Plan for effective utilisation of water resources prepared
The Nation, By Our Commerce Reporter, 17/9/2002

LAHORE-The government has prepared a strategy to effectively utilise water resources in order to overcome drought conditions.

This was stated by Khurshid Zaman Qureshi, Punjab Agriculture and Co-operative Minister while addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on Drought Management Strategies here on Monday. The workshop is being organised by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources(PCRWR) and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).

The minister said that government has prepared comprehensive plan to effectively utilise available water resources and exploration of new ones. He said that water shortage could be overcome by adopting several ways and means. Khurshid Zaman Qureshi stressed the scientists to evolve drought forecasting system so that farmers could change their crop pattern keeping in view the water availability.

Talking about the drought conditions in the country, he said, Pakistan had been facing severe drought of its history for the last few years adding that Balochistan was the worst affected area as there has been very little rain for the last four years. He said the water problems were likely to become worse in the coming years which required urgent steps to conserve the water resources.

Prosperity in South Asia can be ensured by adopting rational approach with regards to the water usage, he said. The minister informed that government introduced drip and sprinkle irrigation techniques with a view to saving water.

Chairman Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Dr. Muhammad Akram Kahlown said that water management must be proactive rather than crisis driven. The current situation, he warned, challenges water scientists and engineers to approach policy makers in a more effective manner. He said that the increased demand of water might lead to its shortages in near future.

On the upcoming projects and schemes of the council, Kahlown said that new projects include- National Water Quality Monitoring Programme, Water Resources Development and Management in Cholistan for drought mitigation, Rejuvenation of depleting aquifers in Balochistan and up-gradation of labs and libraries of PCRWR.

SAARC representative from Sri Lanka, Ajanta De' Silva said that joint strategies should be adopted to ward off water related problems.

Chief of Research (PCRWR) Dr. Abdul Majeed, Chairman Pakistan Water Partnership Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Director General Meteorological Department Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman, Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi and others also addressed on the occasion.

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