By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on Wednesday hosted a media exposure visit to its groundwater recharge and rain water harvesting initiative at Kachnar Park in Islamabad’s I-8 sector, a pioneering nature-based solution aimed at mitigating urban flooding and replenishing groundwater resources.
Representatives from print, electronic, and digital media visited the project site to observe innovative interventions being implemented to improve urban water management and strengthen climate resilience.
During the visit, Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Strategic Program Director – Water, Food & Ecosystems at IWMI, briefed journalists on the initiative’s objectives, operational framework, and its contribution to sustainable urban water security.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Hafeez said the project is designed to capture and channel rainwater into groundwater aquifers, helping reduce surface runoff and flood risks while replenishing depleted groundwater reserves.
He noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to develop climate-resilient urban infrastructure through nature-based solutions.
Dr. Hafeez urged governments at both the federal and provincial levels to promote and mandate rainwater harvesting systems across the country to address growing water scarcity and other water-related challenges.
He emphasized that the adoption of such sustainable practices is essential for ensuring long-term water security in Pakistan, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing urbanization.
At the conclusion, Dr. Hafeez said greater public awareness of these interventions would encourage wider adoption of sustainable water management practices in urban areas across Pakistan.
