Climate Change is the serious most challenge Change Impact Study Centre. of our times. The issue has evolved into a global concern in terms of devising and Objectivesimplementing strategies for mitigating the

The training was organized with the overall effects of climate change, at a larger scale.objective of considering strategies for

The cost of the climate change for Pakistan will adapting to climate change, in particular to be much higher, because it will adversely water, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors affect the water flow system, through which, in Pakistan. the glaciers release water for our crops, and

The major thematic area covered on day 2, through impacts on changing crop patterns includes Water Governance and Conflicts in and temperament of monsoon. Pakistan (Global, Regional and National

Reduced and sudden release/blockage of Perspective).water from India, under unilateral interpretations of Indus Water Treaty will worsen the situation. This will directly add to our water insecurity, food insecurity, energy insecurity, and acuteness of vulnerability of our already vulnerable population.

A recent World Bank report has listed Pakistan among 17 countries that are facing an acute water shortage. The prevailing condition, primarily attributable to population growth and increased demand for agriculture, has given rise to increasing hostility and antagonism, within the country.

Background

Realizing the significance of the core issues of concern related to climate change and its impact on various sectors, LEAD Pakistan organized a five day training for mid career professionals of Cohort - 13 on the theme of Climate Change: Exploring Adaptation Strategies for Pakistan.

The collaborating partners for this training include the Planning Commission of Pakistan's Task Force on Climate Change, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and Global

LEAD UPDATEInspiring leadership for a sustainable world

Experience being shared

Reflecting for solutions

www.lead.org.pk Lead House, F7 Markaz, Islamabad, Pakistan. UAN: 111-511-111Tel: +92 (51) 2651511, Fax: +92 (51) 2651512, Email: main@lead.org.pk

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æAliya Nguyen Agha, International Labour Organization;

æAmjad Masood, Global Change Impact Study Centre; æAzhar Qureshi, Eco Conservation Initiatives;æDildar Hussain Kazmi, Pakistan Meteorological

Department;æFateh M. Mari, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando

Jam;æLall Khan Babar, WWF - Pakistan;æMaida Zahid, Pakistan Meteorological Department;æHumaira Salik, National Bank of Pakistan;æHuma Batool, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women

University, Quetta;æHuma Mustafa Beg, Serendip Productions;æDr. Muhammad Usman Chachar, Government of

Sindh;æMuhammad Ijaz, Global Change Impact Study

Centre; æMuhammad Ziauddin, Elan Partner Pvt. Ltd.;æMunir Ahmed, Devcom Pakistan;æSyed Hashim Raza, National Multilateral

Environmental Agreements Secretariat;æSyed Mansoor Ali Shah, Afridi, Shah & Minallah;æSyed Tahir Hussain Naqvi, CMIS – CDGK;æNusrat Jehan Nabeela, Afridi, Shah and Minallh Advocates;æRaja Muhammad Ali Saleem, Consultant;æSaima A Khawaja, Afridi, Shah and Minallah

Advocates and Legal Consultants;æZubair Torwali, Idara Barai Taleem wa Taraqee (IBT);æZulfiqar Halepoto, Policy Advocacy and Civil Society;

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Rising Water Conflicts More of a Governance IssueChanging Climate: Exploring Adaptation Strategies for Pakistan Second

National Training Session - Cohort 13,

LEAD House, , Islamabad, January 13, 2009

Pakistan among top 17 countries, bearing acute water shortage

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The sessions mainly focused on Punjab, 37.9% population is deve l op i ng unde r s t and i ng , uncounted for water availability. regarding the issues of water Sanitation has never been taken governance and conflicts at global up as a collective issue, but is and national level, through a case considers as a persons’ individual study and group discussion. problem. Due to non availability of

proper sanitation in the rural, as The sessions aimed at devising well as some of the urban areas in strategies, comprising the country, water pollution is recommendations for sustainable rising fast, badly affecting the management of water resources in already deteriorating clean water general terms and in terms of resources. There is no fully intellectual property rights, water functioning water treatment plant resource management and its for water recycling, resulting in distribution. wastage of usable water.

Pakistan lies in water scarce areas Discussion where the average water

withdrawal is 1,000 cubic meters, per capita, per person and water Exist ing water management allocation is higher than its mechanisms are not planned and availability. designed to address the emerging Our policies for managing issues of water conflicts. Free resources, such as water are not in discharge of industrial and civic coordination with other related waste into the fresh water streams sectors, like environment, are the major cause of water agriculture and development. pollution. The need is to make coherent Various stakeholders in Pakistan policies in coordination and have realized the increasing consultation with all related sectors importance of resolving water to ensure sustainability and conflicts, before they not only effectiveness of the various quantitatively increase but also projects. become increasingly violent. Climate change should be taken as We are heading fast towards water an opportunity to revisit our shortage, with an average of 1,000 policies and strategies on the base cubic meters, per capita, per person of research and development. water availability. Need is to

improve coordination among the Conclusionvarious governmental institutions

and line departments, related to The participants were of the view resources’ management and that water conflicts can be resolved planning, as most of the institutions through good governance, as lack of of water section are working in good governance and management isolation. is further adding to the graveness of Rising water conflicts are more a this issue. governance issue, as lack of good Need is to revisit the water and governance and management is sanitation management policies further adding to the graveness of and practices in Pakistan and devise the issues. Water resource new st rateg ies , th rough a management can act as a conflict consultative process in order to resolution mechanism in the bridge the inter-sectional gaps that current scenario, as most of the exist in the present resource conflicts today are expected to rise, management and governance due to water shortage. systems. Sixteen % of fresh water is being Pakistan needs to develop a plan of used in construction work. In urban action on climate change. The

national plan of action on climate change should address some of the most pressing issues that will confront Pakistan and outline areas of priority for investments and actions.

This action plan should also serve as the basis for our revised energy, water, agriculture and forestry policies.

water into surface water resources is on higher sides. This phenomena has undermined the benefits of dilution process and has resulted in more bacterial contamination in water bodies.

In general, increase in temperature could not only increase water demand, because of higher evaporation rates, but may also increase rainfall, due to additional moisture supplied to the clouds, because of higher evaporation from the sea surface.

Similarly, increased / intense rainfall is causing less ground water recharge, quick run-off and

The receding glaciers will increase devastating flooding. water flow in the Indus basin, followed by permanent reductions. Sustained water availability for agriculture can help reduce our food insecurity.

In addition to a web of mini and check dams, a chain of large hydro dams is needed in order to protect the downstream populations and their livelihoods from flash floods, the human suffering they entail, and the damage they inflict to our sparse infrastructure.

Water, thus stored will fulfil for our year round agricultural, as well as drinking water needs. Free discharge of industrial and civic waste should be curtailed as a priority, so that the fresh water streams give potable water, both for human and agricultural use.

The poor standards and inequitable provision of safe drinking water to urban and rural communities has played havoc with national health and hygiene.

Efficient water management, including water pricing, based on the principles of cost recovery will play a critical role in providing water security for the next half century, when the population will increase and the per capita water availability will further diminish to alarming levels.

Ove r the pe r i od o f t ime, cons iderab le g round water depletion has been observed, which is primarily due to less recharge. Approximately 7-10 ft/year ground water depletion has been observed. The major contributing factor for this is less recharge, which is due to intense rains and quick run-off.

There is a less intake of fresh water into water bodies, due to less rains. Whereas, flow of contaminated

æAbdul Qadir Rafiq, Programme Officer, Environment Section, UNDP;

æIsma Sana, LEAD Pakistan;æNadeem Ahmad, LEAD Pakistan;æCol. (R) Islam ul Haq, MD, RWP WASA;æMasroor Ahmad, Water & Sanitation

Programme, World Bank; æDr. Zaigham Habib, Specialist IWRM,

Water Section, Planning Commission.

LIST OF RESOURCE PERSONS