Dams are prime examples of humanity’s ability to manipulate nature to its own ends.
There are many impressive examples across the world, and one being built in Pakistan is set to be added to the list.The £4.6billion project is in the preliminary stages of construction, and the scheme is not without controversy. It is located on the River Indus between Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan administered Kashmir.
In 2020, the Pakistani government signed a contract with a joint venture of China Power and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for the building of the dam.
Once complete, which could be in 2028, the project will become the tallest roller compact concrete dam in the world.
Its purpose is to store a vast amount of water for use by Pakistanis for drinking and irrigation.
The number of trees around the dam is also thought to increase, and the structure will produce 4,500 megawatts of electricity by harnessing the water.
In addition, it is believed that the project will extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years.
Also, the dam will help to control flood damage by the River Indus.
But these benefits will not come without disruption, as it is reported that 28,000 people will be resettled, with nine model villages built.
The Ibex Media Network reports that thousands of people from 43 villages in the Diamer district affected by the build have launched a “large-scale protest movement” that demands “long-overdue compensation for their lands acquired for the dam’s construction”.
The scheme is also expected to submerge ancient Buddhist rock engravings, and people have been demanding their preservation, the Statesman reports.
Dawn reports that a federal committee formed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has agreed to accept the demands of those affected by the construction of the dam to address their grievances.
