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Zhob people brave all odds to
build Shahabzai dam
ZHOB-Zhob community proved their worth by building themselves
a Dam Shahabzai, 22 Km away from the city which is the largest
community built dam in Pakistan.
This accomplishment was achieved through the handwork,
dedication, and collaboration of Human Development Foundation
(HDF an NGO of Pakistani-Americans) and the peoples of
Shahabzai.
The people of the area were enthusiastic and proudly said
"they will move forward to achieve economic self-sufficiency
besides imparting education to their children." Briefing
Journalists who visited dam site Dr. Khalid Riaz who is the
Chairman Human Development Foundation and member President
Task Force on Human development said, Shahabzai dam is
situated about 22 Kilometers away from Zhob city has the
capacity to store around 26.5 million gallon water. The dam
which was completed within a record period of one year with a
total cost of Rs. 2.2 million is " Delay Action Dam", or
"Check Dam," which depend on rainy water, he said.
The elders of nearby villages who mobile the community and
themselves actively took part in the construction including
Haji Momen Khan, Shiekh Umar Din, Haji Abrahim, Rahim Dad told
APP that "we cannot believe that people build this dam." They
expressed their pride and confidently said "now we will build
our country particularly our area to attain self-sufficiency
to reduce poverty." Dr. Khalid said construction of the dam
was commenced in October 2000 and completed on July 20th 2001
with a cost of Rs. 2.2 million ($35,000), of which Rs. 150,000
($2,500) were contributed by the local community.
He said the total catchment area of this dam is 12 Square
Kilometers while its length is 1400 feet. Around 26.5 million
gallons of water can be stored in this dam. He added the
height of the embankment of the dam is 58 feet while spillway
is 44 feet high. Abrahim Khan an elder replying to a question
about the construction of spillway said, "When there is will
there is a way" and the people with devotion and eagerness
chiseled the green color mounds and made waterway to save dam
in case of overflow. Dr. Khalid said the dam would benefit
around 10,000 people from 50 villages.
He said usually, Zhob receives rains in the monsoon season,
which occurs from middle of July to middle of August besides
it receives second spell in October. He said this is a "Delay
Action Dam", which totally depends on rains which water flows
downward and gathers in a huge pool which is bulit for that
purpose. He maintained that "these kind of dams not only save
the rainy water for irrigation and other purposes but also
increase the under-ground water level". Ghani Khan Marwat HDF
country director told the mediamen that agriculture sector in
Zhob and the most parts of Balochistan depend on Karez
(under-ground water courses) but unfortunately due to growing
decrease in under-ground water level, this system is not as
effective as it was some 10 years ago due to insufficient
rains".
He added this dam will Insh'Allah also help make the Karez
system once again effective". He said two dams of the similar
size were constructed by Balochistan government, of which one
is operative while other was washed away by a heavy flow of
rainy water. He said the Margakibzai dam was completed in
October 2000 at Margakibzai village, some 60 Kilometers from
Zhob city. The total cost higher than Shahabzai dam. The dam,
due to the poor construction, however, washed away soon after
its completion with the first rain.
He said another dam "Tang Dam" was constructed with the same
cost at Tang village, of Sub-Division Kakar Khurasan, about 80
Kilometers off Zhob city. This dam is still in operation.
Construction of the Shahabzai dam is unique because it was not
only build at one eight the cost of other dams, but also it
had community involvement. He added that since community has
put forth its money and time, they have a sense of ownership
that will help to make sure that the dam will be maintain as
well.
September
13, 2001
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