The causes of groundwater decline in upland Balochistan region of Pakistan: Implication for water management policies

Groundwater levels in the important basins of upland Balochistan are declining at an alarming rate of 2 to 3 meters annually showed by a survey results carried out in mid 2009. Various factors are responsible for this; OLS regression analysis was carried out to analyse the effects of different factors on the watertable decline by using the empirical data from different sources. The results showed that watertable decline increases with; (1) increase in the number of tubewells; (2) continuation of subsidized electric tariff policy; (3) policies of groundwater development; (4) increase in tubewell irrigated area; (5) annual average rainfall. Regression is significant for all factors except rainfall. The model explain an enormous amount of variation in watertable decline with adjusted R2 = 0.972. The influence of rainfall on watertable decline was not significant; probably due to lack of coincidence in the recharge from rainfall and discharge of water from the basins. The current betraying situation demands direct and effective government attention and intervention with the participation of communities as well to deal with. As an immediate measure; the water saving through electricity rationing seems to be the best way to slow down the water mining as a short run remedy. But in the long run; a more comprehensive sustainable groundwater management policy with the involvement of all the stakeholders is needed. In this regard; the groundwater governance and management system of Australia and other advanced countries systems can be studied to learn lessons from for policy making.