2.2.1.4 Environmental Quality

Yields and production are critically affected by the water table and the condition of the soils the rising water table has eroded the natural potential of agriculture production in Pakistan. The twin problems of water-logging and salinity pose a real danger to Pakistan. Over 16% of the country's irrigated lands are presently degraded by severe water-logging and over 14% are affected by severe salinity. The Government of Pakistan initiated the Salinity Control and Reclamation Projects (SCARPs) in the 1960s through the use of tube-well technology for drainage. However, the heavy operational and repair costs and pumping saline water from ground brackish water zone tilted the balance in favor of shallow tube-wells and even pipe drainage system The tube-wells have contributed to the salt accumulation in the soil surface because the equality between incoming and outgoing salts was not maintained and the water table virtually lowered by evaporation a transpiration. Due to the failure of the SCARPs to deal with the problem effectively, the National Drainage Project (NDP) was approved in 1997 at Cost of Rs 31 billion. 

2.3 Vision Elements

The elements of the vision which are common to all the Regional Countries as identified in the SARWV are shown in Annex-2.1. In addition, the following elements have been brought out as specific to Pakistan t as specific to Pakistan.

• National consensus in the development of hydro-power, reservoirs for irrigation and power generation.

• Research and Technology development in the areas of energy use, desalination of water.

• Salt balance in the soils will be so managed that the natural carrying capacity of the land will not be negatively impacted by excess salts.

• Development of a strategy for effective disposal of the sediment in the reservoirs.

• Coordination and linkage between irrigation and drainage functions. A sustainable drainage policy and strategy to resolve problems of water-logging and salinity.

• A hybrid system of energy supply in which indigenous, localized and renewable energy resources will be the main source of energy.