Haiqa Arham
BS Botany (8th Semester)
Govt Girls Degree College No. 1 Dera Ismail Khan
Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis, one that threatened its stability and future. The country’s population is growing at an alarming rate, putting immense pressure on its already scarce water resources. Water availability per capita in Pakistan has declined from approximately 5,260 cubic meters per person in 1947 to below 1,000 cubic meters today. The country ranks among the most water-stressed nations globally. It is high time to acknowledge the issue and take collective actions to address the problem.
The roots of water scarcity are so deep and complex. Water scarcity can be traced to a combination of factors including rapid population growth, inadequate water infrastructure, inefficient irrigation systems, climate change, agricultural dominance, urbanization and industrialization, lack of water conservation, transboundary water disputes, limited water harvesting and storage, institutional and governance issues. The most important ones among them which badly influence the water reservoirs of Pakistan are continuously growing population, climate change and improper, irrelevant and outdated agricultural practices.
The main source of water in Pakistan is the Indus River System. Indus River System provides water for irrigation, drinking, and other domestic purposes across the country, making it the backbone of Pakistan’s water supply. Pakistan’s Indus River System faces threats from climate change, water pollution, overextraction for irrigation, deforestation, infrastructure development, and transboundary management issues, threatening its sustainability and livelihoods for millions.
Approximately 90% to 95% of Pakistan’s water resources are used in agriculture, mostly for irrigation. The industry mainly uses a vast network of canals that are fed by Indus River and groundwater that is drawn from tube wells. Although it is ineffective and results in significant water loss, traditional flood irrigation is still widely used. As a result, there are now problems with overextraction, declining water tables, and higher soil salinity, underscoring the necessity for more effective irrigation techniques like drip or sprinkler systems to guarantee sustainable water use.
Cities also experience frequent water shortages, forcing residents to rely on expensive private water tankers or unregulated wells, which can deplete groundwater reserves. Aging pipelines and inadequate maintenance lead to substantial water losses through leaks and contamination. Moreover, the lack of effective wastewater treatment facilitates exacerbates water quality issues, posing health risks and further limiting usable water supplies.
The government’s role in managing this crisis has been lackluster, with policies focusing more on short-term fixes rather than long-term sustainability. Regulatory frameworks for water management are often outdated or poorly enforced, leading to over-extraction of groundwater and pollution of water bodies, further reducing the availability of clean water.
To address these challenges, Pakistan has to upgrade agricultural practices not only by modernizing irrigation methods but also training farmers in water conservation techniques and introducing crops that require less water. In urban areas, investing in modern infrastructure to reduce leakage and ensuring equitable distribution of water are essential steps.
Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Seminars and workshops should be conducted on conservation of water. The general population must be made aware of the severity of the crisis and encouraged to adopt water-saving practices in their daily lives. Education can play a transformative role in changing public attitudes towards water conservation.
Pakistan can look to other countries for support in developing its water resources and learning new ways to conserve and manage water effectively. Local initiatives to enhance water governance may also be aided by collaborations with international organizations dedicated to water conservation.
In conclusion, Pakistan is experiencing a serious crisis with water scarcity brought on by the country’s fast population growth, wasteful water use, and the effects of climate change on the Indus River System. Deficits in urban infrastructure lead to significant losses and unequal distribution of water. Pakistan needs to take immediate action to secure sustainable water resources for the future by upgrading infrastructure, enforcing strict management policies, and improving agricultural and urban water efficiency.
