Historical sustainability of groundwater in Indus Basin of Pakistan

Ghulam Zakir Hassan, C Allan, Faiz Raza Hassan

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Pakistan is bestowed with one of the world’s largest contiguous irrigation canal network, major part of which lies in Punjab Province under Indus Basin. This network was started to be constructed by British during early nineteenth century. The continuous expansion of the irrigation system over the past century significantly altered the hydrological balance of the Indus River Basin (IRB) in Pakistan. During pre-irrigation era, water table in different doabs (the land between two rivers) in Punjab province was very deep but the system of canal irrigation was put in operation, the problems of waterlogging become the major challenge which led to the need of parallel system of drainage network. This situation created the need of drainage of agricultural lands in the country. lthough some drainage was installed before World War II, little attention was paid to the growing waterlogging and salinity problems. To alleviate the twin menace of waterlogging and salinity, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
was established in 1958 and Salinity Control and Reclamation Program was conceived, planned and implemented by adopting surface as well as subsurface drainage projects in the country. First Salinity Control and Reclamation Project (SCARP-I) was implemented in 1960-63. Currently, in Punjab which is the largest groundwater consumer amongst the provinces, groundwater is contributing about more than 45% towards irrigation requirements through pumping by approximate 1.2 million tubewells putting this natural gift beyond the limits of
its consumers. The farmer’s tubewells are pumping groundwater to meet 40 to 50 % of crop water requirements at farm-gate which has put the aquifer under stress especially in sweet groundwater zones consequently putting this natural gift beyond the limits of human utilization. To meet the ever increasing demand of food and fiber, cropping intensity has increased from 67% to 150% or even more in some areas which is a major driver for dependence on groundwater. Besides irrigation uses groundwater is the major source of drinking, industrial
and commercial requirements in many areas the unplanned and over pumping has caused intrusion of saline water into fresh groundwater areas. Punjab Government, Irrigation Department has established a Groundwater Management Cell to carryout various research studies and to devise the management interventions in the Province. Research study carried out in Vehari district of Southern Punjab has indicated that by increase of depth to water table from 40 ft. to 70 ft. the cost of pumping per acre-feet has increased 125%. In urban areas, this threat is very severe for example in Lahore City, the annual average rate of fall is 2.5 ft. Its quality is also deteriorating at many places due to one or the other reasons. In this paper findings of various studies have been outlined to identify the critical areas and to suggest some management options for the replenishment of this fast depleting natural resource in Punjab. Potential site for artificial recharge of aquifer has been identified and possibility of aquifer recharging through flood water has been explored.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDevelopment for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment
Subtitle of host publicationFull papers of WIF3 and International workshops
EditorsAshwin B. Pandya, Harish Kumar Varma, Sahdev Singh, Madhu Mohanan, Prachi Sharma
Place of PublicationIndonesia
PublisherICID-CIID
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9788189610272
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event3rd World Irrigation Forum 2019 - Bali, Indonesia
Duration: 01 Sept 201907 Sept 2019
https://www.icid.org/wif3_bali_2019/wif3_abst_vol.pdf
https://icid-ciid.org/event/upcoming_event/40 (Conference website)
https://icid-ciid.org/inner_page/89 (Event highlights)

Conference

Conference3rd World Irrigation Forum 2019
Abbreviated titleDevelopment for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment
Country/TerritoryIndonesia
CityBali
Period01/09/1907/09/19
OtherThe 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) and the 70th International Executive Council Meeting was be hosted by the Indonesian National Committee of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (INACID) during 1-7 September 2019, Bali, Indonesia at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. The main theme of the WIF3 is "Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment".
Theme - Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment
Sub-Theme 1: Enabling Policy Environment for Water, Food and Energy Security
Sub-Theme 2: Role of Civil Society and Non-State actors with Focus on Farmers and Extension Facilities
Sub-Theme 3: Improving Agricultural Water Productivity with Focus on Rural Transformation
Workshops - Total 6 International Workshops were organized on a variety of topics related to the theme and sub-themes
Internet address

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