Abstract
The total number of watercourses in Pakistan is about 110,000 and particularly in Sindh it is about 46,699, out of which 7576 have been lined from 1977 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2015; 22,479 have been lined and the remaining 16,644 still require improvement. At the current rate of progress, the lining of remaining watercourses would further take about 21 years. As designed life of the improved watercourse is about 25 years. By the time of ending of many watercourse improvement programs, there will again require the rehabilitation on many of the earlier watercourse lining schemes. Generally two types of watercourse lining are practiced in Sindh i.e. Rectangular Lined Watercourses (with single and double brick walls) and Trapezoidal Concrete Lined Watercourses. Because of efficient, effectiveness, easy maintenance and repair work, the Rectangular Lined Watercourse is more frequently practiced in Sindh. It is now suggested that: to renovate the watercourses an accelerated program should be started and the system (with the sense of terms and conditions) for renovation of watercourses program should also be changed. The research work towards different types of lining materials for watercourse should be conducted. Looking to the brief review it is suggested that a fiber glass type plastic material with semi-circular or U-shaped, pre-cast fabricated RCC Trapezoidal or Parabolic in place of brick mortar and concrete could be used for watercourse lining. This methodology, proposed to be used, will enable us to determine cost-benefit ratio, life span and such other parameters for its feasibility under variable climatic conditions of Sindh (North Sindh being dry and hot, while South Sindh semi-humid and warm).
Highlights
Pakistan is basically an agricultural country and most of its economy depends on production of raw material-food, fiber, timber, hides, etc
Looking to the brief review it is suggested that a fiber glass type plastic material with semi-circular or U-shaped, pre-cast fabricated RCC Trapezoidal or Parabolic in place of brick mortar and concrete could be used for watercourse lining
An analysis of the country’s economic situation indicates that Agricultural Production has grown at a fairly steady rate of about 4% per year and figures generated by the monitoring and evaluation program of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Punjab Economic Research Institute (PERI) indicate the following benefits from watercourse improvement as: 1) Nearly 27% increase in water delivery efficiency, 2) About 53% saving of water losses, 3) 37% increased in cropped area, 4) 20% increased in cropping intensities, and 5) 24% increased in crop yield
Summary
Pakistan is basically an agricultural country and most of its economy depends on production of raw material-food, fiber, timber, hides, etc. This would help control both the salinity and waterlogging problems It includes water management practices, such as watercourse improvement for efficient flow of irrigation water, adopting irrigation scheduling of crops or application of irrigation water to crops according to their requirements, etc. From the survey of literature on Water Management, it is found that Egypt, Jordan and Israel have controlled the seepage losses by lining the channels Besides this the author has reported that these countries have been able to reduce the water loss rate by 25% through regular cleaning and alignments of the watercourses as per engineering requirements. This is a simple practice that can be adopted by the farmers in Sindh province. To reduce more water losses, these countries have further embarked on check outlets of permanent structures based on hydraulic design [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
