Why Pakistan Pumps Too Much Groundwater

Summary

Pakistan faces a growing water crisis, heavily relying on both surface water from the Indus River and groundwater, which is being rapidly depleted. Agriculture, vital to the economy, consumes the majority of water, especially for water-intensive crops like wheat and rice. The Green Revolution increased yields but also exacerbated water usage. Over-extraction of groundwater, inefficiencies in irrigation, and lack of regulation have made the situation unsustainable. To avoid further crisis, Pakistan needs to modernize its irrigation infrastructure, adopt water-efficient practices, and implement reforms like water pricing and regulation to ensure long-term water and food security.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pakistan is the fourth largest user of groundwater, after India, the United States, and China, primarily for its agricultural sector.
• 🌍 Despite having massive natural water resources, Pakistan faces significant water allocation challenges due to its arid climate and reliance on the monsoon season for rainfall.
• 💧 Over 96% of Pakistan's renewable water sources come from the Indus River system, shared with neighboring countries, particularly India.
• 📜 The Indus Water Treaty (1960) allowed Pakistan to use water from three western rivers, but it has indirectly led to the over-exploitation of groundwater.
• 🌱 Groundwater is crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture, with over 95% of water extractions, including 85% of groundwater, being used for farming.
• 🚜 Agriculture employs 40-45% of Pakistan’s labor force and generates 18-22% of its GDP, making it the backbone of the economy despite challenges in water efficiency.
• 🌾 The Green Revolution in the 1960s boosted food production but also led to a significant increase in water usage, particularly for water-intensive crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton.
• 💦 Pakistan’s Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is one of the largest in the world but suffers from inefficiency, with 60-70% of water being wasted.
• 🔧 The Salinity Control and Reclamation Project (SCARP), introduced in the 1960s, helped control waterlogging but encouraged unregulated drilling of private tube wells, exacerbating groundwater depletion.
• ⚡ Government subsidies for power to run tube wells led to a dramatic increase in private groundwater extraction, especially during drought periods, contributing to the declining water table.
• 📉 Today, Pakistan has over 800,000 private tube wells, and the country uses more groundwater than ever before, despite inefficiencies in water management and wasteful agricultural practices.

Q & A

Why is Pakistan one of the largest users of groundwater despite having abundant surface water resources?

Pakistan is the fourth-largest user of groundwater in the world due to its over-reliance on groundwater for agriculture, which is exacerbated by inefficiencies in the Indus Basin Irrigation System and issues like poor water pricing and management.

How does Pakistan's water profile complicate water management?

Pakistan’s water profile is complicated by its arid climate, with over 75% of its rainfall concentrated during the monsoon season. This leaves the rest of the year extremely dry, leading to high evaporation rates and increasing reliance on groundwater for irrigation.

What is the Indus Water Treaty, and how does it impact Pakistan's water use?

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, allocated Pakistan the use of three western rivers: the Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus. While it created peace between Pakistan and India, it also led to the over-exploitation of groundwater as surface water supplies were insufficient to meet the growing demand.

How does groundwater function, and why is it important for Pakistan?

Groundwater exists in the pores of rock and soil, and it is crucial for irrigation in Pakistan, especially since more than 95% of the country’s water extractions are used for agriculture. Groundwater serves as a buffer when surface water supplies are inadequate.

What are the main agricultural crops in Pakistan, and why are they water-intensive?

Pakistan's major crops include wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton, which are all water-intensive. These crops account for 75% of the cultivated land, and their high water requirements contribute significantly to the country's groundwater depletion.

What role did the Green Revolution play in Pakistan's agricultural growth?

The Green Revolution, initiated in the 1960s, introduced high-yielding crop varieties and new fertilizers, significantly boosting food production in Pakistan. However, it also increased water use, exacerbating the pressure on Pakistan's water resources.

What is the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS), and why is it inefficient?

The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is one of the world’s largest irrigation networks, but it is highly inefficient. It wastes 60-70% of water due to leaks, evaporation, and underpricing, forcing farmers to rely more on groundwater for irrigation.

What is water logging, and how does it affect crop production in Pakistan?

Water logging occurs when the water table rises too high, saturating the soil and blocking air from reaching plant roots, leading to crop damage. Additionally, it raises soil salinity, which further harms crops, especially non-rice crops that are sensitive to salt.

How did the government’s SCARP program influence groundwater use in Pakistan?

The Salinity Control and Reclamation Project (SCARP) introduced tube wells in the 1960s to manage water logging by pumping out groundwater. While successful in reducing water tables in some areas, it inadvertently encouraged widespread private tubewell drilling, leading to unsustainable groundwater extraction.

What are the long-term implications of Pakistan's current groundwater usage and irrigation practices?

Pakistan's current groundwater usage, combined with inefficient irrigation and farming practices, is unsustainable. Over-extraction is causing water tables to decline, and the country’s agricultural productivity is stagnating. Without reforms, Pakistan faces increasing water scarcity, which could lead to food shortages and economic instability.