The government is implementing a project for strengthening of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) by establishing geographical information system (GIS), hydrologic modelling center and water resources data bank with the total cost of Rs 30 million.
According to PCRWR sources, the water is becoming an important commodity due to various emerging issues and problems, which need advance tools and techniques for research and dissemination.
The PCRWR is actively involved in conducting, promoting and co-ordinating research on all aspects of water resources through its head office at Islamabad along with five sub-offices in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Tandojam, Quetta and Peshawar.
The Council, however, lacks some basic equipment and research infrastructure, including geographical information system (GIS), hydrologic modelling facilities and water resource data bank.
These activities are required to undertake advance research on emerging issues with appropriate tools and infrastructure as well as disseminating research findings to the users/beneficiaries in an efficient manner.
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the research infrastructure of PCRWR at Islamabad to undertake advance research and dissemination activities for water resources development and management.
According to sources, this project envisages strengthening of research infrastructure to undertake advance research in various areas of water sector. The project would help provide GIS based information and data to planner, researcher, engineers, etc, for better planning and execution of soil and water related projects.
Moreover, the application of GIS and hydrological modelling in water sector would help government agencies to plan projects, strategies and policies for flood control and drought mitigation.
This would benefit the farming community as well as the economy of the country by increasing crop production per unit of water used thus reducing the gap between demand and supply of water. Moreover, development of manpower in GIS applications and hydrologic modelling would reduce much reliance on foreign experts and also save foreign exchange.