Groundwater and Surface Water in the Mega-Irrigation Systems of Pakistan : The Case for Conjunctive Management
Groundwater use has increased across Pakistan, nowhere more than in the large canal-irrigated areas of the Indus basin irrigation system (IBIS). These mega-irrigation systems use surface water and groundwater, often in equal measure. The two water...
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/174121579803266899/Groundwater-and-Surface-Water-in-the-Mega-Irrigation-Systems-of-Pakistan-The-Case-for-Conjunctive-Management http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33242 |
| Summary: | Groundwater use has increased across
Pakistan, nowhere more than in the large canal-irrigated
areas of the Indus basin irrigation system (IBIS). These
mega-irrigation systems use surface water and groundwater,
often in equal measure. The two water sources are the same
source and should be managed as such. Groundwater supplied
by seepage from the surface system is pumped up to
complement surface water supplies. The delivery of surface
water supplies determines how much groundwater is used and
how much recharge will happen. In most cases, such
conjunctive management will not 'cost' extra water
to make significant gains in yields and support drought
resilience. This case study discusses Pakistan’s contrasting
experiences with conjunctive use in the Punjab and Sindh
provinces and attempts to move toward conjunctive management. |
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