Workshop on Groundwater Management and Modelling in Sindh

The U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) organized a comprehensive Workshop on Groundwater Management and Modelling in Sindh. This initiative was held in collaboration with the Irrigation Department (GoS) and the Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority (SIDA), GoS, under the Adapting to Salinity in the Southern Indus Basin (ASSIB) Project.

During the workshop, Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Regional Representative of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), provided valuable insights into groundwater management. Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, Professor Emeritus at USPCAS-W, highlighted the importance of groundwater and technological monitoring and management in addressing the challenges associated with groundwater.

He elaborated on existing groundwater monitoring networks, depth and quality assessments, the impacts of climate change, and the need for sustainable extraction practices to support agricultural productivity in Sindh. Groundwater monitoring and regulation are crucial, and there is a dire need for the proper system, said Dr Lashari.

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman of PCRWR, emphasized the crucial role of groundwater in Pakistan’s water balance. He said the total groundwater potential in Pakistan is approximately 68 BCM, with around 60 BCM currently being exploited. Dr Ashraf stressed the urgent need for regulated and planned groundwater management, pointing out that 78% of Sindh suffers from poor groundwater quality compared to 23% in Punjab.

Prof. Dr Abdul Latif Qureshi from USPCAS-W presented a detailed case study on groundwater availability and suitability in Sindh. Mr. Shahryar Jamali, Research Assistant at USPCAS-W, discussed the water balance of Pinyari Command and scenario modelling, while Mr. Abdul Raheem focused on the water balance of Southern Bari Doab and the Impact of increased pumping.

Dr Jehangir Punthakey, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist at Ecoseal Developments in Australia, provided expert analysis on scenario planning for South Punjab and Sujawal, explaining their significance and implications. Mr. Naeem Dal, IT Specialist at USPCAS-W, showcased a database management system developed under the ASSIB project and showcased a web application for Indus River Monitoring using Satellite Radar Altimetry Technology via a web-based application.

Mr Jamaluddin Mangan, Project Director of SWAT, and other officials from the Irrigation Department, SIDA, and experts from USPCAS-W attended the workshop. This event marked a significant step towards improved groundwater management and sustainable agricultural practices in Sindh.