SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The district headquarters of Wana, known for its lush and fertile lands, has long been the agricultural heart of Lower South Waziristan, supplying the entire country with apples, plums, apricots, peaches, pine nuts, olives, and a variety of vegetables.

However, a silent crisis is emerging. A severe water shortage has gripped the region, raising alarms among farmers, environmentalists, and local civil society groups.

Alongside declining water availability, climate change has introduced a new set of challenges as increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have led to outbreaks of diseases in fruit-bearing trees, significantly damaging orchards.

“The orchards are withering away under the open sky,” said a local farmer. “The water table has fallen below the danger line. Our fruit trees are dying, and so is our livelihood.”

Where once freshwater springs flowed, now there are only dry beds — a stark reminder of what is being lost.

According to a report of the Wana Welfare Association (WAWA) in Lower South Waziristan, over 90pc of the population directly or indirectly is relied on agriculture. With declining water levels and failing crops, a serious livelihood crisis looms. Experts warn that if the water scarcity continues, mass migration from the area may soon become unavoidable.

“This is not just about crops,” said an elder from the region. “It’s about our identity, our economy, and our very survival.”

Experts and local stakeholders agree that the most sustainable solution lies in the construction of small and medium-sized dams. Fortunately, the area has more than 50 feasible sites where such dams could be built to store water for agricultural and domestic use.

“These are not ambitious mega projects,” said a hydrology consultant familiar with the region. “They are practical, affordable, and urgently needed.”

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, Wana Welfare Association’s (WAWA) general secretary Jalal Wazir urged authorities to prioritize dam construction. He stated, “Time is running out. If immediate steps are not taken, the next generation will not forgive us.”

“Nature has blessed us with fertile soil, ideal weather, and natural water pathways. Yet we have failed to harness them. If this negligence continues, Wana could soon become a barren desert,” he added.

The Wana Welfare Association has also called upon the local tribes and other community stakeholders, including religious scholars, youth groups, women, and the media, to unite in advocacy and launch an awareness campaign about this pressing issue. He also urged international NGOs to support this initiative through financial and technical assistance.”

Today, the people of Wana — its farmers, families, and elders - are all asking the same question: “When we will get water?”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025