Unit 3 # Development of Water Resources

Q: Explain the importance of the Indus River System to Pakistan.

Ans: The treaty clearly spells the do's and don'ts for both countries; as
it allows India to use only 20 per cent of the total water carried by the
Indus river.
The Indus is the most important supplier of water resources to the
Punjab and Sindh plains - It forms the backbone of agriculture and food
production in Pakistan.

• It is the principal source of water for drinking purposes in

Pakistan.
• The water is also utilized in heavy industries and for agricultural
needs for cultivating crops like cotton, wheat, sugarcane etc.
• The Indus river originates in the Himalayan region near Lake
Manasarovar and later mixes with the Arabian Sea near the city of
Karachi.
• It is also the longest and most important rivers, providing
resources that are vital to Pakistan's economy.
• It is 3200 km long and is known to have 20 major tributaries.

2: Describe and account for the differences between the drainage

pattern of the Indus System and that of the Balochistan Plateau.
Ans: River Indus is the largest river of Pakistan; water is provided by the
glaciers of Karakoram and Hindukush. After crossing deep gorges
(narrow valleys) of Himalayas it turns south west and enters Pakistan.
After entering Gilgit district it is still in deep gorges. Indus enters in
Plain areas of Punjab at Kalabagh then Indus enters in Sindh. Indus
forms delta at Thatta and enters in Arabian Sea after travelling 3180
km.
 Rivers like Zhob, Khandar and Kalachi flows east ward. These rivers join
Indus River. Most of the rivers of Balochistan are seasonal and active in
rainy season. Rivers Loralai, Chakar, Bolan and Mula have inland
drainage, these rivers soaked (absorbed) in Kachi sibi plain. River Hab,
Porali, Hingol and Mushkai drains (flow) in Arabian Sea. Many small
rivers flow west ward and drains in salt lakes called Hamun.

3: (a)i. In which year was the Indus Water Treaty signed?

Ans: In the year 1960, India and Pakistan signed a water distribution
agreement came to be known as Indus Water Treaty which was
orchestrated by the World Bank.

ii. Why was the Indus Water Treaty necessary for Pakistan?
Ans: • After partition in 1947, the headworks of many rivers were left in
India at Firozpur.
• Since Pakistan has unreliable and insufficient rainfall, the water of
these rivers was essential for irrigation.
• In 1948, India stopped the water supply of these rivers to Pakistan
and Pakistan had to purchase this water from India to support its
agricultural economy.
• The Indus Water Treaty saved Pakistan from permanent exploitation
by the hands of Indians.

(b) i: Large dams have been constructed for water storage.

Name one.
Ans: Tarbela Dam and Mangla Dam.

ii. Several reservoirs are suffering from silting. What is silting and how
is it caused?
Ans: Siltation, is water pollution caused by particulate terrestrial clastic
material, with a particle size dominated by silt or clay.
It refers both to the increased concentration of suspended sediments
and to the increased accumulation (temporary or permanent) of fine
sediments on bottoms where they are undesirable. Siltation is most
often caused by soil erosion or sediment spill.

iii: Why is silting a problem?

Ans: Silt brought by river settle down in dam’s bed and reduces its
storage capacity as well making of electricity. Siltation shortens the life
of dam. It dam may block tunnels and damage machinery.

Iv: Name a Link Canal and explain its purpose.

Ans: There are many link canals, some of their names are as under,
• Balloki-Sulainabki 1
• Balloki-Sulainabki 2
• Chashma-Jhelum
• Marala-Ravi

Purpose:
• The link canals carry water from the we canal carry water from the
western river to eastern rivers.
• They help by compensating for the water loss to India.
• They help in irrigation by providing water through Perennial canals.

(c) i. Naming an industry in each case, describe three different

purposes for which manufacturing and processing industries use
water.
Ans: Industrial water used for different purposes, such as fabricating,
processing, washing, diluting, cooling, or transporting a product;
incorporating water into a product; or for sanitation needs within the
manufacturing facility.
ii. Other than supplying water to industry, for what purposes may
reservoirs and dams be used!
Ans: Dams store water for irrigation, reduce floods, generate (make)
electricity and act as a picnic spot. Dams can be used for aqua culture
(fishing) and act as a bridge.

4. (a) Study Fig. 3-A, a Persian Wheel.

i. With reference to the photograph, explain how this machine is used

for water supply.
Ans: A Persian wheel works by animal or man power. It comprises of a
horizontal wheel which is attached to a vertical wheel with buckets to
raise water. Horizontal wheel is rotated by a wooded shaft, using man
power or animal power. With horizontal wheel the other wheel also
rotates, and the buckets attached to it bring water out to empty into
troughs. Water is then used for irrigation.
ii. What are the advantages and disadvantages of replacing this
Persian Wheel with a tube well?
Ans: Advantages: A tube-well is more efficient, faster and does not
need to rest. It can irrigate a larger area. It gives a regular supply of
water and can be used at any time of the year. Less labour is required
and it provides clean water. It is also used to reduce problems of water-
logging and salinity.
Disadvantages: It is expensive and so cannot be used by poor farmers.
It runs with electricity or diesel. Diesel consumption causes air
pollution. It reduces groundwater that leads to lowering of water-table.

(b) Study Fig. 3-B, which shows canal water supply in Pakistan.
Ans:

i. In which year was the water supply highest?

Ans: 1999

ii. How much higher was this than the supply in 2002?
Ans: 31 million-acre feet.
(c) Why is there not enough water supply from canals to meet the
needs of all users?
Ans: Rainfall in Pakistan is insufficient and ineffective. It is unreliable
due to its variability. Due to high temperature, there is greater
evaporation. Less river water is available as Pakistan has right over
water of only three rivers according to the Indus Water Treaty. Canal
system does not reach all those who need it. Due to siltation in the
reservoirs, less water is supplied to the canals. There is water loss by
seepage through the unlined canals, and an additional loss by many
farmers, who make injudicious use of water. Water theft is also
reported in some areas. There is high domestic, industrial and
agricultural demand on water with a rapid population growth. There is
also a lack of government investment in this sector.

(d) Explain why waterlogging and salinity of soils causes problems to

farmers.
Ans: Water-logging and salinity occur when water-table rises due to
seepage through unlined perennial canals as water is available
throughout the year. This water collects on the surface of the land and
gradually the water-table rises to reach the crop root zone. When this
water evaporates, it leaves behind a crust of salt which is called salinity.
The effective soil becomes unfertile and unfit for cultivation. Water-
logging and salinity make the land unfit for cultivation which results in a
reduction in cultivable area. It reduces the yield of the crops. So the
income of the farmer is also reduced. It is very expensive to treat the
soil and reclaim the land.

(e) Water pollution is a major problem in urban areas. With reference

to examples, explain some of the causes of this pollution, and why it
is a major problem to the people who rely on this water supply.
Ans: Water pollution is caused by disposal of untreated human and
industrial waste into water many settlements proper sewage and
sanitation is not available.
Untreated sewage water is thrown into the rivers that cause water
pollution. Industrial waste is also dumped in rivers which then flow into
sea. Domestic litter especially plastic bags and papers is thrown in
water as there is no organized system of their collection. Oil spill from
ship breaking and from washing of tankers adds to sea water pollution
Agriculture run-off because of use of chemical fertilizers and
insecticides become part of drinking water and make it toxic. Polluted
water causes various health problems, like cholera, typhoid, diarrhea
hepatitis and dysentery. There is a risk of malaria from stagnant water.
It is unsafe for food processing industries e.g. fish canning. Polluted
water reduces fish catch and even kills fish.

Q5: Population growth, changing agricultural practices and

industrialization have increased pressure on Pakistan's water
resources. Read the following two views about ways to solve
problems of drought and shortage of water supply for agriculture and
industry.

Statement A: "Pakistan needs more large-scale water storage solutions,

which means the construction of many more large-scale dams.”

Statement B: "The problems of water being wasted and siltation means

that building more dams will not solve Pakistan's water shortage - the
solution is to reduce inefficient use of water."

Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your
answer and refer to examples you have studied. You should consider
View A and View B in your answer.
Ans: Although the water being wasted due to its inefficient usage but
Pakistan needs more large-scale water storage dams. Despite having
the world’s largest glaciers, Pakistan is among the world’s 36 most
water-stressed countries.
Most of the water resources are associated with the summer monsoon
pattern but this rainy water usually wasted due to lack of water storage
dams and pushed Pakistan to its worst flooding.

Around 33 million people, have been affected by 2022 heavy monsoon

rains in Pakistan, which have brought devastating rains, floods and
landslides. More than 7.9 million people have been temporarily
displaced and are in need of assistance. Some major rivers breached
their banks and dams have overflowed, destroying homes, farms and
critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and
public health facilities.

Pakistan needs a sound national water policy which balance socio-

economic development, management, and conservation of the
country’s water resources in an environment challenged by climate
change. Attempts over the years to update and approve a national
water policy have failed due to lack of priority.

To conclude, greater investment in Pakistan’s water sector represents

the best option for sustainable social and economic development.
Pakistan needs a sound national water policy which delineates the
framework for balanced socio-economic development, management,
and conservation of the country’s water resources in an environment
challenged by climate change.