Preserving tradition by adapting to the modern in Pakistan


HI-AWARE’s research in Pakistan spans the upstream, midstream and downstream regions of the Indus basin. One of these study areas is the Soan River Basin – the midstream sub-basin of the Indus River – which is home to a population of about 17.5 million people. Most of the inhabitants dwell in small hamlets and villages while the remaining population is settled in large cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jehlum, and Chakwaal.  

HI-AWARE is evaluating the changing climate in the basin through modelling and monitoring and linking this to farmer’s perceptions of climate change. HI-AWARE’s initial findings have identified the Soan Basin as being highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Farmers’ perceptions of climate change include seasonal shifts, temperature shocks and erratic rainfall; these changes interfere with crop growth patterns, affect crop productivity and ultimately induce stress on farmer’s livelihood. Due to a lack of awareness and poor water resource management, farmers are highly vulnerable to climate change.