35 replies to this topic

[CounterPunch]

This is from an article published in daily The NEWS. i have broken it down a bit.

LINK to it is HERE and also HERE

For a country blessed with many rivers, the unpleasant hometruth is that there is impending scarcity of water in Pakistan because of acute shortage of storage capacity. This will become further acute in the near future, a full blown crisis not so far in the distant future.

Estimates of existing shortage of water range from 9-12 MAF based on an estimated water requirement of 115-116 MAF at farm gate. The existing water 105-106 MAF available at farm gate is calculated as viz

(1) surface 61-62 MAF
(2) and 43-44 MAF underground water from irrigation system, about 40-42 MAF being lost through evaporation/seepage.
The annual average flow of water downstream of Kotri barrage into the sea is estimated at 35 MAF.

Need of Dams from Agricultural Point of View:
Only 44 of the 77 million acres suitable for cultivation in Pakistan are presently being irrigated, including barani areas the total under cultivation jumps to 54.5 million acres. Another about 22 million acres can be brought under cultivation. If the irrigation channels are lined and with improved agriculture practices, another 15-20 MAF would be needed by 2020. The additional storage capacity required will be 20-25 MAF or 4-5 large dams. Pakistan's existing storage capacity is only 10 per cent, the world average is 40 per cent of average annual river flows. Tarbela, Mangla and Chasma dams with 15 MAF represents 90 per cent of the storage capacity. Silting will lose these dams six MAF by 2010, equivalent to one mega dam.
Water escapage from Kotri can be quite substantial, ranging from a low of eight MAF to as high as 92 MAF. With surpluses in the river system available only for a period of 70-100 days, storage is essential, to be used judiciously for agriculture, hydropower generation, flood control, etc. Storage has to be large enough for inter-season (Kharif Rabi) transfer and inter-year transfer from wet to dry years. The planned multi-purpose dams of Basha and Kalabagh on the Indus are complementary and give us about 10-12 MAF, the minimum requirement.

Sindh would get an additional assured supply of 2.2 MAF because of Kalabagh, the water supply at GM barrage improving for canal water available during all seasons. This will augment Basha dam's construction by another 2.2 MAF, water increasing at Guddu barrage. Supply will also increase from Mangla dam to Sindh during early Kharif season (March-April). Flow of water below Kotri, estimated presently during the monsoon season (at 8-10 MAF), will be better regulated throughout the year.

[CounterPunch]

problems with bhasha's transmission of electricity and infrastructure problems.

Nearest to the power load centre and transmission network, Kalabagh, with a catchment of 90 MAF, is ready for implementation and can be completed in 6-7 years and in 2012 it will enhance Tarbela generation by 30 per cent by installation of three additional units. 200 kms upstream of Tarbela and outside the monsoon range, Basha dam has a catchment area of 50 MAF yearly. Non-perennial canals of Sindh and Balochistan receiving perennial supplies, large tracts of barani lands will receive irrigation water from new canals. Basha's drawback is that it needs sustained upgrading of 110 kms of Karakoram Highway (KKH) over a period of 4-6 years, with remedial work on about 300 kms supporting roads.

[CounterPunch]

N.W.F.P's Fears about Kalabagh are WRONG

The facts about Kalabagh are contrary to apprehensions voiced, viz

(1) how can Peshawar valley fear flooding, particularly Nowshera Town with breakwater of Kalabagh lake 10 miles downstream?

(2) with lowest ground level above 170 feet and the conservation level of Kalabagh at 915 feet, waterlogging and salinity of Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi plains is not possible

(3) with Mardan's SCARP operations, far above Kalabagh levels how can it be affected?

(4) with the lake extending 92 miles up from Indus River and 36 miles up from Soan River, maximum cultivable land submerged will be 30000 acres (24500 acres in Punjab)

(5) population dislocation will be about one lakh with 65 per cent from Punjab and only 35 per cent from NWFP

(6) resettlement of dislocated process will be done in model villages.

[CounterPunch]

SINDHs concerns:

Among Sindh's concerns are escapages below Kotri. Reviewing three studies done by independent consultants' consortium, a WB-appointed 'Panel of Experts' recommended that viz at least 3.6 MAF escapage per year to check seawater intrusion, fishing and environmental sustainability, and maintenance of the river channel. The caveat is that 25 MAF be released in concentrated form as flood flow every five years (Kharif season) for maintaining mangrove vegetation and preserving river morphology in the Indus delta. The more emotional response from Sindh needs to be assuaged, viz

(1) the feeling there is no surplus water but Kalabagh dam can be filled by only six MAF, and during July to September about 35 MAF will be available,

(2) Sindh fears desertification but dams only accumulate water during floods and water will be available during dry periods; canal withdrawals actually increasing to two MAF,

(3) with no plan in the design for high level outlets apprehension about these being used to divert water from dams with NWFP drawing water in excess of its requirements is wrong. Even if the two canals were included in the project they would draw according to a telemetry system as per the 1991 Water Accord,

(4) fears that cultivation in riverain (salaiba) areas would be adversely affected are also incorrect, additional water would be available for tube-wells,

(5) fears about seawater intrusion in the Indus estuary increasing are also wrong, studies show it is already at the maximum now without fear of further aggravation,

(6) fear about seawater intrusion seriously affect existing aquifer system is wrong, freshwater gradient being southwards to the lower part of the Delta, it cannot effect the existing system,

(7) with mangrove forests comprising only 0.32 MA of the totally inundated Indus Delta (about 1.53 MA), fears that these may be endangered are wrong. Mangrove forests cover only 7400 acres, 95 per cent of the plants are in 0.32 MA and are salt tolerant spices,

(8) fisheries stock has never declined due to progressive reduction of surface water supplies.

[CounterPunch]

Now here is something i found in urdu newspaper.

DAMS ........Cost.....Storage Cap.......Area covered.....People effec.....Elect.cap.

Bhasha .......6.5Bil.$....50MAF..............32000Acres.......29,000.............4500MW

Kalabagh.......6.1Bil.$.....90MAF..........110200Acres.....120,000....3600MW

Akhori...........4.4Bil.$. ......???..............59200Acres......49,300.............???

Katzara...............................................90000ACREs.................................

Katzara,according to govt is not feasible.so out of equation.

Basha's drawback is that it needs sustained upgrading of 110 kms of Karakoram Highway (KKH) over a period of 4-6 years, with remedial work on about 300 kms supporting roads.

Kalabagh, with a catchment of 90 MAF, is ready for implementation and can be completed in 6-7 years

Edited by Sniper_007, 05 January 2006 - 06:34 AM.

[crazyinsane105]

The dam MUST BE BUILT. Otherwise, Pakistan's water supply will be depleted by the middle of this century.

[ISI2003]

the presidents arguments convinced me
the opposition to the dam seems to have weak arguments

or at least the president refuted them with statistics

[Web Master]

For Those of you who dont know Kalabagh Dam pro and cons. Here is what its all about

INTRODUCTION

Irrigated agricultural is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. At the same time with word’s fastest growing population estimated to touch 150 million marks by the turn of the century, there is a dire need to increase agricultural production. If nothing is done, there would e approximately 25% shortfall in food grain requirements by the year 2000, Judging from current (1997) two million tones import of wheat, by that time, Pakistan could be one of the major food deficit countries in the world.

Due to complete stoppage of any sizeable surface water resources development after full commissioning of Tarbala Dam during, 1976, even sustainability of existing irrigated agriculture is in serious jeopardy.

With a large arable land, Pakistan still has the potential of bringing several million acres of virgin land under irrigation. An important impediment in the way of this development is insufficient control over flood water of the rivers. With virtually no limit on availability of land, it is unfortunate to willingly let large quantities of water into the sea. In post-Tarbala 20 years, an annual average of over 38 million acres feet (MAF) escaped below Kotri; after adjustment of future abstraction out-side Indus Basin, this could still be around 32 MAF. Out of this, an average of over 26 MAF per year could be effectively controlled and efficiently utilized to bring about prosperity to millions, particularly, in backward areas of Pakistan through national water resources development approach.

Besides recurring irrigation water shortage, the country passes through periodic calamity caused by the phenomenon of floods (1992 followed by 1994 very large floods should act as eye-openers) Monsoon rains result in swollen rivers which spill over their banks, bringing in the wake loss on a colossal scale. Floods are detrimental, not only in financial terms, but also in the form of sever undermining of productive system, which should logically be free from uncertainties and frequent dislocations. In the context of Peshawar alley above Nowshera, frequent flooding takes place due to entrance of Kabul river into confined channel below this point.

Similarly, national demand of electricity gas been and would keep in growing rapidly. From the present 10500MW, peak power requirement of the country is estimated to cross 13000 MW by the year 2000. Recently, Federal Government has entered in to a number of agreements with international private sector to install over 3,000 MW of thermal power over next 3-4 years. Though it may help in overcoming the load-shedding, the power cost is increasing substantially. Therefore, a large scale injection of cheap hydropower through multi-purpose storages is the only answer if the cost of electric supply is to be kept within affordability of the consumers.

If the present inaction towards development of national surface water resources continues, Pakistan would be faced with innumerable socio-economic problems at the dawn of 21st Century. It is, therefore, imperative to launch urgently a national water resources development programme including major multi-purposes storage, remodeling of some existing projects and construction of new irrigation schemes, particularly in backward areas of all provinces.

River Indus and its tributaries, un-questionably, are the larges national resources. Besides sizeable surplus water still going out to sea, Indus System has over 30,000 MW of economically developers hydropower potential. For effective harnessing of this renewable resources, most of which is run-of-river type, it would be necessary to build multi-purpose storage. These would generate sizeable blocks of cheap electricity and thus check the excessive tariff increases due to anticipated large scale induction of costly thermal power. In particular, these would provide means for; substituting the continuous capacity loss of on line storages to sustain the existing irrigation; development of new irrigation projects, and effective flood control.

Taking into account all the above factors, a 25-year (2000-2025) National Water Resources Development Programme (NWRDP) has been formulated including multi-purpose projects. It is a package, including Kalabagh Dam Project, based on the concept of unified approach to tackle the threatening water shortages and anticipated large increase in power tariff due to predominance of thermal power.

THE PROJECT

Kalabagh Dam Project would be located on river Indus 100 miles south-west of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.

This multi-purpose project would have a live storage capacity of 6.1 million acre feet (MAF).ides making up for the capacity loss in reservoirs, it would make substantial contribution to firming up the irrigation supplies not only for new projects but additional allocation agreed by the provinces under Water Apportionment Accord (WAA) of 1991. Further, it would add a large amount of cheap hydropower to the National Grid through its 2400 MW (Ultimate 3600 MW) installed power.

KALABAGH DAM MULTI-PURPOSE PROJECT

SALIENT FEATURES

HYDROLOGY (Indus River At Site):-

Catchment Area 110,500 sq. Miles

Maximum Recorded Flood (1929) 1,200,000 Cuses

Average Annual Flow 91.4 MAF

RESERVOIR

Storage Capacity

Gross 7.9 MAF

Live 6.1 MAF

Retention Level:

Maximum 915 Feet Above Mean Sea Level

Minimum 825 Feet Above MSL

DAM

Type Zoned Fill Embankment With Clay Core

Maximum Height Above River Bed 260 Feet

Total Length 11,000 Feet

Total Fill Volume 60 Million Cu. Yds

SPILLWAYS

Overflow Spillway Capacity 1,070,000 Cuses

Orifice Spillway Capacity 980,000 Cuses

POWER FACILITIES

Unite Size 300 MW

Penstocks 12 No.

Turbines Francis Type

Turbine Design Head 170 feet

Power House Indoor Type

Installed Capacity 2400 MW (Initial); 3600 MW (Ultimate)

Average Annual Energy 11400 GWH

COST

Estimated Total Investment (June 1997) Rs. 250 Billion


ITS ROLE

Utilization of the irrigation and hydropower potentials of river represents the least cost option available to Pakistan to sustain as well as expand its irrigation and power generation capacity. Whereas the Indus Basin Project in the late 1960’s provided basic infra-structure for integration of our largest irrigation system. Kalabagh Dam could assume similar role for making an earnest start towards further unified national water resources development-cum-management. As the project is ready for implementation since late 1980’s effort should be to have it commissioned by the start of 21at Century.

Kalabagh Dam Project would play very important role by way of:-
a. Replacing storage lost by sedimentation in existing reservoirs at Mangala, Chashma and Tarbala (estimated about 3 MAF by the year 2000).

b. Providing additional storage to meet existing water shortages during early Kharif sowing period of April-June (particularly critical for cotton crop in Sindh).

c. Providing effective regulation of Indus river to meet additional Kharif allocations of the provinces under WAA, 1991.

d. Regulation and control of high flood peaks in the Indus to enable provision of perennial tubewell irrigation to the riverain area in Sindh.

e. Generating a large chunk of hydro-power for meeting the growing demand of agricultural, industrial and domestic consumers through low cost option.

f. Reducing dependence on imported fuels.

g. Creating employment for 30,000 persons during construction and significant numbers after commissioning.

APPREHENSIONS

As part of controversy on Kalabagh Dam, a number of apprehensions/doubts have been expressed both by upper (NWFP) and lower (Sindh) riparian provinces. Most of these are based either on lack of information or hear say. In addition, there have been reservations in the mind of some quarters without any apparent rhyme or reason. Consequently, the Project has been thoroughly reviewed and revised/modified to remove the apprehensions and doubts, which in the pat may have blocked its implementation.

The apprehensions and the factual position, in the light of critical examination/supporting studies, are presented in the following.

Apprehensions of NWFP

i) It is feared that historic flooding of Peshawar Valley including Nowshera town would be aggravated in the event of recurrence of 1929 record flood.

ii) Drainages of surrounding area of Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi plains would be adversely affected by the reservoir thus creating water-logging and salinity.

iii) Operation of Mardan SCARP would be adversely affected.

iv) Fertile culturable land would be submerged.

v) Large number of people would be displaced.

Answer:

i) a. In the modified design of the project the reservoir conservation level has been lowered by 10 feet from 925 to 915 feet above mean sea level (MSL) thus eliminating the need for construction of any protective dyke near Nowshera. At maximum conservation level of 915 feet, the back-water effect of Kalabagh lake would end about 10 miles downstream of Nowshera (refer Illustration-I). A state-of-art computer based study, backed by physical modeling in Pakistan, has established that recurrence of record flood of 1929 would not affect the water level at Nowshera even after 100 years of sedimentation in reservoir (refer Illustration-II). It may be noted that this completely ignores the effect of Tarbela reservoir, which is now factually providing relief by attenuating flood peaks. It is also notable that flood warring system at Tarbala provides a minimum of 48 hours advance warning before the arrival o large flood peaks.

b. Real causes of flooding at Nowshera and Peshawar Valley upstream entrance of Kabul river at Nowshera into confined channel at the end of Peshawar valley; and backing effect of Attock Gorge downstream through which Indus river has to pass after its confluence with Kabul river (refer illustration I). Before the confluence, Indus river flows through a wide valley of over 8,000 feet and is then forced to pass through 1000 feet wide gorge for 5 miles. This constriction forces the river water to back up thus raising flood levels in Kabul river upto Nowshera. Whereas Kalabagh should not adversely affect flooding in Nowshera and Peshawar Valley above, an upstream dam on Swat river could provide effective assurance against this chronic inherent problem. Consequently, Munda Dam multi-purpose project is being included in NWRDP.

ii) Lowest ground levels at Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi areas are 970,962 and 1000 feet above MSL respectively, as compared to the maximum conservation level of 915 for Kalabagh (refer Illustration-III). This maximum Kalabagh reservoir level would be maintained only for 3 to 4 weeks during September and October after which it would deplete as water is released for Rabi crops and power generation (refer Illustration-IV). Ultimately it would go down to dead storage level of 825 feet by early June. This operation pattern of reservoir, by no stretch of imagination, could block the drainage and thus cause water-logging or salinity in Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi areas.

iii). The invert level of main drain of the Mardan SCARP are higher than maximum elevation of 915 feet. Thus, these drains would keep on functioning without any obstruction.

iv) Total culturable land submerged under the reservoir elevation of 915 feet would be 27,500 acres (24,500 acres in Punjab and 3000 acres in NWFP). The submerged irrigated land would be only 3000 acres (2,900 acres in Punjab and 100 acres in NWFP). It may be noted that about 1,000 acres of irrigated land acquired for Mardan SCARP alone.

v) a. The estimated population to be affected by the project would be 83,000 with 48,500 in Punjab and 34,500 in NWFP. A liberal resettlement plan would provide alternate irrigated lands to the affected families. The affected population would be resettled along the reservoir periphery in extended/new model villages with modern facilities of water supply, electricity, roads, dispensaries, school and other civic amenities. The affectees would enjoy and improved environment.

b. Another major incentive provided for the affecters in this case, not previously practiced in Pakistan, would be to fully compensate the frames for the land on the reservoir periphery above normal conservation level of 915 feet that could be flooded once in five years. This land would remain the property of the original owners for cultivation with the only undertaking that they would not claim any damages to crops for occasional flooding.

c. The comprehensive resettlement package proposed for Kalabagh is in fact most innovative and attractive then those previously adopted for Mangla and Tarbala Dams. The basic objective being that “a the end of day”, the affectees should find themselves in a better socio-economic environment.

Apprehensions of Sindh

i) The anxiety that the project would render Sindh into a desert.

ii) There would be no surplus water to fill Kalabagh reservoir.

iii) High level outlets would be used to divert water from the reservoir.

iv) Cultivation in riverain (Sailaba) areas would be adversely affected.

v) Sea water intrusion in Indus estuary would accentuate.

vi) Mangrove forest, which are already threatened, would be further affected adversely.

vii) Fish production and drinking water supply below Kotri would be adversely affected.

Answers:

i) Dams don’t consume any water. Instead these store water during flood season and then make it available on crop demand basis for the remaining dry periods of t years. The real demonstration of this came after full commissioning of Tarbala Dam in 1076. during pre-storage era of 1960-67, average annual canal withdrawals of Sindh were 35.6 MAF. After Tarbala the corresponding figure rose to 44.5 MAF with over 22 percent increase in the Rabi diversions alone increased from 10.7 to 15.2 MAF. It is estimated that after Kalabagh, canal withdrawals of Sindh would further increase. A indicated in Illustration-V, most of this increase would come in regarding desertification of Sindh defies even the basic logic of a storage reservoir.

ii) A. WAA of 1991 has allocated, on the average, about 12 MAF additional supplies to the provinces almost all of which is in Kharif season. On the other hand, factually the surplus water is a available only within 70-100 days flood period. It is estimated that to provided additional allocated water over the year, a storage of about 3.6 MAF would be needed (out of this, 2.2 MAF would be in the early Kharif season of April to July).

iii) Initial studies have indicated that construction of high level outlets at Kalabagh is economically unviable. Notwithstanding this, if any province wants to build, then its share of water would be strictly governed by WAA, 1991.

iv)a An impression is also prevailing that with Kalabagh Dam, riverain areas of Sindh, commonly called “ Sailaba” would got out of production due to control over floods. It can be appreciated from configuration of riverain area (refer Illustration-VI) that “Sailaba’ crops are grown on the land adjacent to main river and the creeks. Though crops are sown on the soil moisture soon after the floods, these need more than one watering to mature. As a result ‘ Sailba’ lands give poor yields. Consequently, frames are generally required provide irrigation facility through shallow tube wells or lift pimps. Prime movers on these tubewells have to be removed during the flood season to avoid damage.

b Sindh has presently 660,000 acres of ‘ Sailaba cultivated area form Guddu Barrage to sea. This area is initially sown due to the moisture provided by flooding with river stage of 300,000 cusecs and above.

c. Flood peaks above 300,000 cusecs would still be coming after Kalabagh, without much detriment to the present cultural practices, while large floods would be effectively controlled. This would, in fact, be conductive to installation of permanent tubewells to provide pernnial irrigation facility in riverain areas. Towards this end, a separate scheme is being included in NWRDP.

v)a. The fear that present extent of sea water intrusion in the Indus Delta would be further aggravated by Kalabagh is not substantiated by factual data. Studies indicate that presently the total effect of Indus estuary is only limited to the lower most portion of Delta and gets dissipated below Garho and Chowgazo gagues heights at Garho are completely insensitive to Indus discharges of upto 700,000 cusees (refer III ustration-VIII). Therefore, the sea water intrusion, which seems to be at its maximum even now, is unlikely to be aggravated further by Kalabagh Dam.

b Another apprehension is that sea water intrusion into existing aquifer system would cause serious quality deterioration. The groundwater contained in the aquifer is effectively saline as far north as Hyderabad. Therefore, intrusion of sea water along shore line of Delta is of little consequence. This is further supported by the the fact that there is southward oriented groundwater gradient throughout this aquifer. Considering the very low transmissivities of the aquifer in Delta region, upward sea water intrusion can be almost ruled out.

vi)a. Out of the total 1.53 million acres(MA) tidally inundated historic Indus Delta, Mangrove forest cover an area of almost 0.32 MA In this forest, spreading from Karachi in the west to Rann of Kutch in the east, 95% of the population now consist of a salt tolerant variety.

b. Extent of the active delta area(as distinct from the historic delta area described above) is about 294,000 acres. Out of this, the mangroves cover only 7,400 acres or 2.5% of the area. Most of the remaining area is in form of mud-flats. The reason for this area being too small could be a combination of factors. Recently, NED University of Engineering and Technology has carried out a study titled “ What Realy Threatens us and Our Mangroves” This brings out that reduction in mangroves in essentially due to frequency of tidal inundation being too small instead of fresh water reduction caused by upstream abstractions, which started with Sukkur Barrage in 1932. Other major causes are uncontrolled overgrazing and cutting due to extreme population pressure of Karachi.

c. Therefore, in order to revive the mangroves, real need is for replanting salt tolerant varieties with provision for controlled doses of fresh water. Obviously, this possibility would be much enhanced with an upstream storage facility like Kalabagh.

vii)a. A recent study has shown that there is no clear evidence to suggest that fisheries stocks in the river reach below Kotri have declined due to progressive reduction in the surface water supplies. On the other hand, fish production has been constantly increasing as indicated by statistical data. As such, Kalabagh Dam is unlikely to have any adverse effect on fish production in the area.

b. In the riverain area downstream to Kotri Barrage, groundwater is predominantly saline or brackish and as such unsuitable for either irrigation water supply. After Kalabagh, winter supply in the river would improve thus assuring more drinking water.

PROJECT BENEFITS

Kalabagh would store surplus water in the flood season and make it available for controlled utilization during the low flow season. This water would thus be used for sowing and final maturing of the Kharif crops and entire Rabi crops.

Irrigation oriented operation of the project gives the highest overall economic return. Thus the full live storage of 6.1MAF would be available for guaranteeing assured irrigation supplies throughout the year including replacement of the storage loss on the three existing reservoirs.

Power
Kalabagh wit its installed capacity of 2400 MW (ultimate 3600 MW) would add to the system a very large chunk of cheap hydro-power. In an average year, 11413 million kilowatts hours (MKWh’s) of electricity would be generated at Kalabagh. Further, as a result of conjunctive operation an additional 336 million MKWh’s and upto 600 megawatts (MW) of additional peak power would be generated at Tarbela. To put these figures in perspective, if Kalabagh was in position today, there would have been no load-shedding in Pakistan.

The energy generated at Kalabagh would be equivalent to 20 million of oil per year.

Flood Alleviation
Kalabagh would reduce the frequency and severity of flooding along the Indus particularly between the dam site an Indus/Punjab confluence, 300 miles downstream.

For the riverain areas lower down in Sindh, it would enable conversation of the existing ‘Sailaba’ areas to the year round tubewell irrigation.

Overall Benefits
On a conservation basis, the overall direct benefits of Kalabagh Dam would be around Rs. 25 billion per annum. Thus the investment cost of project would be repaid within a very short period of 9-10 years.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BUILDING KALABAGH DAM

i) National food security would be jeopardized, thus subjecting the economy to additional burden of importing food grains.

ii) Loss of storage capacity of the on-line reservoir due to sedimentation would result in shortage of committed irrigation supplies causing serious dropeven in existing agriculture production.

iii) For implementation of water Apportionment Accord 1991, a new storage project like Kalabagh is essential. In its absence it would give rise to bitter inter-provincial disputes and recriminations particularly in a dry water year. Dispute between Punjab and Sindh on shortage of about 0.2 MAF water during Rabi maturing/Kharig sowing 1993-94 should eye-opener. It may be worth mentioning that Rabi 1993-94 had a normal river inflow pattern.

[CounterPunch]

Thanks WEBMASTER for ur comprehensive reply. I hope the option,i dont have any knowledge of the whole issue, would go un used.

All said, the technicalities of the kalabagh issue seriously favour the Government's decision to go on with the said project. But the politics attached with the issue is promising a bumpy road ahead. What i have seen and read about reaction of people of NWFP,Sindh in particular and baluchis as well, is not really heartening.
Infact,threatening.

They ANP,MQM and many others are hell bent to stop construction of KALABAGH at all costs.

Now i have two questions.

1) Is there any way to convince them?

2) Is it possible for Government to go ahead with its contruction ignoring all politics? and without jeapordising the democracy. MQM and many ruling party's allliance are against the so-called controversial dam's construction.

[pakibath]

I think it is not a good idea to start construction without consensus.

[CounterPunch]

I think it is not a good idea to start construction without consensus.

everyone believes so!!  but what possibly shud be the approach to achieve that consensus.??

like i have a few in mind.

1) govt shud advocate its point of view through Public presentations. like going to the areas which are severely against.

2) Fact sheets shud be distributed through various medias. like printed stuff..or banners..or posters

3) pros and cons of building it shud be clearly told to the common masses. through either of the above 2 methods.

4) opposition parties leadership can help a lot in this regard. if they also side with the govt on this..then it wont be hard to mould the public opinion.

[Jimmy Jimmy]

Actually Sindh have no concerns with Kalabagh exept one
& that is that Punjab will get the water from Kalabagh Through some Canal making their area under cultivation Lesser,History shows that Punjab has stolen the water of Sindh thats why now Sindh dont Trust Punjab.
My opinion is CBM (Confidence building Measures) should be taken to restore the confidence of Sindh,It could be some constitutional amendment about the punishment or panelty for the province stealing water
I think Dams should be built & as soon as possible but with unity,Our Cricket team have learned a lesson to be united now its Our Turn

[CounterPunch]

Actually Sindh have no concerns with Kalabagh exept one
& that is that Punjab will get the water from Kalabagh Through some Canal making their area under cultivation Lesser,History shows that Punjab has stolen the water of Sindh thats why now Sindh dont Trust Punjab.
My opinion is CBM (Confidence building Measures) should be taken to restore the confidence of Sindh,It could be some constitutional amendment about the punishment or panelty for the province stealing water
I think Dams should be built & as soon as possible but with unity,Our Cricket team have learned a lesson to be united now its Our Turn

yaar its not about the Govt of sindh.  well the real problem comes when dealing with illiterate rural masses..or even stubborn urban masses.

like i read that there are some areas in sindh where if in some cafe anyone mentions "kalabagh"..the next moment there is pin drop silence and all the guys stand up..as if wanting to kill that guy who said 'kalabagh'.

so no amount of CBMs can change the point of view of those locals. and also can we dare ignore them?

its better not to go for kalabagh if there isnt 100% or at least majority's concensus.

[Hellraiser006]

The whole damn dam issue is a non-issue.

In Pakistan our bastard politicians take non-issues, coat them in emotion and use them to stir up the backward masses. These politicans (most of them nationalist sardars and feudals) don't want to engage in real politics that deals with issues of poverty and education which will affect their position in society so they take a non-issue like a dam and convert it into a matter of life and death for their constituents.

The whole thing pisses me off, but then thats what happens when you give people who have their own vested interests at the fore the freedom to engage in politics.

why shouldn't Kalabagh be built? or any other dam for that matter?

Edited by Hellraiser006, 05 February 2006 - 05:55 AM.

[USAM]

Do not worry Mushraff will give the go ahead for Kalabagh once the some other dams start up and continous campign to distribute the facts and some gurantees would convince the people slowly.



To be serious, i am so pissed off at dumb people of Pakistan, and then they are always ready to vote for Benzire and Nawaz despite all the shitt they did to Pakistan.

[Jimmy Jimmy]

No Pakistani people are not dumb USAM
I have'nt seen any Pakistani infront of me saying he wants to vote for Benazir Bhundtat0 or Nawaz Shalwar
Its all media propagating such stupidities & you know what when i went for voting for Naimatullah Khan as Nazim Karachi my vote was already submitted to who??i dont know.
Pakistan only once had free & fair elections that was when our eastern arm seperated from us

[must7]

Actually Sindh have no concerns with Kalabagh exept one
& that is that Punjab will get the water from Kalabagh Through some Canal making their area under cultivation Lesser,History shows that Punjab has stolen the water of Sindh thats why now Sindh dont Trust Punjab.
My opinion is CBM (Confidence building Measures) should be taken to restore the confidence of Sindh,It could be some constitutional amendment about the punishment or panelty for the province stealing water

I think the best CBM would be to close a flood cannal which was opened in the reign of Nawaz Sharif when he was the CM of Punjab and is up to this date open and being used by Punjab for irrigation.

This was told to me by a friend of mine when I visited Jhundo Marri recently (last month).

Also note that since I visited Hyderabad after a lapse of 15 years .. I was dying to eat Palla fish. When i visited some fish mongers to buy the fish I was surprised to see them not fresh (like before) on inquiring I was told that due to hardly any water at Jamshoro we have no more Palla fish (machi) in Pakistan and the one which are being sold are actually imported from Bangladesh ! I bought them but since they were old stocks the taste was nothing what it use to be when I had eaten it fresh (some time in 1989 !).

[MoThSmOkE]

I think Kalabagh town/dam should come under the jurisdiction of Sindh. That way, all qualms would be quashed in one move. Although the idea is a bit far fetched, its a possibility.

[Malikman]

I think Kalabagh town/dam should come under the jurisdiction of Sindh. That way, all qualms would be quashed in one move. Although the idea is a bit far fetched, its a possibility.

Far fetched indeed. However if it does happen then Punjab wil be having qualms about it.

I reckon, the step should be made in the best interest of the country. Can the NSC take charge?

[noxiouspython]

Aoa


Aparently, the whole issue has died out recently. You don't hear about it in the news... Anyone know if there has been any progress made on it or not...

I think it wouldn't be a bigger deal then the operation in Baluchistan and NWFP.

w/salaam

[Tiberia]

They can invest money to build a DAM on Kabul river, the river which starts from Chitral in the north of Pakistan n the river then goes into Kabul Afghanistan n enters Pakistan again some where near Peshawar.
All the way the Chitral river goes, there are huge rural areas where no one lives, plenty of space to build Dams n plenty of sites where Dams could be build, infact very idial locations for Dams to be build with very little amount of investement since all the way the river goes it is surrounded by mountains providing excellent areas to build large Dams over there, and  the water is enough to generate enough electricity to satisfy 80% of all the power hungry cities of Pakistan….
Some one has to think about this issue…

There is no shortage of water in the northern areas of Pakistan, plenty of rivers n water resources to build such stations on.


Instead of fighting on Kalabagh Dam we should build small dams , since we have other water resources as well.

[Yahya]

we have one of the worlds highest ammounts of waters via rain in our country on earth...yet we utilise the least percentage of this water. dams are good for the sustained growth of pakistan, they not only provide free electricity, but also are a source of life for the farmers, and also keep our land fertile....our current agriculture status is purely down to dams and canals....with out which we would be a starving peoples. to satisfy the future demand by the growth of population, depletion of water as result of global warming (resulting in desertification), and to make fertile a LOT of what is presently barren land...it is critical to build more dams...also it will help us economicaly as these dams will nearly double our agriculture produce...and thus provide employment to millions of un employed....


opposition case is simple...to oppose...what ever gov says or does, the opositions "constituted"  to oppose it for some reason, you might be thinking what is the reason? well it is simple. in pakistan there was no democracy, it was a playland of the rich....and those who had good speaches (bhutto for eg), and all they want is power, so they can alocate gov tenders to either them selfs or to contractors who pay them a certain percentage of the pie....only in times of martial law this system has been forced shut....(usualy), so the whole dams and opposition thing is BS, for votes....now the real issue is the locals....they are the real issue. and their concerns are usualy genuine, how ever this time arround they are pretty satisfied with what is being done, ie compensation for land, houses to those who did not even have a house before, money, etc etc etc....how ever a certain ammount of work is being done by a minority, may be between 200-1000 people accross entire pakistan, to make all the noise....most of these people are from the UK, and are getting paid/want to get paid to shut up....etc, the kashmiri variant of these people where recruited back in late 80s and 90s by india via very clandestine means....they are usualy multi million airs and are of the greedy kind (you know business men who sell sharaab, commit fraud, rob people, etc etc) what they want is to make maximum noise and to make it look like we are in the worse place on entire earth, they want it to seem that we are litrally being spoon fed via the army, in AJK....but you guys needent worry about this, CMI has a close tab on them, and ISI is interested aswell....

basicly, i do not see why dams will not be built, they will 100% be built.

[dargay]

Kalabagh Dam powerhouse must be built in NWFP, not in Punjab. The province that makes the sacrifice should also enjoy the benefits.

[umiqum]

Kalabagh Dam powerhouse must be built in NWFP, not in Punjab. The province that makes the sacrifice should also enjoy the benefits.

But what if the location for the powerhouse happens to be in Punjab. All the provinces that are touched by the lake or the powerhouse should be compensated per agreed formula. There wouldn't be a need to relocate the powerhouse, not that you can.

But I personally don't think there are any ifs left in building of Kalabagh. The govt has stated that it will be built. I think the govt just wanted to do away with the ability of the opposition parties to ridicule the issue by exploiting it over and over. The WAPDA vision has been endorsed and Kalabagh has been approved by the cabinet to be built by 2015. InshAllah if everything is in place no opposition will want to be in flood waters of the dam.

[Volcano-X]

But what if the location for the powerhouse happens to be in Punjab. All the provinces that are touched by the lake or the powerhouse should be compensated per agreed formula. There wouldn't be a need to relocate the powerhouse, not that you can.

But I personally don't think there are any ifs left in building of Kalabagh. The govt has stated that it will be built. I think the govt just wanted to do away with the ability of the opposition parties to ridicule the issue by exploiting it over and over. The WAPDA vision has been endorsed and Kalabagh has been approved by the cabinet to be built by 2015. InshAllah if everything is in place no opposition will want to be in flood waters of the dam.

Salam

gud post umiqum ..kalabagh dam if sucessfull will b beneficial for all of the provinces and its the duty of leaders to do fairness..

Allah Hafiz

P.S wht does ur nick mean? :)

[umiqum]

Salam

P.S wht does ur nick mean? :)

Thanks bro. Just a nick name for me from one of my relatives. Now the question is what could be my name that would be given a nick name like umiqum? Hmmm...

[waz]

Kalabagh Dam powerhouse must be built in NWFP, not in Punjab. The province that makes the sacrifice should also enjoy the benefits.

Agreed.

[MirBadshah]

Agreed.

Subject to condition that it is technically and commercially viable, whoever benifits more should be a secondary question, as long as it is built and even more goes to NWFP, it is still adding the benifits to Pakistan's economy.

[Panzer-kiel]

Kalabagh Dam powerhouse must be built in NWFP, not in Punjab. The province that makes the sacrifice should also enjoy the benefits.

I dont think the location of the dam should matter. What matters is tht NWFP gets proper part of the product, i.e. electricity and water. Location can be anywhere where the experts find it feasible! I also suggest tht GOP should start the construction process immediately, with or without the consent of the political parties. Once it is built, they will come to reason, i hope, tht building dams is in their own best interests and more should be built!

[sparten]

It would be good too. Since The Frontier has enough people with expertise after Tarbela.

[BaburMissile]

I found the following on Wikipedia. Are these mainly Sindhi concerns against the Kalabagh dam justifiable and reasonable? If they're what solutions are there to resolve these issues? Pakistan is unquestionably in dire need of dams across the country for many reasons. Why is it that political leaders in different provinces don't act responsibly in the interest of Pakistan? Why is it that usually different provinces in Pakistan don't get along well? I mean, can't these thickheads just for once in their life unite and act in the interest of Pakistan?

Sindhi concerns

"Sindh, the first province to point KBD project a blame game, is the lower riparian and strongest opponent of KBD. But its case mainly against Punjab is more on a conceptual basis of what Sindh thought to be "theft of water by Punjab" rather than locating an actual incident of theft. Sindh supports its argument by stating that by virtue of its name and history of water rights of the province, Indus River belongs exclusively to Sindh. Therefore, claiming the construction of dams, Tarbela and Mangla and now KBD actions of theft of water at the irrigation cost of Sindh. Further, Sindh presents many objections against the proposed dam, some of these objections are as follows:

The Sukkur barrage at Indus river, Sindh

    * Sindh objects that their share of the Indus water will be curtailed as water from the Kalabagh will go to irrigate farmlands in Punjab and NWFP, at their cost. Sindhis hold that their rights as the lower riparian have precedence according to international water distribution law.

    * The coastal regions of Sindh require a constant flow of water down the Indus into the Arabian Sea so that the flowing water can keep the seawater from intruding inland. Such seawater intrusion would literally turn vast areas of Sindh's coast into an arid saline desert, and destroy Sindh's coastal mangroves.

    * With the construction of dams, such as Mangla Dam and Tarbela Dam across the Indus, Sindhis have seen the once-mighty Indus turned into a shadow of its former glory downstream of the Kotri Barrage up to Hyderabad. They fear that there simply is not enough water for another large dam across the Indus, let alone three.

    * The Kalabagh site is located in a highly seismic zone near an active fault, and the underlying rocks are likely to contain numerous fractures, causing the reservoir water to seep through the catacomb of fractures and discharge at the lowest point around the reservoir and the Indus river. [1]

    * Damming the Indus has already caused a number of environmental problems that have not yet addressed. Silt deposited in the proposed Kalabagh dam would further curtail the water storage capacity of Manchar Lake and other lakes and of wetlands like Haleji Lake.

    * President General Musharraf and other leaders, such as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, have promised 'iron-clad' constitutional guarantees to ensure that Sindh gets its fair share of water. However, these assurances mean little to most Sindhis, who point out that even the earlier 1991 Indus Water-Sharing Accord, which is a document already guaranteed by the constitutional body, the Council of Common Interests, has been violated, and that Punjab has "stolen" their water.

The objection to Kalabagh in Sindh is widespread. Even political parties of Sindh that are in the central cabinet and are supported by General Musharraf, such as the MQM, have strongly denounced the dam."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalabagh_Dam

[BaburMissile]

Amazing!!!!!!!!! Not one reply... Well, I guess lack of interest...

[JANA]

Amazing!!!!!!!!! Not one reply... Well, I guess lack of interest...

Thts because there is no simple reply to this.

The concerns of other 3 provinces are genuion and the center can never give them solid promise to guard their rights

[JANA]

Subject to condition that it is technically and commercially viable, whoever benifits more should be a secondary question, as long as it is built and even more goes to NWFP, it is still adding the benifits to Pakistan's economy.

No Mir Waz is right unless the power house in NWFP we can't get anything.

The earlier royality is still not paid to NWFP even after soooooooo many years.

[BaburMissile]

Thts because there is no simple reply to this.

The concerns of other 3 provinces are genuion and the center can never give them solid promise to guard their rights

Why can't the GOP not give any assurance to other three provinces? Why not share fairly amongst all provinces? I can't find any difficulty in that...

[JANA]

Why can't the GOP not give any assurance to other three provinces?

Its bitter reality that mostly all governmnets have been dominated by people from one province hence  it always got the upper hand.
and its time now that we had to change this attitude of big brother like that of India towards its neighbours.

Why not share fairly amongst all provinces? I can't find any difficulty in that...

That is a good idea if it had been adopted but even than the two big provinces will cry sayign their needs of power and water and gas were greater so the ybe provided more share.

Even if we accpet this, there is another point the royalty issue.

Its injustic to deprived the producer of these facilities of royalty.

we need to address this problem farily otherwise as Balochistan people have grieviences, such will prevail in other provinces also.