The think tank would bring together creative minds from across the country to devise a policy for effective water management PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: With Pakistan reeling from the effects of climate change, the need of the hour is to understand the importance of water and think of innovative ways to find a solution for the water crisis plaguing the country.
Bearing these issues in mind, the NED University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NGO Hisaar Foundation, pledging to make consolidated efforts to redress the issues. The agreement was signed at a ceremony at the Movenpick Hotel on Saturday.
NED University’s dean of architecture and civil engineering, Dr Sarish Lodi, highlighted their vision to establish a universities’ network and think tank that would be dedicated to the development of water resources. The network will focus on promoting disciplines that involve the study of water resources and will help develop skills that will be required by Pakistan in the next 50 to 100 years.
“The aim of the network is to develop an international-standard institute that would provide interdisciplinary education on water resources and their importance,” said Dr Lodi. He added that, besides the NED University, members of the network include Karachi University and Mehran University, Jamshoro. Other universities will also be brought in on the network.
Hissar Foundation chairperson Zohair Ashir also addressed the audience, stating that the think tank would provide a platform for experts to discuss issues with water scarcity and present solutions for the problems.
“The think tank would bring together creative minds from across the country to devise a policy for effective water management and advocate for conservation of water resources.”
He added that Hisaar Foundation had developed a three-pronged approach to counter water scarcity issue. The foundation is working to develop the think tank, a universities’ network, drafting a policy for government consideration as well as community support and relief projects. A report on the conference, ‘Water cooperation from the global grassroots’, was also launched at the seminar. The report covers proceedings of the international conference that was held in December 2013.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2014.
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To tackle this problem, we need both short term and long term policies at all level (municipal, city, district, provincial and federal). We also need to educate our people that fresh water is precious for our health and life so we have to adopt measure to use it wisely and save it for our future accordingly. At municipal level there should be some rules and regulations some fine be imposed on its wastage.
The water problem is becoming complex day by day , not only in Pakistan, but around the world. The long term solution for the country may be multi-pronged i.e. the natural resources to be better utilised by constructing small dams all over the country,and provide better management for agricultural use , such as drip-irrigation or sprinklers.Then, the international outlook suggests that we construct de-salination plants around the sea coast on the pattern of Saudi Arabia, which would be reserve for the future as the water shortage is expected to intensify in the coming days. The think tanks would not be able to do much like before as it seems to be a money making gimik only. The solution is simple and clear and that is to make drinking water by converting seawater, which is naturally a viable solution, if the government seriously would like to tackle this matter.The conversion of seawater to freshwater may be further economised by researching on new methods. The above suggestions, if seriously considered, would provide the solution and water would be abundant in Pakistan, in the difficult times to come.
Water problem is the major problem and will get much worse. There has to be concerted efforts by many people. This is both a short and long term issue. This is a great challenge that we have to solve, all concerned, politicians, professionals, planners, water experts, hydrologists, environmentalists, soil experts, have to combine their knowledge, their time, their expertise. This step is in the right direction. There is a need to make everyone aware and join in the the awareness.