The reasons of water shortage are over-pumping of the underground water and deforestation
KARACHI: Water is one of the basic needs of life. Every human being needs water to survive. But we, the people of Pakistan, face shortage of water that is increasing by the day.
According to UN reports, Pakistan is at the 7th position on the list of countries that are facing water crisis. Presently, Pakistan has a surface water of 153 MAF and underground water resources of only 24 MAF and the country may face water shortage of 33 MAF by the year 2025.
Other than this, the population of Pakistan is increasing at the rate of 3.2% a year. This means the people of Pakistan will need more water.
The reasons of water shortage are over-pumping of the underground water and deforestation. Owing to the latter, the rate of rainfall in the country has drastically reduced. Our rivers are also facing drought due to severe changes in the climate.
However, these problems are not impossible to overcome. We can solve them by applying a few methods, such as controlling underground water pumping, building dams, planting trees, by setting up desalination plants to turn brackish seawater into drinkable water. But only if we had the will.
Fatima Waseem Ansari
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2018.
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