Int’l Water Day: A Stark Reminder To Conserve Water Resources

News Desk

Islamabad: “Water is the basic right of every citizen; the survival of life depends on it. Being an agrarian country, we are highly dependent on water resources. Therefore, to secure the future of Pakistan, it is necessary to take sustainable water management measures,” said Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman.

In her message on World Water Day, the federal minister said that Pakistan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. According to the United Nations, if timely measures are not taken, Pakistan will suffer from drought by 2025. On the other hand, Pakistan is among the countries with the highest per capita water consumption, she added.

“It is a national duty of all of us to use water carefully and conserve water resources. International Water Day is a reminder for us,” Senator further stated.

Agriculture is the second largest sector of economy of Pakistan which contributes to over 21 percent of GDP, employs 45percent of the total labour force and provides commodities that are the major source of export earnings.

According to a report titled ‘The Environment and Climate Change Outlook of Pakistan’, climate change will have a significant impact on all aspects of the country’s sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental. This is despite the fact that the country contributes very little to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Its per capita emissions of GHG fall much below the global average; with 1.9 tons of per capita GHG emissions, Pakistan stands at a level that corresponds to about one-third of the world average.

Conserving water is the key to a stable future: Pakistan needs to look to saving this life saving resource as we may be water scarce by 2025. #WorldWaterDay pic.twitter.com/Ul6njyKcTw

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 22, 2023

Climate Change Impact

Climate Risk Index ranks Pakistan among the top 20countries most vulnerable to climate change. Pakistan’s climate change concerns are many and include increased variability of monsoons, receding northern glaciers, increased frequency and severity of floods and droughts.

In a report, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR)Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that the impacts of climate change include: severe water and food insecurity due to decreasing agricultural and livestock production; more prevalent pests and weeds; degradation of ecosystems; loss of biodiversity; and changing ecology. There are risks associated with the composition, distribution and productivity of mangroves, while lower precipitation could contribute to salt stress.

Dr Ashraf stated that Balochistan province which represents 44 per cent of the country’s landmass suffers from recurring droughts. Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir region, respectively face issues of GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) and landslides. The desert areas are also experiencing anomalous weather patterns over consecutive years.

Heatwaves and urban flooding are becoming frequent in large cities; the coastal belt is threatened by unregulated flows in the delta and cyclones; the threat from North-Western hill torrents flowing across the provinces is a continuous phenomenon since ages. Green belts and forest cover of watersheds are continuously shrinking; and pollution in rivers and fresh water lakes is threatening the ecosystem and human health.

The PCRWR Chairman opined that the only way to combat the climate change phenomenon is by raising awareness among all stakeholders and integrating the operations and efforts of the public sector institutions.