Improving Salinity and Agricultural Water Management in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Improving Salinity and Agricultural Water Management in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Author: Michael Mitchell

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 19

ISBN-13:

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"Waterlogging and salinisation are major impediments to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture and livelihoods of farming families across the Indus Basin of Pakistan. About 6.3 million ha in Pakistan are affected by different levels and types of salinity. Nearly half of this area is under irrigated agriculture. The drive for higher cropping intensities coupled with the lack of adequate surface water supplies has caused farmers to use poor-quality groundwater as a supplemental source of irrigation. The large scale exploitation of poor quality groundwater has increased the risks of soil salinisation and sodicity. About 4.5 million ha are already affected by secondary salinisation of which about half are located in irrigated areas. Another 1 million ha is affected by water logging (Qureshi et al., 2008). In Punjab, about 20% of the land suffers from salinity and another 20 to 30% has high groundwater levels, due to over application of surface water. Soil salinity problems are particularly serious in Sindh province where some 70 to 80% of the soil is classified as moderately or severely saline (Smedema, 2000). The southern districts of Lower Sindh, Thatta and Badin are particularly vulnerable to salinity due to waterlogging and seawater intrusion in coastal agricultural areas. A holistic approach that incorporates the social, environmental, technical and economic aspects of salinity management is needed in Pakistan. Such an approach offers better prospects for identifying and exploring adaptation measures and building resilience for communities affected by salinity. This SRA has established the need for a holistic approach to salinity and water management, and has laid the basis for developing a shared understanding of the risks and opportunities for farming and coastal communities in salinity affected areas of the Indus Basin of Pakistan. Central to this is an understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of salinity in the landscape."--Website.


Guideline for Salinity Assessment, Mitigation and Adaptation Using Nuclear and Related Techniques

Guideline for Salinity Assessment, Mitigation and Adaptation Using Nuclear and Related Techniques

Author: Mohammad Zaman

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-11-28

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 331996190X

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This open access book is an outcome of the collaboration between the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria, and Dr. Shabbir A Shahid, Senior Salinity Management Expert, Freelancer based in United Arab Emirates.The objective of this book is to develop protocols for salinity and sodicity assessment and develop mitigation and adaptation measures to use saline and sodic soils sustainably. The focus is on important issues related to salinity and sodicity and to describe these in an easy and user friendly way. The information has been compiled from the latest published literature and from the authors’ publications specific to the subject matter. The book consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the terms salinity and sodicity and describes various salinity classification systems commonly used around the world. Chapter 2 reviews global distribution of salinization and socioeconomic aspects related to salinity and crop production. Chapters 3 covers comprehensively salinity and sodicity adaptation and mitigation options including physical, chemical, hydrological and biological methods. Chapter 4 discusses the efforts that have been made to demonstrate the development of soil salinity zones under different irrigation systems. Chapter 5 discusses the quality of irrigation water, boron toxicity and relative tolerance to boron, the effects of chlorides on crops. Chapter 6 introduces the role of nuclear techniques in saline agriculture.


Future of Sustainable Agriculture in Saline Environments

Future of Sustainable Agriculture in Saline Environments

Author: Katarzyna Negacz

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2021-06-24

Total Pages: 541

ISBN-13: 1000401146

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Food production on present and future saline soils deserves the world’s attention particularly because food security is a pressing issue, millions of hectares of degraded soils are available worldwide, freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce, and the global sea-level rise threatens food production in fertile coastal lowlands. Future of Sustainable Agriculture in Saline Environments aims to showcase the global potential of saline agriculture. The book covers the essential topics, such as policy and awareness, soil management, future crops, and genetic developments, all supplemented by case studies that show how this knowledge has been applied. It offers an overview of current research themes and practical cases focused on enhancing food production on saline lands. FEATURES Describes the critical role of the revitalization of salt-degraded lands in achieving sustainability in agriculture on a global scale Discusses practical solutions toward using drylands and delta areas threatened by salinity for sustainable food production Presents strategies for adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise through food production under saline conditions Addresses the diverse aspects of crop salt tolerance and microbiological associations Highlights the complex problem of salinity and waterlogging and safer management of poor-quality water, supplemented by case studies A PDF version of this book is available for free in Open Access at www.taylorfrancis.com. It has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.


The Indus Basin of Pakistan

The Indus Basin of Pakistan

Author: Winston H. Yu

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 0821398741

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This study, Indus basin of Pakistan: the impacts of climate risks on water and agriculture was undertaken at a pivotal time in the region. The weak summer monsoon in 2009 created drought conditions throughout the country. This followed an already tenuous situation for many rural households faced with high fuel and fertilizer costs and the impacts of rising global food prices. Then catastrophic monsoon flooding in 2010 affected over 20 million people, devastating their housing, infrastructure, and crops. Damages from this single flood event were estimated at US dollar 10 billion, half of which were losses in the agriculture sector. Notwithstanding the debate as to whether these observed extremes are evidence of climate change, an investigation is needed regarding the extent to which the country is resilient to these shocks. It is thus timely, if not critical, to focus on climate risks for water, agriculture, and food security in the Indus basin of Pakistan.


Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas

Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas

Author: Asad Sarwar Qureshi

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 9290905794

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Due to inadequate rainfall, groundwater has acquired a vital role in the development of Pakistan's agricultural economy. However, a lack of awareness concerning the use of groundwater, either by itself or combined with canal water, has added large amounts of salt to the soil. As a result, large tracts of irrigated lands are already salinized, while many others are under threat. This report presents the results of a modeling study carried out to evaluate the long-term effects of a different quality of irrigation water on root zone salinity. The simulations were performed for the Rechna Doab (sub basin of the Indus Basin) in Pakistan, by using 15 years of actual rainfall and climatic data.


Environmental Resources Use and Challenges in Contemporary Southeast Asia

Environmental Resources Use and Challenges in Contemporary Southeast Asia

Author: Mario Ivan Lopez

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-05-17

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 9811088810

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This edited volume introduces dynamic approaches to the study of Southeast Asia’s environmental diversity from different disciplinary perspectives at the interface between the natural and social sciences. It brings together research on the region’s environmental resource use and shared ecological challenges in the context of present day globalization to offer insights for possible future directions. The book introduces unique approaches to the study of Southeast Asia’s environmental changes and resource management under the influence of intensifying economic change in the region. It also examines the slow erosion of Southeast Asia’s rich environment and addresses serious issues such as the decrease in biodiversity and tropical forests, and the degradation of peat lands. At the same time, it discusses the social issues that are tied to energy-dependent growth and have intensified over the last two decades. It also analyzes the new roadmaps being created to protect, conserve, and manage the environment. By investigating the many ecological issues surrounding us, the volume brings to light the constant struggles we face while trying to develop a more inclusive and equitable approach to natural resources governance. This volume is relevant for students, academics and researchers who have an interest in the Southeast Asian environment and the way in which we use and interact with it.


Use of a hydrological model for environmental management of the Usangu Wetlands, Tanzania

Use of a hydrological model for environmental management of the Usangu Wetlands, Tanzania

Author: Kashaigili, J. J., McCartney, Matthew, Mahoo, H. F., Lankford, B. A., Mbilinyi, B. P., Yawson, D. K., Tumbo, S. D.

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 9290906456

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This report presents the findings of a study to assess changes to flows into, and downstream of, the Usangu Wetlands, located in the headwaters of the Great Ruaha River, Tanzania. Hydrological data, in conjunction with remote sensing techniques, were used to provide insights into changes that have occurred to the Eastern Wetland. Results indicate that, between 1958 and 2004, inflows to the wetland declined by about 70 percent in the dry season months (July to November) as a consequence of increased human withdrawals, primarily for irrigation.


Routledge Handbook of Environment and Society in Asia

Routledge Handbook of Environment and Society in Asia

Author: Paul G. Harris

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-09-19

Total Pages: 492

ISBN-13: 1317685717

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Nowhere is the connection between society and the environment more evident and potentially more harmful for the future of the world than in Asia. In recent decades, rapid development of Asian countries with very large populations has led to an unprecedented increase in environmental problems such as air and water pollution, solid and hazardous wastes, deforestation, depletion of natural resources and extinction of native species. This handbook provides a comprehensive survey of the cultural, social and policy contexts of environmental change across East Asia. The team of international experts critically examine a wide range of environmental problems related to energy, climate change, air, land, water, fisheries, forests and wildlife. The editors conclude that, with nearly half of the human population of the planet, and several rapidly growing economies, most notably China, Asian societies will determine much of the future of human impacts on the regional and global environments. As climate change-related threats to society increase, the book strongly argues for increased environmental consciousness and action in Asian societies. This handbook is a very valuable companion for students, scholars, policy makers and researchers working on environmental issues in Asia.