Project Title

The Roles & Capacities of Actors in Water Conflicts in Pakistan: A Mapping Study

Donor

The British High Commission, Pakistan

Client

-

Implementation Partners

Starting Date

1 October 2008

Project Duration

3 months

Project Focus & Outreach

-

Project Objectives

The objective of the study is to map the current state of water conflicts and actors in Sindh and Punjab through a case study mapping exercise to determine which conflict resolution measures are working best for wider dissemination and application. The findings of this mapping study can be used as a baseline in the future to determine the way forward so that effective solutions may be formed to overcome water conflicts in Pakistan so that water resources in the country are used and managed efficiently. 

Project Brief

Water is a vital resource that will continually dwindle in the future as a result of economic development, population growth and increased demand for agriculture. Various stakeholders in Pakistan have realized the increasing importance of resolving water conflicts before they not only quantitatively increase but also become increasingly violent. A recent World Bank report has listed Pakistan among 17 countries that are facing an acute water shortage. This situation has given rise to increasing hostility and antagonism within the country.

The lack of will to share water especially between Punjab and Sindh is the nucleus of conflicts in the country. Sindh complains that Punjab, the larger province is usurping their share of water. This is the main reason why severe objections have arisen to halt the Kalabagh Dam Project and Greater Thal Canal. 

There are multi-sectoral actors including the government agencies, the civil society (NGOs), policy makers, development organizations etc. who are either contributing to or trying to resolve water conflicts in Pakistan. However, due to a lack of stocktaking, the exact role of these actors cannot be determined. Hence, there arises a strong need to conduct a mapping study of what has been done so far by various actors to resolve (or add to) water conflicts in Pakistan. 

LEAD will conduct a mapping study focusing on:

1.    Conflict Identification

2.    Identification of Actors

3.    Focus Group Discussions and Expert Interviews

4.    Mapping Report on Water Conflicts 

Project Location:

Punjab, Sindh and Federal/National Level