Official of Sindh Chapter of Fresh Water Action Network South Asia Pakistan suggests building dams
From Correspondent
Khairpur, Sindh
Seventy percent rural Population in Sindh is consuming contaminated water which is badly affecting the health of the People, this was said at a seminar organized to celebrate World Water Day by Sindh Chapter of Fresh Water Action Network South Asia Pakistan on Wednesday.
Ikhtiar Khaskhelly, Focal Person Sindh, Fresh Water Action Network South Asia Pakistan while addressing the seminar said that Pakistan is expected to face shortage of 31 Million Acre Feet water by 2025 which would pose a grave threat to Pakistan’s economy.
He stressed the need of individual and collective efforts for the conservation of water and said that water availability is not the issue of Pakistan alone. “Integrated water management approach for conserving and saving water is the need of time to cope with the problem of water scarcity in near future.”
He stressed the need for the adaptation of interventions that are compatible with nature and suits the nature. He emphasized on balance of nature-approach and said, “Alternate source of energy such as solar energy can be used instead of deforestation.”
Talking on the availability and utilization of water he said our country depends upon Indus Basin Irrigation System and 90 percent food production rely on this water.
He suggested the rainwater harvesting and high efficiency irrigation systems for maximum growth and more water for storage.
He emphasized on the problems related to water security and informed the gathering that Pakistan is at 17th position in the list of countries, which are facing water crisis.
He said according to Pakistan Water Partner (PWP) the total available surface water is about 153 Million Acres Feet and total ground water reserves are approximately 24 Million Acres Feet, of which a substantial part is pumped out allowing for a natural research.
Talking on the bitter facts he said, “Pakistan is expected to face shortage of 31 Million Acres Feet of water by 2025 which would pose a grave threat to Pakistan’s economy and according to the media, India has ventured upon an ambitious plan worth $120 billion to divert water of the Pakistani rivers.”
He said “Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. “We need to do so much more with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible by planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, restoring wetlands for balancing water cycle for the improvement of human health and livelihoods.” Contradicting his own statement of nature-based solutions, he suggested the government must start construction of dams and provision of secure water for irrigation and domestic use.
He said that 70 percent rural Population in Sindh consuming contaminated water which badly affecting upon the health of the People, besides this he said that Polluted Water of the factories also caused different diseases. He demanded the RO Plants especially in Thar and Kohistan.
Different Organization including NISA Foundation, Khairpur Rural development Organization, Sujak Ballak Sanghat (PEN) and other organizations attended the seminar.
_________________
