LAHORE: Over 70% of domestic water needs are met from groundwater resources in Pakistan but this rich natural source of freshwater is often inadequately mapped and managed which is being depleted at an alarming rate.
Failure to address this issue could thrust the country into the most severe water scarcity scenario in the region within the next two decades. Multiple factors contribute to water scarcity, including climate change, population growth, mismanagement, outdated irrigation practices, obsolete infrastructure, and insufficient reservoirs.
The relationship between water demand and supply will be significantly impacted by population growth, potentially straining the availability of water resources for both industrial and domestic use, particularly affecting agricultural sustainability through irrigation shortages. Effectively managing groundwater requires a comprehensive approach encompassing various actions, policies, and strategies, integrated with broader water management initiatives.
Dr. Muhammad Arif Watto, an Assistant Professor at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, highlights the escalating pressure on water resources due to climate change, population growth, increased food demands, and enhanced living standards. Although groundwater has historically been pivotal in agricultural productivity, unregulated extraction has rapidly depleted aquifers, resulting in adverse environmental and economic consequences.
To conserve groundwater, Watto emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of quantity and quality, enabling early detection of issues such as over-abstraction and pollution. Making collected data accessible to the public can raise awareness and facilitate sustainable usage. Implementing a resilient groundwater monitoring model can ascertain sustainable groundwater potential, establish groundwater budgets, and track saline groundwater interface movements.
Pakistan urgently needs robust management systems and policies for groundwater conservation and monitoring. These policies should delineate legal ownership, water user rights, surface water interactions, and land use considerations in aquifer recharge areas. Effective implementation requires clear legal frameworks and institutional structures, with community involvement playing a crucial role in groundwater management through tools such as vulnerability mapping and land use planning.
Authorities must assess and prioritize initiatives to conserve groundwater resources, leveraging limited financial resources effectively. By adhering to existing conditions and fostering targeted initiatives, Pakistan can promote groundwater conservation while meeting its water needs sustainably. —APP
