Canal System of Pakistan

Irrigation is the man-made supply of water to the land to encourage vegetation. It is a substitute for inadequate or erratic rainfall and is extremely essential for arid regions where there are no rivers and also in humid regions to improve crop output. In Pakistan, 75% of the agricultural land is under irrigation. Three major water sources in Pakistan are rain water, ground water and rivers.

Irrigation system is not something new. Since olden days, people had devised various methods to water their fields. Some traditional methods of irrigation are Persian Wheel, Charsa and Shaduf. Karez is another traditional irrigation system practiced in Baluchistan only. Karez is a horizontal canal located mainly on the foot hills and it brings the under ground water to the surface. Modern advancements in the irrigation system are the perennial canals and tube wells.
Pakistan is basically a dry country with the River Indus and its tributaries being the main source of water supply. Dams both large and small and barrages have been built on the Indus and its tributaries. Large dams such as Tarbela Dam and Mangla Dam are multipurpose plans which not only store water, irrigate lands but also generate hydro electricity. Small dams like Khanpur Dam, Rawal Dam and Hub Dam supply water for agriculture, industrial and domestic purpose and act as a reservoir as well. A hilly terrain is required to build a dam. Barrages on the other hand are built on flat places they also supply water for irrigation purpose and industrial and domestic use. Some barrages are Sukkur Barrage, Guddu Barrage, Kotri Barrage, and Chashma Barrage.

Canals are taken out from rivers, dams and barrages. Pakistan has one of the largest canal irrigation systems in the world. The Inundation canals are taken from rivers and they receive water only when the water level in the rivers is high such as during floods. The perennial canals are taken from dams and barrages and supply water to the fields through out the year. In Pakistan there are 3 large dams, 85 small dams, 19 barrages, 12 inter link canals, 45 canals and 0.7 million tube wells to meet the commercial, domestic and irrigational needs of the country.

Lakes of Sindh

The province of Sindh in Pakistan has some fabulous lakes which attract thousands of migratory birds during winter season.

Keenjhar Lake

Near the city of Thatta in the province of Sindh, Pakistan lies the beautiful Keenjhar Lake also called the Karli Lake. Keenjhar Lake is an artificial lake formed by combining two natural lakes Sonehri Lake and Keenjhar Lake. It supplies water to Karachi city. It is a beautiful place and is the home to countless migratory birds. Situated at a 2 hour drive from Karachi, Keenjhar Lake is a popular tourist spot. It has been well developed and has cottages and cabanas where families can stay overnight. Fishing and boating are some of the activities offered.

Keenjhar Lake also has literary importance. The folk tale of Noori Jam Tamachi revolves around Keenjhar Lake and is mentioned in the poems of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sheikh Ayaz the famous poets of Sindh.

Manchar Lake

Manchar Lake the largest fresh water lake in Pakistan is also one of the largest lakes of Asia. It is situated in the Dadu district of Sindh and is quite shallow only around 10 km deep. It was made when Sukkur barrage was constructed over the River Indus. Years ago the Manchar Lake was known for its flora and fauna. It teemed with fish and ducks and the migratory birds from Siberia, sought refuge here from the biting cold back home. The natives of Manchar Lake the Mohanas, a fisher men tribe residing in boats also lived by the banks of the lake. Manchar Lake was a popular tourist spot.

Sadly the greed and recklessness of humans has completely changed the scenario. Chemical effluents and other pollutants have been dumped into the lake which has poisoned the water. This has wiped out the flora and aquatic life to a large extent. Even the number of migratory birds has declined and those who do come here fly away after an overnight stay. The worst affected are the Mohanas, with very little fish available, they find survival extremely difficult.

All is not lost as people and the government, are trying to save this lake. The pace of work is rather slow and one can only hope that something is done before it is too late.

Haleji Lake

Situated 88km away from Karachi in the Thatta district of Sindh Pakistan is the wonderful Haleji Lake. Haleji Lake provides shelter to around 223 species of migratory birds and thus is the largest bird sanctuary in Asia.

In addition to being a bird watcher’s paradise, Haleji Lake also supplies water to the city of Karachi. It has been declared a protected area by the government of Sindh and is a Ramsar International Site too.

Hudero Lake

Hudero Lake is located 85 km from Karachi in the Thatta district Sindh Pakistan. It is a marshy area of salt water where a large variety of water birds seek refuge.

Hudero Lake has also been declared a wild life sanctuary to protect the natural habitat of these birds.

Drigh Lake

This slightly saltish water body exists in the cultivated area of Indus floodplains some 18 km west of Larkana city in the province Sindh, Pakistan.

 

The nearby canal system and occasional rains supply water to it. It is also a wildlife sanctuary to scores of resident and migratory birds.