LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the construction of 800 additional mini dams in the Pothohar region over the next three years, marking a major expansion of the province’s Pothohar Surface Water Storage Initiative aimed at harvesting rainwater, reducing water losses and strengthening long-term water security.
Chairing a meeting on the transformation of agriculture and water management, the chief minister reviewed progress on water conservation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater management across Punjab.
Under the Pothohar Surface Water Storage Initiative, the 800 new mini dams are expected to create a combined storage capacity of approximately 32,000 acre-feet of rainwater over the next three years.
Officials informed the meeting that 110 mini dams have already been completed across Punjab under the government’s water preservation programme. Photographic evidence of recently completed projects in Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi was also presented.
Focus on Rainwater Harvesting in Pothohar
Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for developing additional surface water bodies to maximise rainwater storage, particularly in areas vulnerable to water shortages.
The chief minister also called for strengthening the legal and institutional framework for groundwater management and directed the deployment of dedicated human resources for water conservation and monitoring.
She stressed that agriculture, irrigation, housing and local government departments should work together to improve water management and make better use of available surface water resources.
“Prosperous nations are those that value and protect every drop of water,” the chief minister said, emphasising that water conservation was essential for food security and sustainable agricultural growth.
Reducing Water Losses
The meeting was informed that Punjab has developed a strategy to reduce 30 per cent of water losses during conveyance and 25 per cent during on-farm use.
Authorities reported that 2,600 watercourses covering 7,000 kilometres have already been lined, resulting in approximately 20 per cent water savings. Over the next three years, another 4,500 watercourses spanning 11,500 kilometres will be rehabilitated and lined.
High-efficiency irrigation systems have also saved an estimated 18,000 acre-feet of water while increasing crop yields by around 50 per cent. Another 30,000 acres are planned to be brought under modern drip and sprinkler irrigation systems over the next three years.
Groundwater Recharge Also on Agenda
The government’s water conservation strategy also includes groundwater recharge. Officials told the meeting that 100 groundwater recharge wells are already operational in the Gujranwala, Gujrat and Lahore divisions, while another 300 wells are nearing completion.
The chief minister also approved the provision of 1,000 laser land levellers to farmers at a 50 per cent subsidy during the current financial year to improve land productivity and water-use efficiency.
The expansion of the Pothohar Surface Water Storage Initiative is expected to strengthen rainwater harvesting capacity in the region while supporting agriculture, groundwater recharge and climate-resilient water management across northern Punjab.
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