Punjab govt to build 75 more small dams in Rawalpindi

DRY WEATHER PATTERNS & CROPS

Rawalpindi

The Punjab government has given approval of building 75 more small dams in Rawalpindi Division in the next two years to cope with untimely dry weather patterns that affect the growth of crops and fisheries.

The agriculture department with full cooperation of Punjab government has already built total 400 small dams in Rawalpindi division which are trying to overcome the scarcity of water.

Soil Conservation Officer (Agriculture) Shabbar Hussain Shah told ‘The News’ that all seasonal crops particularly wheat crop suffered damages due to long dry spell in Potohar region. But those having small dams are not facing crisis because they are using stored water for crops and vegetable growth, he claimed. The dairy/livestock and fish growth was also in control where there are small dams, he said.

He said that in 2001-2002, we faced worst kind of drought in the country particularly Baluchistan where animals, birds and fish started dying at that time. “In the light of present situation, Punjab government has approved establishment of 75 more small dams here at Rawalpindi division to avoid losses,” he said. He said that Punjab government has given 80 per cent subsidy in establishment of a small dam. A small dam can be established in cost of Rs2.2 million while Punjab government providing subsidy to Rs1.5 million to avoid loss in dry spell, he claimed.

According to Soil Conservation officer, a small dam having capacity of 40-acre feet water was enough for the surrounding areas. He said that Irregular weather patterns are largely beyond the control of the state, but there are some things that can be done to mitigate their impact. For one, better quality forecasting is needed in Pakistan. It was necessary to control this situation in a better way. He said that with increasing water demand and deteriorating water quality associated with a burgeoning population use of small dam water is expected to rise in Potohar in the future.