Water Crisis and National Unity: CSS/ PMS Solved Essay

Water Crisis and National Unity: CSS/ PMS Solved Essay

Water crisis and national unity 

 

1. Introduction 

2. What is meant by water crisis?

 

3. Historical perspective 

4. Current scenario 

5. To what extent does the water crisis truly affect national unity? It affects due to i. The emergence of regional conflicts. ii. The ongoing inter-provincial war among stakeholders and civilians over water distribution. iii. Conflicts over the construction of new reservoirs. Such as the kalabag dam. iv. Feeling of distrust on water issues under authoritarian regimes. v. Severe shortage of agriculture weakens nationalism. vi. Industrial backwardness enhanced national disintegration. Vii Water tanker mafia steals and sells water. Viii Lack of accountability and the weak rule of law are big hurdles in national unity. 

6. causes i. Political causes ii. Social causes iii. Economic causes iv. Natural causes 

7. Impacts i. water scarcity ii. water pollution iii. Expensive electricity iv. Droughts and floods v. Deadly diseases 

 8. Steps already taken i. IRSA amendment and Indus water treaty ii Council of common interest iii. The 1958 water and development authority (WAPDA) Act (1958). iv. Pakistan's National Water Policy 2018. v. Some provincial-level initiatives. The Punjab Water Act 2019, the Baluchistan Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Policy 2006, Sindh's Agriculture Policy 2018, KP's Drinking Water Policy 2015 and Climate Change Policy 2016.

9. Remedies i. Political ownership and implementation of water policy 2018 in letter and spirit. ii. Reforms include overhauling the whole water regulatory management and institutional framework. iii. Planning Implementations along with documenting and taxing the agriculture sector. iv. Water metering and training to gauge readers. v. Introduction of modern irrigation techniques: drip and sprinkle. vi. Construction of macro and micro dams. Vii. IRSA on the effective constitution.

 10. Conclusion 

 Water is the most valuable natural resource, as it is essential for human survival and life on earth. However, the availability of freshwater for human consumption is highly stressed because of various factors. This water crisis is most visible globally; in San Merino, Europe, one billion people lack enough water to meet their basic needs (WHO). At the regional level, middle eastern countries such as Qatar is highly at risk of water crisis (world research institute Washington Dc). At the national level, Pakistan ranks 116th among 189 countries regarding water security, considered the country with the highest water stress in the Indo-Pacific region (world bank report 2019). The water crisis is a big hurdle in national unity for Pakistan. The major rationale behind the problem is the economic crisis, such as the low budget for technical machinery and staff. This impacts the availability of water. Therefore, the Introduction of modern irrigation techniques: drip and sprinkle, is a need of the hour. "Water crisis is a crisis of managing water so badly that billions of people and the environment suffer" (world water org).

 In 1950, per capita, water availability in Pakistan was over 5000 m³. However, in 1990 Pakistan touched the water stress line, and in 2005, it crossed the water scarcity line. The water shortage in Sindh is a significant issue. For instance, not only Sindh province but also Punjab province is facing up to 75 percent water shortage. According to the data shared by the Punjab Irrigation Department, the Taunsa Barrage supplied 73 percent less than its requirement. Water scarcity limits access to safe water for drinking and practicing basic hygiene at home, in schools, and in healthcare facilities. This condition created restlessness in the nation and exaggerated disintegration. The water crisis is neither a novice concept nor a predated concept. If we shed some light on past events, we will get to know the historical roots of this issue.

 Pakistan has a complicated history with India and Afghanistan. First, India and Pakistan had a dispute over the sharing of water rights to the Indus River and its tributaries in April 1948, about eight months after their independence. During the era of Jawaharlal Nehru, the east Punjab province of India shut off the water running to the west Punjab province of Pakistan. Second, during president Hamid Karzai's period, India asked Afghanistan to construct water projects for energy generation. The growing demand for water from River Kabul affected the cooperation between the riparian states. Third, during the era of President Asif Ali Zardari, regional conflicts increased in Pakistan, and the construction of dams was stopped in 2008. Thus, the water crisis was the biggest threat to national unity in the past.

 In contemporary times, Pakistan is facing a serious water crisis. The country is under heavy floods. First, Long-lasting and heavy monsoon rains have taken over 1,600 lives in large parts of Pakistan (September 2022). Second, landslides and flash floods swept away houses, roads and bridges in many parts of the country. Almost 8 million people are homeless or live in emergency shelters. Third, standing water is already a breeding ground for infectious diseases: diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, dengue and malaria. These are spreading and endangering even more lives. Hence, the disaster after the disaster looms in many villages; people have many facts. There are many, but regional conflict is mostly regional conflict is the worst because of India and Pakistan's growing tension. First, the Kashmir issue is not restricted to land but is a water-disputed territory, as water enters Pakistan from Ladakh through Kashmir. Second, India's water offensive policy is a big hurdle. India molds water turbulence according to their interest in creating a disturbance in Pakistan. Third, violation of the Indus water treaty. India is doing construction of dams on Pakistan's side rivers. Such as the baghlihar, dhulasti and salal hydro-electrical project on Chenab, the Minoo bazoo project on Indus, and the URI-hydroelectric project on Jhelum. Thus, inappropriate policies threaten national unity on both sides of the boundaries. Another thing is an inter-provincial tug of war among stakeholders and civilians on water distribution. First, Sindh accuses Punjab of using it due to the share of water. Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority Chairperson claim that Punjab is stealing around 4,000 cusecs of water from Sindh's share daily. Second, Baluchistan accuses Sindh. During a provincial assembly session, the former senior provincial minister alleged Sindh for stealing Balochistan's water despite repeated complaints. Third, the province blames each other for the shortage or overflow of water. The farmers in the Naseerabad and Jaffarabad districts and many regions have protested against this practice for the last few years. Thus, the interprovincial conflict is causing public restlessness and political instability. Another fact is conflict over the construction of new reservoirs, such as the kalabag dam. The Kalabagh Dam (KBD) project was proposed by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Pakis withneeds to be completed by the World Bank in 1987. It still needs to be completed because of controversial statements, first due to the tension between Sindh and Punjab provinces. Downstream, politicians of Sindh province describe the dam as a "water theft" and accuse the province of Punjab. Second, the opposition to the dam's construction from the upper riparian province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). As the border between Punjab and KP lies directly north of Kalabagh, KP risks losing a large agricultural land to flooding from the dam's construction. Third, even within Punjab, there is opposition. Citizens of the Mianwali district near the planned dam argue over the uneven distribution of benefits of the dam.

 

Thus, the Indus River has been a source of tension between provinces in Pakistan for over thirty years; still, this dam project awaits assessment from the Ministry of Water Resources. Similarly, at the interstate level, mutual distrust and a relative sense of deprivation, particularly among the smaller federating unit, hindered the resolution of water conflicts. First, for most of its history, Pakistan remained under the stern clutches of civil-military bureaucracy. Authoritarian regimes always favored an over-centralized system. Second, the dominance of central and northern Punjab in civil-military establishment bred a feeling in the smaller units where the centralized system was equated with the Punjab-dominated system. Third, this dominance led to a feeling of distrust towards the Punjab. 

The smaller units feel that Punjab is trying to serve its interests at the cost of the smaller units. Thus, this distrust and endemic relative sense of deprivation hindered the resolution of water-related conflicts among the federating units in Pakistan. Another fact that is hindering water policies and disturbs national unity is bad Governance. First, the destructive effects of floods are exacerbated due to years of poor ecological Governance. Water experts have long decried the state's attention to water infrastructure to withstand sharp increases in river flows. Second, poor drainage systems exacerbate floods. The blockage of roads created a severe disturbance in daily wages. Especially people of Balochistan faced the worst condition. Third, unregulated construction in flood zones results in more property damage and life risks. As per the world bank report, the floods affected 33 million people, and more than 1730 lost their lives. 

Pakistan also lacks effective policy planning to prepare for floods and manage response efforts in their wake. Another thing due to which the water crisis is not resolving is agriculture's downfall. First, a severe shortage of agricultural products occurred. As it requires a huge amount of water for production, the outcome is not worth it. However, economic losses in agriculture are much beyond the estimated direct losses to crop production and livestock. In economic terms, rice, cotton, and sugarcane collectively faced a direct loss of USD 1.30 billion (rice: USD 543 million, cotton: USD 485 million, and sugarcane: USD 273 million. Second, agriculture production is pestered due to rain. It created food starvation and risked the lives of many farmers. Third, the country's GDP disrupt due to low crop production. The agriculture sector contributes around 23% to Pakistan's GDP and 37% to labor force employment. Hence, the agriculture crisis also weakens nationalism. Another fact is Industrial backwardness in water-related areas. 

First, regulations of marine-based industries. Industries that process seafood or manufacture fish oil. Sea and ocean goods used as raw materials are not encouraged. Second, the Lack of planning and development in the marine economy exploits and utilizes marine resources rationally. There is no development in marine oil, gas, marine transport, marine fishing and coastal travel industries. Third, marine biopharmaceutical, integrated seawater utilization, marine engineering equipment manufacturing and other rising industries are not encouraged. There are no basic, proactive or critical marine technologies. Thus, the negation of this makes the nation suffer. One another fact is the involvement of the water tanker mafia. They steal and sell water. Due to this, many areas lack the availability of water. First, part of Baluchistan, south Punjab and urban Sindh, especially the thur desert, is a red zone. There is no running water in korangi near Karachi, a sprawling port city of some 16 million people in Pakistan. Second, corruption in the water supply plague the situation. The water board, police, landlord take benefits, money, and civilians face hurdles. Third, damage and property loss to government property. The mafias began siphoning off water from government pipes running through private land. Thus, the mafia is a big hurdle to the inadequate water supply to the nation. 

 The last factor is the Lack of accountability and the weak rule of law. First, due to a Lack of accountability in the agriculture sector and the involvement of the land mafia, exploitation of the country's resources occurs. Bahria Town, depleting the subsoil aquifer, is the only water source in the area for villages situated even miles away. Second, there needs to be a proper agriculture law. Only some Punjab provincial-level initiatives exist, such as the Punjab act 2018. This proposed action is still waiting for implementation. Third, the negation of other provinces makes agriculture suffer. According to a recent survey, the nature of the soil has also changed due to climate change. This requires policy shifting from one province to another, but there needs to be a proper planning framework or a steady decision-making body. Thus, because of the weak rule of law and Lack of accountability, only a particular class is beneficiary of the production, and the whole nation suffers. There are many causes behind the water crisis, but the most important is low political consequences. First, there is mismanagement of the supply of water. Our major crops, such as rice, wheat, sugarcane and cotton, use 80 percent of the country's water resources and only contribute 5 percent to GDP. Second, there needs to be a proper check and balance in the governmental body to control the inefficient use of agricultural water. The state is not taking any action on it. Third, there needs to be a better lining of water channels. Sixty-one percent of water is lost during conveyance through canals, distributaries and minor water sources. Thus, a Lack of political will and consensus among staff ruin the whole system. Another reason behind the water crisis is overpopulation. 

First, Population growth and urbanization deteriorate water resources. Second, it increases the demand for water per capita. Third, overuse of domestic water occurs. The total use in Pakistan increased by about 0.7 percent per year between 1977 and 2017. Thus, this is a big hindrance for the nation to overcome. Another cause is weak economic conditions. First, a low budget restricts from use of technical instruments and slows down the construction mechanism. Second, the limited water storage capacity hinders the water supply as per demand. Third, the Lack of sedimentation reservoirs results in water overflow and floods. Thus, the 2010 floods caused direct losses of more than US$10 billion and 1,600 deaths and affected 38,600 square kilometers. Along with that, there exist some natural causes, too such as: changing weather patterns, global warming and acid rains. Thus, economic and natural causes are increasing the current water crisis. Several causes have multiple impacts, but the important one is expensive electricity due to less availability of dams. First, most of the power plants in Pakistan are run on imported fuel. Second, higher electricity prices have led to inflation. It is increasing the cost of living for consumers and households across the country. Third, Pakistan has to buy electricity from china and other countries. Thus, due to expensive electricity, countries face debt traps and strict policies. Another impact is water pollution. First, serious impacts on health because of consuming toxic chemicals. In Pakistan, 60 million people are at risk of exposure to high concentrations of arsenic in groundwater. Second, drinking polluted water caused 40 percent of premature deaths in the country. Third, due to stagnant water people recently, Pakistan is going through the emergence of diseases like polio, dengue fever and hepatitis A and E. Thus, poor water and sanitation targets the region. Lastly, decreasing per capita water availability is one of the severe impacts. First, this pushes Pakistan towards the level of water scarcity. 

Pakistan will approach the absolute water scarcity line by 2025 if this continues. Second, major industries face backlashes in the growth of production. Third, droughts and dehydration occur in heat waves. Quetta and most parts of Balochistan experienced eight years of drought from 1997 to 2005. The water crisis has been an ongoing problem for decades. However, certain steps have already been taken to resolve it: the IRSA amendment, the Indus water treaty and the Council of common interest. Second, the 1958 water and development authority (WAPDA) Act (1958) and Pakistan's National Water Policy 2018. Third, Some provincial-level initiatives. Such as the Punjab Water Act 2019; the Baluchistan Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Policy 2006; Sindh's Agriculture Policy 2018; KP's Drinking Water Policy 2015, and Climate Change Policy 2016. Therefore, the water crisis is the top priority issue in the country. Many measures could be adopted to resolve the water crisis, but political ownership is the most important. First, political policies must favor the whole nation. Second, implementation of existing policy in letter and spirit way. Such as the implementation of the water policy in 2018. Third, stakeholders must work in the consensus of the whole country to avoid ethnic issues. Thus, the water crisis requires proper attention. Another measure is the Introduction of reforms such as overhauling the whole water regulatory management.

 First, there is a need for an institutional framework. Second, worker training and task-based work are required. Third, technicians and skilled labor must be included. Thus, it is time to add new brains and innovative staff in every sector. One another measure is water metering and training to gauge readers. First, there is a need to have plans for an emergency. Second, gauge readers must be given flood alarm facilities. Third, training for management staff should be given priority. Thus, this will help to avoid flood conditions. Another measure is the Introduction of modern irrigation techniques: drip and sprinkle. First, techniques of ground filtration of water are required. Second, saline water could be made useful for underwater treatment. Third, recycling of grey water can be done. Thus, irrigation and filtration techniques will save the country from the wastage of water. Another measure is the construction of macro and micro dams that store flood water as a backup to be used in the dry season and prevent floods. First, the existing dams must be made useful to overcome electrical problems. Second, the balance of turbulence of water must be done. Third, the stored water must be filtered before supply to avoid disease. Hence, dams are very necessary for the country. 

In last, IRSA should be made on the effective constitution. First, a pending meeting of IRSA must be arranged to discuss issues and their progress. Second, Indo-Pak issues and Kashmir issues should not be dug into water politics. Third, one river system mechanism should be discussed. Thus, diplomatic ties and negotiations between regional and provincial bodies are required. In a nutshell, It has been discussed water crisis revolves around Pakistan's political, social and economic issues. The major rationale behind the problem is the economic crisis, such as the low budget for technical machinery and staff. This impacts the availability of water. Therefore, the Introduction of modern irrigation techniques is required. Another core problem is bad Governance. This impacts all government institutions. Hence, reforms such as overhauling the whole water regulatory management and institutional framework are a need of the hour. Nevertheless, despite several problems, Pakistan is trying to progress by leaps and bounds.