Water reservoirs to change future course of history
By Muhammad Ali Malik

ISLAMABAD—An inquisitive look at the world’s history shows that the ancient civilizations usually thrived on the banks of rivers from where they pampered themselves by using water routes for trade purposes, besides setting their armies to venture in their neighbourhood.
In Pakistan, the mighty river Indus along with its tributaries is undoubtly lifeline for the whole countrymen. It not only nourishes lands and inhabitants but also sustains their livelihood.
However, in the face of population growth, demands on its surging and gushing torrents are today more urgent and critically pressing. Today, we are confronted with acute water shortage, partly due to climatic changes in the shape of El Nino factor and partly due to the fast depletion of underground water cycle.
The bulk of our population is increasing like gigantic rolling snow ball and it is estimated that by the year 2025 Pakistan would become fourth most populous country in the world.
One can imagine the hazardous implications of feeding a mammoth population with scant resources.
By year 2050, about two third of the world population would be affected by the paucity of water. On one hand water scarcity is plaguing the world population and on the other large quantity of river water go waste directly into the seas without being properly utilized.
Under such uncertainty, many analysts believe that future wars would be flared over the possession of water resources.
Many a nations went through pangs of destruction and glory of acme by fettering natural resources especially of fresh water. One of its form can be construction of dams, which are built to serve two main purposes, first for irrigation and storing urgently required water in both cases of floods and drought and for hydro-power generation. In this way they can cater to the water needs of industrial and agriculture sector as well as for household usage. There is no contention over the issue that Pakistan is in the dire need of comprehensive water management, supply of cheap electricity and definitely construction of water reservoirs.
We are indeed fortunate that gracious God has bestowed us with precious wealth in the form of everflowing rivers giving a cozy feeling to its inhabitants.
So to overcome this lingering problem fast construction of fresh water reservoirs like Kalabagh, Bhasha, Akhori, Katzarah Skardu, Gomal Zam, Kurram Tangi etc, dams are need of the hour.
Planning Commission of Pakistan which has started the preparation of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2004-05-2008-09) in July 2004, had advocated the completion of ongoing small and medium dams such as the Gomal 2am Dam (1.14 MAF), Mirani Dam (0.30 MAF), Kurram Tangi Dam (1.2 MAF), Satpara and Sabakzai dams (0.3 MAF). Their completion within the Tenth Five Year Plan is expected to increase the water availability by 4.69 MAF. Raising of the Mangla Dam and construction of various canal projects, watercourse lining etc., would further increase the water availability.
Wapda has reported in the Ten Years Perspective Plan (2001-2011) that ground water currently supplies over 40 per cent of water for agricultural productivity and the sustainable ground water potential is 64 MAF. However, according to Wapda the gross potential is 26 MAF, but out of this 20 MAF is non-usable saline ground water, thus only 6 MAF is sustainable ground water.
It is indeed unfortunate that Pakistan despite having the precious wealth of rivers teeming with life giving waters has not so far developed inland water transport, which may be the cheapest means of transportation.