PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa environment department has drafted a policy to mitigate the impact of climate changes and scale up public awareness to cope with this phenomenon, according to officials.

They said that the policy would ensure that the issue of climatic change was reflected in all planning and development programmes carried out by the government.

According to the officials associated with preparation of document, it took 10 months during which the opinion of experts, working in leading organisations, was incorporated in it.

Officials said that environment department finalised the policy, which would be sent to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for approval soon. The policy is focused on various sectors including agriculture and livestock, forestry, human health, water resources and biodiversity.


Officials say environmental issues to be reflected in all uplift programmes carried out by govt


Agriculture and livestock

“The unpredictable weather due to change in climate is threatening the agriculture and livestock sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” officials involved in the policy making told Dawn.

They said that climate variations affected growth duration, soil moisture, nutrient levels and water availability for crops. These can increase the chance of reduced yields or even crop failure. Heat waves can increase animal mortality, increase prevalence of pathogens, threaten pasture and feed supplies.

Officials said that the draft policy advised the government to revisit agriculture and livestock-related legislations, policies and plans to incorporate climate change considerations.

The policy has urged the government to strengthen regulatory and monitoring mechanisms to reduce the usage of harmful/banned fertilisers and pesticides while incentives should be given on the usage of organic farming techniques, and conservation of water and soil.

Officials said that the policy asked the government to develop research centres to identify the impacts of climate change on productivity of agriculture and livestock sectors and find ways to reduce the impact of climate change.

They said that it was suggested to the government to develop risk management system to assess and manage the extreme temperatures and weather events.

Forestry

“Climate change not only affects growth and productivity of forests but can also increase the number of forest disturbances,” says the draft policy.

Productivity of forests can be affected by changes in temperature, precipitation and amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Forest disturbances such as weakened health of trees, droughts and storms can reduce forest productivity and change the distribution of tree species.

The policy recommends to the government to conduct research and gather data and information necessary to understand and adequately address impacts of climate change on forestry.

“To this end, employ the latest knowledge on bioclimatic zoning for forest management,” the policy states.

Officials said that the policy urged government to develop mechanisms to ensure sustainable management of all types of forests. “For this purpose, government should develop forest management plans and execute the same through collaborative management agreements with local communities, conservation incentives and equitable sharing of benefits,” they added.

They said that government needed to establish a network of forest protected areas, buffer zones and ecological corridors to conserve biodiversity, particularly in unique types of forests.

To mitigate the impact of climate change, the policy has recommended to the government to promote urban forestry, agro-forestry and on farm tree plantations in the cities as well as irrigated lands.

“Develop non-timber forest products -- under a sustainable use practice -- to improve livelihoods of poor people inhabiting forest zones,” it says.

Human health

Officials said that frequency of natural disasters and disease prevalence, especially waterborne ailments, were likely to rise with increase in temperature.

They said that heat strokes, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, eye infections, malaria and mortality due to extreme weather events were likely to increase in severity, frequency and intensity.

“Storms, floods and droughts, caused by climate change, can force people to migrate to urban centres of the province,” said officials.

They said that the province was already suffering from high mortality rate of infants, children and women, and inadequacy of public health facilities and service, which were likely to be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change if not addressed effectively.

The policy recommends to the government to conduct research to assess impacts of climate change on human health, its symptoms and diseases likely to affect human health in the province.

“As climate change is accepted worldwide, government should identify the vulnerable communities of the province and improve their access to health facilities,” said officials. The government also needs to make efforts to build their knowledge and capacities to reduce their health vulnerability to climate change.

“Government should inform, sensitise, educate and train health professionals and public about climate change-related health issues, especially for women and children,” said officials.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...