According to the definition of International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), there are only 40 Dams and reservoirs in Pakistan despite a good Irrigation System. It is shocking information for the elites and political leadership of the country to know that Pakistan has built only 40 Dams and reservoirs in last fifty-five years where as there is an immense potential for building many Dams along North, South and West-East natural slopes in the country. The Dams, particularly the large Dams continue to be planned, constructed and operated with the aim of achieving important socio-economic development objectives. Their potential to alleviate poverty can, and in many cases will continue significantly to the improvement of human life. Benefit of the Dams is not disputed, but it is the uneven distribution of benefits including the poverty alleviation programs that need to be addressed in the planning, construction and operation of Dams. Employment opportunities and other economic related activities would be identified in the early stage and managed as an integral part of the Dam designing, construction and operation.
All stakeholders shall be given guarantees that their interest should be protected in the sense of ownership and equal distribution of benefits to all. The protection and promotion of stakeholders’ interest in the context of Dam projects can only be ensured if all potentially effected communities have an opportunity to gain economic benefits from the after effects of the large Dams.
Such an alarming situation increases the task of national and international organisations pertaining to water many fold. In the wake of the devolved government, “Blue Revolution and Dams for Development Partnership or Blue Revolution and Dams for Development Taskforce” can play a very important role as their root are embedded in the community and has linkages with national and international organisations. Being local, gender balanced, and fully aware of local customs and traditions with no language barriers it can easily bring awareness and educate the local communities about the optimised use of water.
According to the definition of International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), there are only 40 Dams and reservoirs in Pakistan despite a good Irrigation System. It is shocking information for the elites and political leadership of the country to know that Pakistan has built only 40 Dams and reservoirs in last fifty-five years where as there is an immense potential for building many Dams along North, South and West-East natural slopes in the country. The Dams, particularly the large Dams continue to be planned, constructed and operated with the aim of achieving important socio-economic development objectives. Their potential to alleviate poverty can, and in many cases will continue significantly to the improvement of human life. Benefit of the Dams is not disputed, but it is the uneven distribution of benefits including the poverty alleviation programs that need to be addressed in the planning, construction and operation of Dams. Employment opportunities and other economic related activities would be identified in the early stage and managed as an integral part of the Dam designing, construction and operation.
All stakeholders shall be given guarantees that their interest should be protected in the sense of ownership and equal distribution of benefits to all. The protection and promotion of stakeholders’ interest in the context of Dam projects can only be ensured if all potentially effected communities have an opportunity to gain economic benefits from the after effects of the large Dams.
Such an alarming situation increases the task of national and international organisations pertaining to water many fold. In the wake of the devolved government, “Blue Revolution and Dams for Development Partnership or Blue Revolution and Dams for Development Taskforce” can play a very important role as their root are embedded in the community and has linkages with national and international organisations. Being local, gender balanced, and fully aware of local customs and traditions with no language barriers it can easily bring awareness and educate the local communities about the optimised use of water.