Write a note on the climatic feature of the following.

desert climate Highland zone Low land zones Coastel zones

Annual rainfall North western Eastern & south Pakistan has
(precipitation) is and the western eastern sides of about 1000 km
low/arid/approximately mountains areas Pakistan (whole long coastal line
38mm per annum comprise of high of the Indus of which about
• Temperatures are hot land zone. Plain) are 750 km are long
in summer x Winters are classified in the with Baluchistan
• In June the average extremely cold lowland zone. while 250 km
temperature is and long while x Summers are long with Sindh.
approximately summers are hot and long x The climate is
39 °C from mild to hot while winters are dominated by
• Occasional summer and from cool to cold sea breezes. x
thunderstorms short. and short. Most of the
• Cooler temperatures x During winters x Summer coastal areas
in winter temperature falls temperature goes experience the
• Winter temperature and persists into 30 to 40 climate called
25°C average below freezing degree Celsius maritime or
• Large diurnal point while while winter moderate
temperature range during temperature at climate. x
• Low humidity summer the some places falls Summers are hot
temperature down to 10 to 5 humid and long
goes to 20 degree celcius while winters are
degree Celsius. and sometimes mild, humid and
x Monsoon winds even below. short. x Relative
cause rainfall x Monsoon winds humidity is
during summers cause rainfall in always higher
while the the upper Indus due to the
western plain during presence of sea.
depressions summers while x It rains very low
cause rainfall at depressions quantity in the
lower altitude cause rainfall in coastal areas as
and snowfall at the northern the relative
higher at higher Punjab during humidity in
altitude during winters. coastal areas is
winters. x Convectional very high. x
x Convectional currents also Fishery is main
currents also cause rainfall at profession. x
cause rainfall. different times of Mangroves are
x Relief rainfall the year in found here. x
also experienced different Mangroves are
here. areas of the low the shelters,
x From alpine land zone. breeding ground,
forest at higher x Large and supply food
altitude to agricultural plains to fish and also
coniferous are found and provide wood to
forests at huge agricultural people. x Gwadar
 relatively lower products are is in a rapid pace
altitude are produced. of developmen
found. x This climate
zone is fully
developed & all
the facilities
including
transport. Power
generation,
communication
are fully
developed.
x Lahore,
Gujranwala,
Sialkot,
Faisalabad,
Multan,
Bahawalpur,
sukhur, Rohri etc,
is
some of the
places of the low
land zone.

Q.Explain why there are seasonal variations in precipitation in Pakistan

Rainfall

Moonsoon Westren depression convectional Relief rainfall

Word monsoon means The winds causing Unlike monsoon and RR is mainly confined
season. rainfall during winters western depression, to the northern
x The monsoon winds originate from the convectional rainfall is mountainous areas,
causing rainfall from Mediterranean Sea. experienced by the where there is the
July to September x After originating from locally evaporated largest
originate from the Bay the Mediterranean Sea winds. x Through local forest domination.
of they move to the east. evaporation & x Due to excessive rate
Bengal in the Indian x On their way to transpiration the water of evapotranspiration
Ocean. Pakistan the western molecules go up to the more and more water
x After originating from depressions cause atmosphere and after molecules go up into
the Bay of Bengal, rainfall over Turkey, condensation, these the atmosphere and
monsoon winds which Middle molecules get the form more and more water
are giant sea breezes East countries, Iraq, of clouds and these gets back to the ground
start moving from east Iran Afghanistan and clouds cause rainfall at in the form of
to west. then Pakistan. the nearby places. x rainfall.
The heat on the land x Most of their Convectional rainfall is x The windward side of
creates a low pressure moistures are utilized associated with the the mountains receives
which attracts the by these countries and windstorm or more relief rainfall than
cooler, moist wind of Pakistan receives very thunderstorm and the leeward side
the little cause uprooting of of the mountain.
sea. rainfall during winters. trees and destruction x Further northern
x On their way to x The amount of rainfall as well. x Convectional areas of Pakistan like
Pakistan monsoon during winters is lower rainfall can be Gilgit does not receive
winds cause rainfall than the amount of experienced at any rainfall and forms Rain
over Bangladesh and rainfall during place in Pakistan, shadow area.
India and summer. particularly North and
then these winds reach The western North western areas of Tropical cyclone.
Pakistan. depression causes Pakistan. x Rawalpindi TC brings a few hours
x By the time these rainfall at lower and Peshawar receive of very heavy rainfall
winds reach Pakistan altitude and snow fall some rainfall in early with destructive winds
most of their moisture at higher altitude summer caused to the coastal areas.
is utilized by these two areas. convectional currents. x x They originate over
countries. x Northern, North It is not as plenty the Arabian Sea quite
x Only tail end of the western and western source of rainfall as often.
monsoon is received by side of Pakistan receive monsoon or depression x This source of rainfall
Pakistan. their winter rainfall but it is an important is totally unreliable
x Hence the amount of through the western source of rainfall that
rainfalls is not only little depression. fills the gap
but is variable as well. x Murree, Swat, Gilgit,
x Mean rainfall in both Hunza, Mardan,
July and August is 125 Peshawar, Quetta,
mm; September is the Ziarat etc are some of
end of the monsoon the
season. areas those receive
x Northern, North winter rainfall through
Western & Eastern the western
sides of Pakistan depression.
received their summer
rainfall
through the monsoon
winds.
x Murree, Abbottabad,
Peshawar, Swat,
Islamabad, Gujrat,
Gujranwala, Sialkot,
Lahore,
Faisalabad are some of
the places where
monsoon rainfall is
experienced.
x Some monsoon winds
also originate in the
Arabian Sea, but they
are usually very weak
so as to bring rainfall to
the region except for
 times when they are
very active, and
cause widespread
rainfall in the coastal
regions which damages
the infrastructure badly

Q .formation of Indus delta.

The River Indus transports large volumes of sediment due to fluvial erosion (1). The river's energy is
reduced as it flows into the Arabian Sea (1). This causes sediment (load) to be deposited and build up
over time to form the delta

Q .Explain the characteristic of Indus deltaic coastline.

Extensive area/ approximately 41,440 km2 of flat land (1) due to river deposition of sediment (1) as the
river losses velocity (1). • The river Indus divides in to channels/distributaries (1) due to deposition of
sediment (1) blocking the main river channel and causing the river to divert its course (1). • There are
extensive mangrove forests growing in the inter-tidal zone (1) because mangrove trees are specially
adapted to low oxygen conditions (1) as they have aerial roots to absorb gasses (1). • The Indus Delta
used to flood regularly after the monsoon rains (1), however since the 1940’s large scale irrigation
schemes on the River Indus have reduced the amount of water and sediment reaching the delta (1)
therefore the delta has decreased in size (1). • The Indus delta changes the regional shape of the
coastline (1) as elongated ‘finger-shaped’ low sandy areas (1) separated by channels called distributaries
form an indented fan shaped coastline instead of a smooth coastline .

Glacial ablation Glacial accumlation

Climate change is causing global temperatures the key input to a glacier is precipitation. This
torise can be “solid precipitation” (snow, hail, freezing
freezing point, causing glacial melting, evidence rain) and rain. Further sources of accumulation
for this can include wind-blown snow, avalanching and
is the Shimshal river flow. (1) hoar frost. These inputs together make up the
• A decline in the amount/volume of winter surface accumulation on a glacier
snowfall
(1) means that the volume of a glacier is not
maintained, resulting in ablation, evidence for
this is
the retreating Khurdopin Glacier. (1)
• Calving occurs when large amounts of ice
break off from
the glacial snout (1) this occurs when a glacier
flows into a
sea or lake. No evidence in the photograph as
the glacier
does not reach the sea/lake. (1)
• Sublimation (1) where ice changes into water
vapour
 without first becoming liquid. This process
cannot be seen
in the photograph. (1)

Q.Explain the processes leading to the formation of the Himalayan fold mountains.

225 million years ago India and Pakistan formed a large island

separated from Asia by the Tethys Ocean. About 50-40 million years

ago northward drift of the Indian continental plate became slower,

indicating the start of the collision between the Eurasian and Indian

continental plates which resulted in the Himalayan uplift.

• The Eurasian plate was partly crumpled and pushed up above the

Indian plate, but because both plates have similar densities neither

plate was subducted. Therefore, the continental crust became thicker

due to folding by compression and was forced up to form the

Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau.

• The Himalayas are still rising by more than 1 cm per year due to

the continued northward movement of the Indian plate northwards

into Asia.

• However, weathering and erosion are the Himalayas at about the

same rate as uplift is taking place.

Q.Assess the possible environmental impacts of exploiting a named non-renewable

energy resource in Pakistan.

Relevant points that support the statement may include:

There are deposits of lignite coal in the Thar coalfield however

these deposits contain impurities called volatiles which

produce large volumes of CO2 when burnt.

The coal will be mined by open cast methods. This will result

in huge open pits that reach below the water table. Once

mining is finished, the pits will fill with water contaminated

with sulphur, which can contaminate the ground water making

it acidic and damaging to local ecosystems.

Any unwanted waste from mining is piled up near to the open

cast pit. Rainwater passing through the waste will pick up heavy

metals such as mercury and arsenic, which are then transported

to streams and rivers, damaging wildlife and water quality.

Relevant points to counter the statement might include:

The negative environmental impacts can be reduced if careful

methods of coal extraction are enforced. For example, there are

plans in Thar to line the reservoir tanks serving the coal mines,

therefore preventing contamination of ground water and

resulting environmental problems.

Modern coal fire power stations can have ‘scrubbers’ that

extract pollutants before they are released into the

atmosphere. This reduces greenhouse gasses especially

CO.

Q.Explain why the exploitation of non-renewable energy resources in Pakistan is difficult.

High cost of construction e.g. nuclear plants. Pakistan has limited financial

resources for such projects due to the trade deficit, and it is cheaper to

import oil than develop such projects.

• Non- renewable resources are generally located in inaccessible areas

without sufficient infrastructure for their development and exploitation,

for example the coalfields in the Tharparker region.

• Pakistan lacks trained engineers and earth scientists to help locate and

exploit non-renewable resources, and lacks the capacity to train additional

specialists.

• The Sui gas field in Bolochistan is in a remote location and requires

pipelines to transport the gas. This increases the exploitation costs, and

also means that the pipelines are a frequent target of terrorist attacks.

Consequently, the Frontier Corps to took charge of the Sui Gas Fields in
2011, again increasing financial costs.

• Exploitation is a dangerous and expensive process. For example in coal

mines, there are risks of gases (methane) and tunnel collapse.

Q.Evaluate the responses made by international agencies to earthquake events

in Pakistan.

Relevant points that support the statement may include:

• Organisations such as the International Rescue Committee are based in Pakistan and have extensive

experience of responding to events in Pakistan. Therefore, the organisation was able to make a rapid

and significant contribution in 2005 when a powerful earthquake affected northern Pakistan. The

organisation provided shelter, food, water, medical aid and counselling to thousands of survivors

• During the 2008 earthquake which affected Balochistan, international organisations such as the World

Health Organisation sent medical aid and supplies for 50,000 people. This provided essential

treatments for those injured and suffering from hyperthermia. During the 2013 Balochistan

earthquake, international agencies made a more limited contribution to the relief effort, at least

initially, as there was a significant army presence in the affected area.

Relevant points to counter the statement might include:

• In 2005, the government rapidly deployed the Pakistani army ensuring humanitarian aid reached
isolated

communities and to co-ordinate relief supplies. The Pakistani government and army were therefore an
essenpart of the aid effort.

• Much of the relief operations were Pakistani lead, with organisations such as NATO working with the

Pakistani army and other groups. For example, NATO engineers worked with the Pakistani army on

project Winter Race in 2005 to provide winter shelters for people living in the mountains. International

organisations therefore depended on a partnership with the government/army to provide relief.

• A similar situation occurred in 2018 when the army played a significant part in co-ordinating relief.

Following the 2008 earthquake event, a number of Pakistani Islamic groups such as the Jamaat-UdDawa
made small but significant contributions to the relief effects and used local knowledge to reach

locations which could not be accessed by international organisations.

 Q.1Explain the environmental impacts resulting from the exploitation of one named natural resource
in Pakistan. Name of natural resource .......

Water

• An estimated 50% of agricultural land in Pakistan is affected by

waterlogging or salinity. Waterlogging in the Punjab is caused by

over-use of water during irrigation which causes the water table

to rise, making the soil saturated and unsuitable for plant

growth. The rising water brings salts, in solution, to the surface

which are left as a surface deposit, preventing plant growth.

• Dams and barrages for water extraction and other purposes

along the River Indus are causing reduced water flow in the

river, this loss of water is causing damage to the coastal

mangrove forests and the associated ecosystem.

Forest products

• The moist, temperate forest of the Himalayas supplies most of

Pakistan’s construction and furniture timber. As a result, many

areas have been felled causing a loss of biodiversity and soil

erosion.

• The mangroves forests of the Indus delta are important breeding

areas for fish, shrimp and crabs, and for over-wintering birds.

However, as these forests are over-exploited to provide fuel

wood and animal fodder, the areas of mangroves and their

biodiversity are rapidly deteriorating.

• The mazri forests in Balochistan are exploited to provide palm

leaves for the local cottage industries. Dry trunks and foliage are

used as fuel. Large areas of mazri forests have already been

cleared or excessively degraded and the forests are in danger of

being completely felled, causing loss of ecosystems and

biodiversity.

Fish/shellfish

• Developing aquaculture of marine shrimp species along the Sindh

and Balochistan coasts is beginning to result in water pollution,

causing water degradation and loss of biodiversity. Developing

shrimp farming in the mangrove forests of the Indus delta may

also cause loss of ecosystems and habitats.

• Pakistan’s limited regulation of fishing means that over-fishing

continues and frequently uses illegal methods. Immature fish

are caught resulting in reduction in fish numbers, affecting

biodiversity. Modern fishing nets rip-up and destroy corals

resulting in the loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.

• Freshwater aquaculture is being developed in Pakistan, for

example in Sindh, and unless regulated may result in

eutrophication, the loss of water quality and destruction of

natural habitats.

Minerals

• Underground mining, for example coal mining in Sindh, causes

loss of biodiversity, sinkholes and subsidence and the

contamination of surface water, groundwater and the soil by

toxic minerals.

• Both under-ground and surface mining involve the removal of

vegetation and topsoil leading to loss of biodiversity.

• Extensive limestone quarrying in Balochistan causes loss of

biodiversity and dust pollution which adversely affects the local

ecosystems.

Q.Assess the importance of physical processes in causing river flooding in Pakistan

Pakistan’s monsoon climate causes heavy rainfall from June to

September. Approximately 75% of Pakistan’s rainfall occurs

during monsoon season increasing over-land and river flow and

resulting in periodic flooding in cities such as Karachi and rural

areas.

• Glacial melt. Increasing temperatures in spring and summer in

the Himalayas and other mountain ranges result in glacial

ablation. Much of the meltwater flows into Pakistan’s extensive

river network and, as a large proportion for the country is part of

a flood plain or delta, this causes flooding in these flatter areas.

• The steep relief of the mountain ranges in the north and north

west of Pakistan, for example the Hindu Kush range, mean that

there is rapid surface run-off which causes rivers to flood areas

downstream.

• The mountain ranges in the north and north west of Pakistan are

formed of impermeable rocks and have a very thin covering of

soil. Therefore, nearly all precipitation and glacial melt water

flows over the land surface as surface run-off and into rivers.

This increases river discharge and flooding in the lower lying

areas downstream.

• Coastal tropical cyclones may produce storm waves which

prevent a river, especially the Indus, from flowing into the sea

which causes flooding of coastal areas. This process can result

waves of up to four metres when combined with spring tides.

Deforestation in the upper courses of the rivers, such as the

Himalayan foothills, results in rapid surface runoff and soil

erosion. Rivers silt up due to increased deposition of eroded soil,

this can raise the river bed, reduce river capacity and as a

consequence increase the likelihood of flooding. Trees also

intercept precipitation therefore reducing flood risk; therefore,

deforestation may significantly increase flooding.

• Urbanisation and agriculture on rivers’ flood plains, especially the

Indus, increases run off and reduced interception by vegetation,

leading to reduced lag times and increased flooding.

• Poorly maintained river embankments, especially along the

Indus, results in the embankments collapsing during flood events

and allowing flood waters to escape from the river channel.

• Pakistan is at risk from the impact of human-induced climate

change, which is thought to result in increased rainfall, especially

during the Monsoon period, increasing the flood risk

Q. Assess the environmental impacts resulting from the exploitation of one

renewable energy resource used in Pakistan.

SOLAR SYSTEM:

Solar power

• The construction /production materials used in include cadmium,

tellurium, gallium, indium and selenium. There is currently limited

recycling for these in Pakistan.

• When construction of large-scale installations such as Beaconhouse

Canal Side Campus, Lahore, require land clearance which can have

negative environmental impacts, o including soil; erosion, destroying

habitats and displacing animals.

• Water consumption. Solar panels have to be cleaned at regular

intervals to ensure peak efficiency. Solar farms that use concentrated

solar collector also require water for cooling. Areas such as Bolochistan

have a water deficit and any additional water demands increase the

environmental impacts on ground and surface water resources.

• Pollution related to solar energy systems is considerably less

compared to other sources of energy. However, transportation and

installation of solar systems cause the emission of greenhouse gases.

• However, solar produced energy contributes 96 to 98% less

greenhouse gasses than coal generated electricity, particularly the

highly polluting the low carbon coals produced in Pakistan.

• Solar energy uses 86 to 89 % less water than coal-produced electricity.

This minimises the amount of water potentially polluted and reduces

environmental impacts.