Maintaining an ecological balance
By Bhagwandas

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/health/health.htm

Najam Khurshid is a wetland expert and author of many research papers, including Pakistan's first Wetland Action Plan. He is a limnologist (fresh water biologist) and has vast experience in bird conservation. He has a professional knowledge of wetlands and the condition of fresh water resources around the world, and has some radical ideas about managing such resources in Pakistan.

According to him, the available fresh water per capita is decreasing at an alarming rate. The global population has tripled in the last number of years. This has put a lot of pressure water resources, withdrawals from where have increased six times due to rapid urbanization. Growing dependence on irrigated agriculture and rising standards of living have worsened the existing situation.

To a question if enough water was available for all of world's people, he said, "On the global scale yes. As the world is currently using nearly 20 per cent of the water available in the world's rivers (not counting the floods)". However, he conceded that the situation varies from region to region. As in some arid regions, as much as 95 per cent of available water is already being used.

"There is clearly not enough water in the right places. At the same time, around 1.7 billion people live in water scarce areas and at least 1.1 billion people don't have access to safe drinking water

"Nearly three million die, many of them women and children, every year, due to disease borne by contaminated water. So improving water quality is also an equally challenging issue."

He contests that wetlands play an important role in the water cycle by capturing, holding rainfall, water from the melting snow; retaining sediments and purifying water in the process. Despite this fact, nearly 50 p er cent of the wetlands were destroyed or disturbed during the last century. This has significantly fragmented and altered water flow in 60 per cent of the world's rivers - often compromising many of the valuable ecosystem functions upon which we depend.

Najam continues, "We have destroyed a large number of wetlands to make way for agriculture and placed increasing demands on freshwater. Agriculture now claims roughly around 70 per cent of the global freshwater withdrawals. We have further put additional pressure on the remaining wetlands through the high level of nitrogen, phosphorous, pesticides and sediment loads in surface and ground waters from agricultural activities."

Another cause of concern for Najam is the that in developing countries, nearly 90 to 95 per cent of the municipal sewage is dumped untreated into the water systems. The net result is a serious reduction in both freshwater quantity and quality. And the situation is bound to deteriorate as the global is set to increase by 1.7 billion in the coming 20 years. It is also projected that a majority of them will live in developing countries. This will put a lot of pressure on these countries as they will have to produce more grain, livestock and fish, all this from an already limited water supply.

"It is generally agreed today that the answer to providing more food from agriculture lies not in expanding agricultural areas, that require yet more water. But in becoming more efficient with what we have - producing more "crop per drop" of water.

"Technological advances such as double cropping, improved plant breeding, irrigation efficiency and rainwater harvesting techniques, among others, all offer some hope of increased production in agricultural systems."

Najam continues, "Freshwater allocations have become a challenging issue for the government in its search for that elusive balance between the agricultural, industrial and domestic demands for water. At the same time it has to realize that wetlands need water if they are to maintain their structure and function. And this includes our coastal wetlands and mangrove ecosystems. If they are to continue to deliver services and contribute to sustainable life styles, they too need to be allocated freshwater, as a top priority."

Till now, in many countries wetlands are only conserved from the point of view of being a habitat of waterbirds, migratory as well as resident. And the conservation laws are also based on these lines.

"However, we now have to think in broader terms and adopt ecosystem approach instead of single species conservation. A lot of work has to be done, laws have to be revised, new laws have to be formulated and fresh conservation strategies are to be devised and programmes are to be made according to new improved and broader visions.

"For example we should adopt the river basin management approach and also make plans for the conservation of high altitude wetlands and glaciers."

However, he acknowledges that it is not an easy task as partnerships at all levels and with all the users and stockholders of freshwater will have to be formed. Conservationists will have to be included from the planning stages in water management and controlling departments like the irrigation department, Wapda and other related agencies, in freshwater related planning and management.

"At present, a lot of water is being lost due to seepage from extensive irrigation network comprising canals, distributaries which on one hand lead to loss of already scarce water and on the other raise the water table in the vicinity. This affects the yield and the land also falls victim to water logging.

"The water distribution system needs to be improved, which will cost much lesser than constructing a new reservoir. The water will be saved and there would be no land degradation."

Najam suggests that there is a need to revive the present practices of charging subsidized rates or fixed electricity bills for agricultural land. He contends that Pakistan is situated in an arid region and that we should take all the possible measures to save our fresh water. For that we need to change our agricultural practices and adopt new water efficient methods.

"I known it's not an easy task but someone has to initiate it. Our farmers should be aware of how much water is needed for a particular crop. There are many ways which can be adopted and through them we can save our fresh water resources. It would have a multi-dimensional effect and less water will be sucked from the subsoil aquifer."

In the end, Najam concludes that tube wells be avoided in arid or water scarce areas like Balochistan, where the ancient and more efficient Karez system of irrigation should be restored and improved. Small catchment dams need to be constructed so that rainwater could be used more efficiently for recharge of the subsoil aquifer and wells.

Najam is hopeful that people will realize the importance of wetlands/freshwater and their related ecosystem. There will be consideration and planning on every aspect to have a better future.