Water Crisis in Pakistan Essay
Historical Background of Water Crisis in Pakistan
The water crisis in Pakistan is old, dating back to the partition of India in 1947, which divided the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. However, the two nations signed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in 1960, which allocated three eastern rivers (Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan by mutual understanding. No doubt, the treaty has remained largely intact despite political tensions, it has placed limitations on Pakistan’s access to water resources.
Pakistan’s reliance on agriculture, with over 90 percent of its water used in this sector, has also contributed to the depletion of its available water reserves. Because of the Irrigation practices of the colonial era, the country has been slow to modernize these systems, leading to inefficient water use. Pakistan’s population has surged—from around 34 million in 1951 to over 240 million now. Moreover, its water demand has grown significantly. Simultaneously, climate change has led to changes in weather patterns, with reduced rainfall and shrinking glaciers, further exacerbating the water crisis.
Causes of Water Scarcity in Pakistan
Over-dependence on agriculture and inefficient irrigation systems
Pakistan’s economy is based on agriculture, with crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane requiring significant water availability. Unfortunately, the country continues to rely on old irrigation methods, including flood irrigation, where large quantities of water are being wasted. The lack of modern techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems has resulted in excessive groundwater extraction and the unsustainable use of river systems. For instance, Pakistan’s two largest agricultural provinces, have overexploited their water resources, leading to the depletion of rivers and groundwater tables across Pakistan.
More population growth and urbanization:
Pakistan’s population growth rate is the highest in the region, which has put immense pressure on its water resources. As cities expand and urban areas grow, the demand for water for domestic use, sanitation, and industry has increased significantly. Many metropolitan areas like Karachi and Lahore face chronic water shortages, as the demand for the supply increases. This is particularly acute in informal settlements where water access is limited, leading to further stress on already stretched water systems of existing resources.
Climate change and reduced water availability
Climate change has impacted Pakistan’s water resources. Glaciers in the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush, which feed Pakistan’s river systems, are melting at an alarming rate. This has led to irregular water flow in rivers, resulting in floods during peak melting periods and droughts time. Likewise, changing monsoon patterns have disrupted agricultural cycles, reducing the predictability of water availability for the next crop. For example, the 2010 and 2022 floods in Pakistan, which affected 20 million people, were linked to erratic monsoon behaviour exacerbated by climate change.
Lack of water management infrastructure
Pakistan has not focused on investing adequately in its water storage and management infrastructure. The country can only store 30 days of water, very below the 1,000-day international standard. Dams such as the Tarbela and Mangla, which were constructed decades ago, are low on capacity due to sedimentation. New projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, have faced delays and opposition from the provinces, further hampering the country’s ability to store and manage its water effectively for the future.
Transboundary water issues with neighboring countries
Pakistan shares the Indus River system with India under the Indus Water Treaty, and despite the existence of this Treaty, tensions over water-sharing continue. India has constructed various dams on the rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty, the concerns that upstream water storage could reduce the flow of water into Pakistan. The disputes over the Kishanganga hydropower project is a notable example of these tensions, where Pakistan fears that Indian control of river flow could exacerbate water shortages.
Effects of Water Crisis in Pakistan
Agricultural degradation & food insecurity:
Agriculture forms the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing around 20% to the GDP and employing over 40% of the workforce. The water crisis declined agricultural productivity due to inadequate water supply for irrigation. For instance, Pakistan has experienced declining wheat yields, which are staples for both domestic consumption and export. This threatens food security among people, especially for poorer communities that rely on subsistence farming.
Impact on health and sanitation
The water crisis has severe implications for public health. In many regions, access to clean drinking water is limited, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, and typhoid. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), 60 percent of the population consumes unsafe drinking water. Poor sanitation, exacerbated by water shortages, has also contributed to high rates of child mortality due to preventable diseases.
Socioeconomic instability and internal displacement
Water scarcity has also led to growing social unrest, especially in provinces like Sindh and Balochistan where water disputes between communities are common due to shortage of water. The competition for water resources has intensified conflicts between provinces and contributed to internal migration, with many people abandoning rural areas for cities in search of livelihoods. This internal displacement puts additional pressure on urban infrastructure and resources.
Environmental degradation, including desertification and loss of biodiversity
The water shortage has triggered severe environmental consequences in the ecosystem. Regions such as Sindh have witnessed rapid desertification as groundwater levels drop and agricultural land becomes barren from this. Additionally, rivers and wetlands that once supported rich biodiversity are drying up now. The erosion of the Indus River delta, for example, has led to the loss of mangroves, threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities and reducing natural protections against coastal erosion and floods.
Solutions to Address the Water Crisis in Pakistan
Upgrading water management infrastructure
Pakistan needs to invest in modern water storage and distribution infrastructure. Therefore, Projects like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam should be prioritized to increase the country’s water storage capacity. Furthermore, the desilting of older dams such as Mangla and Tarbela can restore their capacity. Building small-scale reservoirs in water-stressed regions can help store rainwater and reduce dependency on over-extracted groundwater.
Improving irrigation practices and promoting water-efficient agriculture
The introduction of modern irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems can reduce water wastage in agriculture. In addition, promoting crop diversification by encouraging farmers to grow less water-intensive crops such as pulses and oilseeds can ease the pressure.
Upgrading Water Management Infrastructure
Apart from the Diamer-Bhasha and other major projects, Pakistan needs to build more small and medium-sized dams and reservoirs across different regions. These can capture seasonal runoff and provide water during dry periods. Further, upgrading existing reservoirs to improve efficiency and increase their capacity is also crucial.
Water Conservation Policies and Public Awareness Campaigns
Introducing tiered water pricing can encourage conservation by charging higher rates for excessive use from the people. This can generate revenue for investing in water infrastructure for the future. Further, enforcing water audits for industries and large-scale agricultural operations can help identify and address inefficiencies. Establishing efficiency standards for water use in various sectors can drive improvements.
Adaptation to Climate Change and Sustainable Water Practices
Developing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, is critical to address. This includes building strong flood defenses and drought-resistant water storage systems. Investing in research and development to explore innovative water management solutions, such as desalination and wastewater recycling, provide alternative sources of water. Thus, encouraging public-private partnerships to advance these technologies can also be beneficial.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Engaging the private offices in water management through PPPs can bring in expertise, innovation, and investment. It includes partnerships for the development of new water technologies and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, incentivizing private investment in water infrastructure, such as tax breaks or co-financing arrangements, can stimulate development and enhance resource availability to people.