In the rugged terrain of the Karakoram Mountains in Northern Pakistan, a small community is witnessing a significant transformation. The village of Tholdi, situated at an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet within the district of Khaplu, Baltistan, has long struggled with water scarcity, impacting both agriculture and daily life.
The region’s primary water source, glacial meltwater, has become increasingly unreliable due to climate change and inefficient irrigation practices, which previously resulted in nearly half of the water being lost during transmission. This scarcity not only reduced agricultural yields but also forced many local men to migrate to urban areas, leaving behind families in an already vulnerable community.
In response to this critical situation, The Coca-Cola Foundation has collaborated with the Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch a project aimed at enhancing water security and resilience for mountain communities. The initiative was supported with a substantial donation of $120,000 by The Coca-Cola Foundation, which funded over 80% of the project costs.
This funding facilitated the construction of a new irrigation system that includes a 9,900-foot-long water transmission system with both underground piping and open, paved channels, dramatically reducing water loss and enhancing the efficiency of water delivery to the fields of Tholdi and nearby villages like Daghoni and Siksa.
The system utilizes water collected from glacial melt, snow, and a perennial spring, stored in a 7,000-gallon catchment chamber. This setup not only supports the irrigation of 238 hectares of land, including 91 hectares that were previously unproductive but also provides water for non-potable domestic uses, crucial during the freezing winter months.
The project has broadened its impact beyond irrigation, improving the livelihoods of approximately 2,100 people through reliable agricultural water supply and enabling the economic uplift of around 1,000 individuals by expanding farming opportunities. Additionally, it has spurred environmental restoration efforts, including the development of community-led afforestation initiatives that aim to plant over 20,000 trees across the region.
Ms Aisha Khan, CEO of MGPO, highlighted the broader social and environmental benefits of the project, stating, “Previously barren lands are now producing crops, and there has also been significant tree plantation. The local community has access to around 800 canals in the valley and every year they plant more trees to increase forest cover and counter climate change. Fruit trees mean more nutrition and money for them.”
This initiative not only addresses immediate water management challenges but also lays the groundwork for long-term sustainability and resilience against climate-induced uncertainties, ensuring a more hopeful future for the people of Tholdi and surrounding areas.