Combatting Desertification in Pakistan: Urgent Action Needed

Desertification, once considered a distant threat lurking in the world’s drylands, is now an immediate reality in countries like Pakistan, where land degradation is silently shrinking the foundation of agriculture and rural livelihoods. With every gust of wind that carries away fertile topsoil, every cracked patch of earth once lush with crops, and every inch of arable land turning into dust, the urgency of combatting desertification grows. This year’s World Day to Combat Desertification is not just a day of awareness and it’s a call for collective resilience, long-term land restoration, and sustainable agricultural action, especially in climate-vulnerable nations such as ours.

Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads. It is ranked among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change, with recurring droughts, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events becoming the norm rather than the exception. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), nearly 68% of Pakistan’s land area is arid or semi-arid, and over 40% is affected by some form of desertification or land degradation. The effects are not just environmental but they are social, economic, and deeply human. Desertification in Pakistan is driven by a combination of factors: deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices, water mismanagement, and the pressures of a rapidly growing population. Regions like Tharparkar in Sindh, Cholistan in Punjab, and vast parts of Balochistan are living examples of how once-productive lands have fallen into ecological decline. In these areas, traditional farming is no longer sustainable, groundwater is depleting, and communities face chronic food insecurity.

Agriculture, which employs nearly 36% of the national labor force and contributes about 20% to the GDP, is deeply vulnerable to land degradation. When fertile soil erodes or loses its organic carbon, the productivity of fields drops, leading to reduced yields, higher input costs, and eventually, the abandonment of farmland. For smallholder farmers who dominate Pakistan’s rural economy this translates into lost income, indebtedness, and forced migration to urban centers. The ripple effects stretch from food supply chains to national economic resilience. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Arid Environments highlights that Pakistan loses approximately 0.3% of its productive agricultural land annually due to salinization, desertification, and topsoil erosion particularly in Punjab and Sindh. This finding echoes earlier satellite analyses that revealed declining vegetation cover across South Punjab, especially during dry seasons, indicating a progressive loss of carbon sequestration potential and soil fertility. At the heart of the issue lies the intimate connection between land, water, and climate. As the climate warms, the frequency and severity of droughts are increasing, pushing land degradation into overdrive. Pakistan's 2022 floods, the worst in its history and ironically followed a period of intense drought. The abrupt transition from one extreme to another reflects the country’s fragile climatic balance. Climate change is not a future threat; it is a present crisis that is reshaping the landscape, quite literally.

One of the lesser-discussed impacts of desertification is its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Degraded soils, when stripped of organic matter, stop acting as carbon sinks and instead release stored carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change. This two-way relationship between desertification and climate change means that failing to address one will exacerbate the other. Sustainable land management, therefore, becomes a critical tool in the broader fight against global warming. Despite the gravity of the situation, there are promising stories emerging from Pakistan, stories of resilience, adaptation, and innovation. Agribusiness-led land restoration is one such narrative. Across various regions, farmers, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs are engaging in land reclamation efforts that blend traditional knowledge with modern techniques. These activities not only restore productivity but also open up new livelihood opportunities. In southern Punjab, for example, community-based agroforestry projects have been instrumental in rehabilitating degraded lands. Farmers are planting native tree species like acacia and moringa alongside crops, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil structure, and creating secondary income sources through timber and medicinal plants. Similarly, in Balochistan, dryland farming initiatives focused on drought-tolerant crops such as millet, sorghum, and pulses are helping communities rebuild their food systems while conserving scarce water resources.

According to a 2022 report by ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas), efforts in Pakistan’s Cholistan and Thal regions to introduce drought-resilient legumes and agro-pastoral models have yielded not only better soil retention and organic content but also increased household income by 20–25% in pilot villages. These gains underline the potential of science-based interventions in reshaping degraded ecosystems. Another encouraging development is the promotion of carbon-smart agriculture. Several agribusiness startups and NGOs are working with farmers to reduce emissions through minimum tillage, organic composting, and crop rotation. These practices help rebuild soil organic matter, increase water retention, and ultimately improve yield stability. Moreover, such interventions are eligible for carbon credits, creating an opportunity for Pakistan to tap into global carbon markets and attract green investment.

In Sindh's Keti Bunder region, once a thriving coastal farming zone now heavily affected by salinity and seawater intrusion, land reclamation projects using bio-saline agriculture are gaining traction. These efforts involve cultivating salt-tolerant crops and grasses, supported by rainwater harvesting systems. Not only do they bring degraded lands back into productive use, but they also provide employment for local women and youth in nursery management, seed processing, and value addition integrating environmental sustainability with social equity. What ties all these initiatives together is their alignment with the broader goals of sustainable development. Combatting desertification and restoring land in Pakistan are not isolated environmental concerns; they are fundamental to achieving at least three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 13—Climate Action calls for urgent steps to combat climate change and its impacts. By restoring degraded lands, Pakistan can sequester more carbon, reduce its vulnerability to extreme weather, and build agricultural systems that are more adaptive and resilient.

SDG 15—Life on Land focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Land restoration directly contributes to halting biodiversity loss, improving soil health, and enhancing the productivity of drylands, an essential priority for Pakistan’s agro-ecological zones.

SDG 1—No Poverty is inextricably linked to land restoration. For millions of rural households, land is the primary asset. When land degrades, so does income and food security. Restoring land boosts rural economies, creates green jobs, and strengthens community resilience, especially among the most vulnerable.

To scale up the impact, however, Pakistan needs a coordinated national strategy. This must include strong policy support, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, and public-private partnerships that encourage innovation in sustainable land management. There is also a pressing need to build technical capacity among extension workers and farmers, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to regenerate soil, manage water efficiently, and adapt to changing climates.

Moreover, land restoration should not be viewed solely through the lens of agriculture. Urban development, mining, road construction, and industrial expansion are all contributing to land degradation in different ways. An integrated land-use policy, guided by environmental science and community input, is essential for balancing development with ecological integrity.

Public awareness and education also play a crucial role. When communities understand the value of healthy soil, the importance of tree cover, and the risks of unsustainable practices, they are more likely to engage in and support restoration efforts. Schools, universities, and local media must all become part of a national campaign to build a land-conscious society.

The challenge of desertification in Pakistan is undoubtedly vast, but so too is the potential for meaningful action. With over 22 million hectares of degraded land, the country holds immense scope for ecological restoration that can transform lives and landscapes. This transformation will not come overnight. It will require patience, planning, and persistent commitment but it is possible.

On this World Day to Combat Desertification, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. With nearly 68% of its territory classified as arid or semi-arid, the country faces mounting pressure from land degradation, soil erosion, and water scarcity. Over 80% of the land area is at risk of erosion, while deforestation has brought forest cover down to just 5.8% of the national landscape. These trends, compounded by climate change, jeopardize not only the environment but also national food security, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy contributing around 20% to GDP and employing nearly 39% of the labor force yet its future is increasingly uncertain.

Soil salinization already affects over 6.3 million hectares, while intensifying droughts and erratic weather patterns are reducing crop yields and increasing rural poverty. Water scarcity, with Pakistan ranked among the top ten most water-stressed countries, exacerbates the challenge. To reverse this trajectory, a comprehensive and sustained commitment to sustainable land management is essential. This includes investing in afforestation, promoting agroforestry, restoring degraded lands through regenerative agriculture, and integrating climate-smart farming techniques.

Beyond ecological restoration, this is a fight for justice for the farmers losing arable land, for the youth inheriting a fragile ecosystem, and for communities living on the frontlines of climate change. Every seed planted, every hectare restored, and every policy reformed in support of land stewardship represents a step toward a greener, more equitable Pakistan. Desertification is not destiny, it is a challenge that can be overcome through collective will, evidence-based policies, and community empowerment. In the face of growing climate threats, reversing land degradation is not only an environmental imperative but also a socio-economic one essential for national stability and sustainable development.

Conclusion

The battle against desertification in Pakistan is no longer a distant concern it is a present-day crisis that demands urgent, sustained, and strategic action. As this article illustrates, land degradation threatens not only the environment but also the very core of the nation’s food security, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience. However, amid the challenges, there is a clear pathway forward. From drought-resilient agriculture in Balochistan to agroforestry in Punjab and saline farming in Sindh, Pakistan is witnessing the emergence of scalable, science-based solutions rooted in local knowledge and community engagement. These models not only restore ecosystems but also generate income, create jobs, and improve climate resilience.

To capitalize on these efforts, Pakistan must adopt a holistic national strategy one that integrates sustainable land management across agriculture, urban planning, infrastructure, and education. Public-private partnerships, increased investment, gender-inclusive policies, and widespread awareness campaigns are essential to build momentum. Ultimately, reclaiming degraded land is about more than planting trees; it’s about restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope to millions who depend on the land for their survival. As the world marks the Day to Combat Desertification, Pakistan has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example turning its fragile landscapes into symbols of resilience, regeneration, and sustainable progress.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agriculture & Agribusiness Management, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan and can be reached at shah.aziz@uok.edu.pk

Related Stories