UAE Seeks to Import Pakistan's Water
A top UAE businessman has proposed building a 500 kilometer long pipeline to bring Pakistan's Dasht River water from the Makran coast to Fujaira for United Arab Emirates' water security.
Water-scarce Pakistan itself needs to store and use the Dasht River water for development of Balochistan, particularly Gwadar and other related projects as part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Abdullah Al Shehi, the CEO of GeoWash, has argued that the Dasht River floods annually, which has prompted the Pakistani government to empty the excess water through channels leading to the sea. That excess water, said Mr Al Shehi, could be put to use in the UAE, according to a report in the UAE's newspaper "The National".
Dasht River:
Dasht River is located in Makran region and Gwadar District, in the southwestern section of Balochistan Province, in southwestern Pakistan. The Kech River, a seasonal intermittent river, is a tributary of the Dasht River which flows southeast through the Central Makran Range in the Gwadar District of Balochistan into the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
Mirani Dam:
Mirani Dam was completed on Dasht River in 2006 to store over 300,000 acre-feet of fresh water to meet the needs of southern Balochistan. Mirani Dam is the largest dam in the world in terms of volume for flood protection with a floodstock of 588,690 cubic hectometer, according to International Commission On Large Dams (ICOLD). This water reservoir is essential for the development of a deep sea port and a major new metropolis in Gawadar as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In addition to supplying fresh water to Turbat, Jiwani and Gwadar cities, it has sufficient capacity to irrigate over 33,000 acres of farm land.
UAE Water Security:
The United Arab Emirates uses 80% of its fresh water for agriculture in its arid desert and the rest of the 20% for urban needs, according to The National. Here's the key question: Does it make more sense for the UAE to import food rather than grow its own food by importing fresh water? The second question is: Can the UAE focus on desalination for the water it needs for urban use?
Summary:
Gwadar port was first conceived in late 1950s when Pakistan purchased the region from the Sultanate of Oman. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been talked about since early 1990s. But nothing was done to develop until President Pervez Musharraf allocated time, money and focus to build first several berths at Gwadar deep sea port, Coastal Highway to connect it with Karachi and Mirani Dam in Balochistan to supply water on his watch.
Now water-stressed Pakistan needs to focus on building greater water storage capacity if it's really serious about developing Gwadar, Southwestern Balochistan and the Makran coast. It must not agree to export the Dasht River water to anyone, including the UAE. Instead, it should offer to export food as necessary to meet UAE's needs.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
Water-Stressed Pakistan
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
President Musharraf's Legacy
Mineral Wealth of Balochistan
Pakistan Farm Land Controversy
Recurring Floods and Droughts in Pakistan
Water-scarce Pakistan itself needs to store and use the Dasht River water for development of Balochistan, particularly Gwadar and other related projects as part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Abdullah Al Shehi, the CEO of GeoWash, has argued that the Dasht River floods annually, which has prompted the Pakistani government to empty the excess water through channels leading to the sea. That excess water, said Mr Al Shehi, could be put to use in the UAE, according to a report in the UAE's newspaper "The National".
 |
| Dasht River |
Dasht River:
Dasht River is located in Makran region and Gwadar District, in the southwestern section of Balochistan Province, in southwestern Pakistan. The Kech River, a seasonal intermittent river, is a tributary of the Dasht River which flows southeast through the Central Makran Range in the Gwadar District of Balochistan into the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
 |
| Mirani Dam |
Mirani Dam:
Mirani Dam was completed on Dasht River in 2006 to store over 300,000 acre-feet of fresh water to meet the needs of southern Balochistan. Mirani Dam is the largest dam in the world in terms of volume for flood protection with a floodstock of 588,690 cubic hectometer, according to International Commission On Large Dams (ICOLD). This water reservoir is essential for the development of a deep sea port and a major new metropolis in Gawadar as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In addition to supplying fresh water to Turbat, Jiwani and Gwadar cities, it has sufficient capacity to irrigate over 33,000 acres of farm land.
UAE Water Security:
The United Arab Emirates uses 80% of its fresh water for agriculture in its arid desert and the rest of the 20% for urban needs, according to The National. Here's the key question: Does it make more sense for the UAE to import food rather than grow its own food by importing fresh water? The second question is: Can the UAE focus on desalination for the water it needs for urban use?
Summary:
Gwadar port was first conceived in late 1950s when Pakistan purchased the region from the Sultanate of Oman. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been talked about since early 1990s. But nothing was done to develop until President Pervez Musharraf allocated time, money and focus to build first several berths at Gwadar deep sea port, Coastal Highway to connect it with Karachi and Mirani Dam in Balochistan to supply water on his watch.
Now water-stressed Pakistan needs to focus on building greater water storage capacity if it's really serious about developing Gwadar, Southwestern Balochistan and the Makran coast. It must not agree to export the Dasht River water to anyone, including the UAE. Instead, it should offer to export food as necessary to meet UAE's needs.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
Water-Stressed Pakistan
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
President Musharraf's Legacy
Mineral Wealth of Balochistan
Pakistan Farm Land Controversy
Recurring Floods and Droughts in Pakistan
Comments
Burj Aziz Khan Dam
Garuk Dam
Naulong Dam
Pelar Dam
Sabakzai Dam
Saindak dam
Hingol dam
Mirani dam
Shakidor Dam
Sukleji Dam
Wali Tangi Dam
Winder Dam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Dams_in_Balochistan,_Pakistan
Akra Kaur Dam Gwadar Akra Kaur River 21 metres (69 ft) 21,000,000 m3 (17,025 acre·ft) 1995
Amach Dam Mastung Amach River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 1,675,000 m3 (1,358 acre·ft) 1987
Baghak Dam
Band-e-Chaman Dam Turbat Band-e-Chaman River 15 metres (49 ft) 2,467,000 m3 (2,000 acre·ft) 1994
Bisialla Dam
Bostan Darra Dam Quetta Darra Manda River 20 metres (66 ft) 210,000 m3 (170 acre·ft) 1987
Brewary Dam
Kuchnai Dara Dam
Duz Durg Dam Mastung Duz Dur River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 49,000 m3 (40 acre·ft) 1984
Galangoor Dam
Ganj Dara Dam
Ghargi Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 123,000 m3 (100 acre·ft) 1986
Ghat Amoon Dam
Ghunza Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 220,000 m3 (178 acre·ft) 1984
Ghuti Shela Dam
Giwari Dam
Gogi Dam Ziarat Gogi River 16.5 metres (54 ft) 493,000 m3 (400 acre·ft) 1981
Gokar Dam
Gur Dam Kalat n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 498,000 m3 (404 acre·ft) 1982
Haero Dam
Hingi Dam Quetta Hingi 15 metres (49 ft) 201,000 m3 (163 acre·ft) 1995–96
Hub Dam Malir Hub River 48 metres (157 ft) 1,057,000,000 m3 (856,924 acre·ft) 1979
Khad Koocha Dam Mastung Kad Koocha River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 117,000 m3 (95 acre·ft) 1984
Khajeer Dam Qila Saifullah Khajeer River 15 metres (49 ft) 308,000 m3 (250 acre·ft) 1991
Khori Dam
Kohar Dam
Nari Kach Dam
Kullan Dam
Lalai Dam
Machka Manda Dam
Mana Storage Dam Ziarat Mana River 19.8 metres (65 ft) 1,825,000 m3 (1,480 acre·ft) 1961
Mangi Dam Ziarat Boin Viala River 18 metres (59 ft) 130,000 m3 (105 acre·ft) 1982
Mirani Dam Makran Dasht River 39 metres (128 ft) 373,000,000 m3 (302,396 acre·ft) 2007
Morinko Dam
Murghai Check Dam
Murghai Kotal Dam
Nali Mirdadzai Storage Dam
Nishpa Dam Mastung Nishpa River 15 metres (49 ft) 115,000 m3 (93 acre·ft) 1994
Nousahr Dam
Nundra Kapper Dam
Palian Dam
Pinakai Dam Qila Saifullah Pinakai River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 48,000 m3 (39 acre·ft) 1994
Rindak Storage Dam
Sabakzai Dam Zhob Zhob River 34.75 metres (114.0 ft) 32,700 acre·ft (40,334,856 m3) 2016
Sasnak Mana Storage Dam Ziarat Sasnak River 19 metres (62 ft) 271,000 m3 (220 acre·ft) 1993
Sassi Punnu Dam
Shadak Dam Pishin Shadak River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 86,000 m3 (70 acre·ft) 1983
Shadi Kaur Storage Dam
Shagai Dam Quetta n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 381,000 m3 (309 acre·ft) 1993
Sherran Manda Dam
Shiker Dam Pishin Shiker River 19 metres (62 ft) 61,000 m3 (49 acre·ft) 1988
Spin Dam
Spinkarez Dam Quetta Nar River and Murdar River 29 metres (95 ft) 6,800,000 m3 (5,513 acre·ft) 1945
Tabai Dam Quetta Tabai River 15 metres (49 ft) 175,000 m3 (142 acre·ft) 1994
Takhtani Dam
Tang Storage Dam
Tanga Dam
Tangi Dababri Dam
Tangi Dam Qila Saifullah Tangi River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 75,000 m3 (61 acre·ft) 1997
Thamarak Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 241,000 m3 (195 acre·ft) 1986
Tooth Dam Kalat Tooth River 16 metres (52 ft) 490,000 m3 (397 acre·ft) 1991
Torkehezi Dam
Trikh Tangi Dam
Under Base Dam Qila Saifullah Under Base River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 86,000 m3 (70 acre·ft) 1985
Walitangi Dam Quetta Walitangi River 24 metres (79 ft) 510,000 m3 (413 acre·ft) 1961
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dams_and_reservoirs_in_Pakistan
http://www.icold-cigb.org/gb/world_register/general_synthesis.asp?IDA=215
http://nation.com.pk/multan/14-Sep-2017/pm-inaugurates-kachhi-canal-project-in-dera-bugti-today
Quetta - Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is scheduled to arrive in Balochistan today (Thursday) for the inauguration of Kachhi Canal Project upon its completion in Dera Bugti.
As per reports, Premier Abbasi will arrive in Dera Bugti to formally inaugurate Kachhi Canal Project on Thursday for which all preparations have been finalised and he will also address a gathering of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers and supporters in Sui where a large number of tribal elites are expected to join the PML-N fold.
Tight security arrangements have been made for prime minister’s scheduled visit to Balochistan.
It merits mentioning here that the Kachhi Canal Project was kicked off in 2002 but delay in its completion made the cost of the project go high and the project kept on moving on a snail’s pace. After 15 years, its preliminary phase has been completed, while in the second phase the canal will irrigate more areas.
The 363-km long Kachhi Canal Project is located in Punjab whose 281 km part is in Punjab and 80 km falls in Balochistan. The canal originates from Taunsa Barrage at Indus River. The Kachhi Canal will provide sustainable irrigation water supply to 72,000 acres of agricultural land thus bringing green revolution in Balochistan.
The project embraces significant position in Balochistan water infrastructure and agriculture sector which will fuel financial progress in the province.
Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and other ministers, MPAs and security officials will be present at the inaugural ceremony of Kachhi Canal Project.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/09/14/pm-to-inaugurate-kachhi-canal-project-today/
DERA BUGTI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be paying a one day visit to Dera Bugti’s Sui area to inaugurate the Kachhi canal project on Thursday. He will also be addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony.
The pm will be accompanied by Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Home Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and other leaders who are also expected to address the gathering.
In consideration of the occasion, a local holiday has been declared in the district of Dera Bugti today.
Kachhi canal project is of strategic importance for the development of irrigated agriculture in Balochistan. The total estimated cost of the project is around Rs80 billion. The 363km long main canal (of which 351km is lined canal) stretches from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffargarh to Dera Bugti district.
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/06/16/pakistan-small-scale-irrigation-large-scale-benefits-for-balochistan
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Despite being water scarce, agriculture and livestock remain the major sources of income for majority of the population in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most sparsely-populated province.
Over-pumping of groundwater in the past resulted in the depletion of fresh water resources at the annual rate of three meters.
The Government of Balochistan, with the World Bank’s support improved and restored 15 independent Karez systems in collaboration with Farmer Organizations, helping increase productivity, crop yields, and farmers’ incomes.
Constituting almost 44% of the country’s total land mass, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan, with a population of nine million people. Despite being water scarce, agriculture and livestock remain the major sources of income for majority of the highly dispersed population.
The average annual rainfall varies from less than 50 mm in the southwest to about 400 mm in the northeast of Balochistan. With a largely arid climate, surface water and ground water sources can only be replenished by scarce rainfall. Very high evaporation rates make irrigation systems a necessity for agriculture.
During the drought period between 1998 till 2002 in Pishin Lora Basin, located in northwest Balochistan, the number of tube wells swelled. The problem became more acute because of continued over-pumping of groundwater resulting in the depletion of fresh water resources at an annual rate of three meters.
Considering such tough conditions, the World Bank, at the request of the Government of Balochistan (GoB) initiated Small Scale Irrigation Schemes (SSIS) under the umbrella of Balochistan Small Scale Irrigation Project (BSSIP) to improve the management of scarce water resources. The idea was to increase surface water availability and reduce groundwater depletion while strengthening local capacity through participation of farmers in implementing these schemes and formulating plans for sustainable water resources development and watershed management.
Karezes, are the main source of irrigation and drinking water needs in Balochistan. These are underground galleries that tap groundwater from aquifers of the alluvial fans. Underground tunnels with gentle slopes carry water from its source to settled areas. These are small in cross-section but may be many kilometers in length. Karez water is used for irrigation and for drinking water supply. This is a reliable source of water supply given the climatic conditions of the province and is a relatively economical method of tapping groundwater for irrigation, environmentally safe and powered by gravity.
Under the SSIS, the Government of Balochistan, with the help of the World Bank improved and restored 15 independent Karez systems in collaboration with the Farmer Organizations in Pishin Lora Basin. The water conveyance channels from the source to the farms were mostly made of earth, causing almost half the water to be lost to seepage.
http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/index.php?page=newsdetail&news_id=5343
The government has released three point three eight billion rupees to complete various water projects in Public Sector Development Programme during the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2016-17.
According to the Planning Commission data, an amount of rupees one billion has been released for Kachhi Canal Project (Phase-I), rupees 600 million for Naji Gaj Dam Dadu.
A sum of rupees 110 million has been released for Makhi Farash Link Canal Project, rupees 60 million for Kurram Tangi Dam and rupees 10 million Gomal Zam Dam..
Similarly, rupees 200 million for construction of 100 Delay Action Dams in Balochistan and an amount of rupees 200 million was released for raising of Mangla Dam Project, and rupees 167.274 million for Re-construction of Shahi Kour Dam in Gwadar.
The sought-after birds were released by the UAE Embassy in Islamabad under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), one of the world’s leading conservation programmes, in attendance of representatives from the Punjab Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department.
Commenting on the successful release, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaab said the UAE has a proven record in conservation and breeding of the endangered bird thanks to the landmark efforts made by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to save the endangered species.
He also spoke about the UAE's conservation success story which began 40 years ago when Sheikh Zayed sensed the danger facing the Houbara population.
Abu Dhabi’s Houbara breeding programme is dedicated to restoring sustainable wild populations of the iconic Houbara bustard across the species’ range. It is responsible for many ground breaking scientific findings, which are incorporated into the breeding and release programmes thus ensuring it is one of the world’s most advanced and complete conservation solutions.
The IFHC was built on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who established the first Houbara propagation programme at Al Ain Zoo in 1977 with only seven Asian birds.
The first Houbara chick was produced in 1982.
A separate $2 million technical assistance from JFPR will help the provincial government improve its institutional capacity to address the risks and potential impact of climate change in the agriculture sector
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/adb-approves-100m-loan-to-address-balochistans-water-shortage/
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) on Monday approved a $100 million loan to address chronic water shortages and increase earnings on farms in southwestern Pakistan province of Balochistan.
The Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project will focus on improving irrigation infrastructure and water resource management in the Zhob and Mula river basins, the ADB said in a statement.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Bolochistan’s economy,” said ADB Principal Water Resources Specialist Yaozhou Zhou. “This project will build irrigation channels and dams, and introduce efficient water usage systems and practices, to help farmers increase food production and make more money,” he added.
Among the infrastructure that will be upgraded or built for the project is a dam able to hold 36 million cubic meters of water, 276 kilometers of irrigation channels and drainage canals, and facilities that will make it easier for people, especially women, to access water for domestic use.
In total, about 16,592 hectares (ha) of land will be added or improved for irrigation.
The project will protect watersheds through extensive land and water conservation efforts, including planting trees and other measures on 4,145 ha of barren land to combat soil erosion.
Part of the project’s outputs are the pilot testing of technologies such as solar-powered drip irrigation systems on 130 ha of agricultural land, improving crop yields and water usage on 160 fruit and vegetable farms and demonstrating high-value agriculture development.
The project will also establish a water resources information system that will use high-level technology such as satellite and remote sensing to do river basin modelling and identify degraded land for rehabilitation.
ADB will also administer grants from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) and the High-Level Technology Fund (HLT Fund) worth $3 million and $2 million, respectively, for the project.
A separate $2 million technical assistance from JFPR will help Balochistan’s provincial government improve its institutional capacity to address the risks and potential impact of climate change in the agriculture sector, as well as build a climate-resilient and sustainable water resources management mechanism in the province.
JFPR, established in May 2000, provides grants for ADB projects supporting poverty reduction and social development efforts, while the HLT Fund, established in April 2017, earmarks grant financing to promote technology and innovative solutions in ADB projects.
ADB said it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members of which 48 are from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in co-financing.
Sabakzai Dam in Balochistan Started 2004 Completed 2007
Alai Khwar Dam in KP Started 2005 Completed 2010
Mirani Dam in Balochistan Started in 2001 Completed 2006
Gomal Zam Dam in Wana, KP Started 2001 Completed 2011
https://youtu.be/sBkMrPBKIig
Construction Work Of Shinzani Dam Gwadar In Full Swing
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/construction-work-of-shinzani-dam-gwadar-in-f-1066635.html
The construction work of Shinzani Dam for provision of drinking water facilities to citizen in Gwadar district was in full swing.
According to official sources, the project worth Rs 500 million will be completed in a transparent manner during the financial year.
Work has been started on the project by the construction firm after completing the tender process, it added.
Under the vision of Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan, the completion of ongoing development projects of Gwadar and provision of the clean drinking water to the masses on permanent basis was priority of the government.
According to a notification issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner Gwadar, a committee has been set up to compensate the victims of Shinzani Dam.
District Forest Officer Gwadar, Deputy Director Agriculture Gwadar, and a representative of the victims of the Shinzani Dam site have been included in the committee members list.
The committee will soon formulate a mechanism for compensation of the victims after conducting a survey.
The residents of Gwadar thanked Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal for approving important projects for the development of the city.
They said that current government has initiated record construction and development work in Gwadar district.
The new era has begun with the construction of dams in the rain-fed areas of Gwadar district to solve the problem of drinking water and urged to take timely steps to compensate the victims (displaced)
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The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of Shinzani Dam which cost is estimated Rs 50 crore and it would be completed in two years.
About sixteen thousand acre feet of water can be stored in this dam and over five thousand acre feet of water will be used for agriculture.
https://www.app.com.pk/national/cm-balochistan-inaugurates-water-supply-pipeline-project-in-gwadar/
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The Hingol River is 350 miles (560 km) long, the longest in Balochistan. It winds through the Makran Coastal Range and Hungol Valley between high cliffs. The river flows all year long, unlike most other streams in Balochistan which only flow during rare rains.
Under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), twenty-four dams worth billions of rupees are under construction in Balochistan.
This was stated by the project director of 100 dams Muhammad Ibrahim Mengal in an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan.
He said no compromise will be made on the quality of construction, which are likely to be completed by December this year.
He said the water reservoirs are being built in Awaran, Washuk, Kharan, Zhob, Musakhel, Loralai etc. The project director also said that measures are being taken to accomplish the dam project in order to improve ground water level for reducing the water problems that stretch throughout the province.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2351918/balochistan-water-storage-increases
The water storage capacity of Balochistan has reached 68,939 acre feet which will enhance the irrigation network and address water scarcity issues of the drought-hit province.
Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), as many as 27 dams have been completed having storage capacity of 68,939 acre feet in various districts of Balochistan.
There are also ongoing small, medium, large and delayed action dams at various stages of implementation that will further add another 9.016 million acre feet (MAF) to the existing storage capacity.
After the construction of large reservoirs in the country, the storage capacity of water will increase several million-acre feet that will help store rain and floods water during monsoon.
An official of the Ministry of Water and Power told APP that the work was underway on various projects in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh to address the growing issue of water scarcity.
“The federal government is also providing funds for construction of various small, medium, large, and delay action and recharge dam projects in the country through Federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP)”, he said.
These projects aimed at providing water for irrigation, agriculture, and drinking purposes which were being implemented by WAPDA and Irrigation Departments of four provinces besides the Public Health Engineering Department, Balochistan.
At present combined storage capacity of Mangla, Tarbela, and Chashma reservoirs is about 14.349 MAF. After the completion of ongoing projects i.e. Mohmand, Diamer Basha, and Nai Gaj Dams, the gross storage capacity will be increased to 23.988 MAF.
https://pakobserver.net/quetta-to-get-8-1m-gallon-water-from-mangi-dam/
Mangi Dam is to be completed by December 2023 to provide around 8.1 million gallon of water daily to Quetta city and surrounding areas, an official of the Balochistan government said on Monday. The development work on Mangi Dam had been accelerated which would help overcome the shortfall of water in the area, he added.
The construction of various dams on the outskirts of Quetta city including Mangi Dam, Srah Khullah Dam and others would supply water to Quetta through pipelines. With the completion of these projects water issue would be resolved in the provincial capital, he added.