Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in collaboration with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has organized a briefing to a group of Journalists on rainwater harvesting on September 13, 2022, at PCRWR Headquarters, Islamabad. This briefing was attended by 15 Journalists representing various national and international news channels including BBC.
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman, PCRWR briefed the journalists about prevailing water challenges related to both surface and groundwater in the Country. Particularly, he highlighted the causes of recent flooding event of 2022. For sustainable water resource management, he emphasized the importance for watershed management and adoption of nature-based solutions. Moreover, he explained the importance of rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge. He added that it not only helps to address groundwater depletion but, also have the potential to mitigate flooding events. different stages of rainwater recharge.
This briefing was followed by demonstration of various models of rainwater harvesting. Dr. Naveed Iqbal, Director (Hydrology), PCRWR provided further insight about different models developed by PCRWR at its premises including; roof-top rainwater harvesting for horticulture, soakway pits and artificial groundwater recharge. Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Secretary-PCRWR, explained about the innovative and low-cost water treat filters developed for flood affected areas to meet drinking water requirements.
Later on, an exposure visit of rainwater harvesting site was managed jointly by PCRWR, IWMI and CDA. Recently, in collaboration with PCRWR & CDA, IWMI has developed a groundwater recharge site at Kachnar Park, sector I-8, Islamabad. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Country Director, IWMI-Pakistan briefed the group that this is a model groundwater recharge site, which is fully instrumented including; rain gauge, flow meter and CTD divers for automatic data collection and real-time monitoring.
Dr. Naveed Iqbal, Director (Hydrology), PCRWR informed the journalists about the hydrogeological characteristics of the site as well as importance of real-time monitoring. Moreover, he told that 1.9 million gallons of water has been recharged at this single site, which has facilitated rise of about 4 meters in water table locally, during the period May to September, 2022. He further added that this intervention has not only helped to replenish groundwater aquifer, but also reducing flooding in Nala Lai by conserving fresh water in the sub-surface, which is otherwise wasted.
Mr. Sardar Khan Zimri, Dy. Director General, CDA informed about the success story of rainwater harvesting project. Under this collaborative project with PCRWR, CDA is developing 100 groundwater recharge sites in Islamabad where; 50 sites have been completed. He told that about 10 million gallons of water has been recharged into the aquifer through these 50 sites during this year monsoon period. Moreover, he informed that CDA has plans to further expand this project by adding more sites, which will help to address groundwater depletion issue.

The journalists appreciated the initiatives of PCRWR regarding development of practical models to address the issues of groundwater depletion and flood water management.