HAMID WALEED

LAHORE: Water experts have demanded imposition of heavy fines and long term imprisonments against those involved in water contamination through industrial emissions.

In Lahore city, they said, a total of 1,617 cusecs contaminated water is emitted every day, out of which the industrial share is 375 cusecs while 100 cusecs is emitted by the housing societies. The remaining over 1100 cusecs contaminated water is emitted through Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) pumps which is mixed up with underground water and used as drinking water by citizens.

They said this huge amount of water is discharged untreated which causes water relating diseases after mixing up with drinking water.

It may be noted that Section 11 of the Environment Protection Law imposes a fine of Rs 5 million subject to the decision of concerned tribunal. Chief Metrologist Muhammad Riaz said immediate steps are required to save available water from pollution, as clean water, food and environment is prime need of life. He further said high population growth was also causing problems as it was resulting into massive urbanization and high temperatures.

He said the government should ensure small dams and reservoirs to store water.

Meanwhile, Environment Inspector Sajid Ali pointed out that Pakistan has storing capacity for only 30 days which is required to be increased immediately. He said studies suggest that Pakistan wastes water worth $70 billion annually by letting fall precious water into the sea. He stressed on a national action plan on how to reduce water losses and improve methods to ensure efficient use of available water. According to him, conventional agriculture methods of irrigation should be abandoned forthwith and replace it with efficient use of agriculture water.

Muhammad Amir Saeed, another social activist, stressed on public awareness about the rising water crisis, suggesting that the new government should establish a water crisis management ministry after elections.

These experts are of the view that Pakistan’s economy was losing its strength fast due to water crisis as all the major water sources including rain, surface water and underwater are dilapidating with every passing day. They said glaciers are 80 percent source of water while rainy water contributes remaining 20 percent availability of water in the country.

The Chief Metrologist said the process of snow melting has been affected due to the climate change. Further, he said, the underground water table has also been affected due to fewer rains. He said rains in winter season have reduced considerably over the last three years which has reduced the ratio of snowfall by 30 percent.