PTI government prepares first ever Water Conservation Policy in the history of Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has finalized the draft of first ever `Water Conservation bill’ which would be soon tabled in the National Assembly. This was disclosed by PCRWR Chairman, Dr Aslam Tahir while talking to APP on Monday. “The draft of the bill has been prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders at federal and provincial level and will serve as catalyst to the cause of water conservation in the country which is direly needed at this time”, he said. He said the draft bill is yet to be submitted to the ministry for final approval which will be possible only after the appointment of Minister of Science and Technology. He said PCRWR was taking a number of measures for water conservation and educating farmers through its advisory SMS service about optimal usage of water has yielded very positive outcomes. According to the draft of the Water Conservation Bill, water would be declared as an economic good and public property or asset and water conservation would be essential part of school and college curricula. Water recycling and reuse would be encouraged and promoted. About the domestic water, the draft suggests that admissible minimum and maximum limits of domestic supplies would be determined and declared. Domestic water would be metered and priced and supplies would be based on per capita requirement and number of residents, usage above admissible supplies would be priced on higher rate. Rainwater harvesting would be integral part of building having covered area of one kanal or more. Water charges would be enhanced over water shortage period for reducing demand. The draft also suggests subsidizing water conservation gadgets. About the water usage for irrigation, the draft suggests to carry out crop zoning while allowing only admissible crops to be sown in zone area. Keeping in view the domestic demand, the draft recommends allocating quota for sowing high delta crops and these should be adhered to an annual basis. Sowing of high delta crops would normally be discouraged and flood and pancho irrigation would be gradually reduced and abandoned by 2030. Water conservation equipment and infrastructure for irrigation would be subsidized and installation of tube well would be licensed and heir size determined based on command area. About the Industrial usage of water, the report recommends that industrial water usage will audited and industries would be asked o submit wafer conservator plan for five years. Rooftop rainwater harvesting should be part of very school while green and clean competitions should also be held to award winners for generating trained manpower for water conservation. Dumping of municipal and industrial waste water into natural water bodies would be gradually reduced and halved by 2030. - APP
