Essay on Water

8/10/2019 Essay on Water

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Pakistan is fortunate that nature has bestowed it with abundant water reservoirs. It is nowup to us to harness these resources for the economic development and prosperity of the

people of Pakistan.1) Presently, out of total cultivable land of 77.1 million acres, we are only cultivating 54.5million acres because of shortage of water.2) With the increase in population, Pakistan will have a shortfall of 11 million tons of major

food grains by 2010 and 16 million tons by 2020. This food grain deficit will increase to 28million tons by 2025.3) High power tariff burdening consumers can be reduced by correcting hydel-thermal

generation ratio of 30-70, which used to be the opposite in 1970.

4) Only 14 % of Pakistans total hydropower potential of 50,000 mw being tapped atpresent.5) Average hydel generation unit cost for new projects is Rs. 1.00/KWH against Rs.

7.00/KWH for new oil based thermal generation.6) Pakistans electricity demand and increasing by 7 % per annum.

7) Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistans economy; 23.3 % of GDP.8) 64 % Pakistanis depend on agriculture.

9) 60-70 % of exports depend on it.10) Pakistan today is among one of the worlds fastest growing populations now estimated

at over 150 million. Due to the lack of large river regulation capability through sizablestorages, the country is facing serious shortages in food grains. Given the present trend,Pakistan could soon become one of the food deficit countries in the near future. Therefore,

there is a dire need to build storages for augmenting agriculture production. Tarbela,Mangla and Chashma reservoirs have already lost about 5 maf due to sedimentation. It is

estimated that by the year 2012, this loss would increase to the original combined capacityof Mangla and Chashma reservoirs.

11) Industrial expansion and growth essential for economic development and prosperity.12) It will provide the better clean environment for the human beings.

13) Reduction in barren lands.

14) To control flooding and manage rivers.15) The completion by India of Wuller, Buglihar and Krishenganga, Uri-11 Pakaldul and

Burser projects on the western rivers of Indus, Jehlum and Chenab to which Pakistan hasthe exclusive right according to the 1960 Indus Basin Water Treaty, will also create serious

water shortage.6. NEED FOR RESERVOIRS:

1) Hydropower Generation

High power tariff, which is a burden on consumer, can be reduced by correcting hydelthermal generation ratio of 30-70, which used to be the opposite in 1970. Only 40% of

Pakistans total hydro power potential of 50000MW is being tapped at present. Averagehydel generation cost for new projects is Rs 1.007/Kwh as against Rs 7/Kwh for new oil

base thermal generation. Pakistans electricity demands are increasing by 7% per annum.Saving import of fuel for thermal power plants reduce cost of electrically i.e. Rs1/Kwh.

Electrification of industries of towns and villages. Reduces cost of electricity help

manufacturers.

2) AgricultureAgriculture forms the backbone of Pakistans economy. 23.3% of GDP, 64% Pakistanis

depend directly on agriculture. 60-70% exports depend on it. Water is a life line foragriculture. Average rainfall of Pakistan is below Avg. Thus, water storage is needed foragriculture as it is a precious resource and we should not waste a drop of it.

Out of Pakistan total geographical area only 17.1Macre is suitable for agriculture. A total of

44.4Macres of agriculture land is irrigated besides only 10Macres Barani land undercultivation. If water is available the remaining 22.6Macres of land(29% of total suitable area


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for agriculture) can turn productive if no additional water is tapped. It means that 1/3 ofagriculture potential will remain untapped.

3) Industry4) Drinking Water And SanitationPakistans population is increasing by over 2% per year requiring availability of more cleandrinking water. Cities, towns, Villages expanding requiring more water for sanitation

purposes.Implementation of clean drinking water schemes possible with availability of more water.

5) EnvironmentBetter clean environment for humans. Reduction in barren land. Controlled rivers and

canals.

More land area under cultivation, greenery and habitation to improve better watermanagement and cleanliness. More forests and eco system preservation and flood control.

7. KALABAGH DAM:Public feeling that were running high on the Kalabagh dam issue have mercifully calmed

down. The president made a sensible move by announcing a change in the order of thedams to be built.

The dam site is located 210 Km downstream of Tarbela and 26 Km upstream of JinnahBarrage on the Indus. When completed, the rock fill dam will rise to a height of 260 feet andwill be 4375 feet long. It will create a reservoir with usable storage capacity of 6.1 maf. The

entire project is estimated to cost $ 6.1 billion and will take 6 years to complete.ROLE:

Replacing storage lost by sedimentation in existing reservoirs at Mangla, Chasma andTarbela and proving additional storage of water to meet existing water storages during early

Kharif period of April/June. (Particularly critical for cotton crop in Sindh). Providing effective regulations of Indus River to meet Kharif allocation of provinces under

WAA1991.

To control flood in the Indus to enable provisions of perennial tube well irrigation to therevering area in Sindh.

Generation of Hydroelectric power at low cost. Reducing dependence on imported fuel, saving foreign exchange.I. Reservations of Sindh:1) No surplus water is available for storage.

2) There is the fear that there is not enough water in the Indus for these mega projects to

be used optimally i.e. there would be no surplus water to fill Kalabagh reservoir.3) The project would render Sindh into a desert.

4) Sindhs water supply which is already at low level will be reduced further since theregulation of the flow of the river might enable the upper riparian to take away more of the

water and thus starve the lower riparian of irrigation for its agriculture (Sindh is the lowerriparian).

5) Sindhs worries about possible environmental problems.Its coastal area, which hassuffered as a result of SEA water moving unto the KOTRI, need to minimum 3.6MAF of

water escapade per annum in the INDUS to offset the negative ecological impact on theriver DELTA. Sindh fears that:

Sea water intrusion in Indus estuary would increase. Mangrove forest, which is alreadythreatened, would be further affected adversely. Fish production, drinking water supplybelow KOTRI would be adversely affected.

CRITICISM:According to experts, these apprehensions are baseless and the real issue is that of politics. Dams dont consume water. They store water during floods and make it available for cropsdemand bases for the dry period.


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The share of water would be strictly governed by WAA1991. Mangrove forests cover area of almost 0.32MA. In the forest spreading from Karachi in the

west to the Rann of Kutch in east, 95% of forest population consists of a SALT TOLERANTvariety. Similarly, a recent study has shown that instead of reduction fish production hasincreased. Moreover, downstream to KOTRI barrage, ground water id saline or brackish not

suitable for irrigation or drinking. After KBD there would be drinking water available.II. Reservations of Balochistan:1) The supply of water from Indus, through the Pat Feeder canal, may be curtailed.

III. Reservations of NWFP:

1) It will flood Noshera and lot of fertile areas will be waterlogged, besides displacing a largeno of people.2) It will displace 42000 people.

3) There would be water logging and salinity in Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi.4) It is also feared that historic flooding of Peshawar Valley including Nowshera would be

aggravated in the event of recurrence of 1929 record flood.CRITICISM:

Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi has altitude higher than that of KBD (915 feet abov e sealevel). Thus KBD would not result in flooding or water logging /salinity. Mardan, Pabbi and

Swabi are at 970-962-1000ft above MSL (Mean Sea Level) Total cultivable land submerged would be 27500 Acres (24500 in the Punjab and 3000Acrsin NWFP). Thus submerged irrigated land would be only 3000Acres (2900 Acres in Punjab

and 100Acres in NWFP. As far as the displacement of people is concerned the people have in their minds the

problems faced after the construction of Tarbela new model village should be constructed toresettle the effected families with facilities of water supply, electricity, roads, dispensaries,

schools etc.8. DIAMER BASHA DAM:

The project is located on Indus River, about 315 Km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 Km

downstream of Gilgit and 40 Km downstream of Chilas. The dam would have a maximumheight of 270meters and impound a reservoir of about 7.4 maf, with live storage of more

than 6.4 maf. Mean annual discharge of Indus River at the site is 50 maf. The dam willimpound 15 % of the annual river flow. The dam project would cover an area of 110 Km

and extend 100 Km upstream of the dam site up to Raikot Bridge on Karakoram highway.The estimate cost is $ 6.5 billion. It will affect 30 villages and 2200 houses. It will also affect

22000 people. The total area under reservoir will be 25000 acre and it will generate 16500

Gwh/ year.Benefits:

1) Availability of 6.5MAF annual surface water storage to supplement irrigation suppliesduring low flow periods.

2) Clean and cheap energy through 4500 MW generations.3) Deduction of dependence on thermal power thus, saving foreign exchange.

4) Employment opportunity, particularly to the locals, during the construction and

operations.

5) Creation of masses infrastructure leading to overall socioeconomic uplift of the area andstandard of living of people.

6) Flood control.9. CONCLUSION: The government has drawn up a 25-year plan (2005-2030) for increasing energy

production in the country. That is needed to meet the demand for energy which is

increasing by ten to twelve per cent annually, says Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. That is oneof the major development plans.


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The energy development plan is accompanied by initial cost estimates which will be $37billion to $40 billion that has to come in the form of foreign aid or foreign investment. And

that is a very large sum. But the annual average expenditure works out to $1.5 billion. IfPakistan itself was to make the investment, the total cost might be less. Disclosing the details of the 25-year energy augmentation plan Shaukat Aziz saysconsumption of power in Pakistan will increase seven fold by 2030 and the energy needs will

increase by eight fold. Malthus stated that in the race between increasing population and increasing production,

population must eventually win. Those of us who decline to accept this pessimistic view

recognize the difficulty of the practical problem of meeting the needs of an ever-expanding

population. The present government needs to be appreciated that it has ended the dead lock witinauguration of Diamer Basha Dam. It is hoped that Govt. would make an effort to remove

the apprehensions the provinces and construct other dams too. There should be public consensus on national issue and to look into the matters with

contempt as enemies are working against the prosperous future of Pakistan. We as a nationneed to unite as one to defeat their nefarious aims.

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Essay on Water