 |
Human
Development
Foundation |
Impact Study of Delay Action Dam Shahabzai –Zhob (Balochistan)
By Zarif Khan Mandokhail
Team Leader HDF-Zhob
Introduction:
The village Shahabzai is situated in the South of District Zhob at a distance
of 12 km from the city. The majority of the inhabitants are poor and most of
the population relies directly or indirectly on agriculture and livestock for
their livelihood. The people of Shahabzai make wide use of the Karez, an indigenous
method of irrigation consisting of underground channels and galleries that collect
sub-soil water at the foothill and carry it to the fields and villages.
Background:
The Agriculture Sector of the district is one of the most important sectors
to support the livelihood of the indigenous tribal people. However during last
four years the district has been badly hit by dry weather resulting in severe
drought. As a result the level of underground water tables has also gone down
drastically. The Karezes and wells of the surrounded vicinity were completely
dry and local communities, and especially the women in those communities, suffered
considerably. Villagers were forced to travel long distances just to fetch drinking
water, and the outbreak fo disease among both humans and livestock increased
noticeably due to the lack of clean drinking water. The sustained drought also
affected the flow of water in Karezes drastically reducing agricultural production
to a level that could not meet the basic requirements of the community.
Fortunately for the local community the Human Development Foundation (HDF)
took the initiative in this dismal situation to launch a drought relief assistance
program for the affectees. HDF was able to alleviate the suffering of the people
through the construction of a Delay Action Dam (DAD) in partnership with the
local community. The dam provided the best solution in such a rugged terrain
for recharging sub-surface water through the collection of surplus rainwater.
Construction of the dam was commenced in October, 2000 and completed in July,
2001. This was the first project of its kind in the private sector in Balochistan.
The dam has the capacity to store up to 30 million gallons of water, and the
total catchments area is about 12 square kilometers.
A View of DAD Shahabzai
Benefits / Impact of the Dam:
Usually the Zhob district receives rain in the monsoon season, which occurs
from the middle of July to August, with a second major rainfall usually occuring
in October. During this past year Zhob received some rains in the months of
July 2002 and August and September 2003, which filled the dam to a level of
27 feet.
A view of trees planted by the community since construction of the dam
Reforestation in the vicinity of the dam:
Before the dam was built there was very little vegetation and practically no
trees in the surrounding area. After the completion of the dam and the storage
of some rainwater, the local community decided to launch a project to plant
trees and other greenery throughout the area. Today there are numerous types
of plants and trees in the surroundings of the dam.
This reforestation has substantially improved the local environmental condition,
and the dam has become a recreational spot for the community. The trees are
also used for the construction purposes and as fuel.
A View of Karez that was dried before
Construction of the DAD
Effect on Wells and Karezes:
HDF staff had conducted a Survey of Karezes and wells in the vicinity before
the completion of the dam that showed their falling water tables.
Recently, HDF staff and Community conducted a follow up survey to study the
impact of the dam’s stored water on the nearby wells and Karezes. The
following table shows the data collected from five different wells:
| S.No. |
Water table (ft.) Aug.2001 |
Water table (ft.) Nov.2003 |
Difference(ft) |
| 1) |
53 |
63 |
10 |
| 2) |
58 |
70 |
12 |
| 3) |
65 |
71 |
06 |
| 4) |
110 |
120 |
10 |
| 5) |
205 |
216 |
11 |
The survey of these wells shows an average increase of 10 ft. in the water
table. This increase in water table also re-saturated the Karezes, increasing
the flow of water substantially. Presently, the dam is not only benefiting the
human population of the area, but the animals as well. Because of dam’s
stored water, the karez system once again has become an effective means of irrigation.
Even previously un-cultivated lands have been brought under cultivation with
fruit orchards, vegetables and other crops, which ultimately increases the income
of the community.
COO HDF along with PPAF team visiting WCL at
the DAD vicinity
During 2003, as a result of HDF’s Community Physical Infrastructure (CPI)
project and in partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)
in Zhob, local villagers started their own project to line the irrigation channels
fed by the dam in order to avoid the loss of water. Although this is a small
project on an economic scale it is a great endeavor on the part of the local
community and HDF to work on a self-help basis to manage natural resources.
HDF has also helped the community to install hand pumps in the village to provide
drinking water from the increased water table.
The women of the village are especially by the dam and the resulting rise in
water table. Now it is possible for women to fetch clean drinking water from
hand pumps available at their homes instead of traveling long distances to retrieve
stagnant water from ponds.
The people in the community are jubilant at the economic and environmental
breakthrough due to the Shahabzai dam. The dam will continue to improve the
life of the local community for years to come.
Date/Time Last Modified: 12/23/2003 8:26:08 AM
© 2004, Human Development
Foundation. All rights reserved.
1350 Remington Road, Suite W, Schaumburg, Il. 60173
Toll Free: (800) 705-1310 | Email: info@yespakistan.com
| Privacy Policy
|
