GHULAM SHABIR BALOCH
Sindh is facing an escalating environmental and agricultural crisis driven by global warming, placing its economy and ecosystems under unprecedented stress. As Pakistan consistently ranks among the top 10 most vulnerable nations on the Global Climate Risk Index, Sindh’s predicament highlights the devastating local impacts of this global threat. The catastrophic floods of 2022 served as a stark warning, submerging one-third of the province, killing over 790 people in Sindh alone, and inflicting an estimated $3.7 billion in damages to its agricultural sector.
The province’s agricultural backbone is fracturing under the dual pressures of extreme heat and erratic water availability. Average temperatures in Sindh have risen by approximately 1.5°C over the last century, significantly higher than the global average. This heat stress, combined with unpredictable monsoon patterns, has slashed crop yields. The 2022 floods destroyed over 80% of standing crops like cotton, rice, and dates. Simultaneously, regions like Tharparkar continue to battle severe droughts, making conventional farming nearly impossible and jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions.
Ecological devastation is equally alarming. The Indus Delta, home to the world’s seventh-largest mangrove forest system, is shrinking rapidly. Reduced freshwater flow from the Indus River has allowed seawater intrusion to increase salinity, degrading over 1.2 million hectares of agricultural land. These vital mangroves, which act as a natural barrier against cyclones and are critical nurseries for fish and shrimp, have diminished significantly, threatening the sustainability of coastal fishing communities that support over 100,000 people.
Experts warn that without immediate, large-scale intervention focusing on climate-resilient agriculture, robust water management infrastructure, and the restoration of natural ecosystems, the damage to Sindh’s environment and economy may soon become irreversible.