Seminar on Water Security Challenges & Options held at VU

Environmental Protection Society of Virtual University of Pakistan (VUP) and Student Week Core Committee organized a Seminar titled “Water Security Challenges & Options” at M.A. Jinnah Campus Lahore on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. This seminar was organized to highlight the challenges of water scarcity with special focus on Pakistan to cope with the situation. Delegates and the staff participated in an awareness walk to raise voice for Water Security. The Seminar provided a platform for exchange of experiences and dialogue to address water issues.

In his welcome address, Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Rector VUP, expressed the hope that the seminar would contribute towards development of strategies and action plans to promote water cooperation for sustainable water management in Pakistan.

 Engr. Mushtaq Ahmad Gill, ex-Director General Water Management Punjab graced the event as chief guest. He said it is the need of the hour to establish water reservoirs on war-footing to fight the emerging challenges. He added that there was need to create awareness among people about rational usage of water. He further appreciated Chief Justice’s initiative to collect funds to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam and said that the nation desperately required such steps.

Engr. Sohail Ali Naqvi, Senior Project Manager, Fresh Water Program, WWF-Pakistan, gave a brief overview of WWF-Pakistan’s work and efforts to promote water conservation in the country. Dr. Shazia Ilyas, Water Quality Expert, stressed the need for increasing storage capacity and said that water resources were shrinking and population was increasing rapidly. She expressed concern over the absence of an authority to save ground water.

Speaking at the seminar, Engr. Ghulam Zakir Hassan Sial, Director Irrigation Research Institute said that a comprehensive awareness motivation was needed to sensitize people about rational use of water and avoid its wastage.

The speakers and the participants earlier joined a walk for awareness drive. A big number of students, faculty and Student Week Core Committee members attended the event.