In fact, work on 16 sites has started on a priority basis at a cost of Rs 37 million. Feasibility studies are also in progress in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock and Jhelum districts of the Pothohar area for the construction of 24 small dams at an estimated cost of Rs 90 million. It is good to see that the Punjab government has finally decided not to keep waiting for the construction of the Kalabagh Dam as there is no sign of a consensus materialising in the foreseeable.
Water is not an infinite resource. As a matter of fact, with rising populations and changing weather patterns, experts warn that water scarcity is to become a serious problem the world over. And that it would be a leading cause of future wars between countries. It has already emerged as a new issue of contention between Pakistan and India.
We need to act sooner rather than later to put in place sound water management and conservation programmes. Big dams have become controversial all over the world because they cause major population displacements and damage ecological system. For developing countries like Pakistan the additional problem is that these projects are costly and have long gestation periods.
Those in the know also point out that big dams possess considerably less power generation capacity than they are believed to have. In the kinds of dams we have, accumulation of sediment is another problem that affects longer-term efficiency, requiring fresh expenses on improvement work. Small dams on the other hand take less time and money to become operational and, of course, they do not necessitate major population displacements.
The small dams being built in Punjab can generate 50mw to 100mw of electricity while also helping preserve water for irrigation purposes. Hydel power production being far cheaper than any other source of electricity generation, they are all the more important in this energy starved country which also faces an impending water scarcity. Pakistan is lucky to have many places which are naturally suited to the construction of such dams.
We need to make a good use of this plus point, building dams wherever possible. Putting in place run-of-the-canal small power generation plants is also a possibility that should be explored to help the agriculture sector overcome persistent energy shortages.