The Six Canal Project is a groundbreaking initiative under Pakistan’s Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), designed to tackle water scarcity, boost food security, and enhance agricultural productivity nationwide. With a massive budget of $3.3 billion (945 billion rupees)*, this project focuses on building six new irrigation canals to distribute water from the Indus River to key provinces, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Balochistan.
The government aims to irrigate millions of acres of unused, barren land by constructing these canals, turning it into fertile farmland. The most significant among these is the Cholistan Canal, which can transform 1.2 million acres of desert into productive farmland, supporting Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
While the Six Link Canals Project offers immense opportunities for economic growth and food production, it also faces challenges. Concerns include environmental impacts, inter-provincial disputes over water distribution, and resource allocation issues.
Breakdown of the Six Canals
1. Rainee Canal
The Rainee Canal, located in Sindh, serves as a vital infrastructure to irrigate semi-arid regions around Ghotki. Its primary aim is to bring barren land into agricultural use by tapping into seasonal floodwaters. Phase I of the project was completed in 2014 for PKR 17.88 billion, benefiting thousands of acres by introducing dependable irrigation systems. Plans for Phase II aim to extend the canal’s reach. However, they face resistance due to Sindh’s concerns about declining water availability for downstream users.
2. Thar Canal
The Thar Canal is a beacon of hope for Sindh’s arid Tharparkar region, where drought-stricken farmers struggle with water insecurity. With an ambitious price tag of nearly PKR 212 billion, this project aims to breathe new life into local agriculture, offering struggling communities the chance to thrive. However, inter-provincial water disputes have hindered progress and slow regulatory approvals. For the canal to succeed, proper resource allocation and efficient water management will be essential.
3. Greater Thal Canal
In South Punjab, the Greater Thal Canal promises to transform barren lands into fertile fields, fueling economic growth in one of the region’s most resource-stressed areas. Phase I kicked off in 2008 with an investment of PKR 10.17 billion, laying the foundation for a brighter future. Yet, Phase II has been stalled by unresolved water-sharing disputes between Punjab and Sindh. If these challenges can be overcome, the canal has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Punjab, delivering benefits at both local and national levels.
4. Cholistan Canal
Stretching 176 kilometres, the Cholistan Canal is the crown jewel of the Six Canal project, designed to irrigate South Punjab’s vast Cholistan Desert. By the end of Phase I, 452,000 acres of barren land will be irrigated, with plans to reach 1.2 million acres by the close of Phase II. For $783 million (roughly PKR 225 billion), this ambitious project is touted as a game-changer for food security. However, critics raise concerns about its focus on benefiting large-scale corporate farms over smaller, marginalized farmers, sparking debates about its social and environmental impact.
5. Chashma Right Bank Canal
Nestled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chashma Right Bank Canal is poised to revolutionize agriculture in the province’s rugged terrain. Launched in 2022 with a budget of PKR 189.61 billion, the project aims to irrigate KPK’s plains, boosting crop diversity and improving water use. Despite construction delays due to the challenging landscape, the canal holds immense potential to transform the local economy and uplift farming communities.
6. Kachhi Canal
Balochistan’s dry lands find a lifeline in the Kachhi Canal, which has already irrigated 72,000 acres since Phase I was completed in 2017. However, devastating floods have highlighted the need for climate-resilient infrastructure to safeguard its future. With PKR 70 billion proposed for Phase II, the canal’s success hinges on sustainable practices and consistent funding, offering hope to Balochistan’s farmers for more resilient agricultural systems.
Each of these transformative canal projects promises to reshape Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, but their success depends on overcoming challenges with collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices.
Cholistan Canal: Transforming the Desert
The Cholistan Canal’s Role
Central to the Six Canal project, the Cholistan Canal has been designed to irrigate approximately 1.2 million acres in South Punjab. Nearly 90% of this acreage lies within the Cholistan Desert, an area largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. With three branches and a total capacity of 4,120 cusecs of water, the canal promises to create economic opportunities, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve food security in one of Pakistan’s most challenging terrains.
Challenges
Despite its promise, the Cholistan Canal faces significant hurdles.
- Environmental Risks
Transforming the Cholistan Desert’s ecosystem raises concerns about long-term sustainability. Soil salinization from improper irrigation techniques and potential loss of biodiversity are key issues that need to be addressed. - Inter-Provincial Water Disputes
Sindh, a downstream province, relies heavily on the Indus River for its water supply, which is already overstretched. Opposition from Sindh’s stakeholders centers around the fear that diverting water upstream to the Cholistan Canal could exacerbate water shortages and disrupt the Indus Delta’s ecosystem. - Socioeconomic Inequities
Critics argue the canal disproportionately benefits corporate farming, leaving smaller farms at a disadvantage. This favouritism risks widening economic disparities in the region.
Sindh believes the Cholistan Canal project will severely reduce the Indus River’s water flow downstream, further straining a province that depends on the river for over 70% of its agricultural water needs. This reduction could jeopardize millions of livelihoods, as agriculture constitutes a major share of Sindh’s economy. The province also warns of severe ecological consequences, with saltwater intrusion threatening approximately 2.2 million hectares of the Indus Delta, a vital area for biodiversity and fisheries. This intrusion could degrade fertile lands, destroy habitats, and disrupt industries dependent on fish stocks. Sindh views these risks as exacerbating existing water inequality and environmental vulnerabilities, deepening regional disparities.
Proposed Solutions
To ensure the Cholistan Canal achieves its objectives sustainably and equitably, the following steps should be prioritized:
- Introducing Sustainable Irrigation Techniques
Advanced irrigation methods, such as drip and sprinkler systems, can reduce water wastage and prevent soil degradation. - Environmental Assessments
Mandatory environmental impact assessments (EIAs) should guide all developmental phases, ensuring ecological balance and minimizing biodiversity loss. - Equitable Resource Sharing
Transparent water allocation frameworks, developed in collaboration with all provinces, can address inter-provincial disparities. Establishing independent monitoring bodies will ensure compliance and fairness in water distribution. - Supporting Local Farmers
Prioritizing land distribution to smaller farmers and providing them with subsidies for modern equipment can close the gap between corporate and local farming benefits.
Conclusion
The Six Canal project embodies both immense potential and notable risks. If well implemented, it can revitalize agriculture, improve food security, and uplift rural livelihoods. However, the project’s success depends on addressing environmental impacts, mitigating water resource disputes, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all stakeholders.
The Cholistan Canal, in particular, remains a test case for balancing development with sustainability and fairness. By adopting innovative technologies, fostering inter-provincial dialogue, and prioritizing marginalized farmers, Pakistan can turn this ambitious canal infrastructure into a national success story.
