Socio-economic issues for the management of Karezes in Balochistan, Pakistan
2001
Chaudhary, M.A. | Lone, M.I. (University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi (Pakistan). Dept. of Soil Science) | Shafiq, M.
Karez is an old source of ground water supply without the involvement of external energy. The system has been used for domestic and irrigation water supply since centuries in Balochistan. The ground water balance has been disturbed in many parts of the region because of over exploitation of ground water by (i) the tube wells and power driven pumps, (ii) low precipitation (iii) low ground water recharge and (iv) increase in population. Consequently the efficiency of the karezes has been adversely affected. Flow has considerably decreased and ceased in many cases. About 1000 karezes have been reported in Balochistan. Some of these are functional. The efficiencies of others has declined whereas many have gone dry. Various socio- economic issues are involved in their proper management and rehabilitation. The required improvements would need the redressing of technical, managerial and socio- economic issues. These improvements are economically viable. Farm income can be increased more than two fold by the adoption of these measures. In addition, social mobilization and provision of credit facilities for these measures and inputs shall improve the situation.
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