Bahawalpur royal state once thrived under the embrace of the Sutlej River. Today, just a division of Punjab, its vibrancy has dimmed, replaced by a grim tapestry of poverty and disease. This transformation is no natural consequence but the direct outcome of human intervention: the drying up of the Sutlej, a casualty of the Indus Waters Treaty and years of mismanagement. Dr. Hassan Abbas, an acclaimed water management expert, recently offered insights that illuminate both the depth of this crisis and a way out.
The Sutlej River, historically a source of life and prosperity, was once a blessing for Bahawalpur and its adjoining regions. The river’s seasonal flooding deposited fertile alluvium, enabling agriculture with minimal input. Natural lakes brimming with fish and vast grazing pastures sustained both human and animal populations. The local economy flourished, with goods flowing through trade routes that connected this state to the wider Rajputana regions. However, the partition of British India in 1947 and the subsequent signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 disrupted this harmony. The treaty allocated the Sutlej entirely to India, leaving Bahawalpur deprived of its lifeline.
The impact was devastating. Without the Sutlej’s water, the fertile lands of delta turned to dust. Agriculture dwindled, forcing people to migrate or switch to less productive means of livelihood. Those who stayed battled not just the loss of income but a rising tide of diseases caused by polluted and saline groundwater. Today, Bahawalpur’s hospitals overflow with patients suffering from gastrointestinal, liver, and heart ailments, all tied to the poor quality of water.
Dr. Hassan Abbas, who recently led a research initiative in Bahawalpur with a team of international researchers, believes the region’s plight stems from this environmental degradation. “The unusually high numbers of beggars I see in Bahawalpur are the descendants of once-prosperous communities who thrived along the Sutlej. The river’s absence has stripped them of both dignity and livelihood,” he remarked. His assessment aligns with grim statistics: Bahawalpur now suffers from one of the highest malnutrition rates in Pakistan, with 60 percent of its children facing stunted growth due to food insecurity.
‘The river may have dried, but beneath its sands lies the key to renewal.’
Dr. Abbas research offers both a diagnosis and a prescription. His focus has been on the groundwater reserves beneath the Sutlej’s dry riverbed. The floods of 2023, which brought an unprecedented about 7 MAF of water to the area, revealed a silver lining. Half of that water percolated into the ground, replenishing aquifers under the ancient river channel. “These reserves are a hidden treasure,” Dr. Abbas explained. “They hold clean, drinkable water that can meet the needs of the region’s population, livestock, and even sustainable agricultural activity.”
He proposes a practical solution: a sustainable water extraction system powered by solar technology. This method, known as Riverbank Filtration (RBF), is already a success in developed countries. By tapping into the groundwater near riverbanks, the system delivers clean water to communities while preserving ecological balance. For Bahawalpur, this approach could transform lives. Dr. Abbas suggests starting with “Smaller Cholistan,” a region situated 20-40 miles from the Sutlej’s course. From there, the model could expand to serve cities, towns, and villages along the river’s path.
But his vision does not stop at water. He envisions integrating this water supply into a broader strategy for food security. Rehabilitated pastures could once again support livestock, and the water could irrigate high-value crops, reducing the region’s dependence on external food aid.
Dr. Abbas is critical of current government plans, particularly the proposed canal systems aimed at diverting floodwaters from the Chenab River to Bahawalpur. “The planned canals, costing 221 billion rupees, are an outdated and inefficient approach,” he argued. “What happens when there’s no floodwater? Will they take water from central Punjab’s farmers or the perennial canals feeding Cholistan?” This system, he believes, would exacerbate conflicts over water allocation without offering a reliable solution.
Instead, he advocates for harnessing Sutlej aquifers through RBF systems. Solar-powered pumps could bring water directly to where it’s needed, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure that depends on unpredictable flood cycles. Additionally, this method would address the pressing issue of groundwater contamination. Water in towns near the Sutlej has become saline, while agricultural runoff has polluted areas where farming persists. Clean water from the aquifers would not only improve public health but also reduce healthcare costs, alleviating some of the economic burden on already struggling families.
Cholistan, a region of unparalleled historical and ecological significance, stands at a crossroads as modern agricultural practices threaten its unique heritage. This vast desert is home to the majority of Indus Valley Civilization sites, many of which remain unmapped and unprotected. These archaeological treasures, remnants of one of the world’s earliest urban societies, face the dual threats of plunder and destruction as irrigated agriculture expands. The loss of these sites would not only erase irreplaceable chapters of human history but also diminish Pakistan’s cultural and scientific legacy.
Beyond its historical significance, Cholistan serves as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds, including Siberian cranes and the prized houbara bustard. These species depend on the region’s wetlands and seasonal water bodies, which are increasingly jeopardized by unsustainable irrigation practices. The desert’s ecosystem also sustains rare camel breeds and cows adorned with jingling bells, forming the backbone of local pastoral life and culture. Striking a balance between development and conservation is crucial to preserving its ecological richness and archaeological wealth, ensuring that this national
In Bahawalpur, once a symbol of self-reliance and prosperity, the absence of the Sutlej has forced people into desperate circumstances. Small landowners, squeezed by population growth and shrinking water resources, can no longer sustain themselves. Many families have abandoned their ancestral homes, migrating to urban slums in Karachi, where survival remains a daily challenge.
Dr. Abbas’s findings offer a glimmer of hope. If implemented, his vision could reverse decades of decline. It’s a plan rooted in modern science but guided by the wisdom of nature. By recognizing the Sutlej’s hidden bounty and using it judiciously, Bahawalpur can regain some of the prosperity it once knew.
As Dr Abbas left Bahawalpur, his words lingered: “The river may have dried, but beneath its sands lies the key to renewal.” It’s a reminder that while the Sutlej’s surface may no longer flow, its legacy remains – waiting to be rediscovered, harnessed, and shared for the benefit of those who call its banks home.
The writer is an Islamabad-based veteran journalist and an independent researcher. He can be reached on Twitter @riazmissen