Nature-Based Solutions for Pakistan's Biodiversity

In Pakistan, the delicate balance of ecosystems and biodiversity has been severely disrupted by human activities and climate change. Over the years, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, unsustainable farming, and rapid urbanization have placed immense pressure on natural systems. These disturbances have triggered cascading effects on vital ecosystem functions, resulting in biodiversity loss and increased vulnerability to climate hazards. Central to Pakistan's ecological disturbances is the Indus River System, a lifeline for millions and a key pillar of the country’s environmental stability. As a nation heavily reliant on its natural resources, Pakistan now faces severe environmental challenges that threaten not only its biodiversity but also its economic and social well-being.

The country’s ecological landscape has dramatically transformed in recent decades. Deforestation in the northern regions is a major concern, contributing to soil erosion, reduced water retention, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and landslides. The loss of forest cover has weakened natural defenses, leaving communities more exposed to extreme weather events. This is especially pronounced in the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, where deforestation has worsened land degradation and endangered biodiversity.

Likewise, unsustainable agricultural practices, such as overgrazing and monoculture farming, have drained soil fertility, disrupted ecosystems, and diminished biodiversity. The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has further degraded soil health, impeding the natural regeneration of ecosystems and jeopardizing local livelihoods. These practices have caused habitat fragmentation, harming wildlife populations and leading to the loss of key species, including pollinators vital to food production.

Wetlands and freshwater ecosystems, which are critical for biodiversity and local economies, are also under severe threat. Pollution, urban sprawl, and water mismanagement have damaged these ecosystems, leading to the loss of essential habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. The degradation of wetlands, particularly in the Indus River Delta, has caused the collapse of local fisheries, putting food security and livelihoods at risk for millions. Furthermore, the deterioration of these ecosystems has amplified flood risks, as natural buffers like mangroves and wetlands, which absorb excess water, have been diminished.

Climate change has worsened the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, further straining ecosystems. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and melting glaciers have altered river flows, reducing water availability and increasing the risk of flash floods. The decline in species diversity, particularly of pollinators and key wildlife, poses significant risks to food security and essential ecosystem services.

Nature-Based Solutions: A Pathway to Climate Resilience

By aligning environmental restoration with human well-being, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) provide a holistic and sustainable approach to building climate-resilient societies. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines NbS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems” that “address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.” NbS encompass a range of strategies that leverage ecosystems and biodiversity to tackle societal challenges, particularly in promoting climate resilience. These solutions focus on key areas such as:

1. Ecosystem restoration and management: Strengthening natural defenses against climate impacts like floods, droughts, and soil erosion.

2. Sustainable agriculture and forestry: Encouraging biodiversity and soil health while reducing carbon emissions.

3. Water management: Enhancing water retention, reducing runoff, and protecting watersheds.

4. Disaster risk reduction: Utilizing natural ecosystems, such as mangroves and wetlands, as buffers against extreme weather events.

5. Urban planning: Integrating green spaces and natural infrastructure to mitigate urban heat islands and improve carbon sequestration.

NbS formally integrate ecological processes into infrastructure management, offering a fresh perspective on planning, designing, and financing greener infrastructure.

With the growing impacts of climate change, there is an increasing need for adaptable and flexible solutions. NbS are now being explored for disaster risk management, providing co-benefits beyond traditional single-purpose infrastructure. According to OECD estimates (2020), less than 5% of funding in the water sector alone goes to NbS. However, countries like the Netherlands have begun recognizing that natural systems can reliably perform many critical infrastructure functions while offering greater returns on investment compared to traditional approaches.

NbS are inherently flexible, self-correcting, and adaptive. They evolve with environmental changes, often possessing self-stabilizing and self-repairing qualities. These solutions are easier to modify or even remove than conventional hard infrastructure, making them adaptable to changing conditions and needs.

NbS also incorporate indigenous and traditional knowledge into modern practices. Unlike large-scale gray infrastructure, NbS projects tend to be smaller, less expensive, and more integrated into community management, fostering a sense of ownership. In rural areas, NbS are closely tied to livelihoods, and in some cases, provide spiritual and cultural benefits.

As integrated approaches, NbS link systems across scales. For instance, urban flood risk can be mitigated by connecting rural land use with water management and creating urban wetlands, as demonstrated in China’s "Sponge Cities" project. Similarly, flood risk reduction efforts in the Philippines and wildlife corridors in Nepal and Bangladesh illustrate the broad applicability of NbS for both environmental and infrastructural challenges.

In Pakistan, NbS present a vital opportunity to address urban environmental challenges such as urban heat islands, dwindling aquifers, flash flood risks, and inadequate climate adaptation infrastructure. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad can mitigate heat through green spaces, urban forests, and rooftop gardens, which lower temperatures and improve air quality. Rainwater harvesting, wetland restoration, and permeable surfaces for groundwater recharge can help alleviate aquifer depletion and water shortages. Additionally, NbS like green belts and bioswales offer natural flood defenses, reducing the reliance on rigid infrastructure like concrete flood barriers that lack flexibility and sustainability.

NbS also generate significant co-benefits. For example, a riparian wetland used for flood mitigation may also support local fisheries, building materials, water quality, recreation, erosion control, and biodiversity. These co-benefits are often overlooked in traditional cost–benefit analyses, leading to the increased use of multicriteria analysis as a method to assess these broader impacts. Co-benefits may be key to promoting NbS adoption among policymakers, stakeholders, and investors—an advantage rarely seen in conventional gray infrastructure projects.

In Pakistan, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can play a crucial role in addressing ecosystem disturbances and promoting sustainable land and water management practices. By focusing on key areas such as ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, water management, and disaster risk reduction, NbS can mitigate the impacts of climate change while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services.

1. Ecosystem Restoration and Management: Restoring degraded forests, wetlands, and grasslands can strengthen natural defenses against floods, droughts, and soil erosion. For instance, reforestation efforts in northern Pakistan can help restore the region's natural buffers, reduce soil erosion, and improve water retention. Similarly, wetland restoration in the Indus River Delta can enhance biodiversity, support local fisheries, and protect communities from storm surges and floods.

2. Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry: Promoting sustainable farming practices—such as agroforestry, crop diversification, and organic farming—can improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions. These practices not only enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change but also contribute to food security and rural livelihoods. Additionally, sustainable forestry practices, like community-based forest management, can help conserve biodiversity while providing economic benefits to local communities.

3. Water Management: Improving water management practices is critical for addressing water scarcity and reducing flood risks. NbS can enhance water retention, reduce runoff, and protect watersheds by restoring natural vegetation, wetlands, and riparian zones. For example, rainwater harvesting and wetland restoration can help recharge groundwater, alleviate pressure on aquifers, and ensure a more sustainable drinking water supply.

4. Disaster Risk Reduction: Natural ecosystems, such as mangroves, wetlands, and floodplains, serve as buffers against extreme weather events. By restoring and protecting these ecosystems, NbS can reduce the risks of floods, storm surges, and landslides. For instance, restoring mangroves in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan can protect against storm surges and coastal erosion, while wetland restoration in the Indus River Delta can mitigate flash flood risks.

5. Urban Planning and Climate Resilience: In Pakistan's rapidly growing cities, NbS can play a critical role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing flood risks, and improving water management. Green spaces, urban forests, and rooftop gardens can lower temperatures, enhance air quality, and provide natural cooling. Permeable surfaces, rainwater harvesting systems, and urban wetlands can recharge groundwater, reduce surface runoff, and prevent urban flooding. By integrating NbS into urban planning, cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad can enhance their resilience to climate change while improving residents' quality of life.

Wetlands and freshwater ecosystems dependent on the Indus River are also threatened by pollution, urban expansion, and poor water management, leading to the loss of critical habitats. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, with more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and changes in river flows impacting the region. The degradation of the Indus River System, alongside the loss of key species and ecosystems, requires urgent attention to restore natural habitats, conserve biodiversity, and implement sustainable practices that ensure ecological resilience in Pakistan. The Indus River Basin is a water-stressed region, home to an estimated 250 million people in South Asia, and is rapidly developing. An acute deficit of environmental flows (EFs) in the basin’s delta adversely affects geomorphology and surrounding ecosystems. Approximately 90% of Pakistan’s population and more than three-quarters of its economy reside in the Indus Basin, with over 80% of the country’s arable land irrigated by its waters. Nine out of the ten largest cities in Pakistan are located within 50 kilometers of the Indus River, with Quetta being the only exception.

To adapt to climate change and invest in NbS for the Indus system, a comprehensive approach is needed that encompasses both upstream and downstream areas while assessing ecosystem status, conditions, and services. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that the Indus Delta ecosystem has experienced significant losses in fisheries, economic gains, and mangroves due to human-induced stressors in recent years. Additionally, research has shown that the decrease in freshwater reaching the delta and sediment loss are major contributors to the degradation of the Indus Delta.

NbS for the Indus River System: A Comprehensive Approach

In Pakistan, the Indus River System is fundamental to the country’s overall ecological balance, and its disturbance has exacerbated critical environmental issues over time. To build climate resilience and restore the ecological integrity of the Indus River System, a comprehensive approach that encompasses both upstream and downstream areas is essential. This strategy should involve assessing the status, conditions, and services of the ecosystem to ensure sustainable water management and biodiversity conservation.

Key actions to prioritize include:

1. Ecosystem Restoration in Upper River Sections: Nature-based Solutions should focus on restoring ecosystems through strategies that promote sustainable land use management, the restoration of natural forests, grasslands, and peatlands, as well as stream protection. Infrastructure developments should incorporate considerations for climate impacts and ecosystem health while enhancing resilience to future climate challenges, such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and cloudbursts.

2. River Rehabilitation and Flood Risk Management in Middle and Lower River Sections: Key development objectives should include river rehabilitation and effective flood risk management. Allowing more space for rivers to accommodate natural seasonal fluctuations in water levels, along with the restoration of floodplains and wetlands, can mitigate flood risks and enhance biodiversity. Integrated river rehabilitation and sustainable flood risk management efforts should aim to achieve water management functions, including the establishment of green embankments, publicly accessible river greenways, floodplain protection, wetland rehabilitation, and storm water retention parks. This could also involve designing sewer systems to exclusively handle rainwater runoff. Strategies for the middle and lower river sections may include re-meandering rivers, enhancing riparian shading, protecting marshy streams and floodplains, reviving or creating side channels, and restoring, reconnecting, widening, and lowering floodplains.

3. Urban Water Management: In urban areas, improving rainwater drainage systems, installing permeable pavements, and creating urban wetlands can help reduce flooding and recharge groundwater reserves.

While the challenges of ecosystem disturbances and biodiversity loss in Pakistan are significant, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a viable and sustainable pathway forward. By restoring natural habitats, promoting sustainable land and water management practices, and integrating NbS into urban planning, Pakistan can enhance its resilience to climate change while bolstering biodiversity and ecosystem services. Investing in NbS is not only an environmental imperative but also a critical step toward a sustainable future, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of generations to come.

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.

Hassnain Shah is Director, Social Sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan

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