Generic description of water resources in PAk

1. In the name of ALLAH the
Beneficent, the Merciful
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2. Water Resources of Pakistan, related
Issues and Strategy
By
(Sardar Mohammad Rahim Khan)
Secretary
Food, Agriculture, Irrigation & Small Dams
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3. WATER RESOURCES SYSTEM OF
PAKISTAN
Indus River
Jhelum River
Chinab River
Ravi River
Sutlaj River
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4. 4
God has blessed Pakistan with abandoned water resources, with
water flowing down the Himalayas and Karakorum heights, from
the world’s largest glaciers, a free and unique bounty of nature
for this land of alluvial plains. As a result of this natural resource,
today we have the world’s marvelous and the largest irrigation
system that irrigates over 16 million hectors of land, out of 34
million hectors of cultivable land available. Basically we have two
major sources of water i.e. surface water & ground water.
SOURCES OF WATER

5. At the time of independence, we had about 67 MAF
water available for diversion; this amount increased to
about 85 MAF by 1960. In 1960 Pakistan signed a water
treaty “Indus water treaty” with India, which brought
major changes in the sources of water for Pakistan. In
that treaty the right of three eastern rivers i.e. Beas,
Sutlej and Ravi was given to India. Now the Indus river
basin constitutes of the mountain basins Indus plain,
Karachi plains and desert areas of Sindh. Its principle
rivers and tributaries are Indus, Shyok, Gilgit, Astor, Siran,
Kabul joined by Jhelum, Chenab and Sutlej. It covers an
area of 516,600 sq. km. its source of water are snowing,
glacier melting and rainfalls. From this annually 141.67
MAF of water is being received.
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SURFACE WATER
Indus Basin River

6. Ground water:-
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The Indus plains constitute about 34 million hectors (over 85
million acres) of cultivable land. The recharge or absorption to
the ground is around 72 MAF, out of which about 48 MAF is in
the command of Indus basin irrigation system (ibis). Ground
water is also found in some rain-fed (barani) lands and inter-
mountain valleys at depths varying from 100 to 200 feet.

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Water reservoirs / capacities:-
Pakistan is having three basic reservoirs, namely mangla dam
reservoir, Terbela dam reservoir and Chashma barrage reservoir.
more small reservoirs like Warsak, Baran dam hub, Khanpur,
Tanda, Rawal, Simly, Bakht khan Hamal lake, Mancher lake, Kinjhar
lake and Chotiari lake Arealso included as small storage. The
storage capacity of these reservoirs is as shown on the view foil.
(a) Terbela dam reservoir
World’s largest earth and rock filled dam was built at Terbela on
river Indus in 1976 with a gross capacity of 11.62 MAF and a live
storage capacity of 9.68 MAF. With the passage of time, due to
silting, 24.6% of the storage has been lost and now it has a live
storage of 7.295 MAF.

8. 8
(b) Mangla dam reservoir
Mangla reservoir is the second major storage of Pakistan. It was
built in 1967 on river Jhelum with a gross capacity of 5.882 MAF
and live storage of 5.41 MAF. Again due to siltation it has lost
13.2% of its storage and presently can store 4.636 MAF of water.
Now the storage capacity increases by 3 MAF with (30 ft) raising
of Mangla Dam.
(c) Chashma barrage reservoir
Chashma barrage is situated on river Indus and was built in 1972
with a gross storage of 0.870 MAF and live storage of 0.717 MAF.
It has also reduced its storage capacity by 39.3% and is left with a
storage capacity of 0.435 MAF.

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The basic utilization of available storages is for irrigation, power generation,
drinking and some Industries.
(a) Irrigation
Out of 240.22 MAF, 172.21 MAF water is utilized for irrigation purposes. In this
the canal diversions is 105.23 MAF, system loses are 144.40; rainwater is 6.0
MAF; ground water is 41.30 and utility above rims is 5.28 MAF.
(b) Power generation
Water released by the hydropower plants returns to the river system. The
reservoirs are operated on priority bases only for irrigation. Recent increase in
thermal generation has reduced the potential conflicts between water releases
from reservoirs for hydropower generation and irrigation. Now most of the
annual storage is utilized for irrigation and not for hydropower, but conflicts do
arise at times.
UTILIZATION OF WATER

10. 10
(c) Drinking
Most of the rural and urban water is supplied from ground water through tube
wells and hand pumps except few cities like Karachi and Islamabad/Pindi. Total
urban and rural (domestic and commercial) requirements estimated is 10-15% of
the surface water, out of which 80% return to the system, however with
degraded quality. Net consumption is normally about 2% of the total water
available.
(d) Industry
Water is also utilized in Industries basically for cooling purposes and also in
manufacturing processes. This utility is less than 1%.

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Pakistan is facing severe shortage of water. There are two main reasons, one
natural due to prolong drought---which is beyond the control of a man, and the
other due to the gross negligence in the development and mismanagement of
water resources. The average annual inflow of the Indus and its tributaries is
i41.67 MAF, of which 97% is used in agriculture and the remaining 3% for
domestic and Industrial purposes. Out of 141.67 MAF, around 106 MAF is
annually diverted in to one of the largest but in-efficient irrigation system. The
remaining 36 MAF goes into the sea unused – a total loss --. Out of 106 NAF,
diverted into an extensive irrigation net work, more than 50% is lost during the
changeling and the field application before it reaches the crop root zone.
In the years when the rainfall is normal or above, the country generally does not
face any water shortage, where as in below average rainfall period it does.
Shortage of water

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The agriculture is our backbone and the water flowing in the channels to the
crops is its blood line—and if there is no or less water then we should be
prepared for facing problems economically as well as socially. According to
the estimates of federal government, the agriculture sector would suffer a
loss of about Rs. 90 billion because of drought. Since agriculture has
remained a major source of shouldering the already crippled economy, it has
a vital role to play particularly in terms of food security and employment of
the ever-burgeoning population of the country. It contributes around 35 % to
the gnp and employs about 44% of labor force. It also contributes 65% of our
export earning. The adverse effects of water shortage on agriculture would
have a spiraling effect on the prevailing level of poverty as follows:
Impact on economy / society

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(a) Less water means less agricultural yields and to fulfill the food
requirements of the nation, we will be dependent on other countries.
(b) Raising livestock is the main source of livelihood of rural areas. it is also an
important economic activity, which contributes 9.7% of gdp, will be
affected due to shortage of water.
(c) Orchards of Pakistan bring home a healthy amount of foreign exchange,
which can be affected due to water shortage.
(d) Due to less production of main crops, which are wheat, cotton, sugar cane
and rice, the Industries related to them will suffer adversely.
(e) Then due to drought and more dependency on ground water for irrigation,
the water table will go down, and this will cause water constrains to the
population.
(f) Less agricultural outputs will compel people to head towards urban areas
for jobs, which will increase the unemployment further.
(g) The distribution of water is controlled from the center by IRSA(Indus river
system authority) as per 1991 agreement between the provinces. Now the
shortage of water will cause disputes between the provinces, which may
cause harm to the national integrity.

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The national water strategy must be based upon two essential
elements covering:
•Water developments
•Water management
The water development strategy is largely based upon
construction of new storage reservoirs where as the water
management strategy will help in reducing the present losses.
Recommendations

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Managing water resources is the need of time, and we in
Pakistan already short of water, must chalk out a strategy. In
this endeavor can be made to save around 1.3 MAF of water
from existing losses. following is recommended in this
regard:-
• Presently the losses occur due to seepage, infiltration and
leakages etc. seepage results in water logging and these
losses can be reduced or eliminated by lining the canals.
• In addition, people should be educated to conserve water
by cooperation.
• Further more government should make laws on water
conservation, like many western countries.
Water management

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• The second largest contribution to the total water available
comes from the groundwater sources. This source has been
exploited and very well used by public and private tube
wells. It can still provide over nine maf of water. This source
can be exploited and judiciously used for irrigation purposes.
How ever in some areas ground water is rapidly depleting
due to excessive pumpage, authorities should take control in
such areas to save them from depleting.
• Efforts be made to convert the present rotation based
irrigation system to demand oriented system.
• The modern irrigation techniques, that is trickling,
sprinkling etc, which have a potential to improve water
distribution and its utilization.
• Authorities should take appropriate steps to curb the illegal
extraction of water and ensure its equitable distribution.
• Presently irrigation department has failed to stop the illegal
theft and extraction; thus irrigation distribution system
needs to be privatized through water user associations.

17. PAKISTAN'S INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL
AGREEMENTS ON WATER DISTRIBUTION
Before Independence
• Darbar Agreement – 1904
(between Maharaja Kashmir & Sikh Government of Punjab)
After Independence
• The Indus Waters Treaty – 1960
• Apportionment of Indus Waters Accord – 1991
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18. KEY ISSUES
• Lack of trust among the provinces especially between Punjab and Sindh
• Differences among provinces on the interpretation of Water
Apportionment Accord of 1991
– a. Construction of additional storages (Section 6 of the Water Accord-1991:
– b. Terms of Reference of the Study required to establish minimum escapage to sea
downstream Kotri (Section 7 of the Water Accord-1991)
– c. The mode of sharing shortages (Section 14b of the Water Accord-1991)
• Construction of Greater Thal Canal in Punjab
• Reduction in storage due to silting of existing reservoirs.
• Wastage of water in the irrigation system
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19. STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING VARIOUS ISSUES
• An active Conflict Resolution Mechanism
– a. Activation of Council of Common Interests -CCI:
– b. Parliament and Parliamentary Committees should play their
rightful role:
• Regulation of Groundwater Usage
• Water Conservation
• Efficient use of irrigation water and application of modern technologies
• Legislation on Water-related issues
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20. Legislation on Water-related issues
• Activation of Council of Common Interests (CCI):
• Parliament and its committees to be more proactive:
• An inter-provincial accord on new storages:
• Study to ascertain water flow required downstream Kotri:
• Enhanced Telemetry System
• Water Conservation
• Adoption of New Technologies:
• Forecasting of Floods & Droughts:
• Improving Domestic Water Quality:
• Adopting new technologies for ground water extraction:
• Harnessing Hill Torrents:
• Checking Water Pollution:
• Improved Institutional Structure:
• A comprehensive Water Law:
• Regulation of Groundwater Usage:
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21. WATER MANAGEMENT-STRATEGIES
A three-pronged approach towards formulation of
strategies to meet the growing scarcity of water needs is
proposed. The general approach involves:
a. Tapping of existing un-utilised resources and
development of new and unexplored water-
resources.
b. Management of water-resources, to achieve the goal
of maximum production per unit of water used.
c. Improving the institutional set-up and better
governance of water-resources institutions and
infrastructure.
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22. Short-Term Strategies (Time frame- 3 years)
• Awareness Campaigns:
• Increasing On-Farm Application Efficiencies:
• Improving Conveyance Efficiencies:
• Motivation To Farmers And Industrialists:
• Improved Surface Irrigation Methods:
• Reduction In Cultivation Areas:
• Regulation Of Groundwater:
• Undertaking Skimming Wells Projects:
• Identifying New Water-Storages Sites:
• Rejuvenation Of Depleting Aquifers:
• Identification Of Focal-Point Organization:
• Involvement of Water-User Organizations:
• Providing Farmers With Information On Water- Requirements:
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23. Medium-Term Strategies (Time Frame – 3 to 7 years)
• Lining Of Conveyance System:
• Construction Of Storage Reservoirs:
• Identification Of Fresh Groundwater Areas:
• Institutional Improvements:
• High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems:
• Rejuvenation Of Aquifers:
• Developing Drought-Forecasting Mechanism:
• Developing Conjunctive Use Methodologies:
• Corporate Farming And Consolidation Of Land Holdings:
• Undertaking Watershed-Management:
• Controlling Evaporation-Losses From Reservoirs:
• Formulating A National Water-Policy:
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24. Long-Term Strategies (Time Frame –beyond 7 years)
• Regulatory Framework On Groundwater:
• Construction Of Storage Reservoirs:
• Improved Forecasting Of Droughts And Floods:
• Resolving Water-Distribution Issues:
• Continuation Of Activities Suggested Under
Medium-Term Strategies:
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25. Azad Kashmir
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27. Neelum
 Muzaffarabad
 Hattian
 Bagh
 Hawali
 Poonch
 Sudhnoti
North AJK
South AJK
Kotli
Mirpur
 Bhimber
North
South
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28. Agro-Ecological Zones of Azad Kashmir
AEZ Detail of AEZ
1 Glaciers and Ice Caps
2 Very cold temperate non-
monsoon alpine zone
3 Cold temperate non-
monsoon (mono crop area)
4 Very cold temperate
monsoon alpine zone
5 Cold temperate monsoon
alpine zone
6 Moist warm temperate
7 Humid warm sub-tropical
8 Sub-Humid hot sub-tropical
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29. BASIC AGRICULTURE STATISTICS
(AJ&K)
• Area under cultivation 0.166 million ha (0.410 million acres)
(13% of total area)
• Annual cropped area 0.242 million ha (0.598 million acres)
• Cropping intensity 150%
• Irrigated area 10790 ha. (6.5% of area under cultivation in 1947)
15,500 ha ( 38750 acres Pre-EQ)
(9% of area under cultivation)
• Irrigated area affected by EQ: 5580 ha (13783 acres)
• Irrigated Area June, 2011 15825 ha (39563 acres)
(9.5% of area under cultivation)
• Average Farm Size 0.84 ha (2.07 acres)
• Average Family size 7.2 members
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30. Strengths
1. Availability of abundant water resource in the State.
(8670 M.cu.m runoff is available in the State, whereas anticipated
requirement for irrigation purposes is about 311 M.cu.m)
2. Conducive environment in the development of water resources.
(Land Resources, Human Resources and Technical Assistance)
3. Organized Communities (Water User Associations)
4. Importance of Water Resources Sector at National Level.
5. Water Potential available at Jari outlet (461 cusecs) and from Upper
Jhelum Canal (130 cusecs).
Weaknesses
1. Absence of Water Sector Policy for AJK.
2. Legislation
3. Institutional development
(Non-availability of permanent Staff Structure at Centre, District and
Division Level)
4. Lack of Financial Resources
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31. • Allocation of 612 cusec water for irrigation,
drinking, Livestock & Fisheries from Mangla
Reservoir.
• Funds allocation far short of approved PC-I
Phasing
• Devolution of powers / subjects to provinces.
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Issue

32. Allocation of 614 (488 for Irrigation + 126 for
drinking) Cusecs From Mangla Reservoir
1. Agreement for the raising of Mangla Dam between the Govt. of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan (GoP), Azad Govt. of the State of Jammu
& Kashmir (GoAJK) and Water & Power Development Authority
(WAPD) was made at Islamabad on 27th June, 2003.
2. According to clause 6.2 of said agreement “The WAPDA shall cater
for the drawing of drinking water from the lake. The Government’s
requirement of water for irrigation purposes shall be taken up
with IRSA. The Ministry of KANA and SAFRON, Government of
Pakistan Shall represent the “ Government” at IRSA”. (Annexure-A)
3. Department of Agriculture GoAJK carried out a detailed Study for
the assessment of water requirement for irrigation purpose in 2004
and the findings of study were presented to the Ministry of Water &
Power in 2004. (Annexure B)
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33. 4. Ministry of Water & Power decided to firm up the command area
and water requirement figures through a consultant.
5. The GoAJK hired the services of M/s NESPAK as the consultant. The
NESPAK started its work for the assessment of quantum of water
required for irrigation, livestock and fisheries in 2005 and submitted
their report to the GoAJK in August, 2006. The water requirement
and command area figures are annexed as Annexure-C.
6. The GoAJK presented the consultant’s report to Ministry of Water
and Power, GoP in May and June, 2007. The Ministry decided that
“ The GoAJK shall invite its consultant i.e. M/S NESPAK for detailed
presentation on working out the quantum of irrigation water and
to clarify the observations to be made by the members of the
Committee in the meeting. In the meanwhile a copy of Feasibility
Study will be made available to Punjab Irrigation and Power
Department.” (Annexure D&E)
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34. 7. In compliance with the decisions made in preceding meetings the final
figures of command area and quantum of water were presented by the
consultant to Ministry of Water & Power and other stakeholders
during the 4th meeting held on 13th July 2007 at Ministry of Water &
Power. During the meeting the representative of IRSA clarified that “
Since the GoAJK was not a member of IRSA it cannot determine the
quantity of water for it and for the said purpose an executive order
shall be required to be issued by the GoP”. (Annexure-F)
8. The Ministry of Water & Power referred the case to Inter Provincial
Coordination Committee (IPCC) through summary in June, 2008 with
the proposal that,
9. “Building a consensus of the provinces in the normal course of action
may take long. The issue of allocation of water for AJK is of sensitive
nature and needs urgent decision. It is therefore proposed that in the
interest of smooth implementation of Mangla Dam Raising Project
the just demand of AJK for allocating 613.60 cusecs water may be
placed in the next meeting of IPCC for resolution.” (Annexure-G)
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35. 10. The matter was discussed during the 5th IPCC meeting held on 2nd Feb.
2009 under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for IPC Division. The
Govt. of Punjab agreed with the proposal but the Government of Sindh,
KPK and Baluchistan didn’t agree. (Annexure-H)
11. Present Status of the Case
The forum (IPCC) decided that the Federal Minister for Inter Provincial
Coordination Division (IPCD) will meet the Chief Ministers of four
provinces prior to a meeting to be called by the Ministry of IPC with the
Chief Ministers.
12. Constitutional Position
Since AJK is not a constitutional part of Pakistan, therefore the jurisdiction
of IRSA cannot be extended to reservoirs or irrigation canals located in AJK.
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36. 13. It is worth mentioning here that IRSA was constituted in year 1992 under
IRSA act. Whereas, water rights for irrigation purposes for the State of
Jammu & Kashmir had been established long before in 1904 (through an
agreement between Dogra regime and the then Govt. Of Punjab) and
thereafter in 1967 through an agreement between GoP and GoAJK which
cannot be exterminated or reviewed by an authority which came into
being in 1992.
14. It is therefore, requested that in accordance with MDRP agreement 2003,
the requirement of 614 cusecs of water for drinking and irrigation
purposes be allocated for AJK, for this purpose the matter may be
considered in the forum (CCI) in its forth coming meeting as an agenda
item.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION