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ISLAMABAD: The government of Balochistan has launched Balochistan Integrated Water Resource Management and Development Project at an estimated cost of Rs 21.95 billion including Rs 20.85 billion foreign aid.
The project will be completed in six years and would meet the requirements such as hydro-meteorological, flood protection works, On Farm Water Management (OFWM) and institutional capacity. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved the project.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the Balochistan government would invest 5 percent (Rs 1.097 billion) of the total cost of the project while 95 percent (Rs 20.86 billion) would be borne by the International Development Agency (IDA). The project is located on Nari and Porali Basins.
The Nari Basin covers 20 percent of Balochistan and is the largest river basin in the province. There are two important protected areas in the basin: the Ziarat Juniper Biosphere Reserve and Wam Games Reserve. The Porali River is one of the four rivers of Balochistan draining into the Arabian Sea. The basin crosses the Lasbela, Khuzdar and Awaran Districts of Balochistan.
Balochistan Province constitutes 44 per cent of Pakistan's land mass, and its population is scattered throughout the province almost in 18 river basins and is extremely poor. Government of Balochistan is focused on improving the livelihood and disaster resilience of its population which entails development of its agricultural and water conservation mechanism.
The natural hydrology causes extended and flash floods and is associated with damage and destruction as well as frequent drought conditions. The natural scarcity is compounded by: (i) lack of infrastructure to harvest, store and distribute water, (ii) unsustainable watershed and rangeland management; (iii) insufficient water use in all sectors including irrigation, (iv) unregulated and discriminated groundwater abstraction, and (v) weak central and community institutions.
Urban and rural water supply has not kept pace with wider development and a significant fraction of the population does not have access to safe drinking water supply and sanitation, with high costs in term of human health. Rapid urbanization, industrial and mining growth represent additional water demands, and the growing imbalance between water supply and demand is causing water shortage, conflict between sectors and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Moreover, changing climate is another scenario which is going to impact on already scarce water resources of the province rendering a vulnerable future for food, hygiene and water insecurity.
Agriculture is nonetheless the mainstay of Balochistan economy representing 60 percent of GDP. Two-thirds of the population live in rural areas and are mainly dependent on agriculture.
The Project plans to implement eight irrigation schemes (four in each basin), 16 water supply schemes, nine flood protection works, and various watershed and rangeland management activities. The irrigation work involves construction and or rehabilitation of infrastructure and increases in the volume of water diverted for irrigation.
Total number of beneficiaries from all schemes is expected to total 706,000 people. A large population will benefit indirectly from the project, including landless farm labourers and temporary and permanent labourers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/world/317754-balochistan-govt-launches-rs2195bn-water-project.html
The project will be completed in six years and would meet the requirements such as hydro-meteorological, flood protection works, On Farm Water Management (OFWM) and institutional capacity. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved the project.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the Balochistan government would invest 5 percent (Rs 1.097 billion) of the total cost of the project while 95 percent (Rs 20.86 billion) would be borne by the International Development Agency (IDA). The project is located on Nari and Porali Basins.
The Nari Basin covers 20 percent of Balochistan and is the largest river basin in the province. There are two important protected areas in the basin: the Ziarat Juniper Biosphere Reserve and Wam Games Reserve. The Porali River is one of the four rivers of Balochistan draining into the Arabian Sea. The basin crosses the Lasbela, Khuzdar and Awaran Districts of Balochistan.
Balochistan Province constitutes 44 per cent of Pakistan's land mass, and its population is scattered throughout the province almost in 18 river basins and is extremely poor. Government of Balochistan is focused on improving the livelihood and disaster resilience of its population which entails development of its agricultural and water conservation mechanism.
The natural hydrology causes extended and flash floods and is associated with damage and destruction as well as frequent drought conditions. The natural scarcity is compounded by: (i) lack of infrastructure to harvest, store and distribute water, (ii) unsustainable watershed and rangeland management; (iii) insufficient water use in all sectors including irrigation, (iv) unregulated and discriminated groundwater abstraction, and (v) weak central and community institutions.
Urban and rural water supply has not kept pace with wider development and a significant fraction of the population does not have access to safe drinking water supply and sanitation, with high costs in term of human health. Rapid urbanization, industrial and mining growth represent additional water demands, and the growing imbalance between water supply and demand is causing water shortage, conflict between sectors and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Moreover, changing climate is another scenario which is going to impact on already scarce water resources of the province rendering a vulnerable future for food, hygiene and water insecurity.
Agriculture is nonetheless the mainstay of Balochistan economy representing 60 percent of GDP. Two-thirds of the population live in rural areas and are mainly dependent on agriculture.
The Project plans to implement eight irrigation schemes (four in each basin), 16 water supply schemes, nine flood protection works, and various watershed and rangeland management activities. The irrigation work involves construction and or rehabilitation of infrastructure and increases in the volume of water diverted for irrigation.
Total number of beneficiaries from all schemes is expected to total 706,000 people. A large population will benefit indirectly from the project, including landless farm labourers and temporary and permanent labourers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/world/317754-balochistan-govt-launches-rs2195bn-water-project.html
