Pakistan is considered a water stressed and water scared country as of many surveys. It is said, if the situation will not change by 2025, it could turn into a water dry country. The province Balochistan is most affected because of the drought and arrival of Afghan refugees. More than 3 million after 9/11 have further depleted and stressed the available water resources in province Balochistan.
The situation destroyed the livelihood, agriculture and livestock of the province. In 2017 the province witnessed the snowfall only once, which could not meet the thrust of the barren land. The only lake-cum-picnic spot in the capital of the Balochistan province, Quetta named Hana Lake has completely dried. The eco-system severely threatened by long spell of drought, the birds heavily relied on the lake water have migrated or died.
Poverty is on peak, the UN report of 2017 ranked Pakistan as 147th on Human Development Index. Due to extreme poverty, people have engaged children in labor work; children and women fetch water from long distances to full-fill their daily water need. The poor education or lack of facilities in rural areas are keeping children at length from schools & more involve in child labor.
GIZ-RAHA program has extended support on micro level to support integrated water resource management activities since last three years. Under IWRM program, on do no harm approach, GIZ has rehabilitated and extended indigenous Karez water system through civic engagement & seeking local intellect. Encouraged farmers and provided with poly tunnels to grow off-season vegetables and to boost their livelihood.
After GIZ interventions, the barren lands have started covering under green sheet of crops on small scale benefiting local farmers, contributing in improving their livelihood. Yet trust, there is always window of opportunity, together engaging communities, we can shape our future from worst to best. There is always; ray of hope.
