'Water short fall to surge to 31pc till 2025'

22 Mar, 2013

FAISALABAD: Water shortfall in the country will surge to 31 percent till 2025 if steps are not taken to cope with the situation.

This was stated by speakers at a seminar arranged by the Department of Irrigation and Water Management Research Centre, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to observe World Water Day at New Senate Hall.

The seminar was presided over by UAF Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqbal Zafar whereas International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Country Representative Dr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, ICARDA Country Head Dr Abdul Majeed were guests of honour.

South Asian Conservation Agriculture Network (SACAN) CEO Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Gill, Water Management Director Prof Dr Allah Buksh, Prof Dr Muhammad Irshad and Dr Jahanzeb Mausaud also spoke.

Prof Dr Iqbal Zafar said water availability in 2025 would stand at around 100 MAF against the need of 135 MAF. He said water resources were shrinking and population was rapidly increasing.

Dr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema said due to absence of water conservation methods, the country was experiencing heavy floods, claiming many lives and destroying agriculture.

Later, they also took out a walk to mark World Water Day.

<Center><b><i>Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2013</b></i></center>

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