Peshawar's Green Fields Turn to Concrete as Housing Societies Expand

Peshawar, historically known as the "Valley of Peshawar" for its lush gardens, greenery, and nickname as the "City of Flowers," is now rapidly transforming into a concrete jungle.

The risk to food security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, has increased due to the reduction of agricultural land, the expansion of housing societies, and the impacts of climate change. The decline in agricultural land and the aversion to farming among both small and large farmers have raised significant concerns about land governance in the province.

Peshawar, historically known as the "Valley of Peshawar" for its lush gardens, greenery, and nickname as the "City of Flowers," is now rapidly transforming into a concrete jungle. The Deer Colony, which once boasted beautiful gardens and green fields along both sides of the Peshawar Ring Road, is now dominated by housing societies.

Karim Khan, a 62-year-old resident of Peshawar's Deer Colony, reminisced about the area's past greenery. He shared with TNN that the region used to have potato and loquat gardens and fields where farmers grew tomatoes, cauliflower, and other vegetables. Today, all that greenery has been replaced by expanding urban development.

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Thirty years ago, Karim owned 4 acres of agricultural land with a cardamom orchard, which he sold to property dealers for a good price. He explained that farming could not provide a good education for his children. He also noted that the gardens once mitigated the heat, but now, with their absence, the temperature has noticeably increased.

Karim lamented the complete environmental transformation of the area after the construction of the town. Clean water that once irrigated the fields is now polluted. Small landowners, including Karim, sold their properties, which have since been converted into a small township.

Housing Schemes Encroach on Agricultural Land

According to the 2022 data from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Department, out of 442 private housing schemes in the province, 297 were found to be illegal, with 87 still awaiting approval. Only 58 had received government approval. These housing schemes have occupied a total of 69,366 kanals (3,509 hectares) of land. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Agriculture published a survey report indicating that from 2014 to 2023, 302,894 hectares of agricultural land became uncultivable, with 70% of this decline attributed to housing societies and 30% to climate change.

Peshawar is seeing the fastest growth of housing schemes compared to other districts. According to information from the Local Government Department, Peshawar has 198 private housing societies, of which 162 are illegal, 18 are sanctioned, and another 18 are unsanctioned. Dera Ismail Khan has 74 illegal housing societies, Charsadda and Nowshera each have 8, Mardan has 19, and Haripur has 3.

Farmers Struggle Amid Climate Change and Real Estate Expansion

Mehrab Khan, a farmer from Baghbanan, Peshawar, owns two and a half acres of land where he cultivates wheat every December. Previously, he harvested 45 to 50 maunds of wheat annually, but in recent years, untimely or insufficient rains have reduced his yield. This December, the lack of rain affected his crops, and other farmers are also worried about the impact of irregular rainfall.

Stormy rains in March and April this year devastated standing crops on 44,000 acres across the province. The Department of Agriculture reported that 35,000 acres of wheat in Peshawar were destroyed due to these rains, with more than 18,000 acres affected in Peshawar alone. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Meteorological Department noted record rains in 2024, attributing the changes to climate change, which has led to more extreme weather events such as torrential rains, thunderstorms, and heat waves. Mehrab Kaka stated that his wheat production this year was negligible, and the rising costs of farming have further burdened farmers.

Farmers in Baghbanan who used generators or installed solar panels to irrigate their crops fared better, as the area lacked electricity. This rainfed region suffers from crop destruction due to untimely rains or heavy downpours. High fertilizer and agrochemical prices also pose significant challenges in the current inflationary climate.

Mehrab lamented that farming is no longer a profitable occupation, leading many small landowners to sell their land to property dealers. Karim Khan of Peshawar's Deer Colony noted that the end of gardens has resulted in the proliferation of buildings and markets. Although this urbanization brings some benefits, the increased heat intensity makes people realize the value of the lost greenery. Similar changes have occurred in Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, and other cities, exacerbating commodity scarcity and unemployment.

Agricultural Industry Threatened by Urbanization and Climate Change

Official statistics highlight the importance of agriculture to Pakistan's economy, which relies heavily on this sector. 

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Agriculture reported severe damage to agriculture due to climate change, with both irrigated and rainfed areas facing threats from extreme heat and weather events. The department is exploring alternative agriculture methods, including new seeds and farming techniques.

Agricultural Land Decline and Government Response

In March 2024, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Department released data showing a reduction of 302,894 hectares of agricultural land from 2013 to 2023 across 15 districts, including 7 tribal and 8 administrative districts. Urbanization and climate change were cited as the main reasons for this decline. TNN contacted the provincial minister of agriculture for comment but received no response.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to take action against illegal housing societies. At a meeting chaired by Finance Advisor Muzamil Aslam, it was decided to close and fine housing societies operating without NOCs. Muzamil Aslam emphasized that illegal housing societies pose a significant threat to agricultural land, food security, and the environment. He called for the formulation of a comprehensive policy to address these issues and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Journalist's Perspective on Climate Change and Urbanization

Asif Mohmand, a journalist focusing on climate change and the environment, told TNN that climate change and housing societies are serious threats to agriculture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns about food security. He stressed the need for practical government action to address these issues, warning that food security could become an even greater threat in the coming years.

Mohmand criticized the lack of enforcement of laws and policies regarding climate change and housing societies. He noted that many illegal housing societies operate without consequence and called for immediate action to save the province's agriculture. Environmental experts predict that 2024 could be the hottest year on record, with severe implications for the agricultural economy.