In Pakistan, on April 24, the Cholistan Canal was introduced primarily as an irrigation project aimed at channeling 4,100 cubic feet per second of monsoon floodwaters over a period of six months into Punjab’s southeast desert region, historically considered less valuable farmland. This initiative has sparked considerable debate, particularly among representatives from Sindh—the downstream province—who express concerns about potential reductions in river flow volumes.
However, a crucial issue remains largely unaddressed: Could this same Cholistan Canal serve beyond traditional farming purposes? Might it instead become part of a nationwide strategy focused on environmentally conscious methods using groundwater resources to rejuvenate arid lands—an approach beneficial for communities and ecosystems alike—thereby ensuring adequate freshwater supply for the vital Indus Delta area?
The discussion needs to start with the Hakra River Basin, an area that previously flowed through Cholistan. This vast expanse, approximately 15 kilometers across at its widest point, served as a significant monsoon-fed branch of both the Sutlej and Indus rivers during ancient times. Numerous archaeological investigations have identified more than four hundred settlements from the Indus Valley civilization along this dried-up riverbed, highlighting the historical richness of the region. However, for well over a century, the Hakra has been devoid of water—the first disruption occurring due to the construction of the Ottu Weir in 1898 by the East India Company, designed to redirect flow towards northward irrigation channels. Subsequently, the Sutlej Valley Project executed during the era of British rule in Punjab definitively blocked off all natural outlets leading to the Hakra from the Sutlej. Notably, the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 completely disregarded the significance of the Hakra Basin, allowing unrestricted use of Sutlej waters by India without considering measures to safeguard the environmental health of Cholistan. Consequently, these changes led to the collapse of local wetland ecosystems, depletion of groundwater reserves, and severe strain on native animal species including domesticated herds and migratory avian populations.
Beneath the seemingly barren landscape lies a glimmer of hope: an extensive underground reservoir, geologically linked to the Indus and Sutlej river networks, potentially containing billions of cubic meters of water. This hidden asset, if replenished consistently via annual surface runoff, might form the bedrock for a thriving desert economy—one that harmonizes farming practices with environmental sustainability. In this scenario, the proposed discharge rate of 4,100 cusecs from the Cholistan Canal during the rainy season could prove transformative. By channeling these waters directly into the historic Hakra course, allowing them to disperse organically, penetrate permeable ground layers, and refill the subterranean storage, significant benefits could be achieved.
Over a span of five to seven years of persistent monsoon flooding, this strategy can slowly reconstruct the area’s shallow groundwater levels, revive seasonal lakes and basins, and rejuvenate temporary wetlands that were previously vital for livestock grazing and wildlife. Not only does this technique mimic the regional hydrological conditions before colonial times, but it also bypasses the substantial expenses linked with large-scale projects involving concrete-lined channel networks. Rather than pumping water to flood areas, this method encourages water to seep in subtly, adhering to nature’s original patterns.
Discharging 4,100 cubic feet per second over a duration of 120 days equates to roughly 1 million acre-feet of water using certain computational methods. Should half of this amount seep into the ground and recharge the aquifers without being lost to evaporation, it can facilitate sustainable farming practices via minimal groundwater extraction or natural upward movement of soil moisture. Distributed along a 15-kilometer wide region known as the Hakra corridor, such an influx of water holds the capacity to revive various wetland areas, sustain ecosystems dependent on underground water sources, and establish stable conditions conducive to resilient economic activities amidst changing climates.
At the core of this innovative approach is agroforestry. Instead of hastily cultivating water-hungry plants, the irrigated wetland areas should be enveloped by trees and drought-resistant crops suited to arid and semi-arid climates. Species such as date palms, olive trees, moringa (also known as sohanjana), jujubes (called ber locally), mesquite, and native grasses can flourish with little additional watering once established. The extensive root systems of these plants prevent soil erosion, lower salt levels in the ground, and improve underground water storage. They further contribute to supporting local animals, facilitating pollination, and capturing atmospheric carbon—a perfect fit for sustainable land management practices. Moreover, implementing rotational grazing on restored pasture lands might aid in conserving endemic animal varieties including the Cholistani cattle, Chinakara deer, Houbara Bustards, and uncommon types of camels, all while sustaining age-old ways of life.
This type of farming does not endanger Sindh’s ability to obtain water during the dry season. Instead, by aligning agricultural practices in Punjab with the monsoon cycle, the region can decrease its dependence on withdrawals from the river system during drier periods. Such an adjustment might aid in rebalancing the entire watershed by ensuring greater volumes of water reach the Indus Delta. Presently, this delta receives between 6 to 10 million acre-feet yearly—significantly below the estimated 35 million acre-feet necessary to stop seawater incursion and environmental degradation.
Sindh’s worries about new canals are valid considering Punjab’s past practice of using perennial canal systems to cultivate high-water-demand cash crops such as rice and sugarcane—crops more appropriate for wetter areas rather than dry ones. It should be noted, however, that even though Sindh restricts downstream flow after Kotri with its canal operations, the province continues to discharge water via the Sukkur Barrage into the lower Hakra, recognizing the environmental and cultural significance of those lands. Given that Sindh manages these requirements amid its own water scarcity issues, isn’t it reasonable to expect similar considerations from Punjab?
To make the Cholistan model a national precedent rather than a provincial flashpoint, four operational principles must be enforced. First, the canal must run strictly during monsoon season; no water should be diverted during low-flow months. Second, the command area must be restricted to the Hakra basin itself, not expanded into new irrigation zones. Third, agriculture must be smart and sustainable, based on drip irrigation, subsurface watering, and agroforestry, not flood irrigation. And fourth, a joint ecological monitoring board-including Sindh and Punjab-should oversee recharge levels and verify that no additional stress is placed on the Indus system.
If these conditions are met, the Cholistan Canal will no longer be seen as a threat but rather as a climate-smart investment in resilience. In fact, this approach can serve as a model for other arid regions like Thal, Kachhi, or western Balochistan, where massive aquifers remain untapped beneath fragile landscapes. Managed well, it may also build political consensus over reallocating surface water to where it’s most needed-the dying Indus Delta.
The situation in Cholistan illustrates how colonial-era water policies undermined the ecological foundation of this arid region. Initially, the construction of the Ottu Weir was followed by the Sutlej Valley Project and ultimately the Indus Waters Treaty—all aimed at managing resources without malicious intent, yet resulting in significant damage to what once sustained life: the Hakra channel. As we face new challenges from shifting climates and deteriorating ecosystems, there lies an unprecedented chance to restore waters to their rightful place—not as tools for dominating nature—but rather allowing them to facilitate healing and lead towards sustainable progress.
Allow this channel not merely to traverse the desert, but to delve beneath the surface, rejuvenate history, and invigorate the coming ages.
