The current water situation in the Indus Valley region, particularly in Pakistan and northwest India, is critical and faces mounting challenges due to population growth, climate change, infrastructure decay, and transboundary tensions.
-
:
The Indus River basin supports the world’s largest contiguous irrigation system, providing water for 90% of Pakistan’s food production and sustaining 80% of its arable land246. However, by 2025, a projected 32% shortfall in water requirements is expected, threatening food security for millions and potentially resulting in a food shortage of 70 million tons4. Per capita water availability in Pakistan has dropped below 600 m³ per year, a level considered “absolute scarcity” by international standards4. -
:
Pakistan’s water storage capacity is extremely low—only enough for about 30 days of river flow, compared to 900 days in the US and 120–220 days in India4. Siltation of reservoirs, deferred maintenance, and aging infrastructure have reduced the effectiveness of dams and canals, further limiting water availability and increasing vulnerability to drought and floods4. -
Groundwater Depletion and Quality:
Over-extraction of groundwater, combined with declining surface water supplies, has led to falling water tables and increased salinity in many areas, making further exploitation unsustainable4. About 10 million hectares of the Indus basin aquifer are saline, limiting its use for agriculture4. -
Climate Change and Environmental Degradation:
Climate change is reducing glacial melt and altering rainfall patterns, which are the primary sources for the Indus and its tributaries6. Environmental degradation, such as deforestation and soil erosion, exacerbates water scarcity and affects river health. -
Transboundary and Political Issues:
The Indus Waters Treaty governs water sharing between India and Pakistan, but recent dam construction and water diversions have created tensions, with Pakistani agriculture particularly vulnerable to upstream changes4.
-
:
Launched in 2021, this program aims to restore 40% of the Indus basin within Pakistan by 2030, focusing on reforestation, protected areas, and innovative water management techniques like glacier grafting to improve water availability and climate resilience6. -
Infrastructure and Policy Needs:
Experts emphasize the urgent need for new storage facilities, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and improved water-use efficiency. Institutional reforms and better management practices are also critical for long-term sustainability46.
| Aspect | Status/Challenge |
|---|---|
| Water Scarcity | 32% projected shortfall by 2025; <600 m³/capita/year |
| Storage Capacity | Only 30 days’ worth; siltation and aging infrastructure |
| Groundwater | Over-extraction, rising salinity, limited further potential |
| Climate Change | Reduced glacial melt, erratic rainfall, increased drought/flood risk |
| Transboundary Issues | Tensions over dam construction and water sharing with India and Afghanistan |
| Restoration Efforts | Living Indus aims to restore 40% of basin, reforestation, glacier grafting |
:
The Indus Valley region is facing a severe water crisis, with urgent action needed to restore ecosystems, upgrade infrastructure, and manage resources sustainably to ensure food and water security for its rapidly growing population46.
- https://rhimrj.co.in/index.php/rhimrj/article/view/364
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Indus-River/Irrigation
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation
- https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-31/issue-3/MRD-JOURNAL-D-11-00019.1/Water-Management-in-the-Indus-Basin-in-Pakistan--Challenges/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-11-00019.1.full
- https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/sanitation-of-the-indus-valley-civilisation
- https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/restoring-indus-pakistans-lifeline
- https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/indus-valley-civilization-historical-periodization
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nindia.2018.61
No comments:
Post a Comment