ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasised the importance of working together with regional countries in particular, and the rest of the world in general, to save the world from droughts and ensure our food security.
In his message on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which is observed annually on June 17, the president stated that the impact of drought could be mitigated by developing water sources such as micro dams, ponds, and wells, water rationing, and pasture restoration.
It could also be addressed by increasing soil water retention capacity through tree planting, protecting riverbanks, shifting to drought-tolerant crops, and relocating herds from vulnerable pastures, he added.
The president stated that this year’s Desertification and Drought Day, held under the theme “Rising Up from Drought Together,” would send a strong message to drought-prone countries to work together.
He added that the day was also an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to encouraging households, communities, the private sector, and countries to work together to address the immediate effects of the drought and build long-term resilience.
President Alvi stated that climate change and land degradation were causing periodic low and unpredictable rainfall in many countries around the world, including Pakistan.
He added that the countries were also dealing with deforestation and over-exploitation of farmlands and grasslands, which were factors in crop failure, water stress, land degradation, and low growth performance.
“At the federal and provincial levels, we must adopt cogent drought policies, launch a well-thought-out and coordinated drought action plan, implement comprehensive drought-management strategies, improve water security through groundwater recharge, build more water reservoirs, ensure water availability, and increase forest cover across the country,” the president stated.
