Muhammad Irshad ullah
MANSEHRA: For the first time in decades, several communities living in the rugged highlands of Mansehra have secured regular access to clean water through an innovative, fuel-free pumping system installed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) under its Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan project.
The pilot scheme, launched in the remote village of Achhara, has introduced hydraulic ram pumps that harness the kinetic energy of flowing streams to lift water up to 300 feet, without requiring electricity or fuel. Officials said the technology was both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, and had the potential to be replicated across other water-scarce districts.
Local residents described the development as “life-changing,” noting that women and children had long been compelled to descend steep slopes several times a day to fetch water in heavy containers.
“It consumed hours of our time, kept children away from school, and caused immense hardship. Now, with water reaching our homes, our lives have completely changed,” said a villager.
Community elders said that beyond household use, the pumps had opened new possibilities for agriculture.
“We can now cultivate vegetables and fruits on our small lands, which was not possible earlier because we relied only on rainfall,” one farmer explained. Villagers added that the initiative would improve food security and reduce their dependence on market supplies.
IWMI experts said the system was designed not only to ease daily struggles but also to support climate resilience in mountainous areas where conventional infrastructure is difficult to establish.
“The technology addresses immediate domestic needs and offers scope to enhance farm productivity. Its zero-energy requirement makes it particularly suitable for fragile ecosystems,” said an IWMI technical officer.
Officials confirmed that the institute was preparing to submit recommendations to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for wider implementation. “After the encouraging results in Achhara, we believe this model can be scaled up across the highlands of Hazara division and other vulnerable regions,” the officer added.
According to water management specialists, such low-cost innovations are increasingly relevant as Pakistan faces erratic rainfall, shrinking glaciers, and rising demand for water.
They stressed that climate-smart interventions could ensure sustainable water supplies for marginalized communities and prevent further rural distress.
For the residents of Achhara, however, the benefits are already tangible. With water at their doorstep, families say they have more time for education, farming, and livelihoods. Women in particular expressed relief, saying the initiative had ended a daily struggle that spanned generations.
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