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Water Scarcity and Sustainability in an Emerging Economy: A Management Perspective for Future

Author

Listed:
  • Dianxi Zhang

    (Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

  • Muhammad Safdar Sial

    (Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Naveed Ahmad

    (UCP Business School, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan)

  • António José Filipe

    (Departamento de Matemática, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, ISTAR-Iscte, BRU-Iscte, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Phung Anh Thu

    (Faculty of Finance and Accounting, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 300 A Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam)

  • Malik Zia-Ud-Din

    (Faculty of Law, Islamia University, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan)

  • António Bento Caleiro

    (Departamento de Economia, Universidade de Evora, Largo Dos Colegiais, 2, 7002-554 Evora, Portugal)

Abstract

Water scarcity is rising as a global issue, because the planet earth is facing a global water crisis, which is considered something that can destroy environmental sustainability of our planet. The fact is that humanity’s demand is depleting natural resources faster than nature can replenish itself; if human habits and unsustainable use of water resources do not change, water scarcity will inevitably intensify and become a major cause of conflict among different nations of the world. The water scarcity issue is a crucial issue but unfortunately it has not received due attention in past. Pakistan, which once was a water abundant country, now facing a situation of water scarcity. Pakistan has a poor irrigation system which results 60% loss of its water; Pakistan uses more water for crop production than other countries. Likewise, the country harvests water from rainfall, rivers, snow, and glaciers. The country is facing a serious water crisis that is caused by different factors, such as changing climatic conditions, rising population, poor irrigation system, poor political will, and rapid urbanization. The water crisis of Pakistan is expected to worsen in coming years. This is a drastic situation which calls for emergency measures. With this background, the present study provides a detailed view of the water situation in the country with challenges to water management. The study also suggests some recommendations for policymakers to improve the water crisis situation in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Dianxi Zhang & Muhammad Safdar Sial & Naveed Ahmad & António José Filipe & Phung Anh Thu & Malik Zia-Ud-Din & António Bento Caleiro, 2020. "Water Scarcity and Sustainability in an Emerging Economy: A Management Perspective for Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:144-:d:468306
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qureshi, A.S. & McCornick, P.G. & Qadir, M. & Aslam, Z., 2008. "Managing salinity and waterlogging in the Indus Basin of Pakistan," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 95(1), pages 1-10, January.
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    2. Alina Mukhtar & Aamina Batool & Zulfiqar Ali & Sadia Qamar & Saba Riaz & Saad Sh. Sammen, 2024. "A New Hybrid Weighted Regional Drought Index to Improve Regional Drought Assessment," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(14), pages 5541-5558, November.
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    4. Cengiz Koç & Yıldırım Bayazıt & Selami Yurdan Özgül, 2023. "Impact of tourists on urban water needs in Marmaris, Türkiye," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 8837-8855, August.

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