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Essay / An Overview of the Water Crises in Pakistan
Table of ContentsAn Overview of the Water Crises in PakistanEffects of the Water Crises in PakistanConclusionAn Overview of the Water Crises in PakistanWater is a natural resource which is found in abundant quantities on the Earth's surface, but of 71% of the water on Earth, only 3% is fresh water, the rest being salt water and therefore unfit for consumption. When it comes to water usage, we see that water is not only used for drinking but also for agriculture, industry and various other purposes. Although water is required for various other purposes, Pakistan, as an agricultural country, requires water in abundant quantities for its agricultural needs as our economy depends on it. Unfortunately, since its inception until today, Pakistan has been facing water crises, especially because India stopped water supplies or because of unstable and corrupt governments. As of today, Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis which, if left unchecked, could lead to severe droughts in the near future. Not only is there a shortage of drinking water in Pakistan, but also a shortage of water and rain to nourish agricultural fields, the consequences of which could be deadly as Pakistan's economy would decline drastically and serious problems such as starvation could result. although having the capacity to build dams, has not enjoyed much success due to, on the one hand, the lack of funds available for such huge projects, and, on the other hand, our political corruption. Despite being on the border and warning of a future drought, the water issue has been given low priority, leading to further crises in the near future. We can only hope and pray that our government realizes the importance of this warning and takes steps to secure and stabilize Pakistan's water crisis. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay The water problem in Pakistan is becoming a growing concern every day. With the unavailability of clean water, various bacterial, viral and fungal diseases such as typhoid break out rapidly, which can result in high mortality rates leading to the instability of the country as a whole. Therefore, the water issue must be brought under control without delay to save the country from any major and disastrous situation. Causes of water crises in Pakistan According to a report by the Intermonetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan ranks third among countries facing severe water shortage. They and other sources warn that Pakistan could reach absolute water shortage by 2025, if the current situation continues. Pakistan has the fourth highest water consumption rate in the world. According to the IMF, Pakistan's annual per capita water availability is 1,017 cubic meters – dangerously close to the shortage threshold of 1,000 cubic meters. In 2009, Pakistan's water availability was around 1,500 cubic meters. Several reasons have been identified as to why the country is facing serious water problems. Let's discuss these issues. Climate Change: Possible climate changes have seriously affected the amount of water present in the country. Due to global warming, temperatures are rising, leading to greater evaporation of water, resulting in land that is arid and unsuitable for agriculture. Apart from this, the monsoon season has been erratic in recent years and the winter season has reduced to two to four months in some parts of the country.At the same time, Pakistan does not have enough dams to store floodwater and use it to compensate for water shortages. Furthermore, forests have declined due to anthropogenic activities which have made the forests barren. Less vegetation leads to less rain, leading to water scarcity in the country. Water Policy: Since its inception, Pakistan has suffered a lot at the hands of its enemy, India, which has troubled Pakistan with several concerns and with water in particular. Never having enjoyed an equal share of resources, Pakistan was very lacking and the seat and main water supply remains in the hands of India till date. India uses this power to exploit Pakistan, releasing water during floods and withholding it during shortages, thereby deliberately making Pakistan suffer from water problems. Tarbela and Mangla Dam, Pakistan's only two major reservoirs, were also reported to have reached their dead level recently. Kugelman believes Pakistani authorities must step up efforts to overcome the water crisis, which is partly man-made. Wastage of water: Where we face problems with water storage, the water we already have is also mismanaged and wasted. daily. This mismanagement occurs at different levels. From mismanagement at the domestic level to wasting water at the industrial level, we are truly wasting water at all levels and failing to play our role in its conservation. After all, it is every drop of water that adds up to form a mighty ocean. As tiny water droplets, we must play our role in water conservation and once everyone plays their role as responsible citizens, the country may be able to stabilize itself in terms of water scarcity. Therefore, water wastage is one of the main reasons why our country does not have proper water management and sufficient quantity to meet everyone's needs. Effects of Water Crisis in Pakistan Decrease in harvests: Water is essential for the growth of crops and therefore crucial for Pakistan's agricultural industry. Some crops like rice required standing water to grow. Rice fields must be flooded with water at all times to ensure abundant and adequate growth. In the event of a water shortage, these fields would not receive enough water, resulting in a decrease in crop production and ultimately not being able to meet the growing demands of industry and the population. This is not just about paddy fields but rather all crops, so such lack of water can significantly affect the production of crops and their shortage will affect the economy of Pakistan. Unemployment: Due to the decline of the agricultural industry, the employment sector is suffering greatly. The more flourishing the agricultural sector, the greater the chances of employment as a farmer, etc. and vice versa. With a rapid decline in the agricultural sector due to lack of water, the need for farmers and other similar jobs is decreasing, thereby leading to a decline in employment. If water is not available on some farms, farmers may have to abandon their fields because agriculture and crop growth are not possible without water. Decrease in exports: Pakistan has good quality fruits which it exports to other countries, especially good quality fruits from Balochistan. With a decline in the agricultural sector due to lack of water, these exports would decline rapidly, thereby leading to negative impacts on the economy of Pakistan. Livestock: livestock, like any other human being, has.