IMPLICATIONS: A VIEW FROM BALOCHISTAN
CLIMATE CHANGE
the Pakistani government is currently undertaking a large project with Chinese help to build a large port.
Quetta Valley is located at an altitude of 5,500 feet (1,675m) above sea level and stretching over an area of 2,653 km – has witnessed a considerable rise in peak summer temperatures in recent years. The climate of the upper highlands is characterized by very cold winters and warm summers. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in the northern districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry. The arid zones of Chaghi and Kharan districts are extremely hot in summer. The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature, never falling below the freezing point. The desert climate is characterized by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally
strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable. Balochistan has lowest Human Development Index (HDI) of all provinces. It has poor natural resource management coupled with high population growth. The province is experiencing socio economic, ecosystem and climate changes the effects of which may even amplify each other and create significant risks to development prospects.
The coastal areas of
Balochistan encompass a very unique and complex array of geographical settings including a large area of mangroves forest.
Climate change related phenomena of glacial melt, prolonged droughts, flash floods, cyclones and changes in weather patterns, affecting water resources and the economy. The impacts are already visible on the country’s natural resources, social systems and economy.
Balochistan’s coastal districts are expected to be even more vulnerable. Change in temperatures, precipitations and climate change induced extreme events. Climate change poses multi-dimensional impacts and risks on water resources, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, rangelands and livestock, marine fisheries and associated biological resources.
Climate Change
Pakistan is located in a South Asian region that has recently been categorized as world’s most climate vulnerable region. The projections for future increases in temperature are predicted to be higher for Pakistan. The Indus basis which is the major source of water supply depends heavily on glaciers in Western Himalayas and Karakoram and these glaciers are melting more rapidly. According to the International Commission on Snow and Ice, the Himalayan
Above: An aerial view of flood affected areas in Pakistan.
glaciers are expected to disappear by 2035 whereas the World Bank predicts that these glaciers could retreat within 50 years’ time. This melting of Himalayas can increase flooding in next two to three decades. Apart from flooding, drought is also predicted. The most vulnerability to climate change is magnified for those with low per capita income and low average health status.
The occurrence of climate change is due to depletion of Earth’s ozone layer through toxic emission caused by human activities. Secondly the rapid increase in global temperature. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that the average surface temperature has risen by around 0.6°C since the industrial revolution of mid- 19th century and is predicted to rise further by 1.1°C to
The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One | 29
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