ISLAMABAD: In a water-scarce country like Pakistan, where rainwater of 30 to 35 million acre-feet (MAF) is wasted per annum, one individual-- Teacher Usman--has executed an innovative idea and dug close to 1,000 storage ponds for saving millions of litres of rainwater in different parts of the country.
His efforts saved 20 million litres of rainwater, which otherwise would have been wasted after the downpour owing to lack of water storage facilities. Although this effort seems small compared to the annual wastage of rainwater, it can be replicated to preserve rainwater and using it to recharge groundwater.
In a bid to improve the environment, Usman has so far planted 80,000 saplings in different parts of the country. Experts believe that Pakistan is going to be hit with water scarcity by 2040, so it is high time to make rainwater storage facilities in order to ensure recharging of groundwater.
Instead of waiting for some disaster to hit different water-scarce areas, Usman has taken this initiative to build small facilities for rainwater storage with the help of his contributions generated through social media platforms and donations from other individuals.
He has so far constructed small ponds for rainwater storage in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Manshera, Mureee, and Islamabad, saving more than 20 million litres of rainwater. In one of Islamabad’s religious seminaries, where there was an acute water shortage, he recharged the groundwater, and now the bore water is available there in abundance.
Keeping in view his marvellous work, Usman was invited to the historic city of Taxila, where the Gandhara-Taxila Centre for Development (G-TCD) and Gandhara Resource Centre, Pakistan (GRCP), in collaboration with the Punjab government, Taxila Baithak, and Clean & Green Taxila, organised an awareness campaign on rainwater harvesting.
Sara Mehmood, CEO of G-TCD, welcomed the community representatives and outlined the programme’s objectives. Tahir Mehmood and Hamza Rafi -- the coordinators to MPA Mohsin Ayub belonging to the ruling party -- appreciated the initiative, announcing that the Punjab government will adopt the revival of centuries-old water storage structures in Taxila—covering both rural and urban rainwater harvesting—as a regular government project.
Teacher Usman, renowned for his rainwater harvesting work in different parts of the country, showcased his innovative models and shared valuable insights. He said he launched this campaign for the sake of the next generations because climate change was going to hit them severely. He said there was a need to take corrective measures in the wake of water scarcity, adding small water storage facilities could be constructed by spending a few thousand rupees.
During the event, Usman also distributed 50 plants among the participants. Besides, a visit to an ancient era water storage facility -- Bohar Bun -- was arranged. There is an old tree which was planted more than 100 years ago when Sir John Marshal was excavating different sites in Bohar Bun.
Sir Marshall is most known for his extensive archaeological work in Taxila, including his role in the establishment and development of the Taxila Museum. He served as the director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India and led excavations at Taxila from 1913 to 1934. The Taxila Museum, which houses a significant portion of artefacts discovered during these excavations, was partially constructed during his tenure.
Tahir Salman of Taxila Baithak shared with the attendees the Bohar Bun site’s heritage and water management importance. Teacher Usman also expressed his commitment to supporting the Bohar Bun’s revival.
The campaign not only raised awareness but also secured government ownership of the rainwater harvesting revival project, transforming it into action for the historical sites of Taxila.