Assessment of emerging hydrological, water quality issues and policy discussion on water sharing of transboundary Kabul River

Abstract

Transboundary water sharing policy between Pakistan and Afghanistan along with emerging issues over the Transboundary Kabul River have been discussed incorporating long-term hydrological trend analysis, water quality issues and temporal changes in land cover/land use. The annual (1977–2015) mean river flow of 26.32 billion (109) cubic metres (BCM) with a range of 13.77 to 42.2 BCM and standard deviation of 6.026 BCM revealed no significant trend in annual inflow data of the Kabul River. Afghanistan planned developments in the basin were analysed in the light of reduction in the transboundary flow. Faecal coliforms, pH (7.90 to 8.06), Escherichia coli and other water quality parameters were found to be within permissible limits, however, dissolved oxygen was just above the permissible limits to sustain aquatic life. Water was found unsuitable for drinking while suitable for agriculture and aquatic life. Remote sensing data used for temporal change detection showed an increase in built-up-areas and cultivated areas along Kabul River inside Pakistan by 50 and 47%, respectively. Significant changes were observed at two locations in the river course. Insights of emerging Kabul River issues and a way forward have been discussed which could serve as the basis for formulation of adaption strategies leading to a ‘Kabul River Water Treaty’.

Impact of Spatio-Temporal change in landuse/landcover on Groundwater Quality and Human Health; A case study of District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

“…District Peshawar (33º.40′.00″ to 34º.10′.00″ N latitude and 71º.25′.00″ to 71º.45′.00″ E longitude), which is the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan (figure 1) was selected for this research based on its exponential population growth over three decades due to the settlement of internally displaced people (IDP) and a massive influx of Afghan refugees since 1979 (Akhtar and Iqbal 2017;Khan et al 2013a). This has created multifaced pressure on natural resources, noticeably the deterioration of groundwater quality and its impact on human health (Adnan et al 2018).…”

Cutting across the Durand: Water dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan on river Kabul

“…It is approximately 700 km long, of which 560 km flow in Afghanistan and the rest in Pakistan. Rising in the Sanglakh Range 72 km west of Kabul city, it flows east past Kabul and Jalalabad, north of the Khyber Pass into Pakistan, and past Peshawar (Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017). It joins River Indus northwest of Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad.…”

“…Coupled with the effects of climate change, any reduction in the inflow of River Kabul will severely affect Pakistan's existing and future water usage in Rabi and Kharif seasons and may lead to economic deterioration, higher food prices, and a shift in rural‐urban population. (Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017). Among the basin states, rising water issues over River Kabul can act as a catalyst in low‐intensity conflicts, civil war, ethnic conflicts, and insurgency (Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017).…”

“…(Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017). Among the basin states, rising water issues over River Kabul can act as a catalyst in low‐intensity conflicts, civil war, ethnic conflicts, and insurgency (Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017). Pakistan's agricultural productivity is greatly dependent upon the timely availability of water.…”

An improved index for water quality evaluation in an estuary region: a case study in the Eastern Pearl River Delta, China

“…Water quality evaluation is basic to water resources management and policy making (Wang et al, 2007;Abaurrea et al, 2011;Kong et al, 2014;Akhtar & Iqbal, 2017;Yang et al, 2018). It is even more important nowadays because water resources managers are paying greater attention to the benefits of water environmental and ecological systems (Savenije & Van der Zaag, 2008;Gichuki et al, 2009;Buytaert et al, 2014;Friesen et al, 2017).…”