Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Arid Land Development and Combating
Desertification in Pakistan
M. Shahbaz, Muhammad Khalid Rafiq, and Taj Naseeb Khan
Synopsis
This chapter outlines the situation in Pakistan and traces the history of
Pakistan's efforts to fulfill its obligations under the UNCCD. Legislation and insti-
tutional arrangements were put in place to underpin the efforts. Some technological
interventions to address the issues of desertification have been successfully imple-
mented in different parts of Pakistan. Some of these include; Rangelands Utilization
Model in Pothwar Plateau, Gully Land Management through Soil Conservation and
Water Harvesting, Range Improvement through Community Participation, Salinity
Control and Reclamation of Affected Areas, Rehabilitation of Desert Ranges
through Reseeding, Sandune stabilization through shelterbelt technology in Thal
desert, Forage Reserve Establishment in Arid Highland Balochistan, Reclamation
of salt-effected areas, Desertification Control in Cholistan and Restoration of Land
Productivity in Barani Lands.
Key Points
•
Desertification is a major problem in Pakistan. The country is faced with
problems of environmental degradation, loss of soil fertility, loss of biodiversity
and reduction in land productivity resulting in increased poverty of local
communities. Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, Pakistan signed the
UNCCD in 1994, and ratified it in 1997, thus becoming a Party to it. A National
Action Program to Combat Desertification (NAP) in Pakistan has been prepared.
Ministry of Environment took initiative in the development of the PDF-B phase
to design a full-scale project called “Sustainable Land Management Project”
(SLMP).
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