LAHORE:

Natural pastures in northern Punjab are rapidly disappearing due to climate change and unchecked construction, placing mounting pressure on the livestock sector and raising serious concerns about food security, rural livelihoods, and the region’s economic stability.

The rain-fed belt comprising Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi has traditionally been an important center for livestock farming. However, in recent years, rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts have adversely affected the growth of grass and natural fodder. According to reports by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fodder production in these areas has declined by 30 to 50 per cent, impacting milk and meat production.

According to the Punjab Livestock Department and various research studies, open grazing lands in rain-fed districts are rapidly being converted into residential projects. The transformation of agricultural land into plots and the establishment of unplanned housing schemes have reduced the open spaces available for livestock.

Malik Tariq Mahmood, a livestock farmer from Kahuta, informed that until a few years ago, his animals used to graze in nearby hill pastures, but those areas have now been converted into housing projects. “Purchasing prepared fodder has increased costs and reduced milk production,” noted Mahmood. Likewise, Ghulam Rasool, a farmer from Attock, stated that changes in rainfall patterns had reduced natural grass growth, while longer summers had weakened animals.

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Similarly, Raja Bashir Ahmed, a farmer from Chakwal, added that the drought had destroyed pastures, reduced milk production, and increased debt burdens. “Untimely rains and climate variability have made income uncertain, while housing projects have further limited grazing lands,” concurred Fatima Bibi, a farmer from Jhelum.

A research report published in 2023 highlighted that climate change is causing the spread of diseases, shortages of fodder and water, and increased competition over land and water resources. As a result, farmers’ incomes have reportedly declined by an average of 40 per cent.

Livestock expert Dr Javed Munir confirmed that the rain-fed areas of northern Punjab were facing both environmental pressure and land-use changes. “Rising temperatures increase heat stress in animals, leading to lower milk and meat production. Small farmers are leaving livestock farming, while large farmers are importing fodder from central Punjab or Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), increasing production costs,” explained Dr Munir.

On the other hand, a four-year environmental project has been launched to restore degraded pastures. The project is being implemented with financial support from the Global Environment Facility and in collaboration with the FAO under the supervision of the Punjab Forest Department. The project aims to restore 28,000 hectares of pastureland in the rain-fed areas of Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum.

According to Captain (Retired) Tahir Zafar Abbasi, Secretary of Forests and Wildlife Punjab, more than 14,500 people will benefit from the project. Around 1,500 individuals will receive training in modern grazing systems and climate-resilient agriculture, with a target of ensuring at least 20 per cent participation by women.

Experts still emphasised that comprehensive land-use planning and effective monitoring of housing schemes were essential for sustainable improvement. Otherwise, the livestock sector in northern Punjab may face further pressure, with long-term impacts on rural employment and food security.