April 30, 2002	Tuesday	Safar 16, 1423

ISLAMABAD, April 29: Four major water and agriculture related ministries have suggested reduction in cultivation areas, changes in the cropping patterns and introduction of high-yield crop varieties to cope with the water shortages.

Official sources told Dawn that the chief executive secretariat has been advised to direct propagation of planned reduction in cultivation areas to match water availability in a very timely fashion to reduce the chances of crop failures due to water shortages.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Federal Flood Commission of the Water and Power Ministry, Pakistan Meteorological department of the Ministry of Defence and Pakistan council of research in water resources of the Science Ministry have jointly submitted a report to the chief executive secretariat for medium (1-5 years) and long term (over 5 years) steps to cope with the water shortages.

The report suggested that to conserve water and meet shortage and match water requirement with supplies, appropriate patterns may be considered. This would require change over from high-delta to low-delta crops capable of giving higher returns to the farmers. Similarly, growing drought and salt-resistant crop varieties is another option that can be considered.

In the five-year plans, the report suggested lining of canals, distributaries and water courses to reduce water losses and increase water availability at the farmgate. However, since the system conveyance loss can be recouped in good quality aquifers by pumping, preference should be given to lining of distributaries, minors and watercourses in saline ground water areas.

The report once again proposed that to harness and utilize water currently going waste, small dams and storage reservoirs be constructed. These sites should most appropriately be in the Northern Areas or downstream of Tarbela.

To decide on where to implement the strategy regarding preferential lining of the conveyance system, installation of new tubewells and regulation of fresh ground water areas be identified and mapped with regard to water table depth, potential and quality.

The report also suggested that glaciers and winter snowfall in the Northern Areas form an important and extensive potential source of water in the Indus River system. Experiments to harness this resources in a sustainable and environment-friendly fashion, limited studies should be undertaken.

The saline groundwater extensively available in various parts of Pakistan should be made best use of through developing conjunctive use methodologies and change of crops.

The forecasting mechanisms for floods and droughts should be strengthened and improved for saving life and property. A number of activities under the medium term strategies will continue during the long term strategic plan. These include undertaking the watershed management activities, rejuvenating aquifers, propagation of high efficiency irrigation systems, etc.

A committee of senior officers at policy level has been suggested to oversee the detailed design and implementation of the proposed plan. The committee has been proposed to be consisting of representatives of key institutions of four ministries including PCRWR, Federal Flood Commission, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock and the representatives of provincial irrigation and agriculture departments.