Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan can conserve water resources to a great extent by improving the water recharge practices. It is important not only to keep the water table smooth but also to avoid water scarcity on a large scale, as spokesperson for On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) Mirza Khurram Noman Baig told WealthPK.

 He said, “Aquifer recharge involves redirecting water into the underground aquifers, mimicking the natural recharge processes. This technique can help raise the water table, improve water quality, enhance ecosystem health, reduce soil salinization, and support agriculture and industry.” He said hailing the move to recharge the aquifers would lead to water security and environmental stewardship. By doing so, reliance on non-renewable groundwater will be reduced, biodiversity will be protected, economic growth can be supported, and climatic impacts can be mitigated to a larger extent. Mirza Khurram said that owing to the climate change impacts and many other reasons, the water table is decreasing, and it is necessary to take steps to avoid this crucial situation.

The level of water table varies in different areas, but environmental impacts, careless usage, and wastage of water have left deep impressions on the underground water sources. For example, in South Punjab (a province of Pakistan), water was usually available at 140 to 150 feet but now it is mostly available at a depth of about 300 feet, which is alarming. So, aquifer recharge is compulsory to mark a significant stride toward a sustainable future. Discussing the importance of water recharge, Deputy Director Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI),Peshawar Muhammad Atif Majeed said, “The lowering water table is impacting the green covered areas. The main cause is that the roots can’t find enough water to nourish the plants. However, by adopting some careful techniques, the severe impacts of the lowering water table can be reduced to a large extent.

For example, reducing the lawn area improves water infiltration and reduces runoff. Applying organic mulch in gardens and around trees can also help retain the moisture and improve soil structure.” He said rain gardens should be made by creating shallow depressions in the yard. Plantation of native vegetation can tolerate both wet and dry conditions by directing the rainwater runoff into these areas. Using gravel, permeable pavers, or porous asphalt for driveways and walkways also allows water to seep into the ground instead of running off. He said, “For rainwater harvesting, barrels or canisters can be installed to collect roof runoff and this water can be used for gardening or other non-potable purposes. Contour terracing also slows water flow and increases absorption.

In areas with water flow, small barriers can be created by using rocks or logs to slow water movement and allow more time for infiltration. Aerate compacted areas to improve water penetration, foot traffic and heavy equipment use on soil should be limited. So, all the said steps can help a lot in saving the underground natural water reservoirs or water table”. Talking to WealthPK, President of a Karachi-based JSI (Joint Security Initiative) Welfare Organization Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Hidayatullah Sadukhani, said they were working on recharging the aquifers. For this purpose, as a first initiative, the management of a local seminary in Maleer has been convinced to use the ablution water. A lot of water was wasted daily after the five-time prayers, but now the situation has changed. The ablution water now flows toward an 8-foot-deep and 12-foot-wide tank containing layers of stone, crushed stone, and sand.

Each layer is about two feet deep allowing water to go down after purification to an underground pipe from where it further allows the water to flow into the underground source. In this way, water again becomes a part of the natural source. He said people now appreciate the idea and are doing the same practice at their homes. However, most of them do it to redirect the rainwater to the earth. “We are determined to convey our message across the country to save water, so that our future generations would not suffer. We guide the people to install in-kind setups and appreciate our efforts. We are planning to make some industrialists a part of this plan to save water,” added Hidayatullah.

Credit: INP-WealthPk