IT is a recognized principle “Those who want to govern must know to listen”. Experts on water management have all along been expressing their valuable ideas in the print media highlighting climate hazards in the country. The change of pattern of rains has caused havoc in the last year’s flood. There is no denying the fact that conservation of water resources of the country is precondition for food security. The incumbent PDM government is faced with shortage of food commodities and their price hike despite the fact that we have predominantly an agrarian economy. The PDM Government has assigned the major role to the Prime Minster and Finance Minister to face economic challenges.
Whereas, the gigantic responsibility necessitates a team effort. Luckily the coalition government stands represented by most of the major political elements of the country with considerable experience and collective wisdom with common political fate and future. The country needs a government which could generate consensus of the political leadership to address the issue of Kalabagh Dam. In our view Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehaman, head of PDM, enjoy the support of his devotees in all provinces. He has a sound footing in Balochistan and the KP. If he makes it a mission to launch a movement for construction of the said vital dam he has the acumen and skill of dealing with political leaders.
It goes without saying that the Prime Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, is genuinely struggling for good governance, to improve and reform the economy of the country and provide maximum relief to common man. He has developed admirable relations with the comity of nations. It is also just and logical to admit that major decisions made by coalition government in this short span of their rule were launched without adequate homework, planning and without taking into confidence the stakeholders and also without appreciating the existing administrative structure available to the government. The sudden directive of Free Atta Scheme during the holy month of Ramzan is an example costing 89 billion of rupees. They could have supplemented the already available Cheap Atta Scheme in the field as the clientele was the same. So the outcome was not as had been envisaged.
With the change of global climate, technology and political scenario, the developing nations have to be updated to coup with unforeseen vistas. The old traditional mode of governance has to be reviewed. The annual tree plantation ceremonies should be replaced with new projects of water management with the same provision of funds. Each forest enclosure should undertake construction of lakes which could meet water requirements in addition to facilitating fire fighting in forest fires and conservation of water. Alarming fires in Algeria and some other countries are eye openers. There has been colossal loss of life and infrastructure in addition to wildlife. There is a boom of housing schemes with consequent need of tubewells. So there should be a directive for all housing schemes to manage water resources in their respective catchment areas.
We have a substantial potential of saving water by huge gathering of Tablighi Jamiat whose volunteers have proved to be effective in maintaining law and order without any help of government agencies. They can save water and use it for tree plantation, vegetable and vegetation. Saving water and raising fruit trees are perfectly in consonance with Islamic teachings. If they modify their mandate and undertake participation in social welfare activities and help the nation in fighting with the havoc of calamities like floods, earthquakes etc, they can surpass any welfare and charitable organization due to their ideal discipline.
The expert studies reveal that we have only water storing capacity of 14 million hectares of water out of 145 million hectares available. The unforeseen and unexpected over-flow of flood water release by India in 3 rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Sutlej should be treated as a windfall instead of taking it as water terrorism. Why we cannot undertake studies to manage the additional source of water. The budget allocation for flood relief and rehabilitation should be diverted to save aforesaid 3 rivers surplus water and utilize for our agrarian objectives.
Every year the people of Bahawalpur eagerly await the arrival of water in the Sutlej River. Four years back when the Sutlej overflowed its banks people were jubilant and threw flowers into the river near Empress Bridge. The issue here lies in India’s highhandedness whereby it has deprived the dry regions known as Cholistan, Rohi from its due share of water. India has constructed the world’s second largest dam on Sutlej River through which the eastern regions of Pakistan yearn for even a drop of this water. We must insist that Sutlej River flows its original course which passes through Cholistan. Secondly our objection could be that India must not discharge polluted water from its industries as it damages the environment, pollutes underground water and spreads dangerous diseases such as cancer and bone deformaties.
At the same time we should commence micro level water saving projects such as roof rain water as has been done by several countries of the world like France and USA. In rural regions, small nullahs should be converted into mini-dams and lakes.
—The writer is Retired Additional Chief Secretary and Advocate Supreme Court of AJK.
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