Projects

	Table of Contents
p. 3 of 6 BACK | NEXT Background Why the project is needed Issues and concerns ADB's response to issues and concerns Grievance Redress and Settlement Committee Activities Frequently asked questions

Issues and concerns

Flooding

Along the main canal, a series of 68 cross-drainage structures has been built to allow flood flows to pass from the Suleiman Mountains to the Indus River. These structures and the flood carrier channels are designed to drain the largest floods expected to occur once in every 40 years.

During project implementation, however, a detailed design and technical review revealed that, due to the proximity of some villages to the canal, the possibility exists that up to 22 villages on the canal’s west bank could be inundated if floods occur that exceed the 1-in-40 year design. Of the 22 villages, the Project provided 8 with flood protection embankments. The people of the remaining 14 villages preferred self-arranged relocation to protection embankments, and they received cash compensation based on signed agreements with the Government. However, most of villagers who received compensation remain in the villages, exposing themselves to the risk of flooding. ADB views this concern as the most urgent to be addressed.

Resettlement

Concerns have been raised that no comprehensive resettlement plan exists for those affected. Although the Project predates the approval of ADB’s policy on involuntary resettlement, ADB is concerned that those who have had their land disturbed by the Project are compensated in accordance with that policy. ADB has provided resettlement planning guidelines to the Government and is reviewing the matter.

Loss of Traditional Farming System

The traditional form of agriculture in the dryland areas is based on diverting unreliable and unpredictable flood flows onto farm land and facilitating percolation into the soil for the single crop a year. This traditional farming practice has been replaced by year-round irrigated farming within the irrigation command area. The shift from traditional flood-based farming to modern irrigated agriculture is expected to greatly improve the livelihoods and incomes of the communities.

The Project is assisting this transition by organizing water users’ associations, constructing watercourses, providing extension activities, and facilitating pump lifting of irrigation water by farmers at higher elevations within the command area. However, the continuation of the traditional practice of diverting flood flows into villages to the immediate west of the main canal may increase the risk of flooding due to ponding of excess water at the canal embankment.

Environment

To address concerns about possible adverse impacts on the environment, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been formulated and recommends mitigation measures, the implementation of which are being arranged.

The EMP includes

• a study on alternative irrigation methods that would reduce losses in sandy soils
• a study of drainage barrier soils in view of possible effects for water logging
• a campaign aimed at reducing the use of agrochemicals
• an environmental awareness campaign
• the creation of an environmental monitoring and evaluation system

These are to be implemented under the ADB-financed National Drainage Sector Project (Loan 1413-PAK [SF]).