(File photo)
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, says Recharge Pakistan programme is being launched, which is designed to enhance the country’s flood resilience through nature-based adaptation.
Speaking at the program's launch ceremony in Islamabad today, she explained that the initiative aims to integrate flood risk management with the conservation of excess floodwater. This approach will help meet the growing water needs of the domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors.
She said that managing floodwater through the Recharge Pakistan Program would be crucial for several reasons. It would help protect lives, property, the environment, and infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flooding, while also aiding in the recharge of groundwater levels.
Romina Khurshid Alam said that Pakistan frequently experiences seasonal flooding, particularly during the monsoon season, which poses significant risks to human life, property, agriculture, and infrastructure. Effectively managing this excess water can mitigate these risks and significantly benefit the country's socio-economic development.
Highlighting the program's benefits, the Prime Minister’s climate aide said that wetlands would be restored to store excess floodwater, and green infrastructure interventions would be implemented in the Indus Basin. These measures aim to manage the increasing risk of floods and retain excess floodwater for irrigating agricultural and community lands by slowing runoff.
Romina Khurshid Alam described the Recharge Pakistan Program as a major flood risk prevention initiative that will enhance the country’s water storage capacity and improve groundwater resources to meet the demands of a growing population, as well as agricultural and industrial needs.