United States
£ GBP
Extensive GIS and field studies of the Indus delta were conducted during 2005-2008 to determine the influence of reduced flow of the river Indus on the dynamics of Indus delta changes as well as of its vegetation degradation during the 49-year period from 1953 to 2001. There was huge loss of 67% in dense forests with slight reduction of 23% in the river flow in the initial 25-year period, whereas there was a minor loss of only 9% of dense forests in spite of huge reduction of 57% of river flow in next 24-year period. It was further determined that Indus delta mangrove forests were not degraded due to higher salinity levels. It was determined that reduced flow of the river Indus had no adverse effect on delta erosion, accretion, as well as mangrove forest degradation. It was rather due to biological interventions of various natures.
