1. SPATE IRRIGATION IN PAKISTAN
1.3

2. History of spate irrigation in Pakistan
Some bunds in Balochistan are more than 5000 years old
The construction of spurs and bunds in the Bolan river
(Balochistan) during dry period was one of first opportunities
to control surface flows and resulted in strong population increase
In 2600 BC
Source: French Archeological Mission

3. Spate irrigation - globally
Pakistan has the single largest area under spate irrigation
The area is 9% of the total irrigated area
Even so – it is completely ignored

4. Spate irrigation in Pakistan – where?
Major area
NWFP
DI Khan, Tank, Laki Marwat, Bannu, Karak
Punjab
DG Khan, Rajanpur, Mianwali
Sindh
Dadu, Larkana, Jamshoro, Thatta, Karachi
Balochistan
Kacchi, Sibi, Jal Magsi, Kharan, Qila Saifullah, Musakhel, Barkhan, Lorelai, Las Bela

5. HILL TORRENT AREAS

6. DI KHAN

7. TANK

8. TAUNSA AREA

9. DG KHAN

10. KACCHI PLAINS

11. KACCHI PLAINS MIDDLE SECTION
as elsewhere based on earthen bunds
distance from river as important as head tail
huge fields
many braiding stream (flat gradient)

12. Type of spate irrigation systems: (1) large systems along the Kohi Suleiman, Kirthar Range and in Kacchi Plains

13. Type of spate irrigation (2) smaller systems – coastal Las Bela, interior Balochistan, smaller rivers from Koh-i-Sulaiman and Kirthar Range

14. Type of spate irrigation (3) mini systems – mountain systems

15. General typology Spate irrigation in Pakistan:
World’s largest area under spate irrigation: 1.4 M ha!
Equivalent to 9% of canal irrigated area
Completely neglected
Very low productivity compared to other countries
Major poverty pocket in the country
Important environmental functions
Some areas short range from mountain to Indus
Special characteristics
Based on large earthen bunds and deflectors
Overstretched area – command area compared to floods is large – many areas only irrigation < 1 in 5 years
Few floods (<5), elsewhere more floods
Large fields
Mainly flat and sandy areas
Interventions
Based on failed civil engineering concepts not appropriate to spate system – high failure rate (65%)
Lost its dynamism – no new development
Role of local government in management was positive but is weakened
Spate irrigation seen as nuisance (flood damage) not as potential

16. Potentials Potential is large: Water management:
Revive and resource local management by communities and local government
Rationalize area under spate irrigation
Ensure affordable availability of bulldozers in public or private sector
Stay away from inappropriate civil engineering solutions, such as weirs and flood storage dams. Instead – attenuate and regulate flood patterns
Appropriate civil engineering solutions are: flow dividers, fixing flood canal inlets, bed stabilizers, improved/ strengthened earthen bunds (gabion sections, abutments), guide bunds, controlled field inlets and overflow structures
Improve drinking water supply – improved shallow ponds and subsurface dams
Combine spate irrigation with groundwater use and recharge

17. Potentials Potential is large: Agronomy and livestock:
Improved soil moisture conservation (mulching, ploughing, improved equipment)
Improve yield of major crops such as sorghum by better varieties and better soil moisture conservation – in Eritrea yield of sorghum is 8 times more!!
Better marketing and processing of promising minor crops (guar, sesame for instance)
Improve prospects for local vegetables and medicinal plants
Spate irrigated forestry (gum arabica)
Improve local livestock varieties (Bagh Nari)
Improved fodder for livestock

18. Potentials Potential is large, if managed well: Environment
Stabilizes the area, avoid desertification
Recharge of groundwater
Local wetlands and lakes
High biodiversity, indigeneous plants
Low external input (organic) farming