Naseeb ullah Khan Achakzai
The monster of climate change is engulfing the globe with deteriorating and hazardous strikes. The underdeveloped countries like Pakistan having lack of scientific equipment and fragile economies; are vulnerable to it the most. Moreover, the province of Balochistan is a jarring victim of it due to its poor governance and lack of awareness of its the residents. Consequently, the province is on the verge of drought, irregular and abrupt heavy rainfall, underground water depletion, repeated havoc of floods, obliteration of agriculture and livestock sectors and; rapid temperature rise. The most hazardous entanglement of climate change in Balochistan is on agriculture and livestock sectors. Approximately, 67 per cent of the population in the province is dependent on agriculture and livestock. This province is one of the sever agro_ecological zones in the country, which has been affected by merciless climate Change. Water level depletion, repeated floods, non_uniform rainfall and lack of modern technological equipment have deteriorated these sectors. Resultantly, food shortage (which is very sensitive to water availability and temperature), poverty and unemployment are increasing with an accelerated speed. The formers are shifting their focus from long term cultivation like Rice, Maize and wheat to short time cultivation. Besides , 53 per cent of the cultivated land is under floodwater which has always been dazzled by the floods. The abrupt change in weather and violent rainfall have time and again resulted in floods in the province. The contorted rains in Monsoons further devastate the province particularly the Gwadar_ Ormara basin, the Polari river basin, Hub river basin and the coastline region. The floods of 2007, 2010, and 2017 deteriorated the agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors. The cyclones Gona 2007, Cyclone Yemi 2007, Cyclone Phet 2010 and their intrusion further bumped the cultivated area of the region. These cyclones and floods are responsible for the loss of livestock and Fisheries sectors in the region too, whose residents are completely dependent on Livestock and maritime Fisheries. Drought and groundwater depletion have been the upshots of climate change in Balochistan. The province is in a serious grip of drought for decades. The brassy droughts were observed throughout the province in 1997 ,2001, 2009, 2010, 2014 ,2017 and so on. In total 1384 Kareez of Balochistan, only 100 of them are flowing while the rest have been dried up. The WASA department is on the opinion that the unchecked and illegal tube wells across the province have resulted in underground water depletion up to 1000 feet across the province. This hazardous situation provided fuel to the already dwindling agriculture, livestock scoters and have affected the people’s health, where stunted children and malnutrition is on the peak. Balochistan was the first province which imposed environmental protection act in 2012. Different provincial governments of Baluchistan have started many projects including the allocation of RS 3000 in 20019-20 budget for the construction of dams in the province. Apart from this, several federal governments have constructed hundreds of small daily action dams in the province. But, this is not enough. The federal and provincial governments must ensure ample spending in curbing Climate. Both the governments must propose long term planning regarding the CPEC Coal projects in Balochistan and Vehicle trafficking so that to overcome their hazards. It is high time that not only the people of Balochistan but also the federal and provincial governments to fulfil their responsibilities. The people should be taught about the art of the use of water, sprinkler and drip methods of irrigation. The government should finalise a new policy of hydrology with strict implementation. The policy should be further enhanced to district level and equip the district disaster management with new technology so that to tackle the disaster. Notwithstanding, the provincial government must start forestation in the province which could halt the perilous impacts of climate change.
(-The writer is a M.Phil Political science & Freelance Columnist.)