Irrigation Provincial Snapshot

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Irrigation Provincial Snapshot Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigation Pakistan is the custodian of the World's largest Irrigation system. Provincial Snapshot Agriculture contributes about 21% to the country's GDP and employs 45% of the national labor force. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Total annual surface water available in Pakistan Total Population of Pakistan 145 MAF 220 million KPs annual allocation KP actual utilization Per capita annual water 2019 Per capita annual water 1951 Population of KP 8.78 MAF 5.97 MAF 940 M3 5,600 M3 35.5 million This is an annual surplus of 2.81 MAF due to non- The factors for this drastic decrease are KP has the highest incidence of poverty in availability of Irrigation infrastructure. A major uncontrolled population growth, sharp trends Pakistan. Lack of access to water is a major irrigation system has not been constructed in the in climate change and wasteful usage of this driver of poverty. improved access could lead past few decades. precious natural, and finite resource. to improve peoples well-being and harmony. Water Availability - Global Context Available Fresh Water/Capita in Pakistan Combined Length of 4 Canal Systems in KP 3,483 Km 97% of the global water is in the oceans 1951 5,650m3/yr Rich endowment 1% Surface Total Water Discharge Fresh Water Breakdown 1992 1,700 Water Short Country 14,218 cusec 70% Glaciers 29% Aquifers 2000 1,400 Water Stressed Country Culturable Command Area (CCA) A tiny 1% of the global fresh water makes up all 1,000 1,470,595 acres the lakes, rivers and streams. This is a very small 2012 Water Scarce Country percentage available for global human use. 2020 858 Projected: Extreme Shortage Approximate Number of Civil Channels 3,000 Major Canal System in KP Details of Small Dams in KP Name of Dam District CCA (Acres) Capacity (AF) Length (Km) Discharge (Cusec) CCA (Acres) Baran Dam Bannu 170,500 98,000 Tanda Dam Kohat 31,600 99,000 Kandar Dam Kohat 1,400 2,650 Darwazai Dam Kohat 650 1,500 841.6 3,600 281,000 308.8 1,940 134,500 121.6 250 44,888 25.6 1000 10,531 198.4 595 107,414 121.6 800 72,000 89.6 363 31,600 267.2 800 170,500 724 3,000 350,000 264 870 113,049 256 600 107,500 75.8 125 11,363 149 75 11,250 39.31 200 25,000 Khal Dam Haripur 2,000 830 Chatri Dam Haripur 600 540 Khanpur Dam Haripur 3,500 9,300 Gandially Dam Kohat 13,784 3,000 Chanda Fateh Khan Dam Kohat 1,593 2,000 Aza Khel Dam Peshawar 3,340 3,500 Auxiliary Kandar Dam Kohat 1,333 1,000 Naryab Dam Hangu 3,120 4,162 Sharki Dam Karak 9,996 3,000 Changhoz Dam Karak 11,550 3,300 Siran Bazai CRBC Pehur Bannu Warsak Marwat Barghanatu Dam Bannu 2,135 1,190 Paharpur Balambat Loughar Dam Karak 3,195 1,970 Tanda Dam Pehur Main Upper Swat Kabul River Lower Swat (KP Portion) Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Canal System Karak Dam Karak 1,549 1,175 Khairbara Dam Haripur 489 1,600 High Level Canal Irrigation Scheme Irrigation Irrigation Scheme Irrigation Jabba Khattak Dam Nowshera 205 465 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Palai Dam Charsadda 3,600 5,000 River System N Carry Over Capacity (Days) Dalmalak Dam Kohat 3,500 8,033 W E Ghole Banda Dam Karak 1,500 4,531 900 700 600 500 170 35 S Mardan Khel Dam Karak 1,300 2,383 Due to mountainous Kundal Dam Swabi 13,200 10,135 topography of KP it has a Zamir Gul Dam Kohat 2,000 5,468 tremendous potential for Gul Dheri Dam Nowshehra 1,000 1,602 small and medium dams. Ghanghra Dam Haripur 1,800 999 Kiyala Dam Abottabad 3,000 876 Gadwalian Dam Haripur 3,700 1,052 Jalozai Dam Nowshera 900 999 Shah Kaleem Dam Nowshera 900 54 America Egypt Australia South Africa India Pakistan TOTAL 298,939 279,314 Urgent need to reduce Climate change needs Storage is required demand for irrigation urgent consideration in WHAT to absorb 2.81 MAF water by enhanced planning as it adds to utilize additional productivity measures further stress to the NEEDS TO CCA. This is 32% of and improved irrigation system and BE DONE the allocated water! governance. demand for water. Water Account 1976 - 2016 P&D Department Financial Assistance Western Rivers 138.5 MAF Eastern Rivers 6.52 MAF Government of Total Western & Eastern Rivers 145.02 MAF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Utilization 97.088 MAF System Losses 18.46 MAF (-ve) www.pndkp.gov.pk D/S Kotri Barrage 29.48 MAF.
Recommended publications
  • Annual Development Programme
    ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 16 - PROGRAMME 2015 PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT JUNE, 2015 www.khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk FINAL ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2015-16 GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT http://www.khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk Annual Development Programme 2015-16 Table of Contents S.No. Sector/Sub Sector Page No. 1 Abstract-I i 2 Abstract-II ii 3 Abstract-III iii 4 Abstract-IV iv-vi 5 Abstract-V vii 6 Abstract-VI viii 7 Abstract-VII ix 8 Abstract-VIII x-xii 9 Agriculture 1-21 10 Auqaf, Hajj 22-25 11 Board of Revenue 26-27 12 Building 28-34 13 Districts ADP 35-35 14 DWSS 36-50 15 E&SE 51-60 16 Energy & Power 61-67 17 Environment 68-69 18 Excise, Taxation & NC 70-71 19 Finance 72-74 20 Food 75-76 21 Forestry 77-86 22 Health 87-106 23 Higher Education 107-118 24 Home 119-128 25 Housing 129-130 26 Industries 131-141 27 Information 142-143 28 Labour 144-145 29 Law & Justice 146-151 30 Local Government 152-159 31 Mines & Minerals 160-162 32 Multi Sectoral Dev. 163-171 33 Population Welfare 172-173 34 Relief and Rehab. 174-177 35 Roads 178-232 36 Social Welfare 233-238 37 Special Initiatives 239-240 38 Sports, Tourism 241-252 39 ST&IT 253-258 40 Transport 259-260 41 Water 261-289 Abstract-I Annual Development Programme 2015-16 Programme-wise summary (Million Rs.) S.# Programme # of Projects Cost Allocation %age 1 ADP 1553 589965 142000 81.2 Counterpart* 54 19097 1953 1.4 Ongoing 873 398162 74361 52.4 New 623 142431 35412 24.9 Devolved ADP 3 30274 30274 21.3 2 Foreign Aid* * 148170 32884 18.8 Grand total 1553 738135 174884 100.0 Sector-wise Throwforward (Million Rs.) S.# Sector Local Cost Exp.
    [Show full text]
  • Performance Audit Report WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK for RAWALPINDI and CHAKLALA CANTONMENTS from KHANPUR DAM SOURCE Financial Years 2001-17
    Performance Audit Report WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK FOR RAWALPINDI AND CHAKLALA CANTONMENTS FROM KHANPUR DAM SOURCE Financial Years 2001-17 6th September, 2018 AUDITOR-GENERAL OF PAKISTAN Performance Audit Report on Water Distribution Network for Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonments from Khanpur Dam Source 2001-17 by DG Audit Defence Services (North) Rawalpindi i/vii PREFACE The Auditor General of Pakistan conducts audit subject to Article 169 and 170 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, read with sections 8 and 12 of the Auditor General’s Functions, Powers and Terms and Conditions of Service Ordinance 2001. Auditor General has the mandate to conduct Performance Audit (Value for Money Audit) for the purpose of establishing the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of any expenditure or use of public resources. Performance audit of the project “Water Distribution Network for Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) & Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) from Khanpur Dam Source” funded out of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) being sponsored by Ministry of Defence, was carried out accordingly. The Directorate General Audit Defence Services (North) conducted performance audit of the Project “Water Distribution Network for RCB & CCB from Khanpur Dam Source” during October-December, 2017 for the period from 2001 to 2017. The project is still in progress. The audit was conducted with a view to reporting significant findings to stakeholders. Audit examined the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness aspects of the project. In addition, Audit also assessed, on test check basis whether the management complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations in managing the project. The Audit Report indicates specific actions that, if taken, will help the management to realize the objectives of the project.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrological Modeling of Haro River Watershed, Pakistan
    IJRRAS 30 (1) ● January 2017 www.arpapress.com/Volumes/Vol30Issue1/IJRRAS_30_1_02.pdf HYDROLOGICAL MODELING OF HARO RIVER WATERSHED, PAKISTAN Mona A. Hagras 1 & Rasikh Habib 2 1 Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shamas University, Cairo, Egypt 2 National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan ABSTRACT Geographical Information System based semi distributed model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used to model the hydrology of Haro river watershed 40 kilometer North West Islamabad, Pakistan. Thus, it aims to simulate the stream flow, establish the water balance and estimate the monthly volume inflow to Khanpur dam located at the basin outlet. SWAT model was calibrated for a ten years period from 1994 to 2003 and validated for a seven years period from 2004 to 2010. Statistical indicators; Pearson Correlation, Coefficient of Determination and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency were used to verify the simulation abilities of the model. Results illustrate a good performance for both calibration and validation periods and acceptable agreement between measured and simulated values of both annual and monthly discharge. The water balance components were estimated and presented here for the studied watershed. Finally, it is concluded that SWAT model can be used in semi-arid regions for the water resources management of the studied watershed. Key words: Hydrological modeling, Soil and Water Assessment Tool, Haro River, Khanpur Dam. 1. INTRODUCTION Pakistan is classified as one of the extremely high level water stress country in the world (Tianyi Luo et al., 2015). Agriculture in Pakistan uses well over 95% of the freshwater resources in addition to the high losses in the sprawling irrigation system.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Red List of Pakistan's Mammals
    SSttaattuuss aanndd RReedd LLiisstt ooff PPaakkiissttaann’’ss MMaammmmaallss based on the Pakistan Mammal Conservation Assessment & Management Plan Workshop 18-22 August 2003 Authors, Participants of the C.A.M.P. Workshop Edited and Compiled by, Kashif M. Sheikh PhD and Sanjay Molur 1 Published by: IUCN- Pakistan Copyright: © IUCN Pakistan’s Biodiversity Programme This publication can be reproduced for educational and non-commercial purposes without prior permission from the copyright holder, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior permission (in writing) of the copyright holder. Citation: Sheikh, K. M. & Molur, S. 2004. (Eds.) Status and Red List of Pakistan’s Mammals. Based on the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan. 312pp. IUCN Pakistan Photo Credits: Z.B. Mirza, Kashif M. Sheikh, Arnab Roy, IUCN-MACP, WWF-Pakistan and www.wildlife.com Illustrations: Arnab Roy Official Correspondence Address: Biodiversity Programme IUCN- The World Conservation Union Pakistan 38, Street 86, G-6⁄3, Islamabad Pakistan Tel: 0092-51-2270686 Fax: 0092-51-2270688 Email: [email protected] URL: www.biodiversity.iucnp.org or http://202.38.53.58/biodiversity/redlist/mammals/index.htm 2 Status and Red List of Pakistan Mammals CONTENTS Contributors 05 Host, Organizers, Collaborators and Sponsors 06 List of Pakistan Mammals CAMP Participants 07 List of Contributors (with inputs on Biological Information Sheets only) 09 Participating Institutions
    [Show full text]
  • WATER SECTOR in PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT
    IDSA Monograph Series No. 18 April 2013 WATER SECTOR in PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT MEDHA BISHT WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN: POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT | 1 IDSA Monograph Series No. 18 April 2013 WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT MEDHA BISHT 2 | MEDHA BISHT Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sorted in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). ISBN: 978-93-82169-17-8 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Monograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute or the Government of India. First Published: April 2013 Price: Rs. 280/- Published by: Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No.1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 110 010 Tel. (91-11) 2671-7983 Fax.(91-11) 2615 4191 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.idsa.in Layout & Cover by: Vaijayanti Patankar & Geeta Printed at: M/S A. M. Offsetters A-57, Sector-10, Noida-201 301 (U.P.) Mob: 09810888667 E-mail: [email protected] WATER SECTOR IN PAKISTAN: POLICY, POLITICS, MANAGEMENT | 3 CONTENTS Acknowledgements ......................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 6 PART I Chapter One .................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Report ______
    Environmental Impact Assessment Report ________________________________________ Project Number: 47024-004 Loan Number: 3470-PAK Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project Prepared by Irrigation Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan For the Asian Development Bank Date received by ADB: 16 Oct 2019 NOTES (i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and its agencies ends on 30 June. (ii) In this report “$” refer to US dollars. This environmental impact assessment report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PEHUR HIGH LEVEL CANAL EXTENSION PROJECT ADB LOAN NO. 3470 – PAK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT JUNE 2019 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION CONSULTANTS: Engineering Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd, Sri Lanka (Lead Firm) Techno Legal Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd, Pakistan (JV Firm) AGES Consultants, Pakistan (JV Firm) Geotechnical Consultancy Services, Pakistan (JV Firm) Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project Environmental Impact Assessment Report TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    [Show full text]
  • Brief on Water Pollution Water – the Essential Resource
    Brief on Water Pollution Water – the essential resource Fresh water as a commodity generates concern being an exhaustible resource and due to the environmental issues related to its degradation. Preserving the quality and availability of freshwater resources however, is becoming the most pressing of many environmental challenges for Pakistan. Perhaps, because water is considered a cheap readily available resource, there is not enough appreciation just how much stress human demands for water are placing on natural ecosystems. Pressures The stress on water resources is from multiple sources and the impact can take diverse forms. The growth of urban megalopolises, increased industrial activity and dependence of the agricultural sector on chemicals and fertilizers has led to the overcharging of the carrying capacity of our water bodies to assimilate and decompose wastes. Deterioration in water quality and contamination of lakes, rivers and ground water aquifers has therefore resulted. The following sub-sections present a closer analysis of various sources of pressure on the country’s water resource base. Increasing Population In 2004, Pakistan stated a population growth rate of 1.9% while the projected figures reached 173 million by 2010 and 221 million by 2025. These estimates suggest that the country would slip below the limit of 1000m3 of water per capita per year from 2010 onwards. The situation could get worse in areas situated outside Indus basin where annual average is already below 1000m3 per head. Water Shortage Water shortage is yet another major obstacle to the development of the country in terms of food security, economic development and industrialization. Even if an improvement of 50% in agricultural productivity with respect to the use of water is considerable, this however remains an unrealistic target.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan Metropolitan Water Supply Project (Khanpur I) 1. Project Profile and Japan's ODA Loan 1.1 Background
    Pakistan Metropolitan Water Supply Project (Khanpur I) Report Date: February 2003 Field Survey: November 2002 1. Project Profile and Japan’s ODA Loan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Tajikistan China Project site: Islamabad Afghanistan Project site: Rawalpindi Islamic Republic of Pakistan Iran Indus River India Arabian Sea Project site The Khanpur water filtration plant water supply pump (front tank) 1.1 Background The capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was located in Karachi during the period following the country’s independence in 1956. It was determined that the capital would be shifted to Islamabad, however, in 1959, with construction of the new capital actually taking place in 1961. In 1987, the population of Islamabad stood at 280,000, or 1.32 million including the neighboring old city of Rawalpindi and farming areas in the vicinity. The population was forecast to rise to 2.07 million by the year 2000. In 1980, the government of Pakistan established a 10-year plan on water supply systems as part of social infrastructure development with the goal of providing the entire urban population and 66% of the rural population with water by 1990. Further, the country’s sixth five-year economic development plan (1983-1988) set goals for the provision of water supply1 at 59% for the entire country, a level which was to cover 90% of urban areas and 45% of rural areas. Though actual figures as of 1988 fell slightly short of the targets, standing at 53%, 80%, and 40% respectively, reasons for the shortfall were largely attributed to lack of capital. The seventh five-year plan (1988-1993) called for heightened coverage of 81% for the entire country, 95% for urban districts (100% for metropolitan areas), and 75% for rural areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Observations on the Wildlife of Nara Wetland Complex, Tehsil Nara, District Khairpur, Sindh with Special Reference to the Waterbirds
    Pakistan J. Zool., vol. 38(1), pp. 21-25, 2006. Observations on the Wildlife of Nara Wetland Complex, Tehsil Nara, District Khairpur, Sindh with Special Reference to the Waterbirds SYED ALI GHALIB, HAFEEZUR RAHMAN AND ABDUR RAZZAQ KHAN Zoological Survey Department, Govt. of Pakistan, Karachi Abstract.- The paper highlights the importance of the wetlands of Nara Wetland Complex (NWC) in District Khairpur, Sindh as a site containing representative, rare or unique wetland types, and as a site of international importance for conserving biodiversity and as a waterbird habitat. The area is thus a candidate Ramsar Site. It also gives the result of waterbird census on the important wetlands of the NWC during 2002 and 2004. Key words: Waterbirds, wetlands, Sindh, Pakistan. INTRODUCTION ecological value as far as the biodiversity is concerned. There is a very characteristic ecosystem having a chain of wetlands in a desert habitat. The province of Sindh is very rich in The Nara canal and a belt of land along the wetlands. It has many wetland complexes, such as canal totalling an area of 108960 ha starting from Haleji, Indus delta, Deh Akro, Nurr-ri-Jubho and Sorah to Jamrao Head is a game reserve. It was Rann of Kutch which have been designated as established in 1972. The ecosystem of the game Ramsar sites i.e. the Wetlands of International reserve is a mixture of desert and wetlands. The Importance under the Ramsar Convention. game reserve was established for the protection of There are other wetland complexes such as hog deer, gray and black partridges and the Chotiari; Drigh, Lungh and Hamal and Nara crocodiles in the canal and the dhands.
    [Show full text]
  • Development Expenditure (Volume-IV) Budget Estimates 2021-22
    For Departmental use only FEDERAL BUDGET 2021–2022 DETAILS OF DEMANDS FOR GRANTS AND APPROPRIATIONS Development Expenditure (Volume-IV) Budget Estimates 2021-22 Government of Pakistan Finance Division Islamabad PART III - DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE A - DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE ON REVENUE ACCOUNT : I - CABINET SECRETARIAT - PAGES 86 Development Expenditure of Cabinet Division 2403 87 Development Expenditure of Aviation Division 2407 88 Development Expenditure of Establishment Division 2417 89 Development Expenditure of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division 2420 90 Development Expenditure of SUPARCO 2423 II - CLIMATE CHANGE, MINISTRY OF - 91 Development Expenditure of Climate Change Division 2431 III - COMMERCE, MINISTRY OF - 92 Development Expenditure of Commerce Division 2437 IV - COMMUNICATIONS, MINISTRY OF - 93 Development Expenditure of Communications Division 2443 V - DEFENCE, MINISTRY OF - 94 Development Expenditure of Defence Division 2449 95 Development Expenditure of Survey of Pakistan 2456 VI - DEFENCE PRODUCTION, MINISTRY OF - 96 Development Expenditure of Defense Production Division 2461 VII - ENERGY, MINISTRY OF - 97 Development Expenditure of Power Division 2465 (i) VIII - FEDERAL EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, PAGES NATIONAL HERITAGE AND CULTURE, MINISTRY OF - 98 Development Expenditure of Federal Education and Professional Training Division 2475 99 Development Expenditure of Higher Education Commission (HEC) 2490 100 Development Expenditure of National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) 2527 101
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Draft Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Pakistan Meteorological Department National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan Hydro-Meteorological and DRM Services Project Executive Summary Background Climate change is expected to have an adverse impact on Pakistan, as it ranks 7th on the climate risk index. It continues to be one of the most flood-prone countries in the South Asia Region (SAR); suffering US$18 billion in losses between 2005 and 2014 (US$10.5 billion from the 2010 floods alone), equivalent to around 6% of the federal budget. Hydromet hazards have been coupled with rapid population growth and uncontrolled urbanization, leading to a disproportionate and growing impact on the poor. To build on recent development gains, increase economic productivity, and improve climate resilience, it will be critical to improve the quality and accessibility of weather, water, and climate information services. Climate-resilient development requires stronger institutions and a higher level of observation, forecasting, and service delivery capacity; these could make a significant contribution to safety, security, and economic well-being. The Pakistan Hydro- Meteorological and DRM Services Project (PHDSP) expects to improve hydro- meteorological information and services, strengthen forecasting and early warning systems, and improve dissemination of meteorological and hydrological forecasts, warnings and advisory information to stakeholders and end-users and strengthen the existing disaster risk management (DRM) capacity and services of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Project Description The project has three main components and will be implemented over a period of five years. Component 1: Hydro-Meteorological and Climate Services The objective of this component is to improve the capability and thereby performance of the PMD to understand and make use of meteorological and hydrological information for decision making.
    [Show full text]
  • WETLANDS in PAKISTAN: WHAT IS HAPPENING to THEM? By: Abdul Aleem Chaudhry Ph.D
    World Environment Day – June 2010 49 WETLANDS IN PAKISTAN: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM? By: Abdul Aleem Chaudhry Ph.D. Director General Wildlife and Parks Punjab (Retired) Abstract Pakistan, despite having an arid climate, supports over 780,000 ha of wetlands covering 9.7% of the total land area, with 225 nationally significant wetlands, of which 19 have been recognised as Ramsar sites of global significance. Wetland types represent the passage of the Indus River from the glaciers and high alpine lakes, through riverine and freshwater lakes to the coastal wetlands of the Indus Delta. These wetlands provide often unrecognised benefits and services, such as provisioning - food and fibre production - regulating services such as water balance, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation and storm protection; cultural and social functions such as sacred and religious importance; providing recreation and tourism opportunities; and supporting functions such as soil formation and sediment retention. Main threats to wetlands include shortages of water to maintain the wetlands, poor water quality from increasing pollution, change in land use, encroachment and over- exploitation of natural resources, such as fish and wildlife. Most often the over- exploitation is driven by the lack of alternative livelihoods so that poor communities may have no option. The underlying causes of these direct threats are related to the perception that wetland natural resources are part of an open- access system. Management of the natural resources, if it exists at all, is usually ineffective and penalties for illegal or inappropriate resource-use are often not significant enough to be prohibitive. These inappropriate practices generally stem from policy shortcomings, legal gaps and inconsistencies, failure to enforce regulations, and institutional overlap of responsibilities for management of wetlands and lack of coordination.
    [Show full text]