CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN

Climate change is a global phenomenon. United Nations has constituted Inter Governmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC). 155 countries have signed Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). Climate change is mainly manifested by global warming. Pakistan is confronting the similar situation like most of the countries of the world. It is 10th most severely affected country in the World. Meteorological data reveals that winter are rising and the summers are getting cooler. Temperature is expected to increase by 0.9oC and 1.5oC by years 2020 and 2050 respectively. Pakistan is blessed with nine ecological zones which exhibit varying impacts. It has surface water potential of 140 million acre feet (MAF) and underground water reserve of 56 MAF. The El Nino and La Nina have affected the hydrologic regime, surface ground water resources, biodiversity and ecosystems in one form or the other. Extreme events in shape of floods, droughts and glacial advances are regularly observed in Pakistan. Other impacts are pollution of water resources, loss of biodiversity, transboundary water conflicts, salinization of coastal areas, sea water intrusion, desertification and low agricultural production. Certain areas are facing more rains and others lesser. Monsoon rains have been disturbed. Proliferation of diseases is observed in some localities. There is dire necessity of managing the threatened aquatic wealth of Pakistan optimally in order to preserve its quality and quantity. This gigantic task needs adoption of joint strategies and close cooperation on part of nations of the world especially the regional countries.