The data collected would help understand the quality of the rivers and suggest strategic management measures accordingly. PHOTO: ONLINE
This was stated by Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Fazal Abbas Maken while addressing the inaugural session of a one-day workshop on water quality in Pakistani rivers Ravi and Sutlej on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in collaboration with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
He said over 5 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of wastewater is generated in Pakistan per year, out of which less than one per cent is treated. Maken sounded alarm that untreated wastewater is being disposed of into the rivers which is a serious threat to the entire ecosystem. In this regard, he said that the PCRWR will be monitoring quality of water in major rivers of Pakistan in collaboration with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
The data collected would help understand the quality of the rivers and suggest strategic management measures accordingly. Acting High Commissioner of Australia Jurek Juszczyk said they had partnered with PCRWR to launch a groundwater report. The study was conducted under the Australia-Pakistan Indus Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio, a 12-year regional programme focusing on water-food-energy connection in three large river basins in South Asia.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2016.
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