Prospects of cryosphere-fed Kuhl irrigation system nurturing high mountain agriculture under changing climate in the Upper Indus Basin

Abstract

Changing cryosphere and growing population have raised the importance of extending agriculture and improving the livelihoods of local communities in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). In the present study, prospects of cryosphere-fed irrigation were investigated through adopting topographic suitability and water availability indexing approach to broaden the base of agriculture and socio-economic activities in the UIB of Pakistan. Topographic suitability for crop farming was found high (<15° slope below 3000 m) over 47.8% area of the Swat, 23.6% of the Indus, 16.6% of the Jhelum basin and overall 14.6% of the UIB region. This land can be developed through kuhl systems subject to availability of sufficient water resources. The glacier-melt was found >8.0 liters/sec/hectare in the Karakoram basins, i.e., Hunza, Shigar and Shyok, and within 4.0–8.0 lps/ha in the Chitral and Astore river basins. The scarcity of land and water was found (one at a time or both at once) at certain locations which may impact agricultural productivity in the region. In places with limited land for farming opportunities, the basis of livelihoods can be broaden through diversifying income sources, e.g. availing off-farm and nonlocal income opportunities. However, while framing adaptation process, the socio-political complexity of the area should be taken into account, as optimum integration of natural and socioeconomic aspects would ensure sustainable development in this high altitude region in future.