Biomes & Food Security Task 1 by Sameen SYEDA

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Pakistan is a populous and multiethnic country in South Asia. Between 70 and 80 languages are spoken in Pakistan. The population in 2024 is 245,209,815, increasing by 1.96% from 2023. Pakistan gained independence from British rule on August 14−15, 1947. Islamabad is the capital located in the northern part of the country, while Karachi is the largest city situated along the Arabian Sea coast.

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Some of the major biomes in Pakistan include deserts, grasslands, forests, and tundra. The country's diverse geography gives rise to different biomes, such as the Thar Desert, the fertile plains of Punjab, the forested regions in the northern areas, and the breathtaking icy landscapes of the Karakoram ranges, adjoined with the Himalayas.

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The biomes in Pakistan are undergoing significant alterations due to factors such as climate change. Cataclysmic floods and droughts are becoming more frequent, necessitating action to prevent further damage. Pakistan has a significant amount of unproductive land due to its arid climate, with less than 250 mm of rainfall annually covering over 70% of the country. Punjab's highly populated and severely polluted cities are struggling with an increasingly severe smog problem every winter, caused by heavy traffic pollution, crop burning, and industrialization. These environmental changes pose significant challenges for Pakistan's biomes.

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Another example of a significant alteration to the biomes of Pakistan is the extensive deforestation that has occurred due to the reliance on natural resources for fuel and agriculture. This alteration has led to the clearing of large areas of forests, particularly in the country’s northern regions.

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A study found that the extensive increase in forest cover in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was due to using trees for household needs like cooking, furniture, heating, and income generation. Another significant factor contributing to deforestation is the involvement of black market activities and stakeholders in the exploitation of these forests. Inadequate management and neglect by the forest department is a major contributing factor to deforestation. Additionally, unregulated grazing is a significant cause of deforestation. Unemployment and poverty also play a role in the degradation of these forests.

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The root causes of deforestation in Pakistan require the attention of government authorities to address these issues, through the implementation of stricter regulations to mitigate the adverse impacts of deforestation and preserve the ecosystem.

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