CH: DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

IRRIGATION: Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to land.

Why Irrigation is needed for Pakistan?
• Timing of rainfall is variable. Variance in timing means that one year most of the rain
falls in the beginning few weeks of the rainy season, and next year most of the rain falls
in the latter of the rainy season.
• Amount of rainfall is variable. Variance in amount means that one year we have a lot of
rainfall and in the next there are little rains.
• Distribution of rainfall is variable. Variance in distribution means that one district
receives more rainfall than the other district, but the next year the opposite happens. This
means that the farmer won't actually be able to know whether he should plant a water
hungry crop like rice or a lesser water hungry crop like cotton etc.
• Sometimes rain is much and sometimes less than requirements.
• The rate of evapo-transpiration is high due to intense heat, also humidity generally
decreases as we move from north towards south (except the coastal areas), so plants can
lose water quite quickly.
CANAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Human and physical factors for canal irrigation in upper and lower Punjab/
Importance/why it is successful?
• Soft soil and level land of the Indus Plain makes digging of canals easier than in the
rugged lands of Balochistan.
• Southwards slope of the rivers makes construction of canals easier, because water flow
southwards naturally.
• Huge quantities of water from monsoon rainfall and melting of snow can be stored in
reservoirs during summer season.
• Irregular supply of water in rivers is then regulated by construction of dams and barrages.
• Canal irrigates vast area even the deserts have made productive.
• Cheap labour and availability of cement reduces the cost of canal construction.
• A large amount of water can be saved otherwise it would fall in the Arabian Sea.
IRRIGATION METHODS OF PAKISTAN
There are two types of methods used in Pakistan.
1- Small Scale Irrigation Methods/ Conventional/ Traditional.
2- Large Scale Methods/ Modern/ Non- Traditional.
Small Scale Irrigation Methods/ Conventional/ Traditional
❖ Lift Irrigation:
a) Shaduf/ Dhenkli: The shaduf consists of an upright frame on which a long pole is
suspended. At the long end of this pole hangs a bucket, while the short end carries a
weight (stone) which serves as the counterweight. When correctly balanced, the
counterweight will support a half-filled bucket, so some effort is used to pull an empty
bucket.

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 Advantages Disadvantages
Used in both flat and mountainous terrain. Provides low amount of water.
It is cheap and affordable for subsistence Involve labour.
farmers. It is time consuming.

b) Charsa(drawn by mules or camels): In Charsa, animal power is used to pull water from
the well.
c) Persian wheel (Noria): In this method one horizontal and one vertical wheel are geared
together. They are moved with the help of blind folded bullock. Due to the buckets in the
vertical wheel water is transferred from one to another bucket.(mostly used in Punjab)
Advantages Disadvantages
Noria can provide more water than that Require animal or man power to operate.
provided by Shaduf but less than that of Depend on underground water
Karez. availability.
It is used in plain areas by small scale
subsistence farmers and
is not very difficult to construct.

❖ Diversion channel: in this method water is divert from the rivers in narrow channels,
often high up on valley sides, to small terraced fields.(common in highland areas,
Northern mountains)
❖ Sailaba: Sailaba irrigation uses surface run-off of flood waters following heavy rains.
(not enough to irrigate vast land due to ineffectiveness of rain, practiced in Western
Highland)
❖ Karez:
Karez is a horizontal underground canal or water-tunnel that starts from the base of a hill
or mountain that brings underground water to the surface.
Places: only in Balochistan, in Zhob, Loralai, the Quetta- Pishin and Mastung Valleys,
and in some areas in Makran.
Uses:
It is designed to minimize the
rate of evaporation.
It supports the growth of Date
Palms.
Cleaning:
Vertical shafts are also dug
down to the canals so that it can
be cleared and repaired to
prevent any blockage in the
water flow.
Q Why the % share of Karez irrigation decreased from 20% to 1.5%?
• Drying up of karez due to poor maintenance.
• Tube wells have depleted the groundwater.
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 ❖ Inundation canals: Digging of long canals taken off from large rivers is called
inundation canals. They receive water when river is in flood.
❖ Tank irrigation: Constructing mud banks across small streams to make a small
reservoirs, which will collect excess water during the rainy seasons, practices tank
irrigation.
ADVANTAGES OF OLD METHOD DISADVANTAGES OF OLD METHODS
They are cheap methods. Limited water.
Can be built easily. Limited area can be irrigated.
Best suited for subsistence farming. They require animal power or manual labor.
Time consuming and far flung areas cannot
get water.

Modern methods of irrigation

❖ Perennial canals:
Linked to dams and barrages, provides water throughout the year, vast area can be
irrigated, extensively used in Pakistan, also called lined canals.
Name of canals Description
THAL Canal Takes water from Jinnah and Taunsa Barrage to the Indus
and Jhelum interfluves.
The Lower SWAT First canal in KPK, followed by Upper Swat Canal.
Canal
The WARSAK On River KABUL near Peshawar irrigates adjoining areas.
Project
In Sindh A dam was built at Sukkur (1931), two barrages KOTRI in 1959
and GUDDU were built.

Q What is link canal? Describe it with examples.

Link canals are built to divert the water from big rivers to small rivers. From western
rivers to eastern rivers or from rivers to canals.
e.g. Rasul-Qadirabad
Chashma- Jhelum
Q Why is there not enough water supply from canals to meet the needs of all users?
[4]
Shortage of rainfall, Evaporation, Less river water / restrictions by India / more dams
on rivers, Problem of tail-enders / canal system does not reach all those who need it,
Siltation in reservoirs / canals, Seepage / leakage from canals, Wastage by users / some
use more than they need, Water pollution , High demand / variety of uses,Theft of water,
Population increase, Lack of investment.

❖ Tube wells: Electrically operated pumps which can raise water from the depth of 92
meters or more. Help to lower the water table thereby protecting land from water logging
and salinity.

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 Advantages Disadvantages
Provide large quantities of water. Only used by commercial farmers.
Can overcome the problem of Expensive to buy and maintain.
waterlogging.
❖ Sprinkler or spray irrigation:
They are centrally in fields to water the plants usually for market gardening or in
Orchards.
Advantages Disadvantages
Agricultural crops are rarely irrigated with
Uses water efficiently with less wastage. this method.
Prevents waterlogging and salinity. Expensive than other methods.

❖ Tankers: Collect water from the ponds and lakes and provide it to households and fields
in case of emergency.
It’s very expensive and rarely used for irrigation.
Advantages of modern methods
• They provide large quantities of water, so crops can be grown in even the most
barren areas (like southern Punjab, where rainfall is very low etc).
• This has led to settling of people in these areas and creation of new cities and jobs
etc like Faisalabad.
• In Pakistan, the rate of evapotranspiration of water is too high, so an artificial and
steady supply of water is required
• Less time is taken to irrigate a unit area as compared to like other sources like for
example shaduf.
• Yields can be increased with use of high yielding varieties of seeds (which require
more water).
• Double cropping can be achieved within a single year meaning that two crops can
be grown in a year both in wet and dry seasons. Without large scale irrigation
schemes, crops could only be grown in the wet season.
Disadvantages of modern methods
• Waterlogging and Salinity is caused.
• They are expensive to build (dam wall, canals, tunnels etc).
• They are expensive to maintain (siltation in reservoirs of dam, cleaning of canals
etc).
• Cannot be used for low scale farming.

DAMS AND BARRAGES

DIFFERENCES B/W DAMS AND BARRAGES
DAMS BARRAGES
Dams are used to generate electricity. They do not store water but only divert
water to the canals for irrigation.
Built in mountainous areas. Built in the plain areas.

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 Construction and maintenance cost is very Their construction and maintenance cost
high. is low.
They have capacity to store water. They control water in the canal.
In case of any damage there are many In case of damage there are less losses.
losses.

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES B/W LARGE AND SMALL DAMS

SMALL DAMS LARGE DAMS
Store water for irrigation. Store water for irrigation.
Irrigates local areas only. Irrigates a vast area.
Supply water for industrial and domestic Supply water for industrial and domestic
use. use.
Supply little or no electricity. Major suppliers of HEP.
Silting problem is easier to solve. Silting is difficult to solve.
Low initial investment, suitable to Initial investment cost is high.
Pakistan’s economy. High maintenance cost.
Maintenance cost is low. Construction time is more and does not
Less construction time and yields quick yield quick.
result. More important for flood control.
Less important for flood control. Large scale evacuation is required (e.g.
Very few people are evacuated in order to 40000 people have been evacuated for
construct dams. Mangla Project)
Have little impact on rivers, watersheds Extensive impact and irreversible loss of
and ecosystems. species and ecosystems.

LARGE DAMS

1- Mangla Dam:
Location: on the River Jhelum. (longest earth-filled dams in the world).
Purpose:
• multipurpose project designed to control and conserve the flood-waters of the
Jhelum for irrigation.
• to generate hydro-electric power.
(Mangla Lake serving as the reservoir of the dam, developed as a fishing centre and a
tourist resort).
Generation Capacity: 1000MW
2- Tarbela Dam:(2nd project that was constructed under the Indus Water Treaty).
Location: built on the Indus at Bara(near the village of Tarbela).
Purpose: primarily constructed to supply water for irrigation and also produces
electricity.
Geration Capacity: 3478 MW
3- Warsak Dam:
Location: built on River Kabul about 30 km from Peshawar.
Purpose: provide water for irrigation and for generation of electricity.

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 Generation Capacity: 243 MW
SMALL DAMS
Name of dams Locations
• Rawal Dam On the Kurang River(also supplies water to Islamabad)
• Khanpur Dam On the Haro River(irrigates Abbottabad,Attock,and
Rawalpindi Districts)
• Gomal Zam On the Gomal River in Dera Ismail Khan
Dam
• Khurram Tangi On the Kurram River in NorthWaziristan(KPK)
• Nari-
BolanProject On the Bolan Riverfor Sibi Plain(Balochistan)

• Hub Dam On the Hub River, irrigates land in Lasbela and around
Karachi.

FEATURES REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS

• Mountainous areas
• Deep valleys/Gorge
• Large basins foe storage/catchment area.
• Areas of more reliable rainfall.
• High discharge of water through rivers.
• Low evaporation rate.
• Firm foundations or solid rock.
• Impervious rock for reservoirs.
How Dams Works: water is stored behind the dam wall in reservoir then water is
allow to pass through a narrow channel. When water falls on turbine it moves and
generates energy in the Generator. Through cables it goes to power stations then
through cables and pylons it sent to cities.
Two institutions set by the government to build Dams
• Water and Power Development Authority(WAPDA)
• Small Dams Organization(SDO)
BARRAGES
Name of Barrage location Areas under irrigation
1. Marala River Chenab Supplies water to Ravi link canal and
upper Chenab canal.
2. Rasul River Jhelum Rasul- Qadirabad link canal
3. Qadirabad River Chenab Qadirabad-Balloki link canal
4. Jinnah River Indus Desert and other parts of Sindh Sagar
Doab.
5. Chashma River Indus Chashma-Jhelum Link canal
6. Taunsa River Indus Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan
Districts
7. Guddu River Indus Jacobabad and Ghotki districts

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 8. Sukkur River Indus 7 canals taken out to irrigate Sukkur,
Khairpur, Nawabshah, Sikarpur and
Larkana Districts.
9. Kotri River Indus Hyderabad, Badin and Thatta
Districts.

IRRIGATION PROBLEMS
1) Siltation In Dams
Definition: Siltation is a sedimentary material consisting of very fine particles intermediate
in size between sand and clay.
Causes of Siltation:
• Soil erosion from the Karakoram, Himalayan and Hindukush.
• Cutting of trees for fuel and timber (Deforestation).
• River embankments are weak so eroded material is washed down in the plains and
pile up in reservoirs of dams.
Effects of Siltation:
• Blockage of canals due to accumulation of silt.
• Weakens the foundation of dams.
• Reduction of storage capacity of dams.
• Less flow of water effects of generation of electricity
• Flow of floodwater is hampered that may damage dam because of mounds of silt
which block the flow of water.
Solutions:
• Large- scale afforestation at the foothills of Himalayas.
• Cemented embankment of canals to make cleaning easier,
• Installation of silt traps before the water flow to the dams.
• Regular cleaning of dams to remove silt. (De- silting).
• Raising height of the dam to increase the capacity of reservoir.

2) Waterlogging and Salinity

Definition: Rising of water table on earth surface is called water logging. Waterlogging
occurs when the water table rises and comes around 5-10 feet near the surface. Then
water along with dissolved salts rises through pores in the soil due to capillary action. As
a result of the water accumulation the soil becomes a bit muddy.
After this the water evaporates leaving behind a hard white crust of soil, which results in
salinity.

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Causes of waterlogging and salinity
• It is mainly the outcome of canal irrigation in Pakistan. With the introduction of
perennial canal water was available throughout the year, resulting in the rise of
water table. Salt in the soil also rise to the surface with water table.(water evaporate
and salt deposited on the surface ).
• Seepage from unlined canals.
• Little provision for surface and subsurface drainage.
• Regular cultivation of rice and sugar cane.
• Poor water management.
Solutions:
• Lining of canal to control seepage of water.
• Canal closure on temporary basis so water can be use in the time of need only.
• Installing tube-wells to lower water tables.
• Planting Eucalyptus trees which roots absorb more water go deep down.
• However in 1959, a plan was formulated to get rid of the acute problems, which
was called SCARP (Salinity Control And Reclamation Project). Areas like Chaj
Doab, Thal Desert, Bahawalpur, Pat, Larkana, Thatta etc. There are 28 reclamation
Zones in Pakistan.
• Leaving a part of the land fallow.
• Use of surface and subsurface drains to dispose excess water.

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 Salinity can be controlled by:
• Leaching salts through flushing using large amount of water.
• Use of chemicals like gypsum, acids, and organic matter.
Saline Agriculture is also possible as some crops can be cultivated in soil with low levels of
salinity. Cultivation of salt tolerant plant species like Eucalyptus, kikar, kallar grass and
Rhodes grass are example of salt-tolerant species.
Q Explain how a perennial supply of water can damage farmland.
too much water/waterlogging, watertable rises, evaporates, causes salinity/salts
accumulate on surface/surface crust

KINDS OF WATER RESOURCES IN PAKISTAN

1-Ground water
Underground water resources known as water table. Ground water resources are exploited by
shallow wells, tube wells, and the Karez system.
The water table in Pakistan varies due to topographical and seasonal factors.
The ground water is very useful where canal water is not available and rainfall is scanty
particularly in semi-arid and arid areas.
It is saline or sweet. It is not saline near the sources of rivers and major canals.
It becomes more saline near the coastal areas.
2-Surface water
The river water used for different purposes. This is also called run off water.
The main sources of water in Pakistan are rainfall and rivers. The river Indus and its tributaries
form the river system in Pakistan.
THE RIVER SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN
There are two river system in Pakistan;
a) The Indus river system
P a g e 9 | 20
 b) The river system of Balochistan
a) The Indus River system
The river Indus and its tributaries form river system in Punjab, Khyber Pukhtan Khawa and
Sindh. The Indus river system consists of Eastern Tributaries and Western tributaries.
Eastern Tributaries of River Indus
• River Jhelum, River Chenab, River Ravi , River Sutlej and River Beas.
• Eastern tributaries form the world’s canal irrigation network in Punjab.
• They receive water in summer due to Monsoon rainfalls, melting of snow and glaciers.
• All these rivers have their sources in Himalayan Mountains.
• They merge into river Indus in Punjab province of Pakistan at different location.
• The highest volume of water in eastern tributaries is during Monsoon season every year.
Western Tributaries of River Indus
• The River Kabul, River Swat, River Khurram, River Gilgit, River Hunza, River Gomal,
River Zhob .
• They are small rivers.
• They receive water usually in summer due to melting of snow.
• The volume of water is low
• The provide water to KPK, and north part of Balochistan.
b) The Balochistan River System
• Quetta being a highest area has a central position in Balochistan river system.
• Rivers Zhob, River Khandar, and River Kulachi flow eastwards and fall into Indus River.
• The River Loralai, River Chakar, River Bolan and River Mula are absorbed in into the
Kacchi-Sibbi Plain in Balochistan Plateau.
• The River Hub, River Porali, River Hingol and River Dasht merge into Arabian Sea.
• Playa lakes / salt lakes are called Human. Human-i- Mashkail, Human-i- Lora, and
Human-i- Murgho are found in Balochistan also.
• The rivers of Balochistan receive water in winter due to western season and volume of
water is low.
IMPORTANCE OF RIVERS TO PAKISTAN
• Add to scenic beauty of the area, good picnic resort.
• Help to generate hydro-electricity in mountainous areas.
• Increase fertility of the land by carrying alluvium and organic matter.
• Fishing is practiced in rivers and lakes.
• Provide water for domestic and industrial purposes.
• Supply water for irrigation by canals leading out from dams and barrages.
• Provide water to arid areas e.g. southern and SE Sindh.
WATER SHORTAGE IN PAKISTAN
Reasons/Causes
• Siltation of reservoirs of dams has meant that these dams have reduced capacity. Thus
more of the flood water is allowed to go downstream and thus less is available for future
use.

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 • Siltation of rivers and canals has meant that these have limited carrying capacity, thus
less water now reaches the tail-end crops (that are at the farthest end of a canal).
• Global Warming has resulted in reduced rainfall in some areas like the catchment areas of
River Chenab, the river flow has dramatically reduced in past 20 years.
• Global Warming has resulted in accelerated rate of evapo-transpiration, so crops now
require more water.
• Most of the canals in Pakistan are unlined, so that water can seep out from them into the
water table throughout the year almost.
• The usage of water by industry has also increased due to the increased industrialization
• Due to industrial pollution less and less water is suitable for human consumption. As
a result deeper and deeper aquifers of water are being utilized, which originally take
hundreds of years to accumulate. Their rate of consumption is higher than the rate at
which they can replenish themselves.
• Due to the provincial and international conflicts on the consumption of water.
Solutions:
• Drip irrigation can be used to irrigate the crops which can cut water usage by 1/3.
• Re-afforestation and Afforestation projects in Northern Areas must be implemented to
reduce erosion as erosion leads to siltation.
• Also, canals must be cleaned to remove the accumulated dirt. They must also be lined to
reduce water seepage (cannot prevent it totally).
• New varieties of crops must be used that produce good yields while consuming less
water.
• Industrial waste and sewage must be treated so it is fit enough to be drained into river (so
it could be used by crops etc.)
USES OF WATER
• Iron and Steel Industry: to cool down the furnaces for making steel.
• Thermal Power Stations: to produce steam to move turbines.
• Hydroelectric Power Stations: Pressure of water from the steep slope makes the hydro
turbines move.
• Tanning Industry: for washing, dyeing of leather.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: for injections, syrups, I.V. Infusions(Drips)
• Food Processing: for preparing juices, squashes, syrups and beverages etc.
• Mineral water industry: water is further processed for drinking.
• Textile industry: for bleaching, washing, blueing etc.
• Chemical industry: for making acids, liquid bleach and solutions etc.

WATER AS A RESOURCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Agriculture:

P a g e 11 | 20
• Agriculture is the main income-generating sector in Pakistan that depends on water
(rainfall or irrigation). Crops (wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables meet
domestic need and contributing 25% to the GDP.
• It also employed two-fifth of labour force.
• Agro-based industries like cotton-textile, food processing, leather use agriculture
products as a raw material. They are also exported and earn foreign exchange increasing
its GNP thus generating income for the country.

Large Scale Industries:

• Many processing industries such as iron and steel, thermal power stations, HEP
generation, cotton textile, leather, pharmaceuticals used water. These industries provide
employment and meet the local demands, also provide electricity to local and commercial
users,
• Export of industrial goods earns foreign exchange for the country and contributes to the
GNP and GDP.
Social needs:
• Domestic supplies of clean water is essential for the survival. Healthy people are more
productive at their work places and contribute more to economic development. Thus
efficient management of water resources is necessary.

ISSUES OF WATER SUPPLY (LEADING TO CONFLICTS)

A- International Conflicts
• Due to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), Pakistan lost control over 3 eastern tributaries
(Ravi, Sutlej and Beas). This has reduced water supply to the eastern part of Upper Indus
Plain. Less water in eastern tributaries has remained a source of tension b/w India and
Pakistan.
• Projects like Kishanganga, Baglihar Dam, Neelum- Jhelum power projects
Pakistan opposed these dam projects as these are to be made on the western tributaries of
the Indus as these projects not only release less water but will also reduce the generation
of hydro-electric power. Pakistan challenge these projects on international forum but
India has been allowed to construct it with the condition to reduce the storage capacity of
reservoirs.
• India has control of Indus waters, timings of the release of water into the rivers is
important for India. If extra water is released during flood season, it would cause extra
heavy destruction on Indus Plain. India held back water in dry season which cause
drought in Pakistan.
B- Provincial Issues
• Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to construction of Kalabagh Dam(on River
Indus)
Why KPK is against?

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 ➢ Most of the stored water in the dam reservoir may be diverted to Punjab through
link canals. (However, Punjab agreed not to construct canals from reservoir to
irrigate Punjab).
➢ KPK will not get extra energy from Dam because it will be used to fulfill the
requirements of other areas through National Grid stations.
➢ Large scale evacuation in KPK (estimated 30000 people will be displaced) so
issue of compensation and rehabilitation.
➢ Large areas of Nowshera District would be submerged by the reservoir and face
waterlogging and salinity.
Why Sindh is against?
➢ Sindh is worried about the distribution of Indus water b/w Sindh and Punjab
because its location in the Lower Indus Plain.
➢ The water availability will be further reduced as water stored in the reservoir of
Kalabagh Dam.
➢ Sea water intrusions would turn vast areas of Sindh’s coast into an arid saline
desert, destroys coastal mangroves and fish production.
➢ It reduces the flow of Indus downstream at Kotri Barrage (near Hyderabad)
causing more water shortages in canal irrigated areas of lower Sindh.
➢ It also reduce the water supply to Manchar Lake and Haleji lakes (in lower Sindh)
because of the deposition of silt in the Kalabagh reservoir.
C- Main water users
➢ Industrial use of water has reduced domestic supply to Karachi as Lake Haleji
supplies water to Pakistan Steel Mill and to Karachi as well.
➢ Less water is available to irrigated forests of the Indus Plain due to the use of
water in agriculture. (Agri 70%, Industry 20%, Domestic 10%).
OTHER ISSUES
• Baglihar Dam constructed by India on River Chenab and Problems for Pakistan
➢ Shortage of irrigation water in Pakistan.
➢ Crops on more than 2.5 million have been badly affected.
➢ Great financial loss of farmers.
➢ Lowest level of water in Sept- Oct (for rice crop).
➢ Concern during wheat sowing or Rabi season.
➢ Agricultural land along Chenab would be barren so problem for wheat crop.
➢ More than 2 dozens fish farms also dried up because of River Chenab closure.
IMPORTANCE OF INDUS WATER TREATY TO PAKISTAN
• Ensures that India does not restrict Pakistan’s water supply / water supply in Pakistan is
maintained
• Ensures an effective / dependable irrigation system in the Indus Plain Pakistan has
exclusive rights to waters of the rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab
• Maintains agricultural production e.g. Tarbela and Mangla dams built [to store water]
Barrages / syphons / link canals built [to distribute water]
• Enabled construction cost of works to be shared with Western countries and India

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 DIFFERNCES B/W THE DRAINAGE PATTERN OF THE INDUS AND
BALOCHISTAN RIVERS
Indus River System Balochistan’s Rivers
Rivers are large. River are small.
Flow throughout the year. Flow only in rainy seasons.
Rivers flow in southern direction Rivers flow in western direction
It covers all the areas of Pakistan It covers less area of Pakistan
It is important for canal irrigation It is not important for canal irrigation.

NEW IRRIGATION PROJECTS

Sustainable measures to support agriculture.
• Provision of irrigation and water supply, especially to water stressed regions in the
country is a priority.
• The new irrigation projects in the last 5 years are
Balochistan
Sabak Zai Dam(Zhob District, Balochistan on River Zhob)
Kachhi Canal(irrigate 290,000 hectares in east-central Balochistan)
Mirani Dam( Dasht River in Kech District)
Sindh
The Rainee Flood Water canal (Sindh, irrigate 12,800 hectares in Ghotki and Sukkur
districts)
Punjab
The Thal Canal( Punjab, will irrigate 630,000 hectares of Bhakkar,Leiah, Khushab and
Jhang districts)
MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Water Accord was signed(1991) for fair and just distribution of water between the
provinces.
Monitored by Indus River System Authority(IRSA).
Due to constant drought and institutional mismanagement water Accord was not followed
resulted provincial disputes and decrease in agricultural output.
STEPS TO OVERCOME WATER CRISIS IN THAR
➢ Conserve rain water.
➢ Access underground sources at greater depth for potable water.
➢ Provide power and irrigation to make region habitable and cultivable.

WATER AVAILABILITY IN PAKISTAN

(For industrial use)
1- Karachi Industrial Estate
Largest industrial centre in Pakistan.
Supplied by: water tankers, Industries near Malir and lyari rivers bored wells but it is
saline water, industrial plants have installed desalination plants but adding to the cost of
production.

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2- Nooriabad Industrial Estate
Located on Super Highway about 90 km north of Karachi, on the Hyderabad way.
Supplied by: tube wells were installed in the KandiRiver(seasonal stream), so only 70
industries have set up out of 1400.
3- Hub Industrial Estate
Located in the South eastern Balochistan about 40 km west of Karachi, with a plan of
1200 industries (only170 were set up)
Supplied by: Hub dam through Hub River which is a small river located in a dry area,
depend on karachi through tankers.
Solutions of water shortage for domestic use
• Desalination : It is the process by which salt water is converted to fresh water.
Disadvantages: not cost effective for poorer countries, requires high energy
requirement
• Reverse Osmosis: This is the process which uses a semi-permeable membrane
that allows clear water to pass through but retains contaminations.
For urban Use
1- Karachi
Sources of water Problems Solutions
1- Malir River Basin Water from Hub dam The Greater Karachi
2- Hub River decreases sharply due to Bulk Water Supply,
3- Indus River low rainfall. has been taken up from
No access to clean Indus to Karachi via
water. Kinjhar Lake.
Diseases like typhoid,
dysentery and skin
problems.
2- Lahore
Sources of water Problems
1- River Ravi(main source) Inadequate due to growing
2- Groundwater pumps out population.
through wells. Ravi water become contaminated
by the sewage dumped in it.

3- Islamabad
Sources of water Problems Solutions
1- Rawal dam Dams water level fell Tube wells have bored.
2- Simli Dam low in years of poor Khanpur Dam is now
rainfall. being tapped as a
source.

THE THAR ISSUE

Why there is a scarcity of water in THAR?
• Little or no rainfall.
• Situation of drought.
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 • Available ground water is saline.
• Arid climate, crops cannot be grown.
Solutions
Conservation of rain water, access underground water at greater depth for potable
water, provision of power and irrigation to make the region habitable.

Q Give three reasons why it is difficult to develop more HEP (hydel) power stations in
Pakistan. [3] (Climate change so) less rainfall, (Climate change so) higher temperatures
and more evaporation/glaciers smaller, Liable to siltation in reservoirs ,High cost, No
investment/government support/changing government policies, Opposition from tribal areas (in
mountains)/security issues, Lack of skilled labour/expertise, Opposition to loss of land (for
reservoir), Dispute over share of water (between provinces).
Q (d) To what extent is it possible to increase the electricity supply to rural areas? [6]
Possibilities
• Extend national grid
• Increase (national) power generation/nuclear power
• More/good potential for renewable schemes, wind, solar, HEP (max 2) (allow dev to
further max 2 for details)
• More small-scale power generation schemes E.g. biogas using animal/plant
waste/molasses (dev)
Problems
High cost of technology/fuel/maintenance
• Theft Damage/energy loss… …Due to long transmission lines/siltation in reservoirs
for HEP Distance from grid stations/remoteness of some rural areas
• Tribal opposition
• Insufficient power generation… …So urban needs met first
• Lack of government support/loans/investment/policies
• Difficult construction in rugged/mountainous terrain
• Lack of named skilled personnel, e.g. engineers
Q Describe two ways in which water supplies can be polluted.
Sewage discharged into rivers
mestic waste thrown in rivers
Pesticides/fertilisers runoff from agricultural fields in groundwater/rivers/eutrophication
Industrial waste/chemicals/toxic waste/metals/ waste from ships discharged into rivers
Leakage of oil from ships
'Sea'/'ocean' O
Q For one of these ways explain how the problem caused by pollution can be
solved.
Investment in sewerage systems/ infrastructure/treatment of sewage
Improve sanitation facilities in poor quality housing/slums/squatter settlements /katchi
abadis
Improve/more regular domestic refuse collection

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Treatment of/improving disposal Of industrial waste
Open up roads into squatter settlements to allow refuse lorries
Altematives to chemical fertilisers/pesticides 'Reduce' O
Organic farming
Fines for industrial polluters
More investment by industries to prevent pollution incidents
Maintenance Of ship/checking for leaks in ship
Q Locate the following two dams on the map:
• Warsak (W); • Diamir Bhasha (under construction) (D). This dam is 150 km downstream
of Gilgit.
Mark their positions using the appropriate symbol from the key and label each with the correct
letter. [2]

Answer

Q What are the advantages Of building a dam at the Diamir Bhasha site?
Electrification of/supplies electricity to the region/for local industnes
Only floods agriculturally barren land/small amount agricultural land flooded

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Will extend life of Tarbela Dam
Controls/reduces/prevents flooding (downstream)
For irrigation
Drinking water/water supply for industries
New transport infrastructure/development in region
Possibility of tourism/watersports
Possibility of freshwater fishing
Provides employment in named sector /for local people
Location factor e.g. narrow/steep-sided valley/high speed Of water/high
precipitation/large amount Of meltwater from glaciers Flow' — O
Q Describe the disputes over water availability and use which can arise from
proposals to build dams at sites such as this.
One provinæ receives greater share of water/unequal division of water
Dam in Punjab/one province but much of flooded area in Khyber pakhtunkhwa/another
province
Loss Of water supply downstream/to Sindh for agriculture
Risk Of flooding downstream by release Of water/opening dam
Less silt deposited on floodplains of lower course/lower Indus
Evaporation of lower course/lower Indus
(Indus) delta/coastal area lof Sindhl less fresh water/water more saline
Disturbance to ecosystem/mangrove forests/fishing
NE: not limited to Kalabagh case study
'Loss Of land'/'evacuation ' — O

IMPORTANT ILLUSTRATIONS

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Describe the distribution of
perennial canal system. [4]
• mainly on Plains/Indus Plain/by
the rivers
• most widespread in Punjab
only from Indus in Sindh
• mostly NE to SW in Punjab and
Upper Sindh
• mostly NW to SE in Lower
Sindh south/east of highlands no
canals in SE
area/Balochistan/north/west/mountains
some in KPK

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