“The best way to meet the challenge of Climate
Change is to build as many large and small water storages as possible” said Mr.
Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission while chairing a conference on
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development and
Businesses in Islamabad today.
“In years of floods the dams store surplus
water and reduces the impact of floods whereas in years of droughts the stored
water can mitigate the effects of low rainfall” he added
Mr.
Sartaj Aziz said it is unfortunate that the construction of water storage dams
has become so controversial. But the challenge of climate change so serious
that it should persuade the political leadership to achieve a consensus on water
storages not only for sustainable development but for the very survival of the
country.
Addressing
to the 4th international water conference at the Pakistan Council of
Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) he said that according to the recent census
Pakistan’s population growth rate is 2.4%. In the 11th Five Year
Plan (2013-2018) the planning commission estimates for food security, health
and education was based on forecast of 2% population growth rate. This new
estimate is a cause for serious concern. At the time of partition per capita
water availability in Pakistan was 5000 cubic meters which has now declined to
1000 cubic meters per capita that classifies Pakistan as a water scarce country.
The projected population on the basis of 2.4% will further jeopardize
Pakistan’s water security unless we conserve the available water
by growing less water intensive crops, treating effluence before discharge and
giving up lifestyle and habits that waste water.
Deputy
Chairman Planning Commission said Vision 2025 attaches high importance to
climate change and water security. Pillar IV of the document, covering energy,
water and food security envisages access to an adequate supply of water for all
and requires policies to correct the demand and supply imbalances with sharp
focus on both sides of the equation.
Mr.
Sartaj Aziz expressed the hope that the recommendations emerging from this conference
will be useful in formulating policies and recommendations for water security
in the 12th Five Year Plan.
*****
