New census indicates population growth rate increased: Sartaj Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Figures of news census revealed that our population growth ratio has increased from 2 to 2.4 % creating big challenges of more resources to cater basic needs including food, water and other necessities.

With this ratio population would increase 25 million till 2025 which means they need resources for six new cities with four million people in each, Deputy Chairman, Ministry of Planning, Development and  Reforms Sartaj Aziz  said.

Addressing inaugural session of `4th International Water Conference  2017’, here on Tuesday, he said, Pakistan is seventh most affected country by the affects of climate change and there is a dire need to review entire water management system to counter biggest treat of water scarcity.

Three approach strategy should be adopted to increase water reservoirs of the country including constructing dams at government level, introducing latest technology in irrigation system to consume less water replacing tube wells with rechargeable resources and creating awareness among community for less water consumption at domestic level.

The three day conference titled, `Climate Change & Disaster Management for sustainable development and Business’ was focused to highlight issues related to scarcity and misuse of fresh water which pose a serious and growing threat to sustainable development and protection of the environment.

The conference is jointly organized by Riphah International University, University of Peshawar, University of Harripur, Abasyn University and Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR).

Vice Chancellor Riphah International University, Dr. Anis Ahmed addressing the conference said climate impact on ecosystem is leading to `water scarcity, resources paucity, food security and disaster repercussions.

Chairman PCRWR, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf said that one kilogram of rice consume five ton of water so there is a dire need to manage our crops according to our resources. He said flood is a good opportunity to conserve water but for the purpose concrete strategies are required.

He informed they have developed a `Roof top conservation system’ to utilize rain water  at PCRWR.

During the conference speakers would present papers on `Climate change, water, food and energy security, Disaster risk reduction, safety planning and business continuity, Water scarcity and resource management, Impact of industrial effluents and water quality, Socio-hydrology and trans-boundary diplomacy and perspective.

The conference would conclude on December 21.