KARACHI:
Although the Minister of Climate Change has held several press conferences informing people about the water shortages across the country, she has failed to offer a solution or an action plan to overcome the problem. Research has revealed that poor agriculture choices, flood irrigation, a lack of hybrid seeding, and mismanagement have overburdened Pakistan’s water resources.
Presently, all four provinces are faced with severe water shortages. The recent drought-like conditions in Chohlistan in Punjab and Pir Koh in Balochistan should serve as a warning sign to the government. In southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), several areas including Kurram, Hangu, DI Khan and Kohat are facing drought-like conditions with old wells and ground bores drying up as the water tables have been lowered. Water shortages have compelled women in these areas to walk longer distances to gather water, which is tiresome and unsafe. Therefore, the relevant departments should work with non-governmental organisations to provide water storage drums to improve storage.
Also, the K-P government and climate ministry should work together to create community water storage, rain harvest dams, and piped water transport for these regions. Water shortages can be reduced through the installation of solar water pumps, digging new wells, and water bores. To reduce wastage in agriculture, drip and spray irrigation should be installed on farms. Lastly, canals should be covered with solar panels or plastic panels to reduce evaporation. We must speed up water conservation to avoid a widespread drought-like situation as it will be catastrophic.
Shahryar Khan
Peshawar
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2022.
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