KARACHI: Fishermen’s role in ADB projects highlighted
KARACHI, Jan 16: Meaningful involvement of local fishermen communities as custodians of the project initiated under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-sponsored Coastal and Resource Management and Poverty Reduction in Pakistan was recommended at a consultative workshop held at IUCN-Sindh office here on Thursday.
The participants, while discussing the strategy with particular reference to Pakistan, expressed their concern that development programmes undertaken with the support of international agencies (i.e. World Bank and ADB) were often of little significance for actual stake-holders.
In their respective presentations, the speakers highlighted the issues relating to Korangi/Rehri Creek and said it was one of the High Priority Area (HPA) to be developed as sustainable and environmentally feasible economic zones under the ADB project.
Coordinated efforts on part of concerned stake holders including communities settled in the area, along with industrialists and varied government departments was sought to make the exercise meaningful.
Torben Berner, Coordinator of the Coastal and Marine Resources Management and Poverty Reduction for South Asia in his presentation mentioned that almost all countries in the South Asia region have extensive coastal and marine ecosystems.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Maldives are stated to be countries that are specifically known for their coastal and marine habitats, acquiring international significance due to their diversity and species endemism.
He called for a pragmatic approach to derive maximum benefits for the inhabitants of each country but through adequate sharing of information and experiences could also help develop the region economically as well as ecologically stable.
Dr Ali Raza Rizvi, Head of the IUCN -Sindh Programme in his welcome address mentioned that the ADB under its Technical Assistance Programme for Coastal and Marine Resources Management has committed to help Pakistan protect and promote its marine ecosystem holding vital habitats for a diverse range of flora and fauna.
He said that the very agreement is part of ADB supported TA for Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Poverty Reduction in South Asia, simultaneously catering to the relevant needs of Pakistan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan component of the ADB project focuses on the identification and pilot testing of approaches to promote and protect ecologically sensitive coastal and marine resources, poverty reduction interventions and regional cooperation among the participating countries.
These initiatives would be strengthened for the preparation of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for Pakistan.
According to him, Government of Pakistan in coordination with IUCN has developed a draft Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan/ Strategy. Some components of which will be pilot tested in high priority areas.
Under the first phase of the project, a report has already been prepared by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union, an ADB partner along with the Government of Pakistan in the very scheme.
The report highlights the specific issues of Pakistan’s coastal zone. This has been further complimented with a situation analysis of the country’s coastal zone, based upon extensive secondary data analysis and community group discussions.
Based on the analysis, a Compendium of High Priority Areas (HPAs) was also prepared. Studies focusing on the assessment of bio-diversity of the whole coast and analysis of policy and institutional reforms and capacity building in coastal and marine sectors have also been carried out. Two additional studies, including status report on the mangrove ecosystems of Pakistan and study on poverty-environment nexus, are currently in process.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Shahid Amjad, Mirza Arshad Ali Baig, Makhdoom Hussein and Tahir Qureishi.—APP
