World Water Day to be observed on March 22

Unstoppable drought phenomenon has continued, through space and engulfed the region of South Asia severely during 1998-2003.
The arid areas of Balochistan and Sindh were the worst affected during this span of times, said a The World Conservation Union (IUCN) statement issued here in connection with 'world water day 2004', failing on March 22.
Punjab experienced the worst drought in years 1899, 1920, and 1935, while NWFP areas were hit by droughts in 1902 and 1951.
Sindh had its worst drought years in 1871, 1881, 1899 and 1931.
Poor planning, mismanagement and faulty governance in water sector have been major factors leading to water related disasters in developing countries, the statement said.
However, long term and effective planning and disaster management strategies and mechanisms can limit the damage and subsequent losses, statement added.
in the backdrop of above scenario, IUCN Pakistan has identified freshwater as one of the four priority technical areas to focus in the next five years.
Through the Water and Nature Initiative (WANI) and with the support of the Government of Netherlands, the IUCN Pakistan has recently started a Water Programme, which addresses key issues related with water.
The activities outlined in the programme lay greater stress on the water sector problems of Balochistan due to its greater vulnerability against droughts, extreme scarcity of water, inefficient water use practices and related poverty and equity issues in the province.
WAN1 aims at rectifying existing trends in demographics. consumption patterns and human-nature relationships, in order to ensure that the current and future demands for water resources are realistically achievable without compromising the ecological, biological and hydrological basis and integrity of freshwater and related ecosystems.
In view of the critical importance of information sharing and access to authentic water related information for effective water management, and decision-making, IUCN has also set up the Pakistan Water Gateway (PWG) accessible' at www.waterinfo. net.pk.
It addresses water as a resource in its many dimensions, serves to access and disseminate shared experiences, publicise policies, guidelines and facilitate co-operation on water issues.