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ADB Boosts Balochistan Water Project with $48 Million Loan too Combat Scarcity
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in funding for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project (BWRDSP), aiming to address critical water scarcity issues in Pakistan’s largest province.The investment, announced Wednesday, will accelerate completion of key components previously stalled due to budgetary limitations.
Balochistan’s Water Crisis: A Growing Concern
Balochistan faces a severe water crisis,compounded by economic challenges and the escalating impacts of climate change. Agriculture, the cornerstone of the provincial economy – contributing nearly two-thirds of its output and employing 60% of its 13 million residents – is particularly vulnerable. Frequent droughts, inadequate water management, and climate vulnerabilities threaten livelihoods, with poverty rates nearly double the national average.
The Rs49.9 billion project, initially cleared in September, focuses on the Zhob and Mula river basins. The total financing package includes an initial ADB loan of $148 million (78.99%), a $5 million ADB grant (2.67%), and a government contribution of $34.37 million (18.34%). The project received final approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on Tuesday.
Revitalizing Irrigation and Water Management
The additional funds will be directed towards completing crucial elements of the BWRDSP, including the Churi Infiltration Gallery subproject, the development of the Siri Toi Dam command area, and complete watershed management activities. According to the ADB, these components are “vital for enhancing irrigation efficiency, promoting sustainable water use, and mitigating soil erosion caused by floods.”
A key innovation will be the introduction of a piped water distribution network in the Siri Toi command area. This system is projected to substantially improve efficiency, reduce water loss during transport, and enhance service delivery compared to traditional open-channel irrigation methods.
Siri Toi Dam: A Potential Game Changer
Once completed, the Siri Toi dam in the Zhob River basin is expected to provide a substantial storage capacity of 36 million cubic meters of water. This increased storage will ensure a more reliable water supply for both domestic and agricultural use across 16,592 hectares, including 1,839 hectares dedicated to khushkaba – a traditional rainwater harvesting farming system.
to ensure long-term sustainability, the project incorporates robust watershed management measures. These include afforestation efforts, soil conservation techniques, and the construction of check dams to reduce land degradation and improve flood control within the dam’s catchment area.
supporting Livelihoods and Economic Opportunity
The ADB emphasizes that the additional financing builds upon the project’s existing successes in strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving overall water resource management in Balochistan. ADB Contry Director for Pakistan, Emma Fan, stated that the project “focuses on the Zhob and Mula river basins” and “supports livelihoods and creates improved economic opportunities, particularly for women engaged in agriculture.”
The BWRDSP is also cofinanced by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific – funded by the Government of Japan through the ADB – and the High Level Technology
