Water Scarcity in Gwadar: Challenges and Way Forward

Abstract

Gwadar is the newest hub of trade for Pakistan, indeed, in the region, lying at the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but facing serious water scarcity. A comprehensive study on the water scarcity of Gwadar has been carried out. Qualitative research work has been carried out using both the primary and the secondary sources of data by adopting descriptive and analytical approaches. Comprehensive fieldwork was carried out in Gwadar that involved visits to sites and interviews with a variety of stakeholders to collect the relevant data. Sustainable water resources along with better water management, are key to resolving the water scarcity issue. Gwadar, despite being a seaport and having other rain-dependent water resources, has faced water scarcity primarily because of mismanagement by the concerned authorities. The study concludes that the other port cities around the world have excelled with better management in spite of lesser resources of water available as compared to Gwadar. Therefore, Gwadar needs to optimally manage its water resources by utilizing modern means to meet its growing demands for water. It should come at par with the rest of the developed port cities around the world.