THE UN's third 'World water development report' presents a grim picture of the planet's freshwater reserves and the impact of water scarcity on poor or developing nations. Presented ahead of the fifth World Water Forum that is to be held later this month, the report points out that the multiplying demands of expanding human populations, coupled with the irresponsible or inefficient use of water and the effects of climate change, constitute a potential minefield. Water stress, in tandem with climate change, could pose mounting security challenges as competition for water threatens fragile states and fuels regional rivalry. This is because “water is linked to the crises of climate change, energy and food supplies and prices, and troubled financial markets.... Unless their links with water are addressed and water crises around the world are resolved, these other crises may intensify and local water crises may worsen, converging into a global water crisis and leading to political insecurity at various levels”.

The report has grave implications for Pakistan which earns significant revenue from agriculture. The sector also constitutes the livelihood of millions of poor farmers who are end-of-the-line sufferers of the effects of inflation and rupee devaluation on the one hand, and of falling trade rates and global financial difficulties on the other. Pakistan is, in fact, no stranger to disputes arising out of water stress the damming and diverting of up-river flows and water allocation have led to acrimony not only with India but also among the provinces. The provision of water for domestic and industrial use and access to safe drinking water also remain grave concerns. The scarcity of potable water is a major cause of infant mortality amongst poor or rural populations, for example, while water availability and theft is a significant divisive factor in Karachi.

Given this situation, urgent steps must be taken to conserve the country's water resources and use them efficiently. If a future disaster is to be averted, agricultural watercourses and canals must be rationalised and farmers educated about the fallout of unbridled irrigation. Since cash crops such as rice and cotton are water-intensive, modern water-conserving methodologies need to be explored. Concurrently, aging pipeline infrastructures in cities such as Karachi and Lahore, where sewerage and freshwater lines have been found to mix at certain points, must be repaired and leakages prevented. Most importantly, perhaps, concerted efforts are required to achieve consensus on the construction of new dams and reservoirs that can service the needs of water-stressed areas.