Drought Risk and Reduction Approaches in Pakistan

Drought is unique among all the other environmental hazards. Its uniqueness is in terms of the length of time between the first indications that a drought is developing and the point at which it begins to impact significantly upon the population of the affected areas. Drought played a significant role in reducing production of various sectors especially agriculture which has also its impact on the growth of the economy and exports. However, now it seems that it may reoccur and efforts will have to be made, to enable the system to cope effectively. Already, the two droughts in 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 have stretched the coping abilities of the existing systems to the limit and it has barely been able to check the situation from becoming a catastrophe. In all more than three fourth of Pakistan has less than 250 mm rainfall annually, and a small portion with more than 500 mm amounts to about 7 % of the area, and mostly that is mountain slopes. About 20 % of the total area has less than 125 mm. Drought has a number of short and long-term effects on the ecosystem of the affected areas in Pakistan. Agricultural productivity in most areas of Pakistan is highly dependent on rainfall. In Pakistan, the impact of drought in most areas has been controlled through its massive and unique canal network. In the drought prone areas of Baluchistan Province the traditional systems of irrigation have been developed. However, there are some special purpose authorities, mostly under Provincial Government which undertake studies and research projects for the enhancement and up-gradation of the environment in their areas of jurisdiction. The Provincial & Federal Government has various short, medium & long-term programmes for drought risk reduction in various regions.