Dr Muhammad Tousif Bhatti
LAHORE – Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore in cooperation with the support of French Embassy in Pakistan organized a two days international conference on “Water, Energy, Environment and Food Nexus: Solutions and Adaptation under changing climate”. The conference was attended by the participants from seven countries including France, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, New Zealand and India apart from Pakistani experts. Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Akram Khan, Vice Chancellor of University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore inaugurated the conference. While highlighting the themes of the conference, the Vice Chancellor indicated the alternate sources of energy need to be utilized in order to meet the demand of the country. He also described that Pakistan is amongst the countries that diverts the maximum amount of water for irrigation but has the minimum water productivity. Finally, he suggested the researchers to make their contribution in optimal use of water resources. Earlier Prof. Dr. Muhammad Latif, Director, Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering welcomed the participants of the conference and highlighted the main themes.
Dr. Philippe Thiebaud, Ambassador of France in Pakistan emphasized on sustainable development of water resources in Pakistan. In his address he highlighted the importance of hydel power generation and stated that France Government is providing funds to many hydropower projects in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. He also added the importance of such conferences in context of water, energy and food.
Twenty five technical papers were presented and discussed in four technical sessions. The main issues discussed during the conferences include that a strong Nexus exists between food-water-energy-environment. Pakistan has already reached a water scarce situation. Climate change is likely to further aggravate the problem. No additional water is available in the system, therefore Pakistan has to start adopting 3-R principles of water management, i.e. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. Salt and Sediment management in the Indus Basin need more focus by the researchers. Poor governance and management of water is a serious issue. Over extraction of groundwater is resulting in secondary salinization and causing water quality deteriorations. Agricultural environment needs more focus of the policy makers and planners.
Main recommendations of the conference are highlighted as under:
1. The storage capacity in the country is mush lesser and needs to be enhanced. After each 15 years, Government should launch a large dam of 6-8 MAF as a replacement dam to maintain the existing storage capacity in the country.
2. Monitoring network of Upper Indus Basin glaciers should be strengthened preferably above 5000 m elevation. Further there is a need to share the information with the neighbouring countries such as China and India on climate change and glacier studies.
3. Like the Indus Water Treaty,a similar treaty may be accelerated with Afghanistan to share the water of Kabul river.
4. Federal and Provincial Governments should use their resources for the development of hydropower in the country. Alternate energy resources should be tapped and dependence on oil and gas should be reduced. Private sector should be encouraged for energy development.
5. To ensure food security, productivity of irrigated and rain fed areas should be enhanced. Livestock sector should be given more attention.
6. Rationalize cropping patterns should be devised according to future water management strategies. Furthermore the prices of farm inputs such as fertilizers, seed, machinery etc. should be rationalized.
7. Environmental quality below Kotri should be ensured.All Industrial sectors should be bound to treat their effluents before disposing it into water bodies.Contamination of water bodies from industrial and sewage discharges should be stopped.
8. Groundwater quality is one of the major issues threatening the life of the local communities as well as plays a vital role in minimizing the outcome from agricultural areas. Policy should be devised for improving groundwater quality and check the groundwater mining.