At the very least, we need to use water more carefully.
LAHORE: It is a thirsty world: industry is thirsty for water, agriculture is thirsty for water, we humans are thirsty for water. And how have we, in Pakistan, prepared for this? By, more or less, doing nothing.
A water crisis is looming. Our water resources are under pressure and dwindling fast. Pakistan’s population has grown exponentially and the use of water had grown in the same proportion. However, what hasn’t at all kept pace with this is the quantity of water that we can hold in our reservoirs, to meet the ever-increasing use of this most precious resource.
Due to over-pumping, ground water in several countries is almost gone. Depleted aquifers lead to reduced cultivation of grain and this has led to increased food shortages. This is the state of affairs in several large countries hosting big populations.
At the very least, we need to use water more carefully.
Engr Khurshid Anwer
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.
