Management of water resources ‘most critical issue’ for Pakistan

Interactive session pertinent to managing water assets in the country.

Management of water resources is the most important environmental issue being faced in Pakistan.

This was stated by experts Khalid Mohtadullah, Dr Pervaiz Amir and Simi Kamal during a presentation of their study reports at an interactive session “Integrated River Basin Management for Indus River and Water Stewardship”, said a press release issued by Pakistan Wetlands Programme.

They said the floods in 2010, combined with the global financial crisis, the growing effects of climate change and the prevailing water management crises, took a devastating toll on the social and economic fabric of the country.

All these factors have led to the need for a critical analysis of water management in Pakistan. They stressed on a need for scientifically assessing the causes that have increased the current water crises along with determining the gaps in the overall administrative and response mechanisms that have contributed to the present situation.

The study reviews the present policy, institutional and legal framework for water resources, allocation and management; it presents a critical analysis of management of the 2010 floods and covers water economics and zoning focusing on irrigated eco zones of River Indus. It looks at international best practices, provides recommendations for an improved river basin management framework for the Indus Basin and spells out the elements of what Pakistan’s National Water Policy.

They said it is necessary to first have in place a succinct water policy that will allow for its optimal development and management of Pakistan’s water resources and assets. The session was organised by WWF-Pakistan, in collaboration with WWF-UK, and attended by stakeholders, representatives of World Bank, ADB, EU, academia, non governmental organisations and students.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2011.