In a mosque in Sector F8, a residential area of Islamabad, after ablution for five daily prayers, this water is brought to irrigate the field and fruit garden adjacent to the mosque instead of being discharged into the sewer or drain.
This mosque is also unique in that the method adopted to irrigate its garden, if implemented, could bring about a major change, if not a revolution, in a water-scarce country.
According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan‘s per capita annual water availability decreased from 1,500 cubic meters in 2009 to 1,017 cubic meters in 2021, which is estimated to further decrease to only 274 million by 2025. Acre-feet will remain, while the gap will widen in view of shrinking water resources and growing population.
Water security situation in Pakistan
United States government agencies Report of the National Library of Medicine With the current water storage capacity of 30 days, by 2025 Pakistan, a country with a population of 27 crore, will have less than 500 cubic meters of water per person.
According to the report, despite having the Indus River and the world’s largest glaciers, Pakistan is facing a major problem of water scarcity.
Despite having large water reservoirs and about 5000 glaciers, Pakistan cannot use it in a systematic way.
According to the report, about 97 percent of water in Pakistan is used for agriculture and the remaining three percent is used for domestic, industrial and other purposes.
Murad Sajid, the administrator of the mosque, told Independent Urdu that he came up with the idea of the move because the bill was increasing due to the use of an electric motor to water the plants.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
He said: ‘To secure the water for ablution, we laid storage tanks and pipelines around the mosque, through which this water would be supplied to the flowers, plants and vegetables in the gardens adjacent to the mosque. is.’
He said that vegetables like brinjal, okra, zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, spinach, chillies and Shimla chillies are grown here.
Murad Sajid said that with this system, electricity is also saved and water is not wasted.
He further said that a nursery is also established in the mosque from where plants are provided to the public to improve the environment and increase the number of shade trees and the mosque administration itself also plants these plants in different areas of the city.
According to him, the safe water of ablution is also used for this nursery.
Since the water used for ablution does not contain any chemicals (soap, surf or other chemicals or dirt), it can be used directly for cultivation and recycled for other purposes.
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#Islamabad #mosque #ablution #water #effective
2024-09-11 23:45:37
Water crisis essay
Table of Contents
Water Conservation in Pakistan: A Mosque’s Innovative Approach
Pakistan, a country with a population of over 27 crore, is facing a severe water crisis. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan’s per capita annual water availability decreased from 1,500 cubic meters in 2009 to 1,017 cubic meters in 2021, which is estimated to further decrease to only 274 million by 2025 [[1]]. This decline in water resources, coupled with a growing population, is widening the gap between water supply and demand.
The Current Water Security Situation in Pakistan
Pakistan’s water security situation is precarious, despite having the Indus River and the world’s largest glaciers. The country’s water storage capacity is only 30 days, and by 2025, Pakistan will have less than 500 cubic meters of water per person [[2]]. Moreover, about 97 percent of water in Pakistan is used for agriculture, and the remaining three percent is used for domestic, industrial, and other purposes [[3]].
A Mosque’s Innovative Approach to Water Conservation
In this context, a mosque in Sector F8, Islamabad, has come up with an innovative approach to water conservation. Instead of discharging ablution water into the sewer or drain, the mosque uses it to irrigate its adjacent field and fruit garden. This initiative not only saves water but also reduces electricity consumption.
Murad Sajid, the administrator of the mosque, explained that the idea was born out of the need to reduce the increasing water bill due to the use of an electric motor to water the plants. By storing and reusing ablution water, the mosque has been able to cultivate a variety of vegetables, including brinjal, okra, zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, spinach, chillies, and Shimla chillies.
The Impact of Water Conservation
This initiative has multiple benefits. Firstly, it reduces water waste and conserves this precious resource. Secondly, it saves electricity by eliminating the need for an electric motor to water the plants. Thirdly, the safe water used for ablution is free from chemicals and can be used directly for cultivation and recycled for other purposes.
The National Water Conservation Strategy for Pakistan
The Pakistani government has also recognized the need for water conservation and has developed a National Water Conservation Strategy. The strategy aims to ensure the conservation of water, minimize wastage, and secure its equitable distribution across the country [[4]]. The strategy focuses on improving water use efficiency in agriculture, industries, and domestic sectors, as well as promoting water-saving practices and technologies.
Conclusion
The innovative approach adopted by the mosque in Islamabad serves as a model for water conservation in Pakistan. By reusing ablution water, the mosque has been able to reduce water waste and save electricity. This initiative can be replicated in other mosques, institutions, and households across the country, contributing to a significant reduction in water waste and promoting a culture of water conservation.
In the face of Pakistan’s severe water crisis, it is imperative that we adopt innovative and sustainable solutions to conserve water. The National Water Conservation Strategy for Pakistan provides a framework for water conservation, and initiatives like the one adopted by the mosque in Islamabad can help achieve the strategy’s objectives.
References:
How can the innovative water conservation practices implemented by the mosque in Sector F8, Islamabad, serve as a scalable model for other religious institutions in Pakistan facing water scarcity?
Revolutionizing Water Conservation: The Innovative Approach of a Mosque in Islamabad
Pakistan, a country with a population of over 27 crore, is facing a severe water crisis. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s per capita annual water availability has decreased significantly, from 1,500 cubic meters in 2009 to 1,017 cubic meters in 2021 [[1]]. This alarming trend is expected to continue, with the per capita water availability estimated to decrease to only 274 million by 2025. The situation is further exacerbated by the growing population and shrinking water resources.
In light of this crisis, a mosque in Sector F8, Islamabad, has taken an extraordinary step to conserve water and ensure a sustainable future. After ablution for five daily prayers, the water is brought to irrigate the field and fruit garden adjacent to the mosque, instead of being discharged into the sewer or drain. This innovative approach has the potential to bring about a major change, if not a revolution, in water conservation in Pakistan.
The mosque administration, led by Murad Sajid, came up with the idea of reusing the ablution water due to the increasing electricity bill from using an electric motor to water the plants. By laying storage tanks and pipelines around the mosque, the water is supplied to the gardens, where a variety of vegetables, including brinjal, okra, zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, spinach, chillies, and Shimla chillies, are grown. This not only saves electricity but also ensures that water is not wasted.
Moreover, a nursery has been established in the mosque, where plants are provided to the public to improve the environment and increase the number of shade trees. The safe water of ablution is also used for this nursery, creating a closed-loop system that promotes sustainability and water conservation.
The significance of this initiative lies in the fact that Pakistan is facing a major problem of water scarcity, despite having large water reservoirs and about 5000 glaciers [[2]]. The country’s water resources are not being utilized in a systematic way, with about 97% of water being used for agriculture and the remaining 3% for domestic, industrial, and other purposes.
The National Water Conservation Strategy for Pakistan (2023) has been designed to address this issue, with the overall objective of ensuring conservation of water, minimizing wastage, and securing its equitable distribution across the country [[3]]. The strategy emphasizes the need for water conservation measures, including the reuse and recycling of water, to address the water scarcity problem.
The mosque’s initiative serves as a model for water conservation and sustainable practices in Pakistan. By adopting such innovative approaches, the country can reduce its water deficit and ensure a secure future for its citizens. As Murad Sajid aptly puts it, “Since the water used for ablution does not contain any chemicals, it can be used directly for cultivation and recycled for other purposes.” This simple yet effective approach can be replicated across the country, promoting a culture of water conservation and sustainability.
the mosque’s innovative approach to water conservation is a beacon of hope for a water-scarce country like Pakistan. It highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices and promoting water conservation measures to address the country’s water crisis. By embracing such initiatives, Pakistan can ensure a brighter future for its citizens and a more sustainable tomorrow.
References:
[1] International Monetary Fund (IMF) Report
[2] National Water Conservation Strategy for Pakistan (2023)
[3] Water Resources and Conservation Strategy of Pakistan by A. Ahmed (2007)
