What about water?

Published March 22, 2013

RECENTLY efforts are afoot at claiming more and more water in our western rivers of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab by India due to building of scores of dams on the so-called run of the river basis.

These power generation projects would entail storage of water thus restricting water supply to lower riparian i.e. Pakistan. Meanwhile, all the talk in Pakistan is focussed on energy generation from run-of-the-river projects and canals without any mega-storage dams to bolster our agriculture. It is forgotten that a hydro-electric dam may store water for irrigation while generating power as a by-product at dirt-cheap cost.

We have no concern for developing water storages which is also our problem but Wapda deals with water and power development in tandem.

Unfortunately the government and Wapda have failed to build a single mega hydro electric dam in the past four decades while India forges ahead with building a large number of dams on our rivers with hundreds of dams in the pipeline.

Lately, a resolution is being put up in the Indian “Lok Sabha” that India has a claim on the waters of Chenab as it originates from Himachal Pradesh which is preposterous and ought to be defied.

DR YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...