Minister for judicious distribution of water,

Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engr Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman said that water needs to be protected for the well-being of the population.He stated this while addressing at a three-day long regional workshop on the challenges in Water Security to meet the growing food requirement jointly organised by AASSA (Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia) and PAS (Pakistan Academy of Sciences) Tuesday.He said that water and food security are the two of the main issues of the world at the moment, adding, "We all are witness to the water conflict with our neighbour India and apprehensions about the Indus Water Treaty within Pakistan".He said that Pakistan has also seen the political controversies like one over the Kalabagh Dam recently. "I would like all the participant scientists and think tanks to ponder over such issues and come up with solutions which would be beneficial for the country", he said.He maintained that it is high time they talk about equity in water sharing and other resources and diversify the choices of crops. "Our religion also teaches us about the moderation and conservation of water so we should follow the basic principles of Islam", the minister stated.The speakers urged the construction of small and large dams and improvement of surface water governance in order to cope with the looming threats of war scarcity and ensure food security.The demand for food has increased up to 70 per cent on current levels to meet future food needs therefore to continue sustainable supply of food, water security must be ensured, said speakers.They said that current trend of water use in Asian countries is not sustainable in the face of fast increasing populations, and the challenges posed by climate change. Ensuring food security for fast growing populations of Asian countries with shrinking water resources is a daunting task.This fast changing scenario calls for using the finite water resource in an efficient and sustainable manner, they said.Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari addressing the workshopstressed protection of water for the well-being of population. "According to the United Nations Water organisation, water security is actually to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water", he said.He said that Pakistan is an agricultural country therefore we need more secure and sustainable water resources. With the growing population, urbanisation and pattern of consumption, the demand for food has increased, he said.Shinwari said that Pakistan's per capita water availability has dropped from over 5,300 cubic meters in the 1950's to below the scarcity benchmark which is 1,000 cubic meters, rapid action needs to be taken to mitigate climate change threats.On the topic of "Managing water scarcity in Pakistan: Moving beyond rhetoric", Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that water scarcity of country can be measured by the four indicators including fallen mark indicator, water resources vulnerability index, IWMIs physical and economic water scarcity indicators and water poverty index.According to these four indicators now Pakistan isa water scare country, he said. "Growing increase in population, urbanisation and industrialisation, inadequate water storage, sedimentation of the existing reservoirs and overall low system efficiency are the main reason behind water scarcity in Pakistan", he said.Ashraf said that to control this grave issue there is a dire need to construct small and large dams, legislating and restricting indiscriminate groundwater abstraction and controlling increasein population.Mohd Adnan Mohd Nor of Academy of Sciences Malaysia talking on the role of biotechnology for water conservation and food security, said that rice is the staple food in Malaysia and in many other Asian countries.Malaysia is progressing economically with population increase, the pressure increase on paddy irrigation scheme to reduce water consumption, reduce wastages and relieve its water to share its facilities with other sectors.Dr Shahid Mansoor speaking on the role of biotechnology in sustainable agriculture in water stress conditions said that agriculture is the largest user of water and this is directly affected byongoing climate change condition and water stress due to population growth.Increase in water efficiency of crops and bioremediation of urban waste water are being followed at National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE).Efforts are underway to use natural and environmental friendly technology for clean up and water quality enhancement of rivers, he said.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder