UAE Eyes Pakistan's Water Resources

[Riaz Haq]

A top UAE businessman has proposed building a 500 kilometer long pipeline to bring Pakistan's Dasht River water from the Makran coast to Fujaira for United Arab Emirates' water security.

Water-scarce Pakistan itself needs to store and use the Dasht River water for development of Balochistan, particularly Gwadar and other related projects as part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Abdullah Al Shehi, the CEO of GeoWash, has argued that the Dasht River floods annually, which has prompted the Pakistani government to empty the excess water through channels leading to the sea. That excess water, said Mr Al Shehi, could be put to use in the UAE, according to a report in the UAE's newspaper "The National".

Dasht River

Dasht River:

Dasht River is located in Makran region and Gwadar District, in the southwestern section of Balochistan Province, in southwestern Pakistan. The Kech River, a seasonal intermittent river, is a tributary of the Dasht River which flows southeast through the Central Makran Range in the Gwadar District of Balochistan into the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea.

Mirani Dam

Mirani Dam:

Mirani Dam was completed on Dasht River in 2006 to store over 300,000 acre-feet of fresh water to meet the needs of southern Balochistan. Mirani Dam is the largest dam in the world in terms of volume for flood protection with a floodstock of 588,690 cubic hectometer, according to International Commission On Large Dams (ICOLD). This water reservoir is essential for the development of a deep sea port and a major new metropolis in Gawadar as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In addition to supplying fresh water to Turbat, Jiwani and Gwadar cities, it has sufficient capacity to irrigate over 33,000 acres of farm land.

UAE Water Security:

The United Arab Emirates uses 80% of its fresh water for agriculture in its arid desert and the rest of the 20% for urban needs, according to The National. Here's the key question: Does it make more sense for the UAE to import food rather than grow its own food by importing fresh water? The second question is: Can the UAE focus on desalination for the water it needs for urban use?

Summary:

Gwadar port was first conceived in late 1950s when Pakistan purchased the region from  the Sultanate of Oman. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been talked about since early 1990s. But nothing was done to develop until President Pervez Musharraf allocated time, money and focus to build first several berths at Gwadar deep sea port, Coastal Highway to connect it with Karachi and Mirani Dam in Balochistan to supply water on his watch.

Now water-stressed Pakistan needs to focus on building greater water storage capacity if it's really serious about developing Gwadar, Southwestern Balochistan and the Makran coast. It must not agree to export the Dasht River water to anyone, including the UAE. Instead, it should offer to export food as necessary to meet UAE's needs.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Water-Stressed Pakistan

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

President Musharraf's Legacy

Mineral Wealth of Balochistan

Pakistan Farm Land Controversy

Recurring Floods and Droughts in Pakistan

[Riaz Haq]

Dams in Balochistan:

Burj Aziz Khan Dam

Garuk Dam

Naulong Dam

Pelar Dam

Sabakzai Dam

Saindak dam

Hingol dam

Mirani dam

Shakidor Dam

Sukleji Dam

Wali Tangi Dam

Winder Dam

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Dams_in_Balochistan,_Pakistan

[Riaz Haq]

Dams in Balochistan

Akra Kaur Dam Gwadar Akra Kaur River 21 metres (69 ft) 21,000,000 m3 (17,025 acre·ft) 1995
Amach Dam Mastung Amach River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 1,675,000 m3 (1,358 acre·ft) 1987
Baghak Dam
Band-e-Chaman Dam Turbat Band-e-Chaman River 15 metres (49 ft) 2,467,000 m3 (2,000 acre·ft) 1994
Bisialla Dam
Bostan Darra Dam Quetta Darra Manda River 20 metres (66 ft) 210,000 m3 (170 acre·ft) 1987
Brewary Dam
Kuchnai Dara Dam
Duz Durg Dam Mastung Duz Dur River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 49,000 m3 (40 acre·ft) 1984
Galangoor Dam
Ganj Dara Dam
Ghargi Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 123,000 m3 (100 acre·ft) 1986
Ghat Amoon Dam
Ghunza Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 220,000 m3 (178 acre·ft) 1984
Ghuti Shela Dam
Giwari Dam
Gogi Dam Ziarat Gogi River 16.5 metres (54 ft) 493,000 m3 (400 acre·ft) 1981
Gokar Dam
Gur Dam Kalat n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 498,000 m3 (404 acre·ft) 1982
Haero Dam
Hingi Dam Quetta Hingi 15 metres (49 ft) 201,000 m3 (163 acre·ft) 1995–96
Hub Dam Malir Hub River 48 metres (157 ft) 1,057,000,000 m3 (856,924 acre·ft) 1979
Khad Koocha Dam Mastung Kad Koocha River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 117,000 m3 (95 acre·ft) 1984
Khajeer Dam Qila Saifullah Khajeer River 15 metres (49 ft) 308,000 m3 (250 acre·ft) 1991
Khori Dam
Kohar Dam
Nari Kach Dam
Kullan Dam
Lalai Dam
Machka Manda Dam
Mana Storage Dam Ziarat Mana River 19.8 metres (65 ft) 1,825,000 m3 (1,480 acre·ft) 1961
Mangi Dam Ziarat Boin Viala River 18 metres (59 ft) 130,000 m3 (105 acre·ft) 1982
Mirani Dam Makran Dasht River 39 metres (128 ft) 373,000,000 m3 (302,396 acre·ft) 2007
Morinko Dam
Murghai Check Dam
Murghai Kotal Dam
Nali Mirdadzai Storage Dam
Nishpa Dam Mastung Nishpa River 15 metres (49 ft) 115,000 m3 (93 acre·ft) 1994
Nousahr Dam
Nundra Kapper Dam
Palian Dam
Pinakai Dam Qila Saifullah Pinakai River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 48,000 m3 (39 acre·ft) 1994
Rindak Storage Dam
Sabakzai Dam Zhob Zhob River 34.75 metres (114.0 ft) 32,700 acre·ft (40,334,856 m3) 2016
Sasnak Mana Storage Dam Ziarat Sasnak River 19 metres (62 ft) 271,000 m3 (220 acre·ft) 1993
Sassi Punnu Dam
Shadak Dam Pishin Shadak River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 86,000 m3 (70 acre·ft) 1983
Shadi Kaur Storage Dam
Shagai Dam Quetta n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 381,000 m3 (309 acre·ft) 1993
Sherran Manda Dam
Shiker Dam Pishin Shiker River 19 metres (62 ft) 61,000 m3 (49 acre·ft) 1988
Spin Dam
Spinkarez Dam Quetta Nar River and Murdar River 29 metres (95 ft) 6,800,000 m3 (5,513 acre·ft) 1945
Tabai Dam Quetta Tabai River 15 metres (49 ft) 175,000 m3 (142 acre·ft) 1994
Takhtani Dam
Tang Storage Dam
Tanga Dam
Tangi Dababri Dam
Tangi Dam Qila Saifullah Tangi River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 75,000 m3 (61 acre·ft) 1997
Thamarak Dam Pishin n/a 15.2 metres (50 ft) 241,000 m3 (195 acre·ft) 1986
Tooth Dam Kalat Tooth River 16 metres (52 ft) 490,000 m3 (397 acre·ft) 1991
Torkehezi Dam
Trikh Tangi Dam
Under Base Dam Qila Saifullah Under Base River 15.2 metres (50 ft) 86,000 m3 (70 acre·ft) 1985
Walitangi Dam Quetta Walitangi River 24 metres (79 ft) 510,000 m3 (413 acre·ft) 1961

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dams_and_reservoirs_in_Pakistan

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan has 154 large dams, according to International Commission On Large Dams (ICOLD). 

http://www.icold-cigb.org/gb/world_register/general_synthesis.asp?I...


Here are the top 10 dams in Pakistan:

Mangla
Construction Started: 1961

Completed: 1967

Located on: Jhelum River

Height: 147 meters or 482 ft.

Length: 3,140 meters or 10,302 ft.

Cost: $1.473 billion

Tarbela

Started: 1968

Completed: 1976

Located on: Indus River

Height: 143.26 meters or 470ft.

Length: 2,743.2 meters or 9,000 ft.

Cost: $1,497 million


Hub Dam

Started: 1963

Completed: 1981

Located on: Hub River

Height: 48 meters or 157 ft.

Length: 24,300 acres

Cost: Rs. 1,191.81 million


Mirani

Started: 2002

Completed: 2006

Located on: Dasht River

Height: 39 meters or 127 ft.

Length: 1,020 meters or 3,350 ft.

Cost: Rs. 5,267.90 million


Sabakzai

Started: 2004

Completed: 2007

Located on: Zohb River

Height: 34.7 m or 114 ft.

Length: 395 m or 1,296 ft.

Cost: Rs. 1.4 billion


Gomal Zam

Started: June 2007

Completed: June 2015

Located on: Gomal River

Height: 133 m or 437 ft.

Length: 231 m or 758 ft.

Cost: Rs. 18,056.060 million


Allai Khwar

Started: June 2003

Completed: March 2013

Located on: Allai Khwar River

Height: 51 m or 167 ft.

Length: 88 m or 289 ft.

Cost: Rs. 15,669.76 million



Duber Khwar

Started: June 2003

Completed: December 2013

Located on: Duber Khwar Dam

Height: 32 m or 133 ft.

Length: 202 m or 663 ft.

Cost: Rs. 22,208.1 million


Warsak

Started: 1949

Completed: 1960

Located on: Kabul River

Height: 76.2 m or 250 ft.

Length: 140.2 m or 460 ft.

Cost: Rs. 156 million


Khanpur

Started: 1968

Completed: 1983

Located on: Haro River

Height: 51 m or 167 ft.

Length: N/A

Cost: Rs. 1,352 million

http://www.thenewsteller.com/other/top-10-biggest-dams-in-pakistan-...

[Riaz Haq]

Why #SaudiArabia bought 14,000 acres of #California farm land? #CaliforniaDrought #dairy http://fw.to/2nOnouT 

Saudi Arabia's largest dairy company will soon be unable to farm alfalfa in its own parched country to feed its 170,000 cows. So it's turning to an unlikely place to grow the water-chugging crop — the drought-stricken American Southwest.

Almarai Co. bought land in January that roughly doubled its holdings in California's Palo Verde Valley, an area that enjoys first dibs on water from the Colorado River. The company also acquired a large tract near Vicksburg, Arizona, becoming a powerful economic force in a region that has fewer well-pumping restrictions than other parts of the state.

The purchases totaling about 14,000 acres have rekindled debate over whether a patchwork of laws and court rulings in the West favors farmers too heavily, especially those who grow thirsty, low-profit crops such as alfalfa at a time when cities are urging people to take shorter showers, skip car washes and tear out grass lawns.

"It's not easy to completely grasp the business model of the Middle East, but it may not be about business at all," said John Szczepanski, director of the U.S. Forage Export Council. "The primary focus is food security, and the means to that end lie in acquiring the land and resources to ensure long-term supply."

For decades, Saudi Arabia attempted to grow its own water-intensive crops for food rather than rely on farms abroad. But it reversed that policy about eight years ago to protect scarce supplies.

To further conserve water, the country has adopted bans on selected crops. This year, the kingdom will no longer produce wheat. In December, the government announced the country will stop growing green fodder, livestock feed derived from crops like alfalfa, over the next three years.

Almarai already farms worldwide to make sure that weather, transportation problems or other conditions don't interrupt supplies. The expansion in the American Southwest was a "natural progression" in its effort to diversify supply, said Jordan Rose, an attorney for the company's Arizona unit.

"The cows feed multiple times a day, and they need to be certain that they are always able to fulfill that unwavering demand," she wrote.

Despite the widespread drought conditions, the U.S. is attractive to water-seeking companies because it has strong legal protections for agriculture, even though the price of land is higher than in other places.

"Southern California and Arizona have good water rights. Who knows if that will change, but that's the way things are now," said Daniel Putnam, an agronomist at the University of California, Davis.

Over the last decade, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates emerged as significant buyers of American hay as their governments moved to curb water use. Together they accounted for 10 percent of U.S. exports of alfalfa and other grasses last year.

The land purchases signal that Almarai doesn't just want to buy hay; it wants to grow. And it's not the only Arab-owned Gulf company to take that approach.

[Riaz Haq]

363 Km long Kachhi Canal bringing #water from #Punjab to #Balochistan ready https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/08/12/kachhi-canal-to-be-c … ompleted-this-month/ via @epakistantoday

QUETTA: After a delay of more than a decade, the construction of Kachhi Canal project will finally be completed by the third week of August followed by filling of water to test the main canal and its structures.

The formal commissioning of Kachhi Canal is scheduled by the end of August with the release of water into the distribution system for irrigation of 7, 2000 acres of virgin land in district Dera Bugti of Balochistan.

This was briefed by the project authorities in a meeting presided over by Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lieutenant General (retired) Muzammil Hussain on Saturday. The meeting was held to review progress on the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant General (retired)) Muzammil Hussain said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that Kachhi Canal, work on which started 15 years ago, was almost an abandoned project owing to certain reasons; gross cost overrun and long delays being the major contributing factors.

However, the project was revitalised due to active support of the incumbent federal government and commitment of WAPDA team, the engineers in particular. It is indeed heartening to note that the project is finally going to see the light of the day after a long period of 15 years, the chairman added.

It is worth mentioning that Kachhi Canal project is of immense importance for the development of water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan. The project is being completed with a cost of about Rs 80 billion.

The 363-kilometre long main canal (out of which 351-kilometre is lined canal) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in district Muzaffargarh of Punjab and ends at district Dera Bugti in Balochistan. The discharge capacity of the main canal is 6,000 cusecs. As many as 914 structures have been constructed at or over the main canal, including head and cross regulators, road and railways bridges, cross drainage and escape structures and watercourse crossings etc.

[Riaz Haq]

Govt releases Rs3.38b under various water projects

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/index.php?page=newsdetail&news_id=...

The government has released three point three eight billion rupees to complete various water projects in Public Sector Development Programme during the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2016-17.

According to the Planning Commission data, an amount of rupees one billion has been released for Kachhi Canal Project (Phase-I), rupees 600 million for Naji Gaj Dam Dadu.

A sum of rupees 110 million has been released for Makhi Farash Link Canal Project, rupees 60 million for Kurram Tangi Dam and rupees 10 million Gomal Zam Dam..

Similarly, rupees 200 million for construction of 100 Delay Action Dams in Balochistan and an amount of rupees 200 million was released for raising of Mangla Dam Project, and rupees 167.274 million for Re-construction of Shahi Kour Dam in Gwadar.

[Riaz Haq]

Mirani Dam, Kech District Balochistan.-AlbumsMirani Dam, Kech District Balochistan.-
5 Photos · Updated over a year ago
Mirani Dam is a medium-size multi-purpose concrete-faced rock-filled dam located on the Dasht River south of the Central Makran Range in Kech District in Balochistan province of Pakistan. Its 302,000 acre feet (373,000,000 m3). reservoir is fed by the Kech River and the Nihing River.[2] Mirani Dam was completed in July 2006 and it impounded the Dasht River in August 2006. It successfully withstood an extreme flood event in June 2007.[3] The dam is used for irrigation of 33,200 acres in Kech Valley and for the supply of clean drinking water to Turbat and Gwadar.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/travelpakistanwithus/photos/?tab=album&...

[Riaz Haq]

#UAE releases 1,000 captive-bred birds Houbaras in #Pakistan. #Falcon #Hunting #IFHC #RahimYarKhan http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/a4a47f3e-5426-43a6-adc3-222f1dd62b26... …

The sought-after birds were released by the UAE Embassy in Islamabad under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), one of the world’s leading conservation programmes, in attendance of representatives from the Punjab Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department.

Commenting on the successful release, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaab said the UAE has a proven record in conservation and breeding of the endangered bird thanks to the landmark efforts made by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to save the endangered species.

He also spoke about the UAE's conservation success story which began 40 years ago when Sheikh Zayed sensed the danger facing the Houbara population.

Abu Dhabi’s Houbara breeding programme is dedicated to restoring sustainable wild populations of the iconic Houbara bustard across the species’ range. It is responsible for many ground breaking scientific findings, which are incorporated into the breeding and release programmes thus ensuring it is one of the world’s most advanced and complete conservation solutions.

The IFHC was built on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who established the first Houbara propagation programme at Al Ain Zoo in 1977 with only seven Asian birds.

The first Houbara chick was produced in 1982.

[Riaz Haq]

ADB approves $100m loan to address Balochistan’s water shortage
A separate $2 million technical assistance from JFPR will help the provincial government improve its institutional capacity to address the risks and potential impact of climate change in the agriculture sector

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/adb-approves-100m-loan-to-...

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) on Monday approved a $100 million loan to address chronic water shortages and increase earnings on farms in southwestern Pakistan province of Balochistan.

The Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project will focus on improving irrigation infrastructure and water resource management in the Zhob and Mula river basins, the ADB said in a statement.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Bolochistan’s economy,” said ADB Principal Water Resources Specialist Yaozhou Zhou. “This project will build irrigation channels and dams, and introduce efficient water usage systems and practices, to help farmers increase food production and make more money,” he added.

Among the infrastructure that will be upgraded or built for the project is a dam able to hold 36 million cubic meters of water, 276 kilometers of irrigation channels and drainage canals, and facilities that will make it easier for people, especially women, to access water for domestic use.

In total, about 16,592 hectares (ha) of land will be added or improved for irrigation.

The project will protect watersheds through extensive land and water conservation efforts, including planting trees and other measures on 4,145 ha of barren land to combat soil erosion.

Part of the project’s outputs are the pilot testing of technologies such as solar-powered drip irrigation systems on 130 ha of agricultural land, improving crop yields and water usage on 160 fruit and vegetable farms and demonstrating high-value agriculture development.

The project will also establish a water resources information system that will use high-level technology such as satellite and remote sensing to do river basin modelling and identify degraded land for rehabilitation.

ADB will also administer grants from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) and the High-Level Technology Fund (HLT Fund) worth $3 million and $2 million, respectively, for the project.

A separate $2 million technical assistance from JFPR will help Balochistan’s provincial government improve its institutional capacity to address the risks and potential impact of climate change in the agriculture sector, as well as build a climate-resilient and sustainable water resources management mechanism in the province.

JFPR, established in May 2000, provides grants for ADB projects supporting poverty reduction and social development efforts, while the HLT Fund, established in April 2017, earmarks grant financing to promote technology and innovative solutions in ADB projects.

ADB said it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members of which 48 are from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in co-financing.

[Riaz Haq]

Dams started/built during Musharraf years:


Sabakzai Dam in Balochistan Started 2004 Completed 2007


Alai Khwar Dam in KP Started 2005 Completed 2010


Mirani Dam in Balochistan Started in 2001 Completed 2006


Gomal Zam Dam in Wana, KP Started 2001 Completed 2011

https://youtu.be/sBkMrPBKIig