PHOTO: FILE
Climate change, like other parts of Pakistan, has badly affected the tribal districts, including Mohmand.
In the past few years, most of the mountainous water springs bringing down clean potable water have dried up due to low rainfall.
Groundwater resources are also depleting due to low precipitation. In some areas, water level has fallen below 100 metres.
Sajid Khan, a resident of Ghallanai, told The Express Tribune that due water scarcity in Ghallanai a water tanker of 1,000 litres sells for Rs2,000 or more in summer.
In past, FATA Development Authority (FDA) conducted survey in various parts of tribal districts and chalked strategy for conservation of water resources, and replenishing groundwater level in these area, an FDA official told The Express Tribune when asked about how to overcome the water scarcity.
For this purpose small dams were made while programme for solarisation of tube-wells was also initiated.
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Only in Mohmand tribal district, about nine small dams have been constructed or are under constructions by FATA Development Authority.
Power issue
Alamzeb Safi, a business management graduate, told The Express Tribune that in far-flung mountainous areas women had to walk long distances to fetch water. Schoolgirls instead of attending classes carry canisters of water for the household, fulfilling a centuries old obligation of water bearer.
Last year, on the request of Senator Hilal Rehman, the federal government released funds for the solarisation of about 500 tube-wells in the district, Safi said.
The areas where solar-powered tube-wells were drawing water, at least the women folk have been relieved of hauling home cans from far off places.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2019.
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