Management of River and Reservoir Sedimentation in Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Water is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy for irngation, electricity generation and industrial production. The precious Mangle and Tarbele reservoirs are being silted up at the rate of 42 000 and 109 000 acre feet annually, due to faulty practices in the catchment areas. This is costing 2.3 billion rupees annually. The scientific management of these areas can reduce the siltation rate by 30 percent. The Forest Department, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the Soil Conservation Organisation are working in isolation to carry out proper land-use management activities in the field, while research is being done by Pakistan Forest Institute and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. The non-existence of a central coordinating organisation, lack of trained personnel and research and monitoring facilities, non-involvement of the people and faulty implementation are major management problems. The monitoring of the effect of different activities on the sedimentation is being done only on a small scale and on an experimental basis. Research and training in technological, economic and social aspects of watershed management have recently been started on a large scale.