Impacts of Climate Change on Livelihood of Older People in District Nowshera- Pakistan

Abstract

The study was carried out in district Nowshera  in 2017, in order to examine the effects of  climate change  on livelihood of older people . The Universe of the study was District Nowshera which consist of three tehsil namely Phabbi, Nowshera and Jehangira while in the first stage purposively two tehsil Phabbi and Nowshera  were selected on the basis of more climate affection. On the same methodology in the second stage villages Kheshgi Bala and Cant union councils were selected from Nowshera  while Mohib Banda, Pashtung Ghari and Jabba Khansa were chosen from tehsil Phabbi on the same analogy. The number of  respondents were 117 in the selected villages   while   number of male was 54 and women  was 63. The data was collected through focused group discussion, Key Informant interview and consultation meeting with Elder people of the study area. The results indicate that climate change has affect the pattern of the rainfall which has brought the flood. Latter on flood damage the Land, Houses, infrastructure and farming and livelihood of the old people in district Nowsehera. The health of older people highly affected which further affect their activities in the study area and affect the income level of the older people. Before they were capable to work in the fields and to help their families for boosting their income level while now due to heat and unfavorable environment it is difficult to perform duty in the field efficiently and due to seasonal change also affect their health which have affected their daily activities. The rich people of the area  have increased fertilizer to their field for boosting their productivity of agriculture while the poor have no money for covering these deficiencies, so their livelihood badly affected due to climate change. It was also reported that due to floods majority old farmers land was damaged and because of this they have left the farming activities and start work as a labors in other sector of the economy.  On the basis of problems it is necessary for the government to provide credit to poor old farmers on free interest basis for boosting their farming activities in the study area. Similarly provide tractors on low per hour rate to farmers for leveling to their land which was damaged by flood for uplifting their livelihood.

Keywords: - Climate, Impact, Livelihood,  Older People,  District Nowshera

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/55-05

Publication date:May 31^st 2019