Balochistan Water: Challenges, Opportunities, and Sustainable Solutions

By Yahya Musakhel - Manager Business Development, PPAF

Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan by area, is an arid to semi-arid region with fragile and limited water resources. The province faces a multifaceted water crisis that threatens its agriculture, economy, food security, and environment. With a population of approximately 12.3 million, predominantly rural, Balochistan relies heavily on groundwater and seasonal floodwaters to meet its water needs. However, due to poor water management, over-reliance on groundwater, and climate change, the province is grappling with acute water shortages and degradation of water quality.

  

 

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges, opportunities, and sustainable solutions related to water management in Balochistan, emphasizing its importance for agricultural productivity, poverty alleviation, and socio-economic development.

---

Challenges

1. Limited Water Availability

• Arid Climate: The province receives an average annual rainfall of 50–300 mm, with significant spatial and temporal variability.
• Low Water Resources Utilization: Of the 21.49 million acre-feet (MAF) of total available water resources, only 7.93 MAF is utilized, leaving a substantial 13.55 MAF unutilized.

S.#	Description	Quantity (MAF)
		Available	Utilized	Balance
A.   Indus Water as per Indus Accord
1	Perennial	3.870	3.052	0.820
2	Flood	4.620	--	4.620
Total		8.490	3.052	5.440
B.   Non Indus Basin
1	Flood Runoff	10.793	2.222	8.571
2	Groundwater	2.210	2.659	(-)    0.459
Total		13.003	4.881	8.112
G. Total		21.493	7.933	13.552

 

• Declining Groundwater Levels: Groundwater accounts for only 9% of the total available water in Balochistan, but over-extraction has led to a sharp decline of 2–3 meters annually.

 
2. Agricultural Water Mismanagement

• Overdependence on Agriculture: Agriculture accounts for 93% of the total water use in Balochistan, yet water-use efficiency is alarmingly low. Traditional irrigation methods waste significant amounts of water.
  
  
  
• Runoff Wastage: Approximately 60% of surface water flows unutilized to the sea due to insufficient storage and flood management infrastructure.
  

HYDROLOGICAL  INFORMATION

·       Total River Basins in Balochistan                                        18

·       Sub Basins                                                                                73

·       The annual average rainfall                                                       50 – 300mm

·       Decline of water table due to over draft.                             2-3 m per year

·       Balochistan is an arid zone with scanty rain

·       and extreme / moderate Temperatures.

·       Total average annual runoff generated                              10.793 MAF

·       Runoff utilized / conserved so  far through Dams /         2.222  MAF

o   Flood Dispersal Structures.

·       Balance available to be harnessed through                       8.571 MAF

·       Storage Dams / Flood Dispersal Structures

3. Climate Change and Extreme Weather

• Droughts: Balochistan has experienced recurrent and prolonged droughts, with the most severe spanning 1997–2005. These droughts severely impact agriculture, livestock, and water availability.
• Floods: High-intensity floods in 2007, 2010, and 2012 caused significant destruction to infrastructure and agriculture, highlighting the province's vulnerability to climate extremes.
  
  
  

4. Infrastructure and Policy Deficiencies

• Inadequate Storage: Limited dam and flood dispersal structures lead to water wastage. Only 2.22 MAF of the 10.79 MAF of floodwater runoff is conserved.
• Indus Water Utilization: Balochistan's allocated share of 8.49 MAF under the Indus Water Accord remains underutilized due to lack of infrastructure and policy gaps.
• Mismanagement in Urban Areas: In Quetta, the water table has dropped below 300 meters due to indiscriminate tubewell drilling and lack of alternative sources.

EVALUATION  OF THE GROUND WATER RECHARGE AND UTILIZATION

 

5. Deforestation and Watershed Degradation

• Forest Cover Loss: Forests, critical for groundwater recharge, cover only 2.2% of Pakistan's area, with Balochistan suffering from high deforestation rates. Overgrazing, firewood collection, and timber extraction exacerbate water scarcity by degrading watersheds.
   

---

Opportunities

1. Untapped Water Resources

• Floodwater Potential: With 8.57 MAF of unutilized floodwater runoff, Balochistan has significant potential to harness this resource for irrigation and storage.
• Surface Water Development: Currently, only 40% of surface water is utilized. Increased development of storage infrastructure could unlock greater potential.

2. Agriculture Modernization

• High-Value Crops: Transitioning to less water-intensive, high-value crops like fruits and vegetables can improve water productivity and profitability.
• Irrigation Technology: Adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems can significantly enhance water-use efficiency.

3. Renewable Energy for Water Extraction

• Solar-powered water pumps and desalination plants could provide sustainable solutions for water-scarce areas, reducing reliance on groundwater.

4. Policy Reforms

• Effective implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM) policies can address inefficiencies and ensure equitable water distribution.
• Formulating provincial water laws and improving coordination among stakeholders can enhance water governance.

5. Community-Based Initiatives

• Community involvement in water conservation projects and watershed management can strengthen local resilience to water scarcity.
• Revival of traditional water systems like karezes can provide cost-effective solutions for small-scale water needs.

---

Sustainable Solutions

1. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

• Develop a comprehensive water policy encompassing laws, flood disaster management, and land-use planning to ensure efficient water use and sustainable socio-economic development.
• Implement basin-wide water management for Balochistan’s 18 river basins, ensuring equitable water distribution among sectors.

2. Improved Water Storage Infrastructure

• Construct new dams and upgrade existing flood dispersal structures to store excess runoff water.
• Build small check dams in upland areas to recharge groundwater and reduce flooding.

3. Groundwater Regulation

• Enforce strict regulations on tubewell installations and groundwater extraction.
• Promote artificial groundwater recharge methods such as rainwater harvesting.

4. Modernization of Agriculture

• Promote water-efficient irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.
• Shift cropping patterns to less water-intensive crops and increase awareness about water conservation among farmers.

5. Climate Adaptation Strategies

• Establish drought-resilient water supply systems and diversify livelihoods to reduce reliance on agriculture.
• Implement afforestation programs to restore watersheds and improve groundwater recharge.

6. Urban Water Management

• Improve water supply systems in Quetta and other urban areas by investing in desalination plants and recycling wastewater.
• Reduce water losses in urban supply networks through better maintenance and monitoring.

7. International Collaboration

• Collaborate with regional countries on transboundary water management and climate adaptation projects.
• Seek technical and financial support from international organizations to implement large-scale water conservation initiatives.

---

Conclusion

The water crisis in Balochistan is a critical challenge that demands immediate and coordinated action. With its arid climate and over-reliance on groundwater, the province faces severe threats to its agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and overall socio-economic stability. However, the untapped potential of surface and floodwater resources, coupled with innovative technologies and effective policy reforms, provides an opportunity to address these challenges sustainably. By investing in infrastructure, modernizing agriculture, and fostering community participation, Balochistan can secure its water future and pave the way for inclusive development.

This holistic approach will not only alleviate poverty but also contribute to national food security and economic growth, ensuring a sustainable future for the province and its people.