The City School

PAF Chapter
Prep + Senior 1 Section
PAKISTAN STUDIES 2059/02
The Environment of Pakistan
Answer Key
Time: 1 hour 30 minute

Candidates answer on the Question Paper.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your name, Centre number and candidate number in the spaces provided.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.
Answer any three questions.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

Q1. (a) (i) Describe two ways in which water supplies can be polluted. [2]
Answwer
1. Sewage discharged into rivers
Domestic waste thrown in rivers
Pesticides/fertilizers runoff from agricultural fields in groundwater/rivers/eutrophication
Industrial waste/chemicals/toxic waste/metals/ waste from ships discharged into rivers
Leakage of oil from ships
.

(ii) For one of these ways explain how the problem caused by pollution can be solved. [2]
Answer
Investment in sewerage systems/ infrastructure/treatment of sewage
Improve sanitation facilities in poor quality housing/slums/squatter settlements /katchi abadis
Improve/more regular domestic refuse collection
Treatment of/improving disposal of industrial waste
Open up roads into squatter settlements to allow refuse lorries
Alternatives to chemical fertilisers/pesticides ‘Reduce’ = 0
Organic farming
Fines for industrial polluters
More investment by industries to prevent pollution incidents
Maintenance of ship/checking for leaks in ship

If not clearly linked to candidate answer/different answer to (i) then max 1

(i)Locate the following two dams on the map:
• Warsak (W);
• Diamir Bhasha (under construction) (D). This dam is 150 km downstream of Gilgit.
Mark their positions using the appropriate symbol from the key and label each with the correct letter. [2]
(ii) What are the advantages of building a dam at the Diamir Bhasha site? [4]
Answer
HEP
Electrification of/supplies electricity to the region/for local industries
Only floods agriculturally barren land/small amount agricultural land flooded
Will extend life of Tarbela Dam
Controls/reduces/prevents flooding [downstream]
For irrigation
Drinking water/water supply for industries
New transport infrastructure/development in region
Possibility of tourism/watersports
Possibility of freshwater fishing
Provides employment in named sector /for local people
Location factor e.g. narrow/steep-sided valley/high speed of water/high
precipitation/large amount of meltwater from glaciers

Read the following article about the proposal to build a new dam, the Kalabagh, on the River Indus at the point
indicated on the map, Fig. 1.

Kalabagh Dam – A Controversial Issue

Punjab wants the Kalabagh Dam to be built, but there is opposition to the project from a section of the
population in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Those who are opposed to the dam argue that it
might be beneficial for Punjab and harmful for the other provinces.
The Kalabagh Dam issue is difficult to resolve at this stage.

(iii) Describe the disputes over water availability and use which can arise from proposals to build dams
at sites such as this. [4]
Answer
One province receives greater share of water/unequal division of water
Dam in Punjab/one province but much of flooded area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Loss of water supply downstream/to Sindh for agriculture
Risk of flooding downstream by release of water/opening dam
Less silt deposited on floodplains of lower course/lower Indus
Evaporation of lower course/lower Indus
[Indus] delta/coastal area [of Sindh] less fresh water/water more saline
Disturbance to ecosystem/mangrove forests/fishing

(c) Study Photographs A and B (Insert), which show typical scenes of deforestation.
(i) State one use of timber from forests that have been cut down. [1]

Construction/buildings Furniture Sports goods

Chipboard/hardboard/plywood Paper Boxes
Matches Fuel/firewood/charcoal Veneer

(ii) Using the photographs and your own knowledge, describe the effects of deforestation on the natural
environment. [4]
Soil washed into rivers
Siltation of rivers
Soil blown away
Increased surface run off / risk of flooding
Loss of forest habitat/mangroves/ecosystem
Loss of species/extinction
Air pollution from burning
Less take up of CO2 / increase in global warming/climate change
Soil eroded / coarse layers of soil/bare rock/infertile soil left behind / landslides
Less transpiration/rainfall
Decrease in humus formation
Loss of scenic beauty/visual pollution
(d)

Pakistan is rapidly losing its trees. Over the period 2000–2007 the country’s forests decreased at a rate
of 2.2% per year, the ninth highest rate among the world’s nations.

What actions can be taken to reduce deforestation? To what extent are these actions possible in
Pakistan?
Answer
Actions
Government protection of forest areas/national parks/reserves
Sustainable forestry (selective cutting/helilogging/horse logging)
Planting trees/afforestation/reafforestation (of fast growing trees/replacement forests planted
where areas cleared for housing/industry/roads)
Plantation (of commercial/irrigated forests/forests for firewood/planting on roadsides and
open spaces/fruit/nut trees)
Improve distribution of alternative fuel sources to avoid need for fuelwood (e.g. natural
gas/CNG to mountainous or remote areas)
Government action on illegal logging
Restrict logging (quotas/licences)
Education/awareness programmes
Possible/greater extent
Successful afforestation projects (of badlands in catchment areas) (Tarbela/Mangla
Watershed Project) (Rachna Doab Afforestation Project ) (Baltistan 1995 onwards
afforestation programme by Agha Khan Rural Support Programme – 830 000 trees planted)
Named forest reserves/national parks/plantations
Awareness programmes about value of forests (run by NGOs)
Not possible/lesser extent
High cost
Projects difficult to manage (in remote/mountainous areas)
Security issues (in FATA/border areas)
Growing population/demand for timber/firewood/land (for housing, industry, agriculture,roads)
Government priorities

Q2. a. Study Fig. 2 which shows the distribution of monthly rainfall in Karachi.

(i) A For how many months does Karachi experience less than 10 mm rainfall? [1]
Answer
7 (may simply list the 7 months)

B Estimate the total rainfall in Karachi for the period July to September. [2]
Answer
173 mm Tolerance 171–175 mm

(ii) Describe briefly the climatic region in which Karachi is located. [1]
Answer
Arid / coastal (maritime) / warm summer, mild winter

(iii) What is the main source of rainfall in Karachi? From which direction do the rain-bearing winds come?
Source Answer
[Secondary] monsoon

Direction Answer
Direction: SW [2]

(iv) Describe the effects of tropical cyclones on cities such as Karachi. [4]
Answer
Widespread / great / huge / much / many / a lot of – damage
[Flash] floods / blocked drains / sewers
Lives lost / injuries / people missing
Damage to / loss of homes / belongings / slums
Damage to named transport – e.g. roads, railways, ports, airports so people unable to
get to work
Damage to named services – e.g. schools / hospitals / clinics
Damage to workplaces / industry - e.g. the fishing industry destroyed so no source of
income or loss of income / disrupts exports
Loss to local economy – e.g. through damaged industry / cost of rebuilding / loss of jobs
Damage to transmission lines / power stations / lack of power
Damage to communication – e.g. lack of telecommunications / telephone lines / internet /
social media
Shortage / contamination – drinking water / food causing disease to spread

(b) Study Photographs A and B (Insert) which show parts of the lower Indus valley. Using the photographs
and your own knowledge, explain the advantages for agriculture in areas like this. [4]
Answer
Near to river / lake / water source (for ease of irrigation / plentiful water for sugar cane or cotton)
[Active / old] flood plain (allows floods to spread over a large area)
River floods regularly / every 1–8 years (e.g. depositing alluvium / providing water and nutrients / which is
useful for rice
Alluvium / fertile soil (to increase crop yields)
Wide area / floodplain / space / up to 40 km wide (which provides large area of land for intensive cropping)
Flat (e.g. for ease of cultivation / easy to grow crops / easy to use machinery / easy for cattle to graze)

(c) Study Fig.3which shows rainfall data for two cities on the River Indus.

A. Compare the amount and pattern of monthly rainfall in Hyderabad with that of Dera Ismail Khan. [2]
Amount
Both high Jul and Aug
Both identical Jun/Nov
Both low Oct/Nov

B. Give three reasons for any similarities or differences in the two patterns of rainfall. [3]
For Dera Ismail Khan (accept converses for Hyderabad)
Greater total
274 mm as opposed to 179 mm
Higher in all months except Aug and Sep/any named month / lower in Aug/Sep
A pair of stats to illustrate for any month (e.g. May H – 4 mm, DIK –17 mm)
Both maximum Jul–Aug

Q6.If Balochistan is developed it can feed the whole of Pakistan. Give five reasons in favour or against of this
statement. [6]
Answer from text bk. (Unit 1: Natural Topography)

[Total: 25]
Q3 (a) Study Fig.4 which shows a map of forest types in Pakistan.
(i) Name the forest types found in each of the areas A, B and C.
[3]
a. Coniferous Forest
b. Rriveraine / bela
c. Mangrove Forest

(ii) Name the sea D and the line of latitude E. [2]

d. Arabian Sea
e. 23.5 N latitude or Tropic of Cancer

(iii) Explain why the forest type A grows naturally in cool, hilly areas. [3]
Coniferous forest grow in Northern Area of Pakistan, KPK, Murree Hills and Balochistan at an altitude of
over 1000 meters Coniferous forest can tolerate low temperature with the help of thick barks and can
grow on thin soil. The branches of these trees (fir, spruce, birch, larch) are sloping downwards so that they can
shed off the snow. Their needle like long leaves help to survive in strong winds. With these characteristics the
coniferous forest adapt to cold climate.

(iv) Why is it important that forests by the coast are protected? [4]
The Mangrove forests are found along the coast of Indus River and Hab river delta. Mangrove forests protect
the coastal areas from flooding caused by tropical storms and high tides. Mangrove forests are breeding ground
for fish. Roots of these forests offer shelter to young fish. These forests are a source of wood for the local
people for building houses and boats.

With reference to Fig. 5, explain how deforestation can cause soil erosion.
[5]
Deforestation means reckless cutting of trees and clearing the land of trees When trees are cut down the land is
exposed and the upper fertile layer of soil is washed away by rain water. The rain water runs off quickly on the
bare soil and the water is not absorbed in the soil. No new plants grow on the infertile lower soil layer which is
left behind. The rain water from small channels which become deeper and deeper with successive rains. The
area present a dissected landscape. This removal of upper fertile layer of is called soil erosion. Soil erosion
makes the land unproductive.

(c) There has been development of forests in lowland areas of Punjab and Sindh using irrigation.

(i) Why is irrigation necessary for new plantations of trees? [2]

Low rainfall / high evapotranspiration
Seasonal rainfall
Irregular rainfall / rain not dependable / makes a regular water supply
Keeps the soil wet / prevents soil erosion
Root system needs to grow

(ii) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of developing more irrigated plantations of trees in lowland
areas of Punjab and Sindh. [6]
Advantages
Timber for named use e.g. construction, fencing, firewood
Food for animals / people
Leaf fall for humus / fertility
Rainfall / humidity
Shade / shelter/ reduce temperatures
Clean air / more oxygen / absorbs CO2
Scenic beauty/ promote tourism
Protection from soil erosion
Employment / work
Habitat for wildlife
Eucalyptus trees can reduce waterlogging and salinity

Disadvantages
High cost /long term investment / not a quick profit
Cost of maintenance / care
Need for irrigation / more demand on water supplies
Loss of land for housing / farmland / other land use
Problems caused by roots, leaves etc.
[Total: 25]
4 (a) (i) Describe the distribution of soil erosion in Balochistan. [3]
Answer
Scattered/widespread/in mountains
Especially in SW
Line at base of highlands
Named mountain range/hills/plateau e.g. Central Makram Range, Coastal Range, Chagai Hills
Provincial borders

(ii) Explain why the dry climate of Balochistan increases the risk of soil erosion. [3]
Answer
Lack of vegetation/bare soil
Slow to re-grow
Over cultivation
Dry soil less cohesive
Wind blows soil away

(iii) Where does eroded soil go to? [3]

Answer
Wind blown into dunes/on foothils
Into rivers/canals/ditches/sea
Reservoirs/dams/lakes

(iv) How can soil be protected in areas of low and unreliable rainfall? [4]
Answer
Shelter belts/trees/afforestation
Irrigation of trees
Prevent over-grazing/move livestock/fewer livestock
Fill gullies/improved cultivation
Terraces and stone lines/reduce gradient
Contour ploughing
Strip farming

(b) Study Fig. 6 again.

(i) Which area is affected by tropical cyclones? [1]

Answer
Coast/sindh coast, Balochistan coast
Named area e.g. Indus delta, Makram coast

(ii) Describe the physical effects of tropical cyclones in this area. [5]
Answer
High winds
High waves
Heavy/high rainfall
Floods
Thunderstorms/thunder/lightening

(c) Heavy rain and thunderstorms affect business and industry in urban areas. Explain the advantages
and disadvantages of the rain and storms. [6]
Answer
Advantages
Water supply
Reservoirs filled for HEP/power supply

Disadvantages
Floods – damage and blockage of roads
High winds – damage to buildings, trees
Erosion of land – effect on roads/railways/runways
Loss of power supply – loss of production, business
Danger of lightening
Loss of raw material e.g. cotton, sugar cane
Disruption of fishing/shipping/trade
No flights for businessmen
[Total: 25]

5 (a) A Persian Wheel.

(i) With reference to the photograph, explain how this machine is used for water supply. [3]
Answer
Worked by animal or man power
Using wooden shaft / pole / log
Turns horizontal wheel / a wheel rotates
Which is attached to vertical wheel
With buckets / cups to raise water
Water goes into trough / pipe / channel

(ii) What are the advantages and disadvantages of replacing this Persian Wheel with a tubewell? [4]
Answer
Advantages of tubewell
More efficient / faster / does not need to rest
For larger area / more water / goes deeper
Regular supply / can be used at any time of year / continuous
Less labour required
Cleaner water
Reduces waterlogging and salinity
Disadvantages of tubewell
Expensive / cannot be used by poor farmers
Needs fuel /electricity / diesel etc.
Reduces groundwater / lowers water table (as a disadvantage)
Also accept the opposite response e.g. Persian Wheel is cheaper.
(b) Study Fig. 7, which shows canal water supply in Pakistan.
(i) In which year was the water supply highest? [1]
Answer
1999
(ii) How much higher was this than the supply in 2002?
Answer
31 (million acre feet)
(c) Why is there not enough water supply from canals to meet the needs of all users? [4]
Answer
Shortage of rainfall
Evaporation
Less river water / restrictions by India / more dams on rivers
Problem of tail-enders / canal system does not reach all those who need it
Siltation in reservoirs / canals
Seepage / leakage from canals
Wastage by users / some use more than they need
Water pollution
High demand / variety of uses
Theft of water
Population increase
Lack of investment

(d) Explain why waterlogging and salinity of soils causes problems to farmers. [6]
Answer
Reduces cultivable area / makes land un-usable
Reduces yield / damages crops
Reduces income / profit
Expensive to reclaim land / treat soil
Reasons why this occurs
Water table rises / water collects on the surface / water on roots
Evaporation (caused by hot climate)
Fertilisers add to salts in water
Salts left behind / form a hard crust on surface
Soil becomes infertile / toxic
Farmers use too much water / poor farming methods
Perennial water supply / available all year

(e) Water pollution is a major problem in urban areas.

With reference to examples, explain some of the causes of this pollution, and why it is a major problem to the
people who rely on this water supply. [6]
Answer
Causes

Explanation of Human waste e.g. because no sanitation / untreated sewage

Industrial waste e.g. dumping in rivers
Litter / plastic/paper e.g. because no organised collection
Oil spills e.g. from washing of tanks / ship breaking
Agricultural runoff e.g. because of use of chemicals / fertilisers and insecticides

Problems
Not for drinking / poisonous / contaminates groundwater
Cost of treatment
Causes disease
– risk of cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea , hepatitis, dysentery etc.
Not for food processing (e.g. fish canning)
Smells
Reduces fish catch / kills fish
Can damage machinery
Blocks ditches / canals / causes flooding
– risk of malaria from stagnant water
[Total: 25]