| Sumario: | Pakistan is facing an escalating water crisis, intensified by climate change impacts over the past two decades. Limited freshwater resources and rising competition among agricultural, domestic, and industrial users have worsened water scarcity. Punjab—Pakistan’s agricultural hub—is experiencing a severe groundwater crisis, marked by rapid depletion (e.g., 6.89 ft/year in Depalpur) and contamination (e.g., arsenic >171.8 µg/L in Renala Khurd), threatening water security for 120 million people.
This study assesses the transformative role of the Groundwater Management Information System (GMIS), developed under the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Programme. It examines GMIS’s institutional, technical, and policy linkages. Backed by the Punjab Water Act 2019, GMIS enables bodies like the Punjab Water Resources Commission to enforce extraction limits (e.g., 300–400 ft drilling bans) and prioritize domestic use in contamination zones. GMIS operationalizes national and provincial policies, including the National Water Policy 2018, through integrated dashboards supporting conjunctive water management and climate-resilient solutions, such as solar-powered tubewells.
Hydrogeological zoning using CTD divers and GIS mapping reveals aquifer-level variations. Targeted solutions—like Managed Aquifer Recharge and arsenic filtration—are tailored to local needs. To support adaptive planning under climate stress, a MODFLOW-based model simulates aquifer responses to recharge loss, over-extraction, and policy interventions. Scenario-based modeling helps identify vulnerable zones, test seasonal caps, and optimize recharge strategies.
Persistent challenges include staffing shortages, outdated IT infrastructure, and weak licensing enforcement. The study recommends modernizing data systems, expanding monitoring in underserved areas, and adopting participatory models for stakeholder engagement. GMIS offers a scalable framework for sustainable groundwater governance, underscoring the need for integrated, climate-smart water management.
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