Introduction

The WRRC Quetta has been established in Baluchistan to solve the water related problems of the province. The province experiences extreme weather conditions and low and erratic rainfall, therefore its land is mostly barren and deserted. Apart from traditional irrigation practices in canal command areas, Baluchistan does have the significance of possessing the traditional kareze irrigation system. The Centre has been assigned the role to initiate problem oriented research activities, in different disciplines of water sector, with a view to optimize water utilization with maximized efficiency. The WRRC, Quetta has been conducting and planning research activities for artificial recharge of depleting aquifers in Baluchistan through construction of leaky dams, check dams, watershed management; installation of wind mills and high efficiency irrigation systems; and productive use of wasteland and water resources for improving agriculture, horticulture, forestry and rangelands.

Objectives

• To develop strategy to rehabilitate centuries old indigenously developed karez system and its interaction with delay action dams.
• To study the siltation and sedimentation problems in the delay action dams.
• To conduct studies and develop strategies, for the conjunctive use of water.
• To develop methods and techniques, for the artificial recharge of the aquifers.
• To analyze the water quality status of surface and groundwater.
• To study the water utilization policies with respect to socio-economic aspects of the area.
• To study and identify the development of mini-hydel power systems.
• To conduct lysimetric studies, to establish the water requirements of different crops particularly orchards etc.
• To study and promote local participation in the adoption of cooperative system regarding water use.

• Inclusion in Tentative List for the Nomination of Karez as Cultural Landscape on UNESCO World Heritage (2015) in collaboration with Water Management, Balochistan
• Karezes of Balochistan are unique as they represent cultural landscape which is evolved by the interaction of people and their environment Partners.
• Department of Culture, Government of Balochistan
• UNESCO Pakistan Office.
• Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR).
• Department of Archeology and Museum, Heritage Division.
• Rogers, Kolachi Khan and Associates as Consultants.

• Karez is a community owned system, only a limited data is publicly available regarding their status
• This lack of information leads to lack of management; institutions are not able to support communities
• Survey of 1200 hundred Karezes according to 30 technical parameters
• UNESCO-IHP Wins digital inventory of surveyed Karezes are prepared.