Author:
Ahmed Ayaz,Iftikhar Henna,Chaudhry G. M.
Abstract
Water is one of the basic necessities of life. God has gifted
Pakistan with abundant water resources, with rivers flowing down the
Himalayas and Karakoram heights from the world’s largest glaciers and
free and unique bounty for this land. Pakistan is basically an agrarian
economy. Out of its total geographical area of 79.61 million hectares,
cultivated area is 22.05 million hectares. The total area under
irrigation is 19.02 million hectares [Agricultural Statistics of
Pakistan (2005-06)]. Irrigated land supplies more than 90 percent of
agricultural production and most of the country’s food. Agriculture
sector is regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. It contributes
25 percent of the GDP. About more than 50 percent labour force is
employed in this sector. Agriculture sector is also the major user of
water and its consumption will continue to dominate water requirement.
Similarly, for industrial development main source of energy is
hydropower which is generated by dint of water stored in big dams and
reservoirs. Therefore the importance of the water for the survival of
our economy cannot be denied.
Publisher
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)
Subject
Development,Geography, Planning and Development
Cited by
24 articles.
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