ONE DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE "CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES)"
BACKGROUND:
Climate change is a matter of concerned for the entire world. Pakistan, although not a big emitter of greenhouse gases, lists among top ten countries facing the impacts of climate change. According to recent UN report Pakistan suffered a loss of 26 billion USD in 2021, which is 9.1 percent of its GDP. The increase in mean temperatures in hyper arid and arid areas will have a significant impact on dry land agriculture in Pakistan. In Pakistan, almost 77pc of the agricultural production in arid regions will be exposed. Listed already on rank 3 in the water deficient countries in the world, the worsening climate change situation could pose a threat to related livelihoods and food security in the country. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa characterized by mountainous northern parts and semi arid plains in southern part are under the hazard of sever water flood erosion and water deficiency and drought respectively.
Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular needs high level preparation to safeguard its water resources and enable the people to identify suitable climate change related mitigation and adaptation measures.
Among many other manifestations the deteriorating national, regional and global climatic conditions and the population explosion in Pakistan are seriously impacting Kabul River water system (KRWS). Additional issues with regard to KRWS are water diversion, water shortages, water wastages, water management, water storage, water pollution, irrigation problems, environmental damage, floods, droughts, crop-failures, socio-economic complications, mass human migrations and the migrating seasonal birds. The potential political unrest in Peshawar Valley is yet another dimension of the Kabul River reality. Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has initiated Climate Advocacy for Coordination and Resilient Action CACRA phase-I in the country, from 2017 to 2021. The execution purpose is to reduce the negative consequences of climate change in Pakistan.
The purpose of the project CACRA phase- II“In the long term, aims to contribute to strengthening the resilience of the affected population in Pakistan by minimizing the negative impacts of climate-related natural hazards “. The timeline of the project is from 1st of January 2022 to 31st of December 2024.
The Pakistan Red Crescent Society KP provincial branch, has therefore arranged a One-Day Conference in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar for which the financial support is being provided by German Red cross (GRC).
CONFERENCE AIM
The aim of the event is to collect relevant information, share it with young researchers, and decision makers with the idea to re-think about the water resources and facilitate the various government segments in preparation of climate change impact mitigation and adaptation strategy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
OBJECTIVES
1- To exchange knowledge and share information about water resources and highlight water-related issues.
2- To explore the use of new technologies in the study of arid and semi-arid environments and their natural resources.
3- To provide an opportunity for decision makers, experts, and scientists to share their expertise in order to find integrative and comprehensive solutions for water resource problems.
The following area of water resources will be discussed in relation to climate change in detail:
1. Impacts of decrease in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Water systems
Status of water Pollution and its Impact on Population, Fisheries and migratory birds.
2. Impact of water shortage in Various River associated Wetlands
Socio-Economic Aspects
3. Exploring possibilities for rainwater and wastewater harvesting as adaptation measures
4. Tourism and recreation
5. Institutional strengthen is a way toward good governance
6. Watershed management and water sharing policy
PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS
Delegates attending the conference are expected from a cross- sectoral range of areas such as:
- Faculty members from various departments and administrations from the University of Peshawar
- Student groups from the different departments
- Climate change relevant stakeholders, departmental heads and consultants;
- UN agencies representatives, religious leaders and representation from different International/ nationals NGOs set-up.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Paper Submission: November 5, 2022
Intimation on Paper presentation decision: November 15, 2022
Registration Start date: November 20, 2022
Conference Date: November 29, 2022
REGISTRATION FEE
For delegates: PK. Rs. 2000
For Student Presenters: PK. Rs. 500
CONFERENCE CONVENOR
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nafees, Chairman, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, KP
FURTHER INFORMATION
- For details on travel, conference, Paper submission, accommodation and other related information, please contact Conference Secretariat;
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, 25000, KP, Pakistan Phone: 091-9216742