*6.2.2 Moderately populated region*

Moderate population varies from 101 to 200 persons/km<sup>2</sup> . The moderate population is mostly located in the northwestern part of Baluchistan (Pishin district), parts of Sind, and lower Punjab provinces. Most of the agriculture is based on rainfall or canal system with low productivity (**Figure 6**).

**107**

*Environment, Agriculture, and Land Use Pattern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83850*

The range for this class has been considered between 201 and 300 persons/km<sup>2</sup> area. The arid areas having thick population mostly cover the fertile land of Sind and Punjab. These are the areas, where intensive agriculture is carried out with a

The very thickly populated region varies from 301 to 400 and comprises parts of Punjab and northwestern Sind. Most of these areas are characterized by fertile soils and located close to the major cities. These are the most important agriculture lands

There are 13 most thickly populated districts in the arid region where the popu-

The agriculture sector continues to play a basic role in the arid region economy. "It is the second largest sector, accounting for over 22% of GDP, and remains by far the largest employer, absorbing 45% of the country's total labor force. Nearly 62% of the country's population resides in rural areas, and is directly or indirectly linked

About nine different agroecological zones have been identified in the arid region of Pakistan by GoP [19], and the map produced has been updated on the basis of the recent data. The general description, physiography, land use, and environmental

The region comprises of the Indus Delta and the surrounding areas of Thatta,

There are two types of soils in the region comprising of clayey and salty soils. The clayey soils cover about one half of the area (**Figure 8**). Generally, the saline and clayey soils of the region are barren. Parts of clayey soils are under irrigated cultivation to grow mainly rice and some sugarcane and pulses. Berseem fodder has high potential in the rotation of the crops. Locally, banana and orchards are also

Badin districts, and parts of Hyderabad that are formed through successive advancement of land into the sea. The tall grasses and salt bushes had hampered the spread of agriculture in large areas. The changing nature of the Indus distributaries, floods, and marshes makes the reclamation of the land a major challenge (**Figure 7**). The region is characterized by arid tropical marine climate with moderate hot summers and very mild winters. However, due to prevalence of sea breeze

and fall in the old floodplains of the Punjab and active floodplain of Sind excluding

. These are located around the major cities

*6.2.3 Thickly populated region*

high productivity (**Figure 6**).

*6.2.4 Very thickly populated region*

*6.2.5 Most thickly populated region*

Karachi (**Figure 6**).

**7.1 Indus Delta**

located on clayey soils.

lation density is above 400 persons/km<sup>2</sup>

with agriculture for their livelihood" [18].

forming source of food for the entire region (**Figure 6**).

**7. The agroecological zones and land use pattern**

condition of each agroecological zone have been given below.

during summer, the day temperatures are not very high.

**Figure 6.** *Arid region projected population (2011–2012), GoP [18].*
