Soil Erosion in Pakistan

The Problem

Soil erosion in pakistan is becoming an increasingly bigger problem. One of the main causes for this erosion is the overgrazing of land. As well as deforestation and poor water management. This erosion results in a decline of soil fertility making it very hard to grow crops in areas of Pakistan. Wind and water erosion is effecting over 76% of Pakistan and every year the country losing a billlion tons of soil thatis being dumped into the Arabian sea.This erosion primarily takes place in the summer due to the heavy downpours that exisit during that season. There is particular concern over the soil erosion in the river chenbab pictured above. This river has eroded over 12,000 acres of agricultural land and is affectinbg more and more villages in Pakistan.

The Reason

Part of the reason for the mass erosion of Pakistans soil is from the deforestation of the country. Pakistan only has a 5.2% forrest cover compared to the 25% that is considered acceptable. This is taking moisture from the land held by trees and not allowing organic matter to continue decomposing and creating fertile soil. These trees are being cut down in order for families to use them as fire wood and is being done in a way that does not promote sustainable use. Pakistan is considered second in the world for highest forrest degradation which could lead to the complete destruction of their agricutural economy.

What is being done?

Pakistan became concerned with the issue of soil erosion in the 1970's. They started a Mass Awareness campaign, saying that the people needed to become educated on the topic and have done this fairly successfully. However people in that area still need the wood to burn for harsh winter and though they are educated continue the deforesstation anyway. Pakistan has not passed any legislation to really solve the problem. It is hard to keep the poor population from using the natural resources. If Pakistan wants to continue to be a fully functioning country they have to learn to work together with land, not overuse it and maintain methods of sustainable use.

(lifted from http://asiansoilproblems.blogspot.com/2010/10/soil-erosion-in-pakistan-kayla-pigeon.html

by Kayla Pigeon on oct 28, 2010)