Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
forests in the delta have also benefited greatly from
this influx of water and silt. The unprecedented
deposition of silt along Sindh's coast promises to
stabilize the coastline, as well as help reclaim
formerly saline lands.
in the basic assumptions and aims of water
management test the resilience of ecosystems,
livelihoods and management institutions. These
crises stimulate innovations through alternative
responses.
2
Plan for multiple strategies to achieve governance
goals.
Over the past 50 years adjustments in
irrigation systems have not been in line with
the changes in governance structures. A strategy
is needed which comprises: (i) incremental
reform for periods of stable governance; (ii)
episodic breakthroughs for periods of strong
local participation and political leadership; and
(iii) risk management for periods of political
instability.
3
Plan at multiple geographic scales of water
management
. Water management programmes
have to be focused on multiple geographic scales:
from the household to international levels of
political economy, and from the farm plot to
landscape and bioregional scales of ecosystem
management.
4
Plan to support varied patterns of regional water
management and innovation
. Water management
approaches vary in the different agro-economic
zones of Pakistan. With some experimentation
and by adapting best management practices
in agriculture, water-use efficiency can be
enhanced and region-specific appropriate water
management cultures can be promoted.
5
Plan for scientific and societal experimentation with
water and environmental management alternatives.
The Indus river system acts like a 'laboratory'
for experimentation on water management. To
be effective, this approach needs to combine
ecosystem management,
Options for management
Various recommendations have been put forward
by experts in different forums:
(a)
According to the findings of an International
Panel of Experts (IPOE) the need for water release
downstream from the Kotri Barrage is justified
in order to prevent salinity encroachment in the
river, aquifer and coastal zone, and prevention of
salinity accumulation in the Indus Basin; increase
coastal stability; improve fisheries; and ensure
environmental sustainability.
A release from the Kotri Barrage of 5000 cubic
feet per second (142 m
3
s
−
1
) throughout the year
has been suggested as a requirement for preventing
salt-water intrusion, accommodating the needs for
fisheries and environmental sustainability, and for
maintaining the river channel (Gonzalez
et al
.,
2005). The IPOE also recommended considerable
quantities of sediment supply to maintain a stable
coastline and sustain mangrove vegetation. They
recommended that 'a total volume of 25 MAF
(31 billion m
3
) in any 5-year period (an annual
equivalent amount of 5 MAF (6 billion m
3
)) be
released below Kotri as flood flows (Kharif period).
The yearly release can be adjusted so that the
average of 6 billion m
3
is maintained'.
(b)
According to the provisions of the 1991
Water Accord, 10 MAF (12 billion m
2
) has been
committed for the Province of Sindh; however,
environmentalists believe that this is insufficient
and the IUCN has calculated that a release
of 27MAF (33 billion m
3
)isessentialforthe
continued wellbeing of the Indus Delta (WWF -
Pakistan, 2008).
(c)
In a review of the past half-century of water
management experiments and experience in the
Indus River Basin in Pakistan, Wescoat
et al.
(2000) proposed five principles for long-term water
planning, summarized below:
1
Plan for crises
. Known as 'surprises' in the field
of adaptive management, crisis-driven changes
social
learning and
cultural values.
(d)
WWF - Pakistan recommends adoption of
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
within the framework of the Water Accord
1991, based on using both surface water and
groundwater. This strategy includes institutional
management, system improvements and efficient
use of water in agriculture. WWF - Pakistan, in
collaboration with the Government of Pakistan,
is currently working on the Indus Ecoregion
Programme, which is a long-term conservation
initiative for sustainable management of natural
