KARACHI:
Tharparkar district is spread over 20,000 square kilometres with thinly scattered settlements across the district. It is home to nearly 1.6 million people. Water scarcity has haunted Tharparkar’s residents for years now as it is an extremely arid region. The main source of water is underground water, which is usually saline and not suitable for consumption. People are often forced to travel long distances to get potable water.
The situation is particularly dire during the dry season when the dug wells, which are a major source of drinking water, go dry. Even in towns, people get non-saline canal water hardly once a month. Meanwhile, in cities, tanker mafias sell water at exorbitant prices, making it unaffordable for most people. Promoting rainwater harvesting can be an effective solution to address the water crisis in Tharparkar. The Thar Desert receives very little rainfall, but the little rain it does receive can be harnessed through rainwater harvesting techniques. This can be done by building structures to capture and store rainwater, such as tanks, ponds, and check dams. The stored water can be used for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes.
In addition, solar-powered hand pumps can be installed to provide a reliable and sustainable source of water. Renewable energy can also be considered to power these pumps, reducing the reliance on non-renewable sources of energy. Tharparkar has more than 3,000 villages, and the use of saline water often causes different waterborne diseases. Therefore, promoting rainwater harvesting can reduce the incidence of diseases as well as contribute to the sustainable development of the region. The authorities should immediately act to provide Tharparkar’s residents with clean and safe drinking water.
Mukesh Raja
Tharparkar
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2023.
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