IMPLICATIONS: A VIEW FROM BALOCHISTAN


CLIMATE CHANGE


climate change in the country. It also points to the Energy Security Action Plan 2005-2030 which highlights the role of hydropower, nuclear power, the import of gas, the Bhasha dam agreement, Iranian gas pipelines, increased use of CNG vehicles, coal technologies and tackling energy-led climate change issues. In terms of climate change, the agriculture and livestock sectors are required to use the new patterns of cultivation for reduction in methane emission. Genetic improvement for productive dairy animals and reforestation measures by the forest sector have increased forest coverage from 2.6% to 6% by the end of 2015.


National Drinking Water Policy


The National Drinking Water Policy (NDWP) formulated for safe drinking water availability


“The country is diverse in respect of its geographical and climatic features and also in terms of socio-economic conditions. The Balochistan province is the most vulnerable region to climate change and it stands at vulnerability rank 1 with a major threat of drought and an increase in mean temperature.”


to all inhabitants at provincial and district level, especially to poor and vulnerable populations and to flood and drought areas, with the aim of reducing water borne diseases. Under this policy Water Filtration Plants were implanted at district and tehsil level. The policy also takes into account the protection and preservation of ground water resources. However, this policy does not address the potential consequences of climate change, as climate change affects the depletion of water supply in future therefore cannot deal with a specific water crisis.


National Sanitation Policy The National Sanitation Policy formed in 2006 by the Ministry of Environment with primary focus on collection and environmentally safe disposal of liquid, solid, municipal, industrial and agricultural waste and to ensure promotion of health and hygiene as a fundamental human right. However, this policy does not seem to be conscious of the potential consequences of climate change.


Climate Change Projects A number of projects that support the combatting of climate change have been prepared, mostly funded by the international development agencies. The main aim of the Ministry of Environment is to conserve the forests, wetlands, mountain areas, biodiversity, energy and conservation of environment. Other climate change related projects have been developed with the support of IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) and SCCF (Special Climate Change Fund). International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was also involved in the implementation of a few projects related to sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity.


LEAD, Pakistan, another private NGO is working on climate change and it conducts seminars and workshops to contribute to the spread of knowledge and awareness regarding climate change and related issues.


Vulnerability of Climate Change


Climate change manifests itself in rising temperature, increased variability of monsoon, the melting of Himalayan glaciers and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and natural disasters. Pakistan is dependent upon agriculture, for many the only source of revenue, employment and food security. Due to low technological and scientific base, there is low capacity to adapt to the changes related to climate change. Pakistan does not have an adequate monitoring system that will predict the occurrence of extreme weathers thereby leading to a lack of emergency preparedness and disaster management. Lack of adequate health care infrastructure and the social safety net further adds to the vulnerability of the population. 40% of the country’s population are highly vulnerable to disasters.


Climate change is not


tantamount and proper planning and adaptation strategies can minimize the damage from climate change. In order to plan and implement adaptation strategies, the first crucial step is to identify geographical areas on the basis of their vulnerability to climate change.


The country is diverse in respect of its geographical and climatic features and also in terms of socio-economic conditions. The Balochistan province is the most vulnerable region to climate change and it stands at vulnerability rank 1 with a major threat of drought and an increase in mean temperature. In the 18th


Constitutional The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One | 33


Amendment, which abolishes the concurrent list of functions and responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments, disaster risk management and preparedness, which is centralized at present, may also need to be developed at a provincial level with advancement and a more effective way. Proper planning and adaptation strategies can minimize the damage from climate change. It is the urgent need today to take steps to ensure food and water security in the future. Research should be carried out to cope up with the mechanism to combat climate change.


Most important of all is to grow more and more trees and protect the forest environment. People must not be allowed to cut trees and use as fuel. The government should overcome the crisis of energy and gas so that the maximum trees can be grow and the carbon dioxide emissions that they create in the air can be at the optimum level. Policies against deforestation are not so effective in the implementation stage. The government needs to utilize IT, technology and software to further monitor the climate change mechanisms. The modern world is utilizing this technology for the benefit of human beings in many fields and we should invest funds and develop software in this regard. We can fight environmental degradation through our young people, both male and female, who should take part actively and learn about environmental issues and try to tackle the problems of climate change. One of the best solutions to the environment is to change our bad habits of wastage of water, electricity and the dispersal of garbage. Let’s think global but act local.


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