The government has unveiled a Rs56.8 billion water conservation push featuring 400 lined ponds and mini dams in drought prone areas, alongside check dams, surface wells, tankas and rehabilitation of traditional karezes, to capture precious rainwater, curb soil erosion and build resilience against recurring water shortages under a phased national rainwater harvesting strategy.
400 mini dams planned to beat drought
ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (APP): The government has unveiled a Rs56.8 billion water conservation push featuring 400 lined ponds and mini dams in drought prone areas, alongside check dams, surface wells, tankas and rehabilitation of traditional karezes, to capture precious rainwater, curb soil erosion and build resilience against recurring water shortages under a phased national rainwater harvesting strategy.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has proposed five major interventions aimed at turning sporadic rainfall into a strategic water resource, with projects spread across different regions and tailored to local water needs.
The proposed 400 lined ponds and mini dams, carrying the lion’s share of the investment at Rs48 billion, have been designated as a long term intervention and are expected to significantly enhance rainwater storage in drought vulnerable areas.
The government has earmarked another Rs6 billion for check dams, placing the intervention in the medium term category.
Besides slowing down rainwater runoff, the structures are designed to help contain soil erosion and improve local water retention.
In Sindh, the plan proposes Rs1.2 billion for tankas, traditional rainwater reservoirs that can provide communities with a vital buffer during prolonged dry spells. The initiative has been classified as a short term measure.
Another Rs1 billion has been set aside for the excavation of open surface wells, also under the short term category, to expand access to locally available water resources.
Balochistan, where water scarcity remains a persistent challenge, features prominently in the conservation blueprint, with Rs600 million proposed for the excavation, lining and cleaning of karezes.
The centuries old underground water channels have been placed in the long term category.
The scale of the proposed programme is underscored by the fact that the 400 lined ponds and mini dams alone would consume around 85 per cent of the total proposed expenditure, making them the centrepiece of the government’s drought resilience strategy.
Rather than relying on a single water storage model, the proposed package combines modern infrastructure with indigenous water harvesting systems, bringing together mini dams, lined ponds, check dams, surface wells, tankas and karezes.
The implementation roadmap divides the interventions into short, medium and long term measures, allowing immediate water conservation works to proceed alongside larger infrastructure projects requiring longer planning and construction periods.
The initiative comes as Pakistan faces mounting pressure on its water resources from erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, rising temperatures and climate driven changes in precipitation patterns.
The proposed strategy seeks to capture rainwater before it disappears through rapid runoff, while simultaneously strengthening groundwater recharge, protecting soil and providing drought hit communities with more reliable local water reserves.
With the government placing the bulk of the proposed investment in ponds and mini dams, the plan signals a shift towards “store before it is lost” water management, turning rainwater harvesting into a frontline tool for drought mitigation and climate resilience.
