SUPER WORKSHOP

GEOGRAPHY 2023
SCNZ 2023
WAQAS ASHRAF (WA)
CAMBRIDGE CERTIFIED PAKISTAN STUDIES TEACHER
THE ENVIRONMENT OF PAKISTAN
 LOCATION OF PAKISTAN

***Tropic of Cancer: 23.5N

• Latitudes = 24 degree north to 37 degrees north
• Longitudes = 61 degree east to 78 degrees East.

Neighboring countries of Pakistan

1.In the extreme North East Pakistan has a border with China (585 km)
2.In the west it has a long border with Afghanistan (2252 km)known as the
Durand line
3.To the Northwest there is a narrow strip of Afghan territory known as Wakhan
Strip which separates Pakistan from Tajikistan
4.To the West Pakistan has a border with Iran
5.To the East Pakistan has a border with India
6.Arabian Sea marks the southern border of Pakistan connecting the world by
sea.

IMPORTANCE OF PAKISTAN'S LOCATION :

• Central position in South Asia eg Jinnah Terminal
• Glaciers melt in summer bring monsoon rainfall
• Northern Mountain attract tourist
• Port facilities for landlocked countries CAS States
• Warm Water deep sea port
Topography
Chapter 1
TOPOGRAPHY
.
 Largest Mountain peaks
-Karakoram (K-2/Godwin Austin)
-Hindu Kush (Tirich Mir)
-Himalaya (Nanga parbat)
• Q.Describe the main relief
features of northern
mountains ?
1. snow covered peaks
2. steep sided slopes
3. narrow deep valleys
4. large glaciers
5. bare rocks
6. deep never gorges
7. snowfields
8. parallel ranges mainly in the west
east direction Name the passes of northern mountains
• Babusar pass connecting northern mountains and China
Economic importance of Northern mountain
• Khunjerab pass connecting Northern areas with China
• Permanent reservoir of water • Shandur pass connecting gilgit with chitral
• Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan to • Lawari pass connecting chitral with Dhir
China for that purpose
• source of valuable Income
• Fruits
Mountain Valleys –
• Minerals • Karakoram - Gilgit, Hunza, Baltistan
• Timber • -Hindu Kush - Swat, Dir, Chitral
• Chemicals • -Himalaya - Kaghan, Gullies of murree
• Scenic beauty promotes tourism industry
IMPORTANCE OF NORTHERN MOUNTAIN

PROBLEMS OF NORTHERN MOUNTAIN

• Life is very difficult in the northern mountains
• Economical activities are limited and some have developed on limited traditional lines
• Infrastructure is less developed because of mountainous terrain and topography of the land
• Communication network (transport) is poor Roads are connected to some towns/ hill stations Muree, kaghan,
Naran, Gilgit, Hunza, skardu, and Suat
• Very few schools hospitals and other facilities available
• There is no supply of water and water is also scares Limited As there is little economic development therefore
unemployment rate is high
• Farming is difficult due to cold climate People are involved in Indoor activities because of severe climatic
conditions
• Soil is thin and stony Lack of development due to inaccessibility
• Roads are blocked due to landsliding
CLIMATE OF PAKISTAN
CHAPTER 2
. Q1.What is Climate ?
Climate is the generalisation of the day to day condition for a long period of time e.g. : 20 to 30
years.

Q2. What is Weather ?

Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions for a short period of time e.g. : daily weather
conditions such as rainy, snowy and ,cloudy etc.

Climatic Zones **(LOCATION , TEMPERATURE , RAINFALL , HEIGHT )

Highland zone
• This region includes northern and north-western mountains. The winters are long , cold and
snowy while the summers remain short and mild
• Height of the Northern Mountain range from 2000 to 8000 m while in the Western mountain height
is around 1000 to 4000 m
• Rainfall is highest in the highland zone while Western mountain and rain shadow experience less
rainfall.
• The temperature conditions also vary from north to
south depending on the altitude (height)

Lowland zone (semi-arid)

• This climatic region includes the Upper and Lower Indus Plains. The areas have extreme and arid
climate.
• The amount of rainfall differs from north to south
• The foothills of Northern mountain and Potwar Plateau are wetter than the Indus plain and also
receive rainfall from Western Depression.
• Thunderstorms are common in north and north western part of Indus plain. The southern part
receives less rainfall and spells of dry weather and high temperature.
Coastal zone
• These areas have moderate climate. The difference between the maximum and
minimum temperature is low.
• There is inflow of sea breeze throughout the year and humidity is high
• Coastal climate includes Indus delta , Karachi and whole of Makran coast.
• The climate is dominated by sea breeze throughout the year , annual average temp
is 32 degrees Celsius and rainfall around 180mm .
• May and June are hottest months
• The maritime influence keeps daily range of temperature is low

MARITIME INFLUENCE
is an influence of the sea i.e. areas near the sea have influence of that and
experience moderate climate.
Arid zone(dry)
• This region includes south western Balochistan and south eastern Sindh.
• It is marked by dry and hot weather
• Hot dusty winds prevail from may to September.
• Extreme heat ,dryness and dust storms are main features of arid zone
• Very little rainfall is experienced in balochistan and sindh .
DESERTS OF PAKISTAN
• THAL DESERT =PUNJAB
• KHARAN = WESTERN BALOCHISTAN DESERT
• THAR DESERT = SOUTH EASTERN SINDH (NARA,CHOLISTAN AND THARPARKAR)
 ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE

A) TEMPERATURE

• LATITUDINAL EFFECT (ANGLE OF THE SUN)

The areas which are closer to equator receive relatively direct sunrays resulting in high temperature. The areas which are away from the
equator tend to be less hot than areas which are closer. Pakistan is ranging from 24 degree north to 37 degree north so there is a variation in
climate of southern and northern Pakistan at the same time.

• Altitude (height)
Diversity of land with ranges up to 8610 m in the north to lowland/coastal land in the south. The variation in temp is based on height of the
land The areas at a greater height such as northern and western mountains are colder than the southern part of Pakistan

• Continental effect : The areas which are protected by maritime influence. Maritime influence means influence of the sea . This is why
extreme winter and summer temp are recorded in these areas.

• Cloud cover It affects the temp .In day time it reduces the incoming of solar rays by reflecting into outer space resulting in drop in day
temperature.. At night the cloud cover traps the outgoing heat so temp on a cloudy night does not drop as low as on a clear night.

B) RAINFALL
1. MONSOON RAINFALL 2. Western depression
• Monsoon means a season (season of rainfall)
• Winds originating from the Mediterranean
• There are two types of monsoon in Pakistan
• Southwest monsoon (winds blowing from sea to land) JULY to sea bring rainfall to north western and
SEP western part of Pakistan in winter season.
• Northeast monsoon (winds blowing from land to sea) DEC to
• Duration: December to march
MARCH
• Duration : JULY to SEP • Origin: Mediterranean sea
• Origin : Bay of Bengal and indian ocean • Main striking zone: north west of Pakistan
• Main striking zone : north east of Pakistan (Muree and hazara)
• Secondary zone: north mountain and Quetta
• Secondary zone : central Punjab (Faisalabad and Lahore )
• Least amount : southern Punjab and Sindh • Least amount :Western Balochistan
• Karachi receives monsoon from Arabian sea
3) Convectional currents :
• At the start of summer hot moist air rise to the atmosphere , condensation takes place , this causes rainfall
often as thunderstorms.
• Duration : Oct-Nov and Apr-June
• Main striking zone: Northern areas
• Secondary zone: northern Punjab
• Other areas: Rawalpindi and Peshawar
• Southern part is deprived of rainfall because of temperature inversion layer

Temperature Inversion layer : A temperature inversion layer of the atmosphere where the normal decrease in
temperature with height switches to the temperature increase with height ie it does not allow condensation to take
place and so no rainfall .
4. Tropical cyclones
• These bring heavy rainfall with destructive winds to the coastal areas.( Sindh and
Makran coast } .
• This source of rainfall is unreliable both in terms of when and where it will occur.
5. Relief rainfall
• This rainfall is related to the height of the land . When chilled , moist air moves up
the mountain or a scarp (hill) .
• This chilling causes condensation and precipitation on the windward side (rainfall
side) ,the remaining leeward side(rain shadow)does not receive rainfall because of
warm sinking air.
• This rainfall mainly occurs in mountainous areas like Muree and Kakul while Gigit
is a rain shadow area.
(C) PRESSURE AND WINDS

• There is an inverse relation between temperature and pressure ie when temperature

increases pressure decreases and vise versa.
• During the summer season temperature is high so pressure is low , this attracts winds from
sea to the land .
• Land has high temp while oceans remains much cooler .
• This is because water absorbs and discharges heat slowly as compared to land.
FLOODS Excessive water in rivers cause floods.
Reasons for floods
• Melting of snow
• Heavy monsoon rainfall
• Deforestation on foothills of mountain (increase surface
run-off)
• Siltation (deposition of silt and sand) in reservoir
• Failure to strengthen the embankments alongside rivers
• Failure to store extra water in dam due to less capacity.

Effects of floods
• Loss of lives
• Crops and livestock’s (animals) may get destroyed
• Soil erosion (carrying away of fertile soil by the action of
wind and water.
• Land becomes unsuitable for farming.
• Settlements (homes + workplaces) may get destroyed .

Benefits of floods
• Recharge ground water supplies.
• Alluvium (minerals) in rivers
• Water storage for unforeseen circumstances.
• Water available for HEP (Hydro Electric Power)
• Alluvium in rivers and sea increase fish production.
DROUGHTS

Drought is the period or condition of unusually dry weather within a geographical area. Very little or
no rainfall occurs during a drought.

Permanent drought : This is

long term and exists when
farming is not possible without
irrigation

Seasonal drought : A type of

drought which occurs only in a
particular season

Invisible drought : This is the

result of water shortages
resulting in low crop output but
is not a severe drought

Unpredictable drought : This is

the result of abnormally low
rainfall and occurs in humid
conditions. These droughts are
difficult to predict.
Effects of droughts STORMS

1. Desertification (fertile land into desert) • THUNDERSTORMS : occurs in north and north western Pakistan
2. Features such as soil erosion
3. dust storms • DUST STORMS : southern plains and north western balochistan
4. rise in temperature
5. Loss of vegetation
• SNOW STORMS : northern mountains (snowfall) and heavy
6. Extinction of species
winds
7. Drop in water table (ground water)
8. Drying up of lakes, rivers and streams
9. Famine food shortages resulting in diseases
10. Less water available to plants and animals.

Q How can droughts be managed?

• Public information and education
campaigns

• Restrictions on wastage of water resource

• Water rationing programs

• Afforestation programs (planting of trees)

on foothills of the mountain.

• Desalination of sea water (Process of

removing salt)

• lining of canals to reduce water wastage.

 WATER
CHAPTER 3
Importance of Rivers in Pakistan
1. Fishing is practiced in rivers and lake
2. Rivers are also important for the generation of
hydroelectric power in mountainous areas
3. Provide water for domestic and industrial purposes
4. Rivers add to the scenic beauty of the area and can serve
as a good picnic resort. They play an important part in the
tourism of Pakistan , as rivers are source of attraction for
tourists
5. Provide water for irrigation purposes from dams and
barrages
6. Increase the fertility of land by carrying alluvium and
organic matter
7. Rivers of Pakistan help in the growth of forest as well as
control the climate, the rivers keep the temperature low
while helping in rainfall. Also controls the heat during
summers.

Pattern of eastern rivers in Pakistan

• River Indus starts its journey from the northern
mountains. In the Summer Season when the
glaciers melt the volume of water increases
• When the river Indus flows into the upper
Indus plane it is joined by buy all the other
tributaries Jhelum Chenab Ravi and Sutlej
• When all the other tributaries joins River Indus
this place is called Mithankot
• Towards the south in Lower Indus Plain river
Indus flows into the Arabian Sea
 INDUS WATER
TREATY

The headwork of the two eastern rivers Ravi

and Sutlej were in India when Pakistan was
created in 1947

In 1948 India threatened to stop the water

supply that caused water crisis in Pakistan as
was heavily dependent on Agriculture for its
economy.

It was eventually resolved by the assistance

from World Bank.

In September 1960 an agreement was signed

known Indus Water Treaty. Under this treaty
Pakistan received exclusive rights to the water Factors for Developing a dam
of the three western (Indus, Jhelum and
Chenab) and three eastern rivers (Ravi, Sutlej • Presence of deep, wide mountainous valley Fast
and Beas) flowing river (so the reservoir fills quickly)
During this period till 1973 India agreed to • Glaciers (snow melting provides water) Higher
supply water to Pakistan. During this period Precipitation rate than evaporation so less loss
Pakistan was expected to construct: of water
• Hard impermeable rocks at bottom to support
1. Two dams heavy dam wall
2. Five barrages • Presence of Height to help produce HEP
3. Eight link canals
Reasons for less discharge in winter:
 Most precipitation is in snow
 Extremely cold/low temperature so it doesn’t melt
 Pakistan is on the tail end of the Western Depression course So only West and North receive Western Depression
How underground water is tapped:
Traditionally: Karez, Persian Wheel, Charsa, Shaduf, Open Wells Modern Methods: Tube Wells

Importance of underground water

 Household uses
 Industrial Uses (making soft drinks)
 Water for agriculture
 Supports fruit, crop, livestock farming in dry areas
 Supports commercial farming in Indus Plain

How Water is Polluted:

 Toxic Industrial Waste
 Sewage + Industrial Waste from stagnant pools/ponds
 Excessive Fertilizer/Pesticide use can seep into the ground
 Mineral Waste can seep into the ground (if minerals aren’t
 properly dumped)
Uses of Water in Industries: Traditional Methods
• Persian Wheel (cow plus
• In Cotton Textile Washing, Cleaning, Bleaching, Dying, Printing wheels)
• In Tanning Industry: Washing, Dying • Charsa (Donkey plus bucket on
• In Food Processing Industry: Juices, Squashes, Syrups, Beverages pole)
• In Pharmaceutical Industry: Making Injections, Syrups, I.V Infusions • Shaduf/Dhenkli (Human plus
• In Thermal Power Plants Heated to make steam to turn turbines see saw with bucket on pole)
• Karez (underground Water
Irrigation Methods: tunnel structure
Why Pakistan Needs Irrigation
Advantages/Disadvantages of
• Low annual rainfall (less than 250mm)
• High evo-transpiration rate due to high temperature Traditional Irrigation Method
• High variability in the distribution of rain e.g.: Monsoon is only in Eastern
Pakistan, Western Depression is in the West. +Easy,
• High Variability in the amount of rain (North receives more than the South)
+Cheap construction
• Timing of the rain is invariable
+Zero running cost (No Fuel +
Canal irrigation is easy when there is a presence of: Electricity)
Natural:
+Local Raw Materials used
• Flat open land, Soft thick soil,
• Presence of Indus and Tributaries makes building barrages (to divert and
control water supply) easy, -Slow animal power
• High amount of Monsoon rain fills reservoirs and rivers in summer,
-Interrupted Water Supply
• Natural slope makes movement in canals easy.
Human: -Limited Water Supply
• High demand of water for agriculture in Punjab, Sindh -Small area irrigated
• Many workers available at cheap rates in Punjab and Sindh

N.Mountains have a limited canal irrigation system:

• Steep slopes Low water supply due to cold
• Mostly small scale barani farmers
• Less Water Demand
• Terraced Fields present
WATER LOGGING: The rise of the water table to the surface is known as Waterlogging and the appearance of salty patches is known as
salinity

Waterlogging :Reaching of underground water close to sub surface soil or

sometimes on a surface, resulting in pools in the surface where crops can’t grow

• Stops availability of oxygen,

• making plant growth/production difficult
• Stops plants absorbing

SALINITY:
Thick layer of salt is left behind by evaporation of water which is reached
on surface due to high water table

• Clogs/Plugs roots.
• Making water extraction difficult
• Excessive amount of chloride and sodium accumulate in leaves

Causes:
• Unlined Canals
• Excessive seepage
• Poor farming techniques (Excessive irrigation where water table is high,
• poor leveling, poor drainage,
• surplus of water, salt in water)

Effects on farmers:
• Land becomes waste land
• Livelihood of farmers is affected
• Poverty, Unemployment increased
• Rural Urban Migration
• Reclamation is costly

Controlling of this Waterlogging

• Canal Lining
• Proper farming techniques (leveling, drainage)
• Installation of Tube wells to lower water table
• Biological Drainage (Plants that lower water table Cactus , Astonia)
• Canal Closure in areas of high water table
• Left Fallow system (Particular portion of land under cultivation should be purposefully unutilized so seepage may reduce)
 Siltation
The accumulation of sand and silt in dam reservoir and canals is called siltation .when the rivers leave the foot
hills of mountains they carry a large quantity of silt as result of deep erosion in the mountain areas .This silt is
deposited in the dam reservoirs and canals.
Causes of siltation
• The foot hills of mountains are mostly made up of sedimentary types of rocks specially the sub- Himalayas. Rivers or stream
can easily eroded these areas and deposit sand and silt in the dam reservoir.
• Due to deforestation and overgrazing the land becomes unconsolidated and easily transported by wind and water to the
rivers.
• Most of the rivers come from the mountainous areas due to steep slope and narrow channels which erode the area. This
eroded material is deposited in the dam.
Effect of siltation
• Blockage of canals because of silt accumulation.
• Weakens the foundation of dams and dam’s wall.
• Reduces the capacity of reservoir less flow of water leads to reduction in generation of H.E.P
• It also result in availability of less water of for irrigation.
• Flow of flood water is hampered which may cause heavy damage to the dam because of the heap of sediment which block
the flow of water.
Controlling method
• Encourage reforest and a forestation specially is the foot hills of mountains.
• Lining of canals.
• Installation of silt trap before the water enters the dam and reservoir.
• Structural measures such an operating the reservoir at lower level during floods and allowing free flow during .low flow
season to remove sediments from the reservoir.
FOREST CHAPTER 4
 IT WAS A GREAT TIME WITH U ALL
GOODLUCK FOR THE FUTURE AHEAD !!
TEAM WA.