THE ongoing interprovincial conflict over canals is refusing to die down. Sindh is protesting against what it calls an ‘unjust project’, stressing that these canals would convert Sindh into a ‘desert’. Punjab, as the upper riparian, claims it is trying to salvage floodwater that gets ‘wasted’ into the sea, arguing that this water can be stored and utilised during periods of acute water shortage.

The counterargument is that 10 million acre feet (MAF) of water is needed to protect the delta by checking sea intrusion. Besides, historically, high flood in Indus occurs with an interval of 10 to 15 years. This simply means there is no regular water stream to be stored.

It is also true that the phenomenon of climate change has brought into sharp focus the already limited water resources, and there is need to use the available water resources efficiently and justly. Water conservation is the need of the hour.

The fact of the matter is that no proper groundwork for educating the public is ever carried out before launching any project that aims to mitigate the un-sustainable water use. It is vital to explain the environmental impact assessment to the public in local languages so that the people may know the advantages and disadvantages of any project.

The projects are announced as well as undertaken without educating the public, or hearing the points of view of independent experts. This allows many to politicise the issue, and some projects, like, say, the Kalabagh Dam, never get started.

As things stand, the likely scenario is that the project would be abandoned or discontinued in the wake of strong opposition. However, the damage to the mighty cause of provincial harmony, and the loss of public’s trust in the political leadership would be rather irreparable.

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2025