Groundwater challenges & groundwater recharge potentials of Pakistan

3^rd International Conference on Hydrology & Meteorology

September 15-16, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Amir Haider Malik

Accepted Abstracts: Hydrol Current Res

Abstract :

The groundwater recharge in Pakistan is estimated to be about 68 BCM (55 MAF). It is being exploited through installation of about 16,000 large public capacity (3-5 cusecs) and 500,000 small capacity (0.5-1.5 cusecs) private tube-wells. The groundwater abstraction in Pakistan has increased from about 4 BCM (3.34 MAF) in 1959 to about 60 BCM (48 MAF) in 1996-972. The mining of water is causing intrusion of saline water. In the Indus Basin, water table is going down in 26 canal commands out 45. Many cities are having difficulties in getting sufficient quantities of raw water as local aquifers are being over-pumped and contaminated. Thus there is an urgent need of groundwater recharge not only to compensate the declining water tables in the agriculture sector and also in the urban areas but also to compensate the rise in the anthropogenic and geogenic pollution of groundwater. With increase in groundwater recharge, the farmers will get access to good quality & quantity of groundwater. The yields of wheat, cotton and rice and other crops can increase after the application groundwater. There will be more employment in agriculture sector, industry & more poverty eradication, thus also more development of the country. The surplus water taken from floods and harvested rainwater will reduce the flood risks in the downstream and also to secure safe water reserves to cover the coming droughts.