Groundwater Management in Balochistan, Pakistan : A Case Study of Karez Rehabilitation

Ashraf, Muhammad ; ul Hasan, Faizan

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: GROUNDWATER;    IRRIGATION;    DROUGHT;    WATER RIGHTS;    HYDROLOGY;   

RP-ID  :  145387

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Balochistan is an arid region withlimited and seasonal surface water resources. It is alsohome to the ancient Karez water supply system that has longserved as a buffer against droughts. About one-third of the3,000 such systems that were believed to be in place in 1970are still functioning. Aside from its cultural andhistorical significance, the Karez system has helpedtransform the agrarian landscape of the uplands, improvingsocioeconomic conditions. However, recurring droughts sincethe 1960s resulted in reduced recharge to groundwatersupporting the Karez systems at a time of growing demands.To maintain their livelihoods, farmers installed tubewells,aided by energy subsidies from the provincial government.