Review of watershed management research activities in Pakistan
Review of watershed management research activities in Pakistan
Syed Zainul Arifeen
ABSTRACT
This paper highlights the achievements and issues in 20th century of Watershed Management and research activities. Pakistan has been facing with energy crises for the last two decades. Hydroelectricity is the main source of cheap energy in the country. However, due to alarming rate of degradation of the mountainous watersheds and sedimentation in the reservoirs, their capacity for water storage and electricity generation is decreasing rapidly. Keeping in view this critical situation, the Government has initiated schemes to control degradation of watersheds through afforestation and other technical soil conservation measures. The paper also reviews the research work and experimental trials conducted by the Pakistan Forest Institute with the aim to select the most suitable and effective measures for erosion control.
To achieve sustainable mountain development in future, emphasis has been laid on the selection of most suitable tree species, their care after planting and integration of other technical soil conservation measures with planting. Participation of the local people in watershed management activities is also suggested in the paper.
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March 2001
Vol. 51, Iss. 1
