Overlooked Crisis: Air Pollution Devastates Rural Pakistan

Andleeb Khan

Islamabad: Air pollution is often seen as an urban problem, but its impact on rural areas is equally severe, undermining traditional ways of life across Pakistan’s countryside.

Pollution from agricultural practices, waste burning, and traditional cooking methods is increasingly harming both health and the environment.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Dr. Naseer Memon, a climate expert, emphasized the profound consequences of air pollution, linking it to rising rates of respiratory and heart diseases.

He warned that these health issues pose economic challenges that threaten the sustainability of rural lifestyles. Agriculture, which contributes about 24 percent to Pakistan’s GDP and employs nearly 40 percent of the labor force, is particularly vulnerable to these environmental hazards.

While urban residents contend with smog from industries and traffic, rural communities face different forms of pollution. Many villages rely on traditional cookstoves and three-stone fires that burn biomass fuels such as wood and crop residue, releasing harmful fine particulate matter and toxic gases, including carbon monoxide.

Dr. Fareed Soomro, a health expert at Fatima Clinic, noted that exposure to fine particulate matter can lead to low birth weight, developmental issues, and increased risks of preterm birth. Pregnant women exposed to pollutants are at a higher risk of miscarriage and complications such as pre-eclampsia.

For the elderly, who often have pre-existing health conditions, air pollution exacerbates chronic respiratory and heart diseases, placing additional strain on rural healthcare systems.

Dr. Amina, a pulmonologist, stressed the seriousness of the issue, stating, “Chronic exposure can lead to respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Rural populations using hazardous cooking methods face unique risks. Immediate action is necessary to protect these communities and prevent worsening respiratory diseases.”

The pollutants released from traditional cooking practices not only harm health but also contribute to environmental degradation, negatively impacting agricultural productivity.

Studies indicate that air pollution can reduce crop yields by 10-30 percent for staple crops like wheat and rice, which are vital to Pakistan’s food security. Increased particulate matter hinders photosynthesis and degrades soil health, leading to less resilient crops.

A report from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) highlights that changing weather patterns, worsened by air pollution, are causing erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, threatening agricultural output.

Cotton, a major cash crop, is particularly sensitive to air quality; pollution can diminish fiber quality and yield, adversely affecting farmers’ incomes and the textile industry.

Addressing air pollution in rural areas requires comprehensive action. Dr. Naseer Memon advocates for enforcing emission standards and promoting cleaner technologies in both urban and rural settings.

He emphasizes the need to adopt improved cookstoves and alternative fuels to reduce indoor air pollution, thereby protecting both health and agricultural productivity in these vulnerable communities.

Memon also advocates for better waste management, including banning open burning of trash and crop residues, and promoting biodegradable materials and recycling to lower pollution levels.

Education campaigns raising awareness about air pollution’s health risks and encouraging practices like carpooling can also help.

The impact of air pollution on rural Pakistan has reached a crisis point, largely overlooked yet profoundly devastating.

Environmental degradation is exacerbating climate change, with consequences that threaten agriculture through erratic weather, diminishing water resources, and reduced crop yields. Deforestation for firewood strips the land of its natural defenses, leaving communities more vulnerable to floods and droughts.

Lumberdar Raja Tasdique, a well-known farmer from Gujar Khan, voiced his concerns: “After two decades in this community, I’ve watched air pollution suffocate our crops and way of life. Soil health is declining, making it harder to grow produce.

We’re seeing more respiratory issues, especially among children and the elderly. When pollution thickens the air, it harms our entire community. We need to prioritize clean air for our health and the future of farming.”

Ghulam Murtaza, a student and resident of Daultala village, shared his personal struggles with air pollution: “As a villager, I’m deeply worried about the health of my family, especially my 70-year-old mother, who struggles with respiratory issues.

It’s heartbreaking to see her suffer because of the rising air pollution that we have no control over. Our community didn’t create this problem, yet we bear the burden.

We lack the resources and knowledge to combat these challenges effectively. We need support and education on cleaner practices and technologies. It’s crucial for our health and future that we find ways to address this pollution together.”

The voices of these community members highlight the urgent need for collective action and support to combat air pollution and its far-reaching effects on health and agriculture in rural Pakistan.