Karez to the rescue

Could a millenia-old engineering tradition hold the key to eroding water insecurity in Balochistan?

KARACHI:

Alvina Bibi, a 35-year-old mother of six, lives in the village of Kili Surkhanuzai. Her days were exhausting, starting before dawn and stretching into the late hours of the night. Yet even with such long hours, Alvina often found herself pressed for time because much of her day was consumed by the arduous task of fetching water.

"But that's not the case now," Alvina explained. "Since the Alusai Karez, which runs through our village, has been restored, it's much easier for us to fetch water, wash clothes and do other household chores." Her face lit up with joy as she pointed out that the Karez water collection point is only a few meters from her home. "I can now spend the extra hours, previously spent on fetching water, on things I enjoy," Alvina added.

Kili Sarkhanuzai, a village located 20 kilometers north of Pishin city, Balochistan, is home to 800 families with a total population of 8,500. Agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry are the primary sources of livelihood in this large village, with a small portion of the community also engaged in small businesses. However, both agricultural and animal husbandry activities rely heavily on water, and despite the village's expansive agricultural land, the lack of water has left much of it barren.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, is often associated with drought, poverty and tribal conflicts. However, few people are aware that it is also home to a centuries-old karez irrigation system. This system, if restored, has the potential to turn millions of acres of Balochistan's arid land into fertile ground and could even help resolve local tribal disputes related to water scarcity.

3,000 years of water engineering

A remarkable feat of indigenous water engineering that dates back to 3,000 years ago, the karez system is essentially a network of underground canals fed by groundwater. According to the UNESCO website, they are constructed as a series of well-like vertical shafts, connected by sloping tunnels, which tap into subterranean water in a manner that efficiently delivers large quantities of water to the surface by gravity, without need for pumping.

The first well where the water is tapped for a karez is called the mother well, and there is a zone of roughly 1,200 feet in diameter where it is forbidden to dig new wells or otherwise threaten the quality and quantity of the groundwater. The vertical shafts along the underground channel are purely for maintenance purposes, and water is used only once it emerges from the daylight point.

Karez allow water to be transported over long distances in hot dry climates without loss of much of the water to evaporation. The system has the advantage of being resistant to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and to deliberate destruction in war. Furthermore, it is almost insensitive to the levels of precipitation, delivering a flow with only gradual variations from wet to dry years. A karez is environmentally sustainable as it has no additional energy requirement and, thus, has low life cycle operation and maintenance costs.

Karez irrigation is practiced in as many as 22 countries around the world, with prominent examples outside of Pakistan found in Iran, Chile, Afghanistan, Palestine, North Africa, and the Arab region. These countries share a common heritage of using this ancient underground water channel system for irrigation and agriculture.

According to UNESCO, Karez irrigation technology was developed in arid and semi-arid areas from India and western China through the Middle East into North Africa. The technology is believed to have originated in the 1st millennium BC in Persia from where the knowledge travelled east and westward along the Silk Route, throughout the Muslim world, arriving in Xinjiang in China during the Han dynasty (206 BC–24 AD) and in Balochistan somewhat earlier.

In Pakistan, the Karez method is confined to the province of Balochistan, which has as many 1,264 such underground canal networks dispersed across its length and breadth. Experts estimate that each karez can transfer 200 liters of water per second, which is sufficient to support the agricultural needs of approximately 200 families within a given area.

Reviving the karez

The Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP) recently tested the concept of reviving this ancient technique by rehabilitating two karez: the Alusai Kariz and the Thaimrak Kariz in Pishin district. These successful restorations demonstrate the potential to reclaim vast areas of farmland and foster greater harmony among local tribes by addressing water-related issues.

Over 26,592 individuals have reaped the benefits of this project across three Union Councils in Pishin district: Dab Khanzai, Sarkhanzai and Kamalzai. The impact has been substantial, with an expansion of agricultural activities and cultivated land in the region. Notably, the quality of orchard crops has shown marked improvement. Moreover, the most significant achievement is the near eradication of tribal conflicts over water, fostering greater cooperation and harmony among local communities.

Dr. Tahir Rasheed, CEO of the Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP), underscored the significance of the Karez irrigation system in Balochistan's agricultural framework. This age-old system, embodying traditional wisdom and innovation, has been a cornerstone for the region's agriculture. However, it now confronts considerable threats due to societal shifts, a move toward tube wells, and the effects of climate change.

Dr. Tahir stated, “At BRSP, we understand the gravity of the situation and are committed to taking action. Our partnership with local communities, demonstrated by the successful revitalization of the Alusai Karez in Pishin district, showcases the impact of collaborative efforts in combating water scarcity. By implementing innovative solutions like underground pipelining, we have not only minimized water loss but also rejuvenated agricultural lands, encouraging sustainable practices. Our efforts to address water distribution issues have fostered community harmony and inclusive growth."

Dr. Tahir also emphasized the importance of adopting climate-smart agricultural methods, including cultivating low delta crops to optimize water use and ensure the longevity of the Karez system. He concluded by noting that these initiatives are crucial for the long-term sustainability of this valuable resource and the welfare of local communities.

Tradition and community management

Balochistan is home to various tribes, each with unique customs and systems, including those related to the distribution of water from the Karez irrigation system. In some villages, families traditionally hold proprietary rights to the water from the Karez and distribute it among themselves based on an established framework of equality.

For example, in the village of Kili Khanuzai, where Alusai Karez runs through, there are 34 families with documented rights to the Karez water. They are entitled to use the water on a "Shabana Roz" basis—a Persian term meaning day and night, or 24 hours a day. This system grants them constant access to water, which they use to cultivate their land and carry out other activities.

Families without such rights to continuous water access can use Karez water for drinking but need to negotiate to obtain additional water for agricultural purposes. The families with full access sometimes sell water hours to other villagers, allowing them to cultivate their lands or use the water for other needs.

To maintain order and ensure fair distribution, a dedicated individual is appointed to manage the water accounts. This person tracks the use and allocation of water among families, ensuring that everyone receives their fair share and helping to resolve any disputes that may arise. This system fosters a balance in water distribution, contributing to community cohesion and resource management.

A lifeline for Balochistan's women

The BRSP's water management project to restore the Alusai Karez produced remarkable results. Groundwater recharge improved, the amount of cultivated land grew, and new, more productive crops were identified. This led to sustainable poverty alleviation, resolved conflicts over water scarcity in the region, and most importantly, made life much easier for local women.

Alvina Bibi recounts that before the restoration of the Alusai Kariz, the water flow was so weak that it took over an hour to fill a single pot, and the water itself was quite dirty. However, since the Karez has been rejuvenated, the water flow has not only increased significantly, but the quality has also improved, becoming much cleaner.

Additionally, dedicated "women's points" have been established at various locations along the Karez route, where women can gather water, wash clothes, and carry out other tasks. These spots are designated exclusively for women, ensuring that men do not intrude, which allows women to complete their chores without compromising their modesty or veil. This arrangement provides women with a safe and comfortable environment to manage their daily activities.

Sustainable future

Interviews with villagers indicated a significant increase in wheat cultivation this season, almost doubling from the previous year. They also mentioned plans to sow even more wheat and anticipate vegetable production in the village will double in the coming year due to the enhanced water availability in spring and summer. This rise in agricultural output will boost farm family incomes and contribute to the village's economic growth.

However, the most notable impact of increased water availability will be the reduced reliance on tube wells, which will help replenish groundwater levels. This shift not only promotes sustainable water use but also helps to stabilize the area's overall water ecosystem, benefitting both the environment and the community in the long run.

Restoring hope

The BRSP initiative to restore Alusai Karez and Thaimrak Karez involved three key tasks: construction of trapezoidal channels, repair and restoration of existing stone masonry channels, and repair of distribution points.

Water expert Zafar Iqbal believes that restoring the traditional karez system is the key to addressing water scarcity in Balochistan. He points out that Balochistan relies heavily on precipitation and is divided into two main regions: arid and semi-arid. Climate change has altered weather patterns, leading to reduced rainfall or increased irregular downpours. As a result, about 12 million acre-feet of surface water is lost due to insufficient water storage infrastructure.

He noted that three decades ago, Balochistan had 1,600 to 2,000 liters of water available per capita, but that has dropped to just 300 liters per person, a significant decline and cause for concern. Additionally, Balochistan receives only about three per cent of the Indus Basin Irrigation System's water, exacerbating its water crisis.

Given these challenges, he believes that the only viable solution for Balochistan's survival is to restore the traditional karez system. Zafar explains that the karez system is a centuries-old, tested and proven method that prevents water loss because it eliminates evaporation. This ensures minimal water wastage. Furthermore, if the groundwater level rises in one karez, it can positively impact other karez systems in the vicinity, contributing to broader recovery.

Despite such advantages, tube wells were unfortunately commonly used by those who saw Karez as an antiquated system. The process of karez drying and underground water has been steadily decreasing as a result of the massive volume of water extracted from the ground began, and karez eventually dried out. Fortunately, as mentioned earlier, if just one karez can change people's lives, there boasts over a thousand more karez in Balochistan whose restoration can surely change people's lives. Their revival holds immense promise for the region.

 

Shabina Faraz is a freelance journalist and contributor

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author