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Due to climate change, the world average surface temperature has increased 0
.3-0.6ºC over the past 100 years. The northern belt of Pakistan holds the largest storage of freshwater (ice and snow) after the polar region, and provides water to the downstream population for agriculture plus domestic and hydropower resources. This study focuses on a possible explanation for the seemingly declining behavior of Darkut Glacier using evidence from ground observation and climate station data in Yasin and Gupis valleys in northern Pakistan. We analyzed data obtained from two stations includes the Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan (WAPDA, 1995-2010) and the Pakistan Meteorology Department (PMD, 1986-2015). Results of both climate station data depicted an increase in total precipitation and a decrease in winter and spring seasons. The study also highlighted an increase in mean minimum and maximum temperatures, particularly in winter and spring. Similarly, the trend of solar radiation also has decreased. Therefore, enhanced snout fluctuation and the melting rate of Darkut occurred during the study period. All of these changes have had a negative impact on the snout of the glacier, which has retreated 6 m during 2013 and 2016, and a lake has formed behind the terminal moraine. © 2018, HARD Publishing Company. All rights reserved
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This paper provides an overview of the issues in and approaches to measuring and enhancing the value of agricultural water in large irrigated river basins
. It develops a framework and a set of indicators for valuing agricultural water by looking into various dimensions and underlying key factors that influence the value of water at micro, meso and macro levels. The indicators are applied to recent, primary- and secondary-level empirical data from the Indus basin Irrigation system of Pakistan. In addition, the paper compiles recent estimates of the value of agricultural water from 40 settings in 23 countries. Finally, the paper outlines measures for enhancing the value of agricultural water. The paper makes four main points: (1) The popular productivity indicators based on crop output do not capture the full range of benefits and costs associated with agricultural water use. (2) The value of agricultural water may not be as low as it is generally perceived or estimated when all major uses and direct and indirect benefits of water at various levels are properly accounted for. (3) The value of water varies across time and space, and the value to stakeholders at various scales (farmer, system manager, basin planner and national policy maker) could be quite different. For example, the estimate of agricultural water value in the upper Indus basin in Pakistan varies from U
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This paper provides an overview of the issues in and approaches to measuring and enhancing the value of agricultural water in large irrigated river basins
. It develops a framework and a set of indicators for valuing agricultural water by looking into various dimensions and underlying key factors that influence the value of water at micro, meso and macro levels. The indicators are applied to recent, primary- and secondary-level empirical data from the Indus basin Irrigation system of Pakistan. In addition, the paper compiles recent estimates of the value of agricultural water from 40 settings in 23 countries. Finally, the paper outlines measures for enhancing the value of agricultural water. The paper makes four main points: (1) The popular productivity indicators based on crop output do not capture the full range of benefits and costs associated with agricultural water use. (2) The value of agricultural water may not be as low as it is generally perceived or estimated when all major uses and direct and indirect benefits of water at various levels are properly accounted for. (3) The value of water varies across time and space, and the value to stakeholders at various scales (farmer, system manager, basin planner and national policy maker) could be quite different. For example, the estimate of agricultural water value in the upper Indus basin in Pakistan varies from U
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Increasing water scarcity, degradation of land and water resources, continuing low agricultural productivity, and increasing populations are posing the largest ever challenges for development of agricultural economies in many developing countries including Pakistan
. Using panel data from irrigated settings in Chaj sub-basin of the Indus basin in Pakistani Punjab, we attempt to: (a) analyze the causes of low productivity; (b) disentangle factors (both land, water and other factors) contributing to productivity variations; and (c) identify limits and opportunities for narrowing productivity gaps and increasing overall wheat production, with a view to enhance food security for the poor. The results of the study indicate that locational inequities in distribution of canal water, use of groundwater of varying quality, differences in use of seed varieties, and other inputs lead to significant variations in wheat productivity. Key implications are that large gains in wheat productivity are possible by (a) improving the production environment at the tail-end through integrated water management practices; (b) adjusting the mix of canal and groundwater use; and (c) using technological interventions to improve the adoption of modern wheat varieties and dissemination of knowledge on planting dates and timings and application rates of inputs, especially water and fertilizer. Not only such interventions are economically, financially, and environmentally desirable, they are also pro-poor. What is needed is a strong political will and commitment
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This paper presents an overview of the theoretical, methodological and policy issues that are evident both in the extant literature on the subject as well as in the set of papers that are included in this special issue
. In providing such an overview, this paper also develops an analytical framework using a schematic representation of some of the most important layers and pathways that underlie the water-poverty-gender nexus. Based on the overview and discussion, this paper attempts: (a) to indicate approaches and strategies for using water as a key instrument to address poverty and gender concerns and (b) to identify the research gaps in order to set the direction for ongoing and future research at the water-poverty-gender interface
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The study presents alternative scenarios for the impacts of changes in the allocation of canal and groundwater on the socio-economics of wheat production
. It is concluded that overall gains from wheat production can be increased by adopting effective reallocation of canal water at the distributary level. Many of the gains under the scenario will be in locations where groundwater is of poorer quality. The policy implication of this is that, under conditions of canal-water scarcity and variations in the quality of groundwater, joint management of canal water and groundwater is essential to increase overall gains from crop production. The study presents an example of ‘institutional water scarcity’ that could be addressed through effective institutions, leading to improved management of available surfacewater and groundwater resources
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