PHOTO: FILE
As many as 86 observers from academia, civil society, government departments, and water specialists participated in the workshop from April 9-16. It comprised field visits as well as a two-day consultative workshop at Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS).
The PPAF planned the engagement with multiple actors to come up with a draft water strategy for the province, and a comprehensive action plan to address water issues.
According to details, for the first activity, seven groups were formed to cover agro-ecological zones across Balochistan for field exposure and observation. Field trips were conducted in five zones divided into deserts, plains, the coastal areas, the Quetta valley, and the North and South Highlands.
Areas visited include Loralai, Zhob, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kharan, Dera Murad Jamali, Lasbela, Turbat, Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, and Ziarat.
Each group spent three to four days in the field, observing and noting issues pertaining to water in the province, including traditional water transport systems, interventions by the PPAF, the government, and donors, and possible solutions.
After the field visits, the teams congregated at the LUAWMS along with other groups to present their field learnings and plan respective ways forward.
The participants talked about drinking water for all, ground water management, surface water storage and management, limited agriculture with efficiency and value chain, rangeland management and water for livestock. They recommended that two more themes, women and water, and water for coastal and marine areas must also be studied.
Government departments such as Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, ASAS, Muslim Aid, LEAD Pakistan, various local district administrations and organisations as well as journalists and social activists also presented their readings.
University of Balochistan, University of Turbat, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, NED University, Mehran University, and Quaid-e-Azam University representatives also participated in the workshop.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks of LUAWMS Vice Chancellor Dost Muhammad Baloch and LEAD Pakistan team head Dr Muhammad Arshad.
It was stressed that detailed research will be carried out by specialised academic institutions in Balochistan. Action plans will also be developed by the PPAF for livelihoods development.
PPAF Grants Operations Senior Group Head Simi Kamal thanked the participants for their joint efforts in the exercise. “No part of this extensive project would have been possible without all our esteemed participants, in your own momentous ways, contributing towards this much-needed fight against the water crisis in Balochistan. With determination and solidarity, we will make an impact,” said Kamal.
The official handout said the PPAF’s pursuit in resolving the water crisis in Balochistan will continue. The leveraging, consultation and synergies amongst government line departments, educational institutions, universities, the think tank on rational use of water, water professionals and other relevant stakeholders’ involvement will also play a pivotal role in developing more effective and innovative approaches and initiatives, it added.
The PPAF has engaged in poverty alleviation initiatives in Balochistan with a big focus on water. It recognises that it has become ever more important for attention to focus on Pakistan’s national and regional water crisis and water-related issues.
It said Balochistan is the most water-scarce province of Pakistan, which requires special attention to avert the impact of climate change, drought and disasters keeping in mind the water crisis and water problems in the province.
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