World Water Day – 2022 with the theme “Groundwater-making invisible visible” celebrated

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World Water Day (WWD)– 2022 was celebrated on 30 March 2022 by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in partnership with ECOSF, UNESCO, WaterAid, UNICEF and other national and international organizations. The theme of WWD for year 2022 was “Groundwater-making the invisible visible”. The event was attended by the water experts, scientists, students and representatives of organizing institutes. Mr. Ghulam Abbas Rahar, Assistant Director attended on behalf of ECOSF.

Chairman PCRWR Dr. Muhammad Ashraf welcomed all the distinguished guests and highlighted the importance of water especially groundwater. In his keynote speech, Dr Muhammad Ashraf, emphasized on the joint key efforts of PCRWR with partners, such as; piloting groundwater recharge wells in Islamabad, establishing a real-time groundwater monitoring network along the eastern border of Pakistan, and formulating a regulatory framework for groundwater governance in ICT region.

A round-table discussion was organized inviting key water experts from the country to shed light with reference to this year’s theme “Groundwater-making the invisible visible”. Taking the benefit of this event, the United Nation’s World Water Development Report 2022 was also launched in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Lt. Gen (R). Nadeem Ahmed, national advisor, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) remarked that the subject of water needs to be incorporated into the syllabus starting from the primary education level. He further emphasized to use satellite technology for monitoring groundwater on a broader scale.

In his remarks, Mr. Haile Gashaw, Chief WASH, UNICEF remarked that his organization is willing to support the government of Pakistan in developing national strategic planning and allied assistance for the protection of groundwater in Pakistan.

Mr Arif Jabbar Khan, Country Director Water Aid stressed the need to involve public at different level while developing any policy. The message of Director General UNESCO highlighted deep concern for depleting groundwater aquifers in the face of challenges posed by climate change and food insecurity of the growing population.