The Punjab government has established 2030 targets for water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge in response to climate change, declining rainfall, and falling groundwater levels. However, officials and experts indicate that progress remains slow while the water crisis intensifies, particularly in Lahore.
Climate Pressure and Groundwater Depletion in Punjab
According to the Climate Resilient Punjab Vision and Action Plan 2024, Punjab is under severe climate pressure from rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, urban growth, and unregulated groundwater use, leading to rapid groundwater depletion. The plan sets 2030 targets to expand rainwater storage, install recharge systems, improve flood management, ensure efficient water use, balance surface and groundwater, and strengthen recharge infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
Lahore is a key example of the crisis, where multiple studies indicate groundwater levels are dropping by up to one meter annually. Areas such as Gulberg, Shadman, and Muslim Town have been declared high-risk zones.
WASA Lahore's Groundwater Recharge Project
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has launched a groundwater recharge project that directs rainwater back into the ground through specially constructed wells. According to a WASA spokesperson, recharge wells have been installed in Tajpura, Liberty, Qaddafi Stadium, and other locations, with expansion planned.
Additionally, the Punjab government has approved 358 underground water tanks across the province, including 34 large tanks and 324 roadside tanks. Recharge wells will be constructed alongside these tanks to help restore groundwater levels. WASA Lahore has also prepared a plan for 1,000 groundwater recharge wells in the city. Officials report that three wells are currently operational, each capable of recharging about 8,000 gallons of water daily.
Government Initiatives and Mandatory Rainwater Harvesting
Secretary Housing Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal stated that 15 initial sites in Lahore have been selected for recharge wells, and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will allocate space in all parks. The Punjab Climate Resilient WASH Sector Development Plan 2025–35 warns that the existing water management system is not strong enough to withstand climate stress, and achieving the 2030 targets will require large-scale investment, modern water infrastructure, and improved capacity of local governments.
Environmental Protection Agency Punjab (EPA) Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said the government has made rainwater harvesting systems mandatory in 23 new sectors. "Industries including poultry, fish farms, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food, and cement, as well as housing societies, hotels, marriage halls, educational institutions, and commercial buildings, must install rainwater harvesting systems, and construction approval has been linked to this requirement," claimed Sheikh.
Expert Concerns on Implementation
Dr Muhammad Yasin from the Centre for Integrated Mountain Research, University of Punjab, said that while water policies are being formulated, the real issue is implementation. "Frequent changes in governments and policies damage long-term planning. Recharge wells alone are not sufficient; groundwater extraction must be controlled, surface water projects expanded, and urban planning made environmentally sustainable," said Dr Yasin.
WWF Pakistan’s Freshwater Programme Director Sohail Ali Naqvi explained that climate change is increasing heatwaves, droughts, and irregular rainfall, severely impacting groundwater reserves. "Government agencies have warned temperatures in South Punjab may exceed 50 degrees Celsius, while phenomena like El Niño are disrupting the hydrological cycle, causing extreme rainfall in some areas and drought in others," noted Naqvi. He added that groundwater levels in Pakistan, especially Punjab, are declining rapidly due to excessive tube well use. With more than 1.3 million tube wells in the province, the water table is continuously falling despite reduced rainfall. Naqvi stressed that rainwater harvesting and recharge measures are essential. "The Punjab government has made water conservation mandatory for housing societies, while the Judicial Water and Environment Commission is also issuing guidelines in this regard," concluded Naqvi.
