The disastrous redesign of Pakistan’s rivers

Summary

The video script explores the transformation of the Indus River Basin in Pakistan, a region that has been reshaped from an arid desert into a vast agricultural area through extensive water infrastructure. The British colonial period saw the introduction of a large-scale canal system, which has continued to evolve post-independence, leading to a precarious relationship with water. Despite the benefits, the region now faces severe water scarcity and frequent devastating floods. The script discusses the social and environmental impacts of this engineering, including the loss of wetlands and the creation of an unequal water distribution system. It suggests that a more democratic and sustainable approach to water management, which includes local knowledge and less reliance on mega-engineering projects, is necessary to address the current crisis.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Indus River Basin in Pakistan, transformed by water infrastructure, has become a crucial agricultural region but also faces significant water challenges.
• 🏙️ Population growth in Pakistan has increased fivefold in 75 years, while per capita water availability has drastically decreased, leading to water scarcity predictions by 2025.
• 🌧️ Severe flooding events, exacerbated by monsoon rains, cause destruction and loss of life, highlighting the strain on the redesigned river system.
• 🛠️ British colonial rule in the 1800s initiated the large-scale water infrastructure that aimed to maximize agricultural productivity but also disrupted the natural water cycle.
• 🌾 Pre-colonial irrigation systems were designed to follow natural drainage patterns, but the British introduced year-round irrigation, leading to ecological and social changes.
• 🏗️ The British also engaged in social engineering, favoring certain groups with better water access, which has contributed to ongoing inequality in water distribution.
• 🌎 The scale of the canal system in the Indus River Basin is unparalleled, making it the largest contiguous canal system in the world.
• 📈 The canal system has led to urban growth, a booming population, and agriculture becoming the largest economic sector in Pakistan, but it also uses 90% of the country's surface and groundwater.
• 💧 The over-engineering of the river has had catastrophic consequences, including the 2022 monsoon floods that affected one third of the country and resulted in significant loss of life.
• ⚖️ Inequality in water access persists, with landowners at the head of canals benefiting from better water access, while those downstream face scarcity.
• 🔍 Addressing the water crisis may require a shift from colonial mindsets and engineered solutions to a more democratic and inclusive approach that considers local knowledge and sustainable practices.

Q & A

What is the Indus River Basin known for in terms of water infrastructure?

The Indus River Basin is known for its extensive water infrastructure, which includes canals, dams, and embankments. This infrastructure has transformed one of the most arid regions in the world into millions of acres of farmland.

How has the population growth in Pakistan affected water availability?

Over the past 75 years, Pakistan's population has increased fivefold, while the water availability per capita has plummeted. This has led to a precarious relationship with water, with the region predicted to reach absolute water scarcity by 2025.

What were the water management practices like in the Indus River Basin before British colonization?

Before British rule, the region was largely populated by agro pastoralists who raised livestock and grew crops along the river. They used inundation canals that captured flood water for irrigation, following the landscape's natural drainage patterns, and migrated depending on the river basin's fluctuations.

How did the British change the water management in the Indus River Basin?

The British built a larger network of canals designed for year-round irrigation, extended the reach of river waters, and constructed embankments to contain floodwaters. They also introduced barrages, which are dam-like structures that control the flow of water into canals.

What was the impact of the British canal system on the local population and environment?

The British canal system led to the destruction of wetlands, forests, and biodiversity. It also involved social engineering, moving farmers onto plots along the canals and empowering local elites to collect rents and taxes, which created a reward system and social hierarchy.

How has the canal system transformed Pakistan post-independence?

Post-independence, the Pakistani government continued the legacy of the canal system, adding new barrages and canal links. This has led to the creation of the largest contiguous canal system in the world, fostering urban growth, a population boom, and making agriculture the country's largest economic sector.

What are the consequences of the canal system on the environment and society in Pakistan?

The canal system has led to catastrophic consequences, including severe flooding events, water scarcity, and the destruction of water sources and farmable land. It has also created social inequality in terms of water access, with landowners at the head of canals benefiting from better water access.

What happened during the unusually heavy monsoon season in August 2022 in Pakistan?

The heavy monsoon season in August 2022 caused one third of the country to flood, resulting in the death of over 1600 people. The water could not find a natural path back to the river due to the canal system, leading to prolonged water stagnation, disease, and displacement.

Why are the low-lying regions in Pakistan more vulnerable to flooding?

Low-lying regions are more vulnerable to flooding because they lack the historic wetlands and floodplains that would have absorbed excess water. Additionally, the canal system built alongside the river blocks natural drainage pathways.

How does the current water management system contribute to inequality in Pakistan?

The current system contributes to inequality by favoring those with better access to water, such as landowners at the head of canals and certain provinces like Punjab, which has control over water flow due to its upstream location.

What are some proposed solutions to the water scarcity and flooding problems in Pakistan?

Proposed solutions include building more mega dams, preventing further development in floodplains, clearing obstructions to drainage pathways, and incorporating local community knowledge into water and flood management policies.

What is the importance of considering a more democratic approach to water management in Pakistan?

A more democratic approach to water management involves considering the needs and knowledge of all stakeholders, including indigenous knowledge systems, and ensuring that water access and benefits are more equitably distributed across society.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 The Indus River Basin: Transformation and Water Crisis

This paragraph introduces the Indus River Basin in Pakistan, highlighting its transformation from an arid region into a large agricultural area through water infrastructure development. The script discusses the historical context, starting with British colonization and the establishment of a canal system that has led to both agricultural productivity and water scarcity issues. It also touches upon the ecological and social impacts of these changes, including the destruction of wetlands and the creation of a system that favors certain landowners. The paragraph concludes with the current challenges faced by Pakistan, such as water scarcity predicted for 2025 and the severe flooding events that have caused significant loss of life and property.

05:02

🏞️ Colonial Legacy and Modern Water Management

The second paragraph delves into the social and economic engineering carried out by the British during their rule, which involved the redistribution of land and the creation of a canal system that favored certain groups. It outlines the scale of the canal system and its impact on agriculture, population growth, and economic development in Pakistan. The paragraph also discusses the environmental consequences of this system, including the increased vulnerability to flooding and the loss of natural water regulation mechanisms. It highlights the inequality in water access and the government's continued reliance on large-scale engineering solutions, such as the construction of more dams, which perpetuates the colonial mindset of controlling nature at the expense of sustainable water management.

10:05

🌱 Towards Sustainable Water and Flood Management

The final paragraph suggests a shift in approach towards more sustainable and democratic water management practices. It emphasizes the need for acknowledging past mistakes and making amends, as well as considering indigenous knowledge systems in managing the river basin. The paragraph proposes potential solutions such as preventing further development in floodplains, clearing drainage obstructions, and involving local communities in decision-making processes. It calls for a collective and inclusive approach to address the water crisis, suggesting that a single solution may not be feasible given the scale of the problem.

Keywords

💡Indus River Basin

The Indus River Basin is a region in Pakistan that includes the Indus River and its surrounding areas. It is significant in the video as it is the primary source of water for the region, sustaining agriculture and life. The basin has been heavily modified by human intervention, particularly through British colonial efforts, which has led to both agricultural prosperity and environmental challenges.

💡Water scarcity

Water scarcity refers to a situation where there is not enough water to meet the needs of people and the environment. In the video, it is mentioned that Pakistan's population has increased significantly while water availability per capita has decreased, leading to predictions of absolute water scarcity by 2025. This is a central theme as it highlights the urgency of the water crisis in the region.

💡Flooding

Flooding is the overflow of water onto normally dry land, often causing damage. The video discusses severe flooding events in Pakistan, which have become more frequent and destructive. These events are linked to the mismanagement of the Indus River system and the infrastructure built to control it, leading to loss of life and agricultural land.

💡British colonization

British colonization refers to the period in history when the British Empire controlled the Indian subcontinent, including the Indus River Basin. The video outlines how the British began the large-scale water infrastructure projects that transformed the region into a major agricultural area. This historical context is crucial for understanding the current water management issues in Pakistan.

💡Canals

Canals are artificial waterways used for irrigation, transportation, or drainage. In the context of the video, canals were built by the British to divert water from the Indus River for year-round irrigation, significantly increasing agricultural productivity. However, the extensive canal system has also contributed to the water scarcity and flooding problems faced by Pakistan.

💡Embankments

Embankments are structures built to retain water or prevent flooding by confining a river within its banks. The video describes how the British constructed embankments along the Indus River to control flooding and expand agricultural land. However, these structures have also been implicated in the increased severity of floods and the difficulty of water drainage.

💡Barrages

Barrages are low, permeable dams used to raise the level of water in a river for irrigation purposes. The video highlights the construction of barrages, such as the Sukkur barrage, as a key part of the British strategy to increase irrigation and agricultural output. These structures have shaped the modern water management system in Pakistan but also contribute to the current water challenges.

💡Agricultural productivity

Agricultural productivity refers to the efficiency and output of farming practices. The video discusses how the British colonial efforts to control the Indus River led to a significant increase in agricultural productivity, turning barren land into fertile farmland. This transformation has had lasting effects on Pakistan's economy and society, with agriculture becoming the largest economic sector.

💡Social engineering

Social engineering in the context of the video refers to the British colonial strategy of manipulating social structures and relationships to maintain control and support their interests. By granting land and water access to certain groups, they created a system that favored certain segments of the population, which has had long-term social and economic implications.

💡Water management

Water management involves the control and distribution of water resources. The video emphasizes the need for a more democratic and sustainable approach to water management in Pakistan. It suggests that current practices, rooted in colonial-era engineering, have led to environmental and social problems, and calls for a rethinking of these methods.

💡Indigenous knowledge systems

Indigenous knowledge systems refer to the traditional knowledge, practices, and understandings developed by indigenous peoples about their environment and resources. The video suggests that these systems have been overlooked in favor of engineered solutions to water management, and that incorporating them could help address the current water crisis.

Highlights

The Indus River Basin in Pakistan has been transformed from one of the most arid regions in the world into millions of acres of farmland through water infrastructure.

Pakistan's population has increased fivefold in the past 75 years, while per capita water availability has plummeted, with absolute water scarcity predicted by 2025.

Severe flooding events in Pakistan have become more frequent, causing significant loss of life and destruction of land.

The British colonial period marked the beginning of large-scale water infrastructure projects in the Indus River Basin, aiming to increase agricultural productivity.

Agro pastoralists previously lived in harmony with the Indus River, migrating based on its fluctuations and treating the river as a sacred entity.

Pre-colonial irrigation systems were designed to follow the natural drainage patterns of the landscape, allowing water to return to the river system.

British rulers built a network of canals and embankments to irrigate year-round, significantly altering the river's natural flow and flood patterns.

The Sukkur barrage, completed in 1932, created canals that irrigate around 8 million acres of land, exemplifying the scale of British engineering projects.

The British Crown's canal projects included social engineering, favoring certain groups with better water access to secure loyalty to the empire.

By 1947, the canal system had expanded to convert approximately 26 million acres of land into farmland, making it the largest contiguous canal system in the world.

Post-independence, Pakistan continued to expand the canal system, adding major barrages and canal links, further manipulating the water supply.

Agriculture in Pakistan now uses 90% of the country's surface and groundwater, making it the largest economic sector and employing half of the population.

The 2022 monsoon season caused devastating floods in Pakistan, highlighting the failure of the canal system to handle extreme weather events.

The canal and embankment system has led to water scarcity and the destruction of farmable land due to seawater intrusion and blocked natural drainage.

Inequality in water access persists, with landowners at the head of canals benefiting from better water access, while those at the end suffer from scarcity.

Proposed solutions to water scarcity and flooding include building more mega dams, continuing the colonial tradition of over-engineering the Indus River.

Sustainable changes to water policy, such as preventing development in floodplains and improving drainage, could help mitigate the negative impacts of the current system.

A more democratic approach to water and flood management, which includes indigenous knowledge and involves all stakeholders, is suggested as a way forward.

Transcripts

[build, rhythmic music]

This is a model of a part of the Indus River Basin

in Pakistan that we built for this story.

Obviously not exactly the scale.

Here you can see the Indus River itself...

which flows roughly from north to south...

some farmland and a lot of water infrastructure.

Like canals, dams, and embankments.

It's a system that's transformed

one of the most arid regions in the world...

into millions of acres of farmland.

And it also helped create Pakistan's

precarious relationship with water.

In the past 75 years

Pakistan's population has increased five fold

while the water availability per capita is plummeting.

By 2025, the region is predicted

to reach absolute water scarcity.

But Pakistan also suffers

from increasingly severe flooding events...

each one destroying land and claiming hundreds of lives.

"There have been more deaths in Pakistan's flooding..."

-"... millions of gallons of water..." -"... caused by monsoon rains..."

These twin water crises expose

what happens when you take a river system...

and redesign it way past its limits.

[swelling, urgent string music]

The modern water infrastructure

that transformed the Indus River Basin...

started with British colonization in the 1800s.

But we'll get back to that.

Before British rule

this region was largely populated by agro pastoralists.

They'd spent centuries raising livestock and growing crops.

Like sorghum, vegetables, and rice along the river.

And they migrated

depending on the Indus River basin fluctuations.

People lived in an enchanted landscape...

where rivers were alive.

That's Daanish Mustafa

a professor in critical geography at King's College, London.

They were sacred waters, there is a living thing

with which you interacted with all the time.

This region is arid

and the Indus River and its tributaries

are its singular source of surface water

fed by snow and glacial melt

starting in the spring from the mountains in the northeast

and heavy seasonal monsoons in the summer.

As it does today, this means the flow of the river

fluctuates a lot throughout the year.

Roughly 84% of its flow occurs from around April to October.

While the other half of the year the river flow diminishes.

And if the flooding happened, the flooding would

typically water would spread out onto the floodplain.

And because it could spread out all over

the flood peaks would not be that high.

Pre-Colonial empires built their own irrigation system.

Inundation canals

that captured flood water and allowed irrigation

several miles from the river's banks.

Like the river, they flowed seasonally

filling up during peak water flow

but were dry in the winter.

And crucially, they followed the landscape's natural drainage patterns.

So water still found its way back to the Indus system and the sea.

In the 1800s, things began to change.

[rhythmic, percussive music]

After a series of wars

the British took control of the Indus Basin region

and it became part of their Indian empire.

The new British rulers wanted to make this region

as agriculturally productive as possible.

They began building a much larger network of canals

designed not just to capture flood season flow

but to irrigate year round

and to extend the river waters reach.

This water would irrigate cash crops like wheat and cotton

up to a hundred miles from a river source.

The British built embankments

to keep floodwater from flowing past the river's banks.

And key to this canal systems design were barrages:

Dam like infrastructure

that raised the river's upstream water level

so that water can be funneled into canals

with gates that open and close

depending on water supply and demand.

The completion of the Lloyd barrage

in 1932 is emblematic of this change.

It's now called the Sukkur barrage

and sits on the Indus River in the province of Sindh.

This project alone created canals

that irrigate around 8 million acres of land.

"Irrigation projects turn millions of acres

of once barren land into fertile soil."

It's a very Western mindset.

We must control nature.

That's Ayesha Siddiqi, an assistant professor

of human geography at the University of Cambridge.

It's a modernist way of looking at the river

which was involved in the early 20th century.

The British Crown moved farmers

onto plots of farmland along the canals

and destroyed the wetlands, forests, and biodiversity that was there before.

This wasn't just a project in physical engineering.

It was social engineering too.

At the end of the canal with the least water access...

the British granted land to the agropastoralists.

At the heads of canals with the best water access

they awarded property to people who favored the British crown

often former military men.

They then empowered these local elites

to collect rents and taxes.

So it became sort of a reward system

to cultivate the native elites

and keep them beholden to the empire.

There's nothing unique about engineering rivers for irrigation.

Countries everywhere do that.

But the scale of this region's canals sets it apart.

"When the barrage was fully developed

the crop output on the land it controls

will be 5 times as great as it is now."

By 1947, at the end of British rule

the canal system had grown into a large network

that turned roughly 26 million acres of land in the basin

into farmland.

The Indus River and its tributaries were diverted

into a vast web of canals.

After Pakistan won independence

the government continued this legacy

adding at least 18 new major barrages

and canal links between 1960 and 1990.

The system today includes over 50 canals over 80 dams, 19 barrages

and 2 major drainage projects for agricultural waste.

Therefore, the canal system is considered

the largest contiguous canal system anywhere in the world.

This degree of manipulation has transformed Pakistan.

Cities appeared in the desert.

The population boomed to over 200 million.

And agriculture is the country's largest economic sector

employing roughly half of the country.

And it uses 90% of its surface and groundwater.

This complete redesign of the country's water

has some major consequences.

I would say catastrophic consequences

which we are seeing 150 years since its inception.

[urgent, driving string music]

In August of 2022

an unusually heavy monsoon season

flooded one third of the country

killing more than 1600 people.

The low lying province of Sindh

and neighboring Balochistan were inundated.

When the water across this part of Pakistan

wanted to drain back into the Indus...

It couldn't find a natural path back to the river.

It was blocked by the system of canals, embankments

and wastewater drains built parallel to the river.

Water lingered for several weeks

causing disease and displacement.

Generally, the regions most vulnerable to this type of flooding

are the low lying ones without the historic wetlands and floodplains

that would have absorbed the water.

The embankments along the river were built to protect regions

from riverine flooding.

But the government and powerful landowners

are known to breach these embankments on purpose.

So that some land can be spared from flooding...

while other land gets inundated.

And the wide network of barrages and canals

capture and disperse the river water out in a way

that diminishes the water that reaches the Indus delta.

That means sea water can intrude

back into the riverbed and groundwater...

destroying water sources and millions of acres

of farmable land.

So in the lower Indus Delta in particular

you have vast land masses which are now no longer fit

for agriculture and people who have been practicing particular

kinds of agriculture are completely destitute.

Inequality is also built into the system

in terms of water access.

The richer you are better positioned

you are in terms of access to water.

That means, just like during British colonial rule

landowners at the head of canals today

still benefit from this privilege of better water access

while the people at the end of the canals

suffer from the most water scarcity.

A similar dynamic plays out among provinces.

Punjab is an upstream province, meaning

they get access to the river water before Sindh in the south

and can use the control of the barrages to direct

how much water flows downstream in the Punjab

Pakistani officials have proposed building more mega dams

along their rivers as a solution to water scarcity and flooding

showing they intend to continue the same colonial tradition

of over engineering the Indus River.

It's a question of a very colonial mindset

that has continued in post-colonial Pakistan.

And that the way to manage the river basin

is only through engineered solutions

and not taking account for indigenous knowledge systems.

With a problem this massive, a single overarching

solution might be impossible.

But slow and sustained changes to water policy

like preventing more development in floodplains

clearing out obstructions to drainage pathways

and listening to local communities...

could help reduce the extremely negative impacts

the system has created.

And thinking differently

basically means to think about what have we done wrong?

You need to make amends for those mistakes.

A more democratic mode of going forward

with water management, with flood management.

Taking everyone along with you...

is the only recipe that I can think of.