KARACHI: Experts at a seminar on Thursday unanimously said that human behaviour, social customs, institutions, and government policies heavily influence conservation of water. The seminar was arranged in connection with World Water Day to find a way forward towards water conservation. A large number of stakeholder, academicians and government officials participated in the seminar. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all is also goal number six of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by United Nations which signifies its importance. Pakistan has the world’s fourth highest rate of water consumption. The water intensity rate, which is the amount of water in cubic meters used per unit of GDP, is also the highest in Pakistan, suggesting that the country’s economy is more water-intensive. World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) Chief Executive Officer Hammad Naqi said, “The WWF-Pakistan is committed to promoting nature-based solutions to conserving and restoring water resources of Pakistan. This encompasses a holistic approach of water stewardship, security and conservation combined.” He said that the WWF was working with companies like Nestlé to implement an international water standard that promotes the use of water in a socially equitable, economically beneficial, and environmentally sustainable way, through a stakeholder inclusive approach. Nisar Memon, chairman of Water Environment Forum, talked about water governance in Pakistan. He said, “People and governments of Pakistan should work together to protect, preserve and plan water assets of Pakistan, including 7,235 glaciers and our major rivers. Dr Zakir Hussain, principal scientific officer at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council said, “Pakistan’s agriculture has become vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change. Improving farmers’ resilience to climate change requires more efficient use and equitable distribution of irrigation water, agricultural insurance to protect farmers against losses, and support from the government in adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.” Dr Abubakar from the Centre of Water Informatics and Technology, LUMS, talked about how technology could be used in agriculture for efficient water management. He also stressed the need for industry working with academia to find solutions, using Nestlé-WIT relationship as a model. The two partners are working on smart soil sensors that can help farmers to reduce water usage in agriculture and also avoid crop stress due to over and under irrigation. Published in Daily Times, March 23rd 2018.