QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha has said that construction of small and large dams in the province is necessary not only for increasing the area under cultivation, but also to help raise the groundwater level.

Talking to a delegation led by Advocate Noorullah Khan Panizai here, Mr Agha said the problem of water scarcity had taken a dangerous turn in the province due to reckless extraction of groundwater from tube-wells.

“If we manage to store rainwater wasted in the province, we will be able to increase agricultural production through better use of stored water,” the governor said.

He said that pine forests of Ziarat were a national asset and their protection was a responsibility of all of us.

He urged the people of Ziarat not only to protect the pine forests but also take steps to plant more trees.

He also called for making a comprehensive plan for storing rainwater to prevent fast depleting groundwater level.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2021