Reservoirs: CCI decides to conserve surplus annual flows

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) has decided to conserve only the surplus annual flows in the reservoirs to augment the storage capacity, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. The presentation on National Water Policy had already been made by the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission in the 36th meeting of the CCI. Therefore, the discussion took place only on the reservations conveyed by the Government of Sindh. Some of these had already been incorporated in the Policy.
The following amendments were incorporated in the National Water Policy during the meeting:
Recommendation (1) - clause 10.7: The Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 is currently an accepted document and IRSA is mandated to implement the Accord. It is reiterated that IRSA has to implement the Accord in letter and spirit as per provincial share stipulated in para 2 of the Accord. (For clarity the words "para 2 of" are added in the last sentence.
Clarified unanimous consensus - clause 10.7: The Water Appointment Accord of 1991 is currently an accepted document and IRSA is mandated to implement the Accord. It is reiterated that IRSA has to implement the Accord in letter and spirit as per provincial share stipulated in the Accord.
However, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission clarified that it is understood that para 2 is part of the Accord; therefore, there is no need to insert these words in the policy. Chief Minister, Sindh was satisfied with his clarification.
Recommendation (2) - clause 17.5: Provinces are responsible for routine repair and maintenance of flood protection dykes, flood fighting and drainage. However, in case of major catastrophe like the 2010 floods, the federal government will provide supplementary funds, in addition to the 50% which the federal government has already agreed to provide under normal flooding." (the last sentence in bold italic is added for clarity).
Clarified unanimous consensus - clause 17.5: Provinces are responsible for routine repair and maintenance of flood protection dykes, flood fighting and drainage. However, in case of major catastrophe like the 2010 floods, the federal government will provide supplementary funds, in addition to the 50% which the federal government has already agreed to provide under NFPP-IV.
The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission clarified that clause 17.5 of the policy is acceptable to all and there was no need to insert the sentence proposed by the Government of Sindh.
Recommendation (3) - clause 20.5.2 "Based on new realities of seawater and to conserve aquatic ecosystem, required environmental flows will be reassessed and assured so as to address the issues on long term basis". The words in bold italic are added for clarity).
Clarified unanimous consensus - clause 20.5.2 "Based on new realities of seawater intrusion and to conserve aquatic ecosystem, required environmental flows will be reassessed and assured so as to address the issues on long term basis". The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission further stated that the words ".... and to conserve aquatic ecosystem" have already been added to the said clause.
Recommendation (4) clause 28.4(ii) "in order to augment the dwindling irrigation deliveries into the existing canal systems on account of ever decreasing existing storage capacity of Mangla and Tarbela due to sedimentation and to develop new cultivated area on canal irrigated water, the existing water storage capacity of 14 MAF shall be increased by immediately starting construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project having 6.4 MAF live storage on which consensus of all the federating units has already been achieved in 2009 at CCI level. The existing water storage capacity will be increased by not more than 10 MAF including Diamer-Basha Dam". (The words bold italic are added for clarity).
Clarified unanimous consensus- clause 28.4(ii) "in order to augment the dwindling irrigation deliveries into the existing canal systems on account of ever decreasing existing storage capacity of Mangla and Tarbela due to sedimentation and to develop new cultivated area on canal irrigated water, the existing water storage capacity of 14 MAF shall be increased by immediately starting construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project having 6.4 MAF live storage on which consensus of all the federating units has already been achieved in 2009 at CCI level. The existing water storage capacity will be increased by up to 10 MAF including Diamer-Basha Dam". (The words bold italic are added for clarity).
The sources said, Chief Minister, Sindh, Murad Ali Shah also proposed that the words "not more than" may be added in the above clause ie 28.4(ii) of the Policy, whereupon Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission clarified that the words "at least" have been inserted instead of the words "not more than" in the said clause. However, it was decided that the words "up to" be inserted instead of "not more than" in the said clause.
As regards inclusion of irrigation Ministers in the National Water Council, it was agreed that since the concerned ministers for provincial irrigation departments could always accompany the Chief Ministers in the meetings, if so required, their inclusion in the composition of the National Water Policy may not be appropriate so as to keep the council small.
The water charter was approved by expanding its scope with respect to water treatment from urban to rural areas as well. The view of the Government of Sindh that Pakistan needs to conserve water flows to augment the storage capacity while keeping in view conservation of aquatic ecosystem was also included. Being a single basin country, it was agreed that only the surplus annual flows would be conserved in the reservoirs.
As regards the title Urban Water Management" of the clause 13 of the National Water Policy, it was agreed to include the word "Rural" in the said clause which will become "Urban/ Rural Water Management". In addition, the composition of National Water Council will include Chief Ministers plus one additional member each to be nominated by the Chief Ministers of the respective provinces (clause 29.5.1 of the National Water Policy).