Pakistan is at the brunt of climate change. Even though it only contributes less the 1% of the global carbon emissions, the uncertain climate variations subjected Pakistan to horrific climate catastrophes in recent years. To combat such climate havoc we need to start by identifying the various tropical and climate zones in Pakistan and recognising the primary stakeholders – local communities.
Climate justice can only be achieved once we view the disproportional impact of climate change; there are strong linkages between structural inequality and ethnic minorities being at the receiving end of climate devastation. For instance, Balochistan is one of the most underdeveloped provinces of Pakistan as most regions have a Human Development Index (HDI) of less than 0.4 which exacerbate the impact of climate change. Shortage of water has become frequent in rural areas of Balochistan because the indigenous groundwater extraction system, Karez, has become ineffective as the droughts have receded the water table. Poor groundwater policies by the provincial government, such as subsidiaries for tubewells, further diminished this indigenous practice of irrigation.
It is essential to highlight that impact of climate change is disproportional along the lines of existing inequalities. According to the report by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Balochistan has the highest loss of livestock (500000) and around 72,000 houses have been destroyed. Furthermore, Balochistan has the second highest casualties (336) despite being a province of low population density. With the second-highest casualties, Balochistan still received inadequate relief aid from the government as in Nasirabad 52,000 people were affected yet only 550 tents were distributed. In Jafferbad, 60,000 people were displaced and only 900 tents had been provided to them. The inadequate communication links and infrastructure have significantly hindered flood relief measures in the far-fetched regions of Pakistan. For instance, hundreds of families were left stranded in the five districts of Nasirabad in Balochistan because the highways and roads got completely submerged in water, making the said region inaccessible. This eventually makes these communities more prone to health, hygiene and food crises. Ethnic and vulnerable communities will be pushed further below the poverty line if the state neglects them and climate change is not tackled.
Climate-induced migration is another important aspect of the disproportionate impact of climate change. Approximately 2 million people are expected to become climate migrants by 2050 in Pakistan. When floods wash away whole villages and settlements people have to relocate to dryer areas hence communities migrate to urban cities. This resettlement eventually generates urban resource issues such as water, food and housing supply. Ethnic minorities face cultural challenges too; their sense of distinct identity and community is completely shattered when they are forced to permanently migrate to urban spaces and struggle to adapt to the new lifestyles. The 2010 flood triggered a massive migration all over Pakistan, more than 2 million people were displaced. 70% of the migrants could not go back to their hometowns because of extreme devastation. Apart from the destruction of villages, flooding also deprives communities of their primary source of income – farming. Floods increase the saturation of water in agricultural land, also known as water logging. Water-logged areas are not suitable for agriculture, therefore communities are forced to relocate to continue agricultural practices. The coastal areas are at major risk of cyclones, flooding and rising sea levels, ultimately leading to displacement. The tropical cyclone of 1999 killed at least 400 people and affected more than 600,000 people settled on the Eastern seacoast of Sindh. Most coastal communities are depended on fishing as their source of income and with the forced migration because of cyclones, floods and rising sea levels, these communities face the difficulty of quitting their ancestral fishing practices.
Vulnerable communities are at the receiving end of climate change. They endure the worst of it and ethnic minorities are not only trying to maintain their settlements against climate catastrophes but also their identity. Climate change reforms need to be holistic – they must uplift the weakest among us and prevent the erasure of the distinct identities of ethnic minorities.
