internal conflicts. Pakistan is a country of Saints and Sufis. A lot of prayers are made for prosperity of Pakistan everyday. There are many talented, patriotic and dedicated Pakistanis within the ranks of Pakistan's establishment who work with sincere efforts to direct the country on the right track.
Collectively, with the joint efforts of Pakistani Government and Pakistani public, the water crisis can be handled effectively, with proper management and utilization of resources.
Very well written..!! Finding ways..!!
ReplyDeletei think government of PAKISTAN is taking positive steps for this problem.... right...
ReplyDelete