ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) hasfinalized the draft of first ever `Water Conservation bill’ which would besoon tabled in the National Assembly.This was disclosed by PCRWR Chairman, Dr Aslam Tahir while talking to APPon Monday.“The draft of the bill has been prepared in consultation with all thestakeholders at federal and provincial level and will serve as catalyst tothe cause of water conservation in the country which is direly needed atthis time”, he said.He said the draft bill is yet to be submitted to the ministry for finalapproval which will be possible only after the appointment of Minister ofScience and Technology.He said PCRWR was taking a number of measures for water conservation andeducating farmers through its advisory SMS service about optimal usage ofwater has yielded very positive outcomes.According to the draft of the Water Conservation Bill, water would bedeclared as an economic good and public property or asset and waterconservation would be essential part of school and college curricula. Waterrecycling and reuse would be encouraged and promoted.About the domestic water, the draft suggests that admissible minimum andmaximum limits of domestic supplies would be determined and declared.Domestic water would be metered and priced and supplies would be based onper capita requirement and number of residents, usage above admissiblesupplies would be priced on higher rate.Rainwater harvesting would be integral part of building having covered areaof one kanal or more. Water charges would be enhanced over water shortageperiod for reducing demand. The draft also suggests subsidizing waterconservation gadgets.About the water usage for irrigation, the draft suggests to carry out cropzoning while allowing only admissible crops to be sown in zone area.Keeping in view the domestic demand, the draft recommends allocating quotafor sowing high delta crops and these should be adhered to an annual basis.Sowing of high delta crops would normally be discouraged and flood andpancho irrigation would be gradually reduced and abandoned by 2030.Water conservation equipment and infrastructure for irrigation would besubsidized and installation of tube well would be licensed and heir sizedetermined based on command area.About the Industrial usage of water, the report recommends that industrialwater usage will audited and industries would be asked o submit waferconservator plan for five years.Rooftop rainwater harvesting should be part of very school while green andclean competitions should also be held to award winners for generatingtrained manpower for water conservation.Dumping of municipal and industrial waste water into natural water bodieswould be gradually reduced and halved by 2030. – APP
PTI government prepares first ever Water Conservation Policy in the history of Pakistan
