The Punjab government has approved the construction of 800 new mini dams in the rain-fed areas of Potohar over the next three years as part of a broader plan to conserve water and improve groundwater management across the province.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting on agricultural transformation and water management chaired by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The new mini dams will create a combined storage capacity of 32,000 acre-feet. Officials informed the meeting that 110 mini dams have already been completed and presented photographic evidence of the projects.
The chief minister was also briefed on progress on newly constructed mini dams in Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan, and Rawalpindi. She directed the authorities to prioritize the development of modern, secure on-ground water bodies to store rainwater and to seek a comprehensive plan for the initiative.
“A wise nation is one that protects every single drop of water,” CM Maryam Nawaz said while reviewing a report on water conservation and groundwater management.
The meeting also decided to strengthen the existing legal framework for groundwater management and appoint specialized staff for water conservation and monitoring. The agriculture, irrigation, housing, and local government departments were directed to develop and implement a joint water-conservation strategy.
To improve water efficiency in agriculture, the provincial government will provide farmers with 1,000 new laser land levelers at a 50 percent subsidy during the current fiscal year.
Officials said the lining of 2,600 watercourses covering 7,000 kilometers has been completed across Punjab, helping save around 20 percent of water. Another 4,500 watercourses covering 11,500 kilometers will be lined and improved over the next three years.
The meeting was informed that 100 recharge wells are now operational in the Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions, while work on another 300 wells is nearing completion.
The overall availability and supply of fertilizer in Punjab, along with the agriculture sector’s requirements, were also reviewed.
CM Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant departments to ensure the timely completion of all projects aimed at conserving water and increasing agricultural production.
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