IWMI tackles water scarcity in Punjab with groundbreaking GMIS

Original article published in The Nation on 19 September 2024

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched the Groundwater Management Information System (GMIS) during the National Workshop on Pathways for Sustainable Groundwater Management, co-organized in Lahore by the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains, on 19 September 2024. Speaking at the event, Dr Mohsin Hafeez, NEXUS Gains lead for the Indus Basin, highlighted that Pakistan is the fourth-largest user of groundwater worldwide. Sixty percent of the resource is allocated for agriculture; however, current practices are not sustainable, leading to excessive depletion that negatively impacts groundwater. He noted that GMIS would help farmers and the government in developing water policies and better water management practices. During the workshop, IWMI presented GMIS pilot projects that it is already undertaking with the Punjab Irrigation Department.

Further media coverage

• The Tribune International: National Workshop on Pathways for Sustainable Groundwater Management in Pakistan held
• Daily Ausaf: IWMI launches GMIS system to counter water scarcity in Punjab
• Daily Pakistan: IWMI launches GMIS system to counter water scarcity in Punjab
• Daily Times: IWMI tackles water scarcity in Punjab with groundbreaking GMIS
• Dunya News: Groundwater Management Information System launched to address water scarcity in Punjab
• UrduPoint: IWMI Tackles Water Scarcity In Punjab With Ground-breaking GMIS

Header image: Irrigation channel running through a rice field, Pakistan. Photo by Muhammad Usman Ghani/IWMI.