Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the construction of 800 new mini dams in the Potohar region over the next three years. The plan aims to improve water conservation, manage groundwater better, and support farming.
The decision came during a high-level meeting on agriculture and water management. The new dams will store a total of 32,000 acre-feet of water in rain-fed areas. Officials said 110 mini dams are already complete, with work ongoing in places like Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan, and Rawalpindi.
The chief minister stressed the need to save every drop of rainwater. She asked for a full plan to create modern water bodies that can collect and store rain. She also ordered stronger rules and more staff to monitor groundwater use.
Different departments, Agriculture, Irrigation, Housing, and Local Government, will work together under one strategy to protect water resources.
In a step to help farmers, the government will provide 1,000 new laser land levellers this year at a 50 percent subsidy. These machines level fields more accurately, cut water waste, and raise crop yields.
About 2,600 watercourses covering 7,000 kilometres have already been lined, saving nearly 20 percent of irrigation water. Another 4,500 watercourses spanning 11,500 kilometres will be upgraded in the next three years. In addition, 100 groundwater recharge wells are working in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions, with 300 more nearly ready.
The overall goal is to secure Punjab’s water future and improve farm productivity through better conservation.