A USAID-sponsored water center in Sindh has claimed that an efficient management and improvement in the irrigation system can save water equivalent to one dam.
Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, the project director USPCAS-W MUET who presented a set of 32 recommendation at a two-day water conference held in Mehran University.
Recommended to develop policies for regulating the use of groundwater, effective implementation of national water policy be made, to bring improvement in the irrigation system which, he said would save water equivalent to one dam.
While sharing the recommendation, he stressed on the institutional audit of the water resources be conducted on a periodic basis to help planners and administrative bodies to make informed decisions and on irrigation infrastructure be modernized and equipped to manage water resources properly.
He also recommended for the promotion of behavioral change to reduce wastage of water by raising public awareness through media campaigns and incorporating water conservation lessons in syllabi/curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
All the industries should install their waste treatment plants and water Conservation Technology may be adopted to save the water.
Earlier, Nisar A. Memon, the former Federal Minister & Senator said only a knowledge-based society can bring socio-economic development with a people-centric approach where our National Water Policy 2018 and Climate Change Policy 2013 is thoughtfully and meticulously implemented and this is the way forward for us to be not only secure but sovereign country.
He said that water and environment is part of un-conventional security along with the energy and food; as such it requires national focus like the conventional security i.e. defense and defense production.
He opined that globally, the water-environment-food nexus had assumed importance due to its role in the well-being of the people and living beings. “The security of people of Pakistan requires greater investment in all water environment institutions and infrastructure with merit-based governance,” he added. Mr. Memon said that Pakistan currently has the largest youth population of its history and quoting the United Nation’s Human Development Report said that, it has 64% of its 207 million population below the age of 30 and 29% between 15-29 years. “But our challenge is to nurture the youth and offer them the opportunities,” he observed.
He said that the conference paved the way for the youth researchers to present their research work, learn from peers and participate in national research endeavors. Further he elaborates the exercised youth scientists will preserve, protect and promote the water and environment assets of about 7,250 glaciers and Indus basin the largest irrigation system in the world. He continued and said even though we contribute less to global warming of the environment, but we are a 10th most vulnerable country in the world regarding climate change effects. – By a special correspondent, Hyderabad.
