La
Licorne
LAND,
WATER & PEOPLE
The productivity of the land for now and in the future is
largely dependent on the land use, and it are the farmers who determine the
agricultural practice. For that reason there must be an iron link between human
resource development, village participation and natural resource planning.
Before the competitive claims on the land for the production of food, fodder
and wood can be settled some village organization will be required. Beware, the
situation in a village is rather confusing than simple. For one thing there are
different population classes and farm sizes next to a palet of family clans.
Land and water rights together with domestic disputes may further complicate
matters. Then the village may seasonally harbor nomads, such as the Gujar
claiming passage and grazing for their animals. Notwithstanding the deficiency
of resources and occurrence of poverty a rational approach for the resource use
is able to generate added productivity for the village as a whole. And that is
the major argument to get the population on speaking terms about the pertinent
issues. It is a government's task to support this process by giving training on
resource management and on working together for common purposes. Perhaps the
people may set aside their habitual distrust of government when they become
aware that the authorities are facilitating them.
Technically spoken there is quite some room for an increase in the productivity of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and forestry, although the returns of the latter will only be available after a considerable passage of time. In practice, however, it is a tough mission, which has yet to find its proper direction. Fact is that on one hand the rural population is abundantly growing in number, and on the other hand job opportunities in the rural environment are in short supply. In many ways this leads to a depletion of the very sources the country has to be fed on. This adverse situation will continue as long as population pressure is not diverted from the rural areas. Conditions have to be created for the migrant to survive and build up a new live elsewhere, preferably not in the ever-growing urban conglomerates, but in other local and regional centers. One can think of the following distinction in zones:
-
Remote areas. Those are the areas situated far
from the population centers with difficult access due to floods, landslides,
and poor roads.
|
The potential of such an area
is limited because of its location. The development goal should be concentrating
on a high level of self-sufficiency. The production for other markets of
non-perishable agricultural products and other local products is dependent
on transport costs. In several places there is already a tradition for the
manufacture of woolen shawls and garments. Opening-up of these areas opens
the danger of over-harvest of forests. Local conversion of wood into
log beams and boards may save on transport costs. The production of carved small
furniture proves to be feasible, but the manufacture of bulky furniture has
a comparative disadvantage because of its volume and risk of damage during
the long and rough transport.Population is surpassing the carrying capacity
of the area and out-migration is required in order to achieve balance. |
|
-
Common rural areas. Those are the regular rural
areas of the Indus Plain and the nearby valleys, which have reasonable access.
The majority of rural Pakistan belongs to this category. The common rural area
has a potential for increased and diversified production. It can produce for
urban markets and should develop agricultural service systems for its own
benefit. These areas could probably accommodate most of their own population
increase.
-
Urbanized rural zones. At most road junctions
there is something going on, and one can see urbanization grow where traffic
bundles itself into corridors leading to population centers. The urbanized
rural zone has potential for varied urban development, matched to its
situation in addition to agricultural development of high value products that
require good connections with the marketing facilities. Mandies and new
industrial estates can serve as a focal point for growth and development. They
are expected to provide employment to the non-farming population as well as to
farmers during the off-season. This will reduce migration from the rural areas
to the urban centers. They will service both the cities and the common rural
areas and could accommodate people drawn from other areas in addition to their
own population growth.