Economic Impact of Water Scarcity in Thar: An Empirical Analysis with Pragmatic Measures
Abstract
This paper examines the economic impact of water scarcity in Tharparkar. It is regarded as most water scare region in Pakistan for being semi-arid zone. Ground water is the only major water source in this region. However, only a few of studies cum research material can be found regarding water shortage problem with a particular focus on affecting economy of the area. The results reveal that women and school going children are responsible to fetch water which affects both productive working hours and education. Hence, economic impacts of water scarcity include water fetching direct cost, consumption of productive working hours, aggravating education status, provoking health issues, inciting food insecurity, depleting rain-fed agriculture and affecting livestock based economic activities. The Research suggests recommendation and pragmatic actions, based on its findings, useful for academia, implementers and policy makers.
Authors
Jhaman Das Hirani
Researcher, Department of Economics, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan