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British envoy on conserving water in Pakistan for future requirements
LONDON, Oct 16 (APP)- The British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson in his blog on water has stressed on the need to conserve water to meet the future requirements by the South Asian country.“This is a crucial matter for Pakistan. Tragically, the country has too much water right now as it struggles to recover from unprecedented and devastating floods. But, equally, the country has far, far too little water as it copes with a rapidly expanding population,” he wrote in his blog.He assured that the UK will stand by Pakistan in this disaster. “It was one of the first and most generous countries to respond. We have committed a total of 134 million pounds (nearly 18 billion Rupees) towards the relief efforts. The UK public has generously donated a further 56 million pounds (approximately 7.5 billion Rupees) from their own pockets,” Thomson said.
The top diplomat wrote that this money has made possible a lot of good things, including one months food packages for nearly one million people and an emergency field camp in the worst affected area near Sukkur.
However, according to Thomson the British assistance and that of all the international humanitarian response combined will meet only a fraction of the total recovery requirement. “For ordinary Pakistanis affected by the floods, much will depend on how Pakistan itself responds.”
Praising the short term relief response by the Federal and Provincial authorities, the Army and many wonderful Pakistani charities and individuals, the envoy said it has been as good as could be expected for a country facing a catastrophe more widespread than anything any country in the world has faced in recent decades.
“In the longer term, as reconstruction gets underway the national debate and policy implementation also needs to focus on the myriad of small ways in which Pakistan can both protect itself better against future floods and store and use more monsoon rain water.”
He pointed out that water storage and water usage are going to become increasingly vital questions. Pakistan already has a population of about 175 million people. It is already “water stressed”. By 2035, it will have added another 100 million Pakistanis to its population and will be “water scarce”.
Thomson said 90% of Pakistan’s water is currently used for irrigation and agriculture, leaving on around 10% for drinking and bathing. Yet by 2035, Pakistan’s vast population will be more urban than rural.
To overcome this problem the Pakistan policy makers and other stakeholders need to devise proper planning and strategy to meet the future requirements. In his regard Thomson noted that the UK will be as helpful as it can. “The sooner major national debate on water begins in Pakistan, the more helpful we can be,” he wrote.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk