Desertification and Aquifers’ Depth: Assessment of Comparative Vulnerability in Rural Desert Zone of Tharparkar District, Pakistan

Climate change has significantly impacted the quality, quantity, and depth of underground aquifers, affecting human life, especially in arid and desert zones. In Pakistan, ranked 16th in vulnerability to climate change, communities in these zones face heightened drought risks. This study assesses relative vulnerability in Pakistan's largest desert region to drought using the Vulnerability and Capacity Index (VCI). Findings reveal that communities with deeper aquifers are more vulnerable, with a VCI score of 75 compared to 62 for those with shallower aquifers. This higher vulnerability is attributed to three main factors: exposure to hazards, lack of basic infrastructure, and low educational attainment. While the depth of aquifers directly relates to hazard exposure, inadequate infrastructure and education highlight the broader development challenges in rural areas. The study shows that all rural desert communities in Tharparkar district fall into at least the high-vulnerability category, with a minimum VCI score of 62 and an average of 66. These alarming results emphasize the need for multisectoral development activities to address the fragile economic base, high dependency ratio, and other institutional weaknesses prevalent in these regions.