Islamabad:A study has suggested to conduct due diligence of plans to build dams while keeping in view of the alternative resources of generating electricity to avoid issues of displacement of local communities.
The event, organised jointly by ZiZAK, a private consultancy firm headed by Dr Abbas, and Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development PRIED, an independent think-tank based in Islamabad. The study highlights the fact that dams are not the ‘only way’ to get power and water storage. Many externalities, especially the displacement of local communities, can be completely avoided in alternate approaches.
The study recommends that every dam proposal/project must pass through the sieve of due-diligence matrix vis-a-vis alternate proposals. The matrix will justify, on knowledge base, where to invest.
While addressing a ceremony of launching a report, Dr Hassan Abbas, a renowned water expert drew attention of the communities displaced due to building dams as well as their climatic, ecological and geological footprints.
He said that instead of making any money from Tarbela Dam, Pakistan suffered a net loss of more than $200 billion because of its external costs that the relevant government departments and international lending agencies such as the World Bank do not take into account. Asghar Hussain, co-author of the study, explained its methodology and stressed on hydropower projects against other power production options such as solar, wind, coal and other fossil fuels.