PESHAWAR, Sep 09 (APP): Inspite of 30,000 megawatt power potential, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was prone to desertification and drought due to climate change’s challenges and fast completion of under construction power projects which are imperative for sustainable economic growth and agricultural development.
While traveling on Peshawar-Islambad Motorway and Indus Highway in southren districts of KP, a visitor would be disappointed to see thousands acres of barren lands at Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, DIKhan and Lakki Marwat which was eaten by the desertification, drought and land degradation.
Dr Zilakat Malik, Ex Chairman Economics Department, University of Peshawar told APP that Pakistan was among 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification and if these challenges were not tackled on priority basis the country may face hunger-like situation after a few decades due to rapid population growth.
“The dry-lands of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are facing increased problems of desertification due to climate change impacts, improper land use practices, over-grazing, deforestation and excessive removal of vegetation for fuel.”
He said Pakistan was heading towards a situation of water shortage and food insecurity due to fast melting of glaciers, poor investment in agriculture, flooding, rapid population growth and water loss.
National Water Policy 2018 has revealed that the per capita surface water availability had declined from 5,260 cubic meters per year in 1951 to around 1,000 cubic meters in 2016 and this quantity was likely to further drop to about 860 cubic meters in the next few years, marking our transition from a “water stressed” to a “water scarce” country.
The policy disclosed that the minimum water requirement to avoid food and health implications of water scarcity was 1,000 cubic meters per capita per year and the situation underlined the need for rapid development and management of the country’s water resources especially completion of construction of dams of Mohmand and Diamir Bhasha to conserve the precious commodities for future generation.
To combat desertification and land degradation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has completed seven hydel power projects with 162 megawatts capacity generating huge financial revenues for the Govt kitty.
The spokesman of KP Energy Department Organization (PEDO) told APP that besides collecting of Rs 47 billion of revenue so far from power projects executed under (PEDO), the government accelerated work on the additional five hydel power projects that after completion would generate 216MW of electricity with a positive impact on agriculture and industries development besides addressing the growing problem of desertification and energy shortfall.
The hydropower projects which entered into last stage of completion include Gorangol Mataltan of 84 MW, Lavi 69 MW, Jabori 10 MW, Koto 40 MW and Karora 11 MW.
Moreover, work on, two others projects namely Chari Charkhel 13.5 MW and Mujagideen of 6.9 MW was in advance stage.
With the cooperation of Asian Department Bank, PEDO has commenced work on 300 MW Balakot hydro power project while practical work on Gabriel Kalam of 88 MW and Madain project of 157 MW will commence soon.
The Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister House and CM Secreteiate were converted on solar energy to conserve conventional energy.
Similarly, 8000 schools, 187 BHUs and 4000 mosques have been converted into solar energy in settled districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
In merged areas, 300 mosques and other worship places and 100 villages were solarized.
Similarly, the work on solarization of 7000 mosques and other worship places is underway in KP.
Similarly, 356 mini macro hydropower projects were completed during Phase-1 in different districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa while work on the establishment of 291 mini macro hydropower projects was underway under Phase-2 in the province.
APP/fam