68% of Pakistan’s Land Arid at Risk of Desertification: Romina 

News Desk 

Islamabad: Romina Khurshid Alam, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, emphasized Pakistan’s critical juncture in combating desertification and land degradation as the global community observes World Desertification Day on June 17th.

Highlighting the theme “Restoration Land Climate.” for 2024, she affirmed the government’s dedication to restoring degraded lands, enhancing climate resilience, and achieving sustainable development goals.

Alam underscored Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating desertification through targeted policies, research and technology investments, and fostering international cooperation.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Pakistan collaborates closely with international partners to tackle this issue, supported by various projects and initiatives to enhance the country’s capacity.

She identified key factors behind desertification and land degradation in Pakistan, including rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, recurring droughts, loss of vegetation, unsustainable agricultural and irrigation practices, overgrazing, urbanization, ranching, mining, and carbon emissions from industrial and fossil fuel sectors.

With over 68 percent of Pakistan’s land classified as arid or semi-arid, these challenges have led to loss of fertile soil, water scarcity, reduced agricultural productivity, increased poverty, malnutrition, migration, and habitat degradation.

Alam highlighted the global scope of desertification, noting its severe impact on agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

She emphasized that Africa and Asia are the worst affected, with nearly 2 billion people in Asia living in desertification-prone areas, a number expected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050.

The PM’s coordinator stressed that World Desertification Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for global efforts to combat desertification.

Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the government has implemented proactive measures to address desertification in collaboration with civil society, academia, and international partners.

Initiatives like the Green Pakistan Programme, climate-smart agriculture, the National Adaptation Initiative, Living Indus, climate-resilient urban planning, and Recharge Pakistan aim to promote sustainable land management, increase tree cover, conserve natural resources, and boost groundwater levels.

Alam highlighted the importance of engaging local communities, development partners, and civil society organizations in these efforts.

Raising awareness about the impacts of desertification and fostering community participation are crucial for implementing sustainable solutions and adapting to changing climate patterns.

She concluded by advocating for a holistic approach to address desertification, integrating environmental, economic, and social strategies.

Engaging local communities and stakeholders is essential to achieve sustainable land use and protect the livelihoods of those affected.

Observing World Desertification Day, Alam urged reaffirming the collective responsibility to preserve natural heritage, protect land resources, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.