FAO Report: Sindh Needs Better Land & Water Accounting

A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has highlighted that water and land management in Pakistan's Sindh province has become increasingly complex. The United Nations study, titled 'Water and land accounting in Sindh,' points to heterogeneous approaches and multi-layered regulations as key reasons for this complexity.

The FAO advises the Sindh government to conduct a thorough assessment of its land and water resources. This includes all available sources like rainfall, groundwater, canals, lakes, and rivers. Such an assessment is crucial for effective water and land resource use in sectors such as agriculture, urban areas, industry, and the environment.

The report identifies significant data gaps and inaccuracies within public sector data, which hinder accurate water accounting and influence development priorities. The Crop Reporting Service (CRS) is specifically flagged as requiring urgent improvements in its methodology, land boundary definitions, and coverage.

Furthermore, the study notes an increasing gap between formally allocated water and actual water access and usage. Investments in urban water supply and local storage are not always reflected in system monitoring. The integration of lakes, dams, and drainage networks is significant but requires better accounting.

The FAO recommends shifting focus from conveyance losses to regional and sectoral water use efficiency through an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach. Establishing a mechanism for regular provincial water accounts and balances is suggested to address challenges related to water availability, stress, transfers, and climate-induced changes.