Diamer Bhasha Dam

Pakistan Water and Power Development

Authority
TOPIC:
DIAMER BHASHA DAM AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS

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Diamer Bhasha Dam

Diamer-Bhasha Dam
Summary
Diamer-Bhasha Dam

Introduction
Location of Diamer-Bhasha Dam
Country
Location

Pakistan
Gilgit-Baltistan

Construction began
Construction cost
Owner(s)

Diamer-Bhasha Dam

18 October 2011
$11.19 billion (2011 est.)
WAPDA

Dam and spillways

Type of dam
Height
Impounds

Roller-compacted concrete
272 m (892 ft)
Indus River

Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha Dam

would
(i)

Power station

Turbines

12 x 375 MW

Annual generation

19,028 GWh

(iii)
(iv)

It is an under-construction roller
compacted dam on the River Indus in
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its foundation
stone was laid by Prime Minister Yusuf
Raza Gilani of Pakistan on 18 October
2011. Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha
Dam would be the highest RCC dam in the
world.

(ii)

produce 4,500 megawatts of

electricity through
environmentally clean
hydropower generation;
(ii) store an extra 8,500,000
acre feet (10.5 km3) of water for
Pakistan that would be used for

irrigation and drinking;

(iii) extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years; and
(iv) control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods.

The estimated cost of the project, in 2011, was US $11.19 billion with an estimated completion time
of 12 years.

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Need
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistans economy. Due to lack of large river regulation capability
through sizeable storages, the country is already facing serious shortages in food grains. Therefore,
there is a dire need to build storages for augmenting agriculture production.

Benefits

Production of 4,500 megawatts of electricity through environmentally clean hydropower

generation

Storage of an extra 8,500,000 acre feet (10.5 km3) of water for Pakistan that would be used
for irrigation and drinking

Extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years

Control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods

Harnessing of renewable source of clean and cheap energy through installed capacity of
4500 MW

Reduction of dependence on environmentally damaging thermal power, thus saving

environment and foreign exchange

Short and long term employment opportunities, particularly to locals, during the
construction and operation phase

Creation of massive infrastructure leading to overall socio-economic uplift of the area and
standard of living of people.

Environmental impacts
Villages affected: 31
Houses affected: 4,100
Population affected: 35,000
Agricultural land submerged: 1,500 acres (6.1 km2)
Area under reservoir: 25,000 acres (100 km2)

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Resettlement:
Proposed new settlements: 9 model villages
Population resettled: 28,000
New infrastructure, roads, clean water supply schemes, schools, health centres, electricity supply,
etc.
Development of new tourism industry in area around reservoir (including hotels, restaurants, water
sports, etc.)
Development of hitherto non-existent fresh-water fishing industry based on newly created
reservoir

Total cost and capacity

The cost of the Diamer-Bhahsa dam is $12.6 billion (November,2008). An amount of Rs 27.824
billion is required for the acquisition of land and resettlement of the people to be affected in the
wake of the construction of the dam. Under the proposed project, Rs 10.76 billion will be spent for
the acquisition of agriculture-barren land, tree and nurseries and Rs 1.638 billion to be utilised for
properties & infrastructure, Rs 8.8 billion for establishment of nine model villages, Rs 62.119
million for pay & allowances for administrative arrangements, and Rs.17.7 million for contingent
administrative expenses.

Discovery of Buddhist artifacts

On April 4, 2008, it was reported in Asian newspapers that Buddhist artifacts have been recovered
at the site of the Diamer-Basha Dam.[1] According to these articles, the beleaguered engineering
firm Lahmeyer International,[2] which has been involved in planning out the dam, has suggested a
museum be built to house the artifacts. Also, an unnamed German scholar affiliated with a German
archaeological university (possibly the German Archaeological Institute) has traveled to Pakistan to
study the artifacts.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer-Bhasha_Dam

http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/bhasha-dam-socio-economicand-environmental-impacts/

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Environmental Impacts of Bashan Dam

Construction of the dam will greatly impact the ecological conditions of the entire
area. Damage to the ecosystem balance can greatly affect the entire region as it will
affect the animal, plant and human life as well.
Temperature

Any damage to the temperature or natural heating system can affect the glaciers causing
their meltdown, which can greatly affect life in the entire region.
Trade and Tourism

Most of the trade, tourism, industry, and agriculture and living conditions of the
people of the area is, to a great extent, affected by the ecosystem of the region.

Health

Degradation of Health situation especially acceleration of Malaria.

Cultural Heritage

Damage to cultural heritage and rock cravings due to submergence.

Forestry
Damage to forestry activities.
Animal Husbandry
Damage to animal husbandry.
Cultivation and Trees
Damage to cultivation and damage to trees and fruit production.
Electricity

Damage to electricity generation and supply. Improvement of electricity supply.

Social Structures and Gender

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Deterioration of social structures, including community and gender.

Labour Market and Business

Deterioration of Labour Market and business activities after construction.

Fishery

Degradation of fishery activities in nullahs.

Though construction of the dam is important for
fulfilling the energy needs of the country, considering the ecological and socioeconomic impact of the construction of the dam to the region is equally important.
Catering to needs of the local people and fulfilling national energy projects is also
important. Keeping a balance between the two will be very crucial.

References

http://weeklypulse.org/details.aspx?contentID=1372&storylist=16
http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/bhasha-dam-socio-economic-andenvironmental-impacts/

Environmental Issues Related To Water

Increasing worlds population has lowered the level of ground water alarmingly,
particularly in the densely populated part of the world like South Asia, China and
Indonesia. We use water for a variety of purposes from agricultural, domestic and
industrial uses. This has involved activities that alter surrounding ecosystems, such as
drainage, diversion of water for irrigation, industrial and domestic use, contaminating
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water with excess nutrient run-off (e.g. from fertilizers) and industrial waste, building
damns, etc.
Report of UN
In May 2010, the UN produced the report notes that shallow-water wetlands such as
marshes, swamps and shallow lakes have declined significantly in many parts of the
world.
The report also notes that water quality in freshwater ecosystems is an important
biodiversity indicator, yet global data is quite lacking. Quoting a number of examples
from the report,
More than 40% of the global river discharge is now intercepted by large dams.
They also have a significant influence on biodiversity in terrestrial, coastal and
marine ecosystems.
WHO find that roughly 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water to
meet their basic daily needs, and that 2.4 billion people don't have adequate
sanitation. These conditions lead to at least 5 million deaths every year from
water-related diseases.

In the US alone, 142 million tonnes of air-borne pollution end up every year in
the oceans.

It would cost $170 billion to provide clean water and healthy sewage treatment
for all. That should not be beyond the resources of our present global economy.
Increasing worlds population
Increasing worlds population has lowered the level of ground water alarmingly,
particularly in the densely populated part of the world like South Asia, China and
Indonesia.

Water related problems are the most neglected sector in Pakistan. A vast majority of
Pakistani-particularly the rural-do not believe in any disease borne by water due to
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mixing of arsenic or other elements. The people of rural areas of Sindh and Punjab
are ready to drink the ground-water extracted through tube wells, nulls and motorpumps, because are of the view that running-water is free of all impurities.
Illiteracy
Illiteracy, coupled with the lack of political will and corruption, is equally responsible
for the potable water problems. Wastage of time in collecting drinkable water from
remote areas, let woman away from their kids and family and keeps them out of
household givings which results in a poor family. Similarly the girls and children who
served their time in bringing drinkable water keeps them away from educational
activities which creates illiterate generations-a major hurdle in the way of economic
race.
Pollution
Problems for the ecologist are also caused by the pollution of the sea. Not only is
waste and poison dumped into the sea by all the polluted rivers; noxious fumes from
industries, homes, and automobiles end up there as well.
Low Irrigation and Inadequate Drainage System
Low delivery efficiency of the irrigation and inadequate drainage system.
Groundwater pump age, which is unregulated, salts dissolved in the ground water
aquifer.
Death Rate
Under-five mortality rate in Pakistan, because of ill-water conditions, is 101
per 1000 children.
Diarrheal infections in Pakistan have killed 2 million under five years
children.

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It is an impressive for Pakistan to provide safe and quite hygienic potable water to its
citizens, because it is the human capital which causes a nation to be developed or to
be remained the part of Third World.
It takes a great deal of water to manufacture our goods:
1 newspaper takes 150 gallons
1 liter of orange juice takes 1000 gallons
1 pound of beef takes 2500 gallons
1 new car takes 40,000 gallons

Solution

Flood Control
Proper water Delivery
Clean Water
Water Distribution
Monitoring
Purification
Reuse

References

http://www.globalissues.org/article/601/water-anddevelopment#WaterandEnvironmentalIssues

http://www.religioustolerance.org/tomek05.htm

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http://www.einfopedia.com/drinking-water-issues-in-pakistan.php

http://www.technologytimes.pk/2011/06/11/environmental-management-concerns-in-watersector-of-pakistan/

http://www.hitachi.com/environment/showcase/solution/industrial/aquatic_environment.htm
l

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