The Impact of environmental changes on indigenous agriculture in the Indus Delta Pakistan: a spatio-temporal assessment

Abstract

Indus Delta was historically recognized as a fertile land for agriculture, but for the last few decades, land degradation, affecting agriculture, is a burning issue in rural society of delta. This situation consequently affected the socioeconomic conditions of the people. The impact on indigenous agriculture was examined from three aspects: (i) evaluating to what extent land was submerged by sea intrusion, (ii) assessing diminution of arable land during the study period from 1997–1998 to 2007–2008, and (iii) estimating losses in yield per acre of different crops. Its adverse human impacts and the fundamental reason for environmental degradation were also the main objectives of the study. It is found from the results of this study that about 60% of the coastal sub-districts have been submerged by sea intrusion. The data until 2007–2008 shows that the average 90% of cultivated land in coastal sub-districts has not been able to be cultivated. According to survey, the average annual income from wheat and rice on appropriate cultivated land is 45,000/-rupees from three acres of land which makes daily income of 125 rupees ($2.08). Drastic depletion of water flow and sediment discharge from Kotri Barrage to the delta due to the construction of large water reservoirs and canal network in the upstream part of the country and the consequent sea intrusion impact on coast are the main causes of deteriorated conditions over the deltaic region. Enough quantity of water for the delta as well as for the sea could rehabilitate the deteriorated land and improve the environmental and socioeconomic conditions of the people.