Flora Adaptations in CKNP: Surviving the Heights
Central Karakorum National Park’s vegetation
Central Karakorum National Park’s vegetation covers only 14.7% of its total area. The rough terrain, the high elevation, and the coldness of the climate all limit the areas suitable for plant establishment.
At higher altitudes, the temperature is a major factor, while at lower elevations, insufficient water during the growing seasons is an obstacle to plant growth.
The millennium-old human and livestock presence has also affected the vegetation. Nevertheless, the CKNP has a variety of vegetation types that are important for both ecological and social reasons.
Nevertheless, different vegetation types grow in the CKNP and they are of major importance both for ecological reasons (e.g. For the provision of firewood, grazing grounds, and timber.
Environmental Services
Environmental services such as soil erosion protection, water quality regulation, and nutrient recycling, are also provided.
Central Karakorum National Park is a particularly interesting place to study because of its location at the border between the humid subtropical climate in the south and the continental climate in the north. This transition can be seen within the CKNP boundaries, moving from southwest to northeast.
Ecological Zones
CKNP is therefore best divided into two ecological zones. The southwest, which includes Gilgit district and is influenced partly by the summer monsoon, and the northeast, where the majority of the forest is located in Skardu, is characterized by a continental climate. Climate patterns influence vegetation distribution and characteristics.
Climate Change in CKNP Forests
It is important to evaluate the impact of climate change on the CKNP forests, particularly because they are so important for the livelihoods of the local communities.
The Southwestern region is generally characterized by a richer forest structure and composition, both in terms of area, biomass, and species.
The Majority of CKNP’s Largest Forests
The majority of CKNP’s largest forests are found in the Southern lateral gorges of the main Gilgit River valley. (With a few exceptions along the southern border, the Indus River.
Haramosh and Khaltaro valleys, Jaglot Gor, Bagrote, and Astak are all good examples of these rich forest ecosystems. In contrast, the northeastern valleys are dominated by plants adapted to a cold, xeric climate.
The forest cover is sparser and more fragmented, with lower biomass and densities. The forest areas are more scattered.
The Classification of Vegetation Types
The classification of vegetation types partially follows that proposed by Champion and co-workers. The classification of vegetation types, which was first proposed by Champion et al. in 1965, has been modified to reflect the composition of species and the ecological processes that have shaped their geographical distribution. In total, 4 forest types and 3 shrubland types are recognized within the CKNP boundaries.
The Following Vegetation Belts are Found as You Ascend From the Valley Floor.
Forest
The forest within the CKNP has been divided into three broad categories: sparse tree, open forest, and closed forest.
Sparse Trees Vegetation
The trees are sparse and small (5 m), often Junipers or heavily degraded mountain dry temperate coniferous forests. Trees are small and sparse (5m) with a low tree cover. They can be Junipers or severely degraded temperate mountain coniferous forests.
Open Forest
This is the first classification. It can be caused by the degradation of an old forest, or a forest that is growing in poor soil. This category includes forests that are likely to be managed in future, and where reforestation may be suggested.
The composition of the species can vary, from dense Juniperus woodland to degraded Spruce (Picea wallichiana) and Pine.
Closed Forest
This is the category that includes the most productive forest. This category is characterized by a vegetation cover above 50%, and a mean height of the tallest trees above 15 meters. Sustainable forest management will be applied mainly to this group.
This class consists of dense forests composed of spruce, pine and/or betula (Betula Utilis). This category has the highest biomass.
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
Approximately one-fourth (24%) of Pakistan’s land is arable, but only a small fraction of it is permanently planted with permanent crops (1%) or pastures (6%). Approximately 5 percent of Pakistan is covered by forest.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing employ the largest portion of the workforce, as well as a source of income for a larger part of the population.
Land Reform Programs Implemented In 1959, 1972, and 1977, began to address the problem of large-scale, absentee ownership and excessive fragmentation of smaller holdings. Commercialization of agriculture also led to large-scale land transfers, which concentrated ownership among middle-class farmers.
Agriculture in the Development Plans
Attention given to agriculture in the development plans has led to some radical changes in centuries-old farming methods. The construction of tube wells to control salinity, the use of chemical fertilizers and specially selected seeds, and the gradual introduction of farming machinery all contributed to the increase in productivity.
In the late 1960s as a result of and, Pakistan underwent what is now known as the Green Revolution. The surplus wheat was exported to Bangladesh but also shipped to East Pakistan. By 1970, Pakistan had achieved self-sufficiency with its national staple, wheat.
Cotton Production
Cotton production increased, adding to domestic textile production and edible cottonseed oil. Rice is the country’s second most important food staple, and also one of its main export crops. Sugar subsidies at home have largely been responsible for the increase in sugarcane.
Chickpeas ( Bajra), pearl millet, rapeseed, and mustard are also common crops. Onions, peppers, and potatoes are among the garden crops. The two seasons of Rabi and Kharif are very beneficial to Pakistan.
The Informal Economy
The informal economy is dominated by the cultivation and transport of illicit narcotics. Pakistan is a leading producer of heroin and hashish from Afghanistan, for both local markets and reexport to other countries.
Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry produces important products for domestic use and export. Cattle, buffalo, goats, and camels are all livestock. These animals produce meat and milk products for local use as well as for export, and wool for the carpet and leather industries.
Fisheries
Fisheries have increased their contribution to the national income, while forestry has decreased. The fishing industry is centered in Karachi and a portion of Lobster, and other Shellfish are exported.
In large areas of the country, river water is used to irrigate agriculture. Balochistan has an indigenous irrigation system called the Qanat or Kariz. It consists of underground galleries and channels that collect subsoil at the base of hills, and then transport it to villages and fields.
Water is pumped from the underground channels into the fields through shafts sunk at appropriate intervals. The underground channels minimize the evaporation of water.
Resources and Power
Minerals
Although the exploration of Pakistan’s minerals is not complete, two dozen types of mineral deposits have been found. The iron ore reserves are generally of low quality. The largest reserves are located in the Kalabagh area, which is in western Punjab.
Other low-grade reserves of ore have been discovered in Hazara and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There are small reserves of high-grade iron ore in Chitral, the Chilghazi region (located in northwestern Balochistan), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
There are copper ore deposits that equal or exceed the iron ore reserves, but many sites have not been exploited. Limestone is a large and easily exploitable resource. It forms the foundation of cement, which is a key component of the Manufacturing industry. The other minerals are chromite, mainly for export, barite, and celestine.
Hydrocarbons as a Source of Power
Pakistan has some natural gas and petroleum fields. The first oil was discovered in 1915. In the 1980s, Pakistan intensified its search for oil and gas and was rewarded by the discovery of several new oil fields on the Potwar Plateau and Sindh.
There are several fields in Sindh, especially near Badin. Pakistan imports increasing amounts of crude oil to meet its growing demand. This makes the nation susceptible to changes in the world oil market. The majority of imports are crude oils which are refined into different products.
Pakistan’s refinery capacities far exceed its domestic crude production. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources regulates the oil sector. International oil companies can operate in Pakistan with local companies.
The Largest Natural Gas Deposits
The largest Natural Gas deposits were discovered at Sui in 1953 (on the border of Balochistan with Punjab). In 1957, a smaller field was discovered in Mari, northeast Sindh. In the following years, smaller gas fields were discovered in different areas.
Gas pipelines connect the fields to the major consumption areas, including Karachi, Lahore, and Multan. Faisalabad and Islamabad are also connected. Although the proven reserves are huge, they haven’t kept up with domestic demand.
The Coal Mining Industry
The coal mining industry has been around for a long time. Because of the difficulties in accessing the mines, the quality of coal is poor and they have been operated below capacity. Despite having ample reserves of coal, the country imports it regularly.
The energy sector has grown faster than overall economic growth, but it hasn’t kept up with the demand. As a result, there are shortages in electricity and fuel. Thermal plants (coal and oil) provide the bulk of energy requirements, with hydroelectric power providing most of what is left.
Water and Power Development Authority
WAPDA is a public corporation that is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. WAPDA lost the monopoly of power generation in Pakistan after it agreed with a group in 1989 to produce electricity from a large oil-fired plant located near Karachi. The plants were completed by 1997.
The hydroelectric potential in Pakistan has made great progress. A huge hydroelectric plant has been installed at the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River. This is located in Ad Kashmir. The Tarbela dam on the Indus River is another source.
Nuclear Power Plants
Pakistan has three nuclear power plants: the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1972, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-1, which was built in 2000, and the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-2, constructed in 2011. The Chashma plant is located in Kundian, Punjab. The country’s energy production is dominated by nuclear power.
Manufacturers
The mining and quarrying industry accounts for a very small portion of GDPÂ and total employment. Is the largest portion of manufacturing. In 1949, shortly after India and Pakistan gained their independence, the major industrialization effort began. It was initially based on processing raw agricultural materials both for domestic use and export.
The Construction of Cotton Textile Mills
The construction of Cotton Textile Mills was the result. This development now accounts for the majority of employment in the industry. The textile, leather, sugar, tobacco, paper, and paper industries all provide jobs to the industrial workforce.
In the mid-1950s, the growing trade deficit forced the government to reduce imports. This led to the creation of several import-substitution industries. These factories began by producing mainly consumer products, but they gradually expanded to include intermediate items, as well as a variety of capital goods such as chemicals, fertilizers, and light engineering.
Raw Materials and Capital Equipment for its Industry
Pakistan must import raw materials and capital equipment for its industry. In the early 1980s, Pakistan built an integrated steel and iron mill near Karachi with the help of the Soviet Union and their financial assistance. Port Qasim, or Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as it is officially known, was built to supply iron ore and coke for the mill.
In the beginning, Karachi was Pakistan’s center for industrialization. However, in the late 1960s to early 1970s, Lahore began to industrialize quickly. Karachi’s ethnic issues in the late 1980s, and early 1990s, accelerated this trend. Punjab became a major competitor to Karachi in terms of industrial output.
