Impact of coal mining on groundwater quality and ecosystem in Pakistan: Case study of Tharparkar, Singh

Abstract

This‍‌ paper addresses environmental effects of extensive coal mining on groundwater quality and the desert ecosystem of Tharparkar, Pakistan. The study was focused on Blocks I and II of Thar Coal under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The research used a qualitative case study design and the DPSIR (Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Response) framework, with support from public administration theories of policy implementation, multi-level governance, and regulatory capture. It attempts to find out the difference between environmental policies and their execution. Pakistan does have a full set of environmental and mining laws requiring Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), public involvement, and protection of groundwater. But the results show major governance failures such as institutional fragmentation, lack of proper EIAs, weak monitoring, low enforcement, and the preference of energy production at the cost of the environment. These issues have led to groundwater pollution, leaks of saline water, disappearance of green cover, deaths of cattle, degradation of land, and desertion of drinking and cattle wells that have affected more than 20,000 people. On the contrary, the study asserts that merely strong policies are not enough and advises institutional changes, better regulatory capability, independent EIAs, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, involvement of the community, and designated environmental governance steps for attending the environmental and social issues in Thar-parkar ‍‌region.