Groundwater development and management in Indus Basin: issues and challenges

The groundwater resources underlying the Indus Plains and co-existing with the canal system have an immeasurable value in the development of Pakistan. Groundwater has gradually acquired a vital position in the agricultural economy of the country as it supplies water for about 40 percent of crop water requirements. The alluvial plains of Pakistan are blessed with extensive unconfined aquifer, which is fast becoming the supplemental source of water for irrigation. Presently, about 662,000 private tubewells have been installed in the Basin without adopting any mechanism for extracting groundwater and regulatory framework for groundwater development. The continued abstraction of groundwater through these tubewells has caused depletion of water table in 26 out of 43 canal commands. This over-pumping has also imposed a physical external constraint on their neighbours. The groundwater level in some densely populated urban areas of the country has also been lowering at faster rate. The extended drought during recent years had further exaggerated the situation. The uncalled groundwater development has also induced the problem of water quality deterioration due to up-coning of underlying saline water which is adding million tonnes of salts in the irrigated lands of the Indus Basin. According to an estimate about 70% of the tubewells are pumping sodic water. Pollution of the groundwater aquifers due to leaching of various kinds of agricultural and industrial chemicals is another concern in the Indus Basin. Extensive groundwater surveys and monitoring is required to identify and delineate such areas. Future management will need to focus on sustainable development, legal framework, protection of quality, efficient use, inter basin and out of basin water transfers, etc. This paper briefly discusses the issues and challenges being faced by Pakistan relating to groundwater development and management in the Indus Basin.