Imagine an ancient, life-sustaining artery, slowly fading as modern pressures choke its flow – this is the story of the Karez system in Balochistan, Pakistan. This book delves into the critical geohydrological factors impacting these traditional underground water canals, the Karez, in the Karezat region, a lifeline for generations facing increasing water scarcity. Explore the intricate web of geological formations, groundwater dynamics, and climatic influences that govern the Karez system’s functionality. Uncover the devastating consequences of drought, the proliferation of tube wells, and unsustainable agricultural practices that threaten to silence these ancient sources of water. Through meticulous research and analysis, the book illuminates the physicochemical properties of Karez water, offering insights into its quality and vulnerability. Venture into the heart of the community and discover the socio-economic impacts of the Karez system’s decline, revealing the urgent need for sustainable solutions. This study not only diagnoses the ailments plaguing the Karez but also proposes practical, community-based rehabilitation strategies to revitalize these essential water resources. Learn about innovative approaches like Karez extension, the construction of water storage ponds, and proactive maintenance plans designed to ensure the long-term viability of active Karezes. This book is a crucial resource for researchers, policymakers, and anyone committed to sustainable water management in arid and semi-arid regions, offering a pathway to restore a vital piece of cultural and environmental heritage. It addresses critical questions surrounding aquifer recharge, groundwater management, and the delicate balance between traditional practices and modern development. Discover how integrated watershed management and a renewed focus on community involvement can safeguard these invaluable water sources for future generations, securing water quality and promoting resilience in the face of climate change. This exploration highlights the importance of understanding the delicate interplay between hydrogeology, human activity, and environmental stewardship in preserving these ancient and vital water systems. Unravel the complexities of the Karez system and join the effort to protect this precious resource from vanishing beneath the sands of time, a call to action for the preservation of groundwater resources and the promotion of sustainable water management practices in vulnerable communities.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Background
- Problem Statement
- Research Objectives
- Research Rationale
- Location and Extent
- Morphology and Drainage Pattern
- Topography
- Climatology
- Precipitation
- Temperature
- Wind Speed
- Humidity
- Evapotranspiration
- Literature review
- MATERIALS AND METHODS
- Methodology
- Secondary Data Acquisition
- Primary Data Acquisition
- Equipment Utilization
- Data Processing and Analysis
- Research Flow Chart
- Study of Karez System
- Karez Antiquity
- Age of Karezes
- Karez Geometry
- Existing Status of Karezes
- Social Aspect of Karezes
- Population Dependent on Karezes
- Karez Capabilities
- Irrigation with Karez System
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- Geohydrology
- Geological Investigations
- Hydrogeological Investigations
- Basinal Settings
- Hydrogeological Setting
- Groundwater Discharge
- Factors Affecting Karez Discharge
- Groundwater Level Fluctuations
- Declining of Groundwater Table
- Impact of Droughts
- Influences of Tube wells
- Impacts of Solar Water Pumps
- Impact of Agriculture
- Effects of Water Supply Schemes
- Deforestation and Rangelands
- Effects of Excessive Pumping
- Physicochemical Parameters
- Color, Taste, and Odor
- Temperature and pH
- Electrical Conductivity
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Watershed Management and Rehabilitation of Karezes
- Karez Extension
- Construction of Water Storage Pond
- Proposed Maintenance for Active Karezes
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to evaluate the geohydrological aspects of the Karez system in Karezat, Balochistan, Pakistan, focusing on factors impacting its functionality and developing community-based rehabilitation strategies. The research analyzes physicochemical properties of Karez waters to understand the factors affecting the system.
- Geohydrological characteristics of the Karez system.
- Factors contributing to the decline of Karez functionality.
- Impact of changing water usage patterns (tube wells, etc.) on Karez systems.
- Physicochemical properties of Karez water and its quality.
- Community-based rehabilitation strategies for sustainable Karez management.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the Karez system, an ancient underground water canal system, and sets the stage for the study. It defines the problem of declining Karez functionality in Karezat, Balochistan, outlining the research objectives, rationale, and geographical context of the study area, including its morphology, drainage patterns, topography, and climatology. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the complexities of the Karez system and its environmental context.
Literature review: This chapter reviews existing literature on Karez systems, summarizing previous studies and research related to their hydrogeology, construction, management, and socio-economic impact. It provides a foundation for the current research by establishing the existing body of knowledge and identifying any gaps that this study intends to address. The review contextualizes the study within the broader field of hydrogeology and water resource management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This chapter details the research methodology employed. It describes both secondary data acquisition (existing literature, records) and primary data acquisition (fieldwork, measurements). The chapter elaborates on equipment used, data processing and analysis techniques, and the overall research workflow represented through a flow chart. It provides a clear and reproducible account of the study’s scientific approach.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This chapter presents the findings of the research. It presents data on the geohydrology of the study area, geological investigations, and detailed hydrogeological investigations of basinal settings, groundwater discharge, factors affecting Karez discharge, groundwater level fluctuations, the impact of droughts and tube wells, and effects of water supply schemes, deforestation and excessive pumping. It also analyzes physicochemical parameters of Karez water. The chapter provides a comprehensive interpretation of the data, establishing the connections between various factors and their impacts on the Karez system. The implications of the findings are discussed in detail.
Keywords
Karez, hydrogeology, groundwater, Balochistan, Pakistan, water management, drought, tube wells, aquifer recharge, sustainable water resources, community-based management, physicochemical parameters, water quality.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the purpose of this document?
This document serves as a comprehensive language preview of a research paper or study. It includes the title, table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords to provide a clear overview of the research.
What does the Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents) cover?
The table of contents outlines the structure of the research, including sections on the introduction (background, problem statement, research objectives, rationale, location, morphology, topography, climatology), literature review, materials and methods (methodology, Karez system study), results and discussion (geohydrology, geological and hydrogeological investigations, physicochemical parameters, watershed management and rehabilitation).
What are the Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)?
The study aims to evaluate the geohydrological aspects of the Karez system in Karezat, Balochistan, Pakistan. Key themes include the geohydrological characteristics of the system, factors contributing to its decline, the impact of changing water usage, physicochemical properties of Karez water, and community-based rehabilitation strategies.
What information does the "Introduction" chapter provide?
The "Introduction" chapter introduces the Karez system, defines the problem of its declining functionality in Karezat, Balochistan, and outlines the research objectives, rationale, and geographical context. It also covers the study area's morphology, drainage patterns, topography, and climatology.
What is covered in the "Literature Review" chapter?
The "Literature Review" chapter reviews existing literature on Karez systems, summarizing previous studies related to their hydrogeology, construction, management, and socio-economic impact.
What details are included in the "MATERIALS AND METHODS" chapter?
The "MATERIALS AND METHODS" chapter details the research methodology, including secondary and primary data acquisition, equipment used, data processing and analysis techniques, and the overall research workflow.
What type of results and discussions are presented?
The "RESULTS AND DISCUSSION" chapter presents findings on the geohydrology of the study area, geological and hydrogeological investigations (basinal settings, groundwater discharge, factors affecting Karez discharge, groundwater level fluctuations), the impact of droughts and tube wells, and effects of water supply schemes, deforestation, and excessive pumping. It also analyzes physicochemical parameters of Karez water.
What does the document say about the decline of the Karez system?
The document identifies several factors contributing to the decline of the Karez system, including changing water usage patterns (e.g., tube wells), droughts, deforestation, excessive pumping, and the impact of water supply schemes. The research also investigates the influence of agriculture and solar water pumps.
What are the Schlüsselwörter (Keywords) associated with this research?
The keywords associated with this research are: Karez, hydrogeology, groundwater, Balochistan, Pakistan, water management, drought, tube wells, aquifer recharge, sustainable water resources, community-based management, physicochemical parameters, water quality.
What are the proposed strategies for Watershed Management and Rehabilitation of Karezes?
The proposed strategies include Karez extension, construction of water storage ponds, and proposed maintenance for active Karezes.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Hamayun Khan (Autor:in), 2019, Hydrogeological Study of Karez System in Tehsil Karezat, Balochistan, Pakistan, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/983782
