SCIENTIFIC research carried out by Balochistan and Austin Universities revealed that Quetta is deviating 116cm annually. Some of the causes responsible for it are inordinate exploitation, run-off and seepage of underground water.

Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, has a population of almost three million. Having a semi-arid climate and scarcity of dams and population explosion, all these factors have further suppressed underground water.

Weakening and deviation of land has been witnessed at several places, including Baleli and Gahi Khan Chowk.

According to Prof Din Mohammad Kakar of Balochistan University, the land deviation would not only bring high-scale earthquakes but would also remove Quetta from being termed ‘the fruit garden of Pakistan’. He says further that this menace immediately needs concrete measures., including construction of mini-dams and recycling of sewage water.

According to the professor, protection of juniper trees and afforestation campaign should be speeded up while Wasa should adopt a zero-tolerance policy against people who are involved in water theft and who avoid paying their water bills.

The professor pleads for launching an awareness campaign about water scarcity, as well as about the austere use of water.

Muhammad Irfan

Quetta

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2016