KARACHI, May 29: Pakistan will be bidding to procure necessary funding from the Asian Development Bank for its national integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) project for “Korangi/Rehri Creek Area” during a meeting being held in Sri Lanka from June seven to 10.
Participants of the final consultative workshop on Coastal and Marine Resources Management and Poverty Reduction in South Asia were told at the IUCN-Sindh Programme Office here on Thursday during a session.
Dr. Tahir Qureishi, Director, IUCN-Pakistan, responding to the queries of participants, regarding the choice of Korangi/Rehri Creek as pilot area for ICZM plan, said it fulfilled required criterions for high priority areas on the basis of its social, ecological and economic significance.
According to him, the three-year project once approved by the ADB during the forthcoming meeting would later be replicated at other potential zones, including Juna Shah Bunder, Mochaka — Rato Creek (which includes Bunder Island) and Keti-Bunder.
Shams-ul-Haq Memon, Secretary, Forest and Wildlife, highlighting the significance of the project to ensure sustainable development in the other wise poverty-stricken and neglected coastal areas of the country, stressed the need for ensuring that existent infrastructure is adequately utilised and laws strictly implemented to contain deteriorating environmental standards in the area.
Seeking maximum involvement of the concerned stakeholders including community members, the secretary said the Coastal Development Authority should be responsible for the ICZM.
Dr. Shahid Amjad, Director, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), in his presentation said the scheme is envisaged to be implemented in a period of three years, through a collaborative arrangement on part of Sindh Forest Department, the Sindh Environment Protection Agency, the Port Qasim Authority and the Coastal Development Authority.
At the very outset, he said Pakistan will obligate itself, under the agreement, to fulfil all international commitments and protocols related to marine and coastal environments, including Convention on Biodiversity, CITES, Law of the Seas and MARPOL besides enforcing its national laws.
Reminding that Korangi/Rehri Creek Area, an EEZ of Pakistan and a thoroughfare for major commercial and other ships, with oil-spills/slicks a common phenomenon along with handling of hazardous cargo, he said there was a need to develop a contingency plan for emergency situation.
Provision for a sewage treatment plant, besides sanitation, drainage and solid waste management facilities, were also recommended for the area under the proposed plan.
Need for construction of embankments around the coastal belt in the areas were among other strategies meant for the progress and development in the area, as very often during high-tide, water was witnessed to enter the houses in the villages located at the coastal belt.
Proposed plantation of mangroves around these embankments were said to not only strengthen the embankments but also mitigate the erosion of land in the area.
About ensuring a meaningful improvement in the socio-economic status of the people, Dr. Shahid Amjad said scheme further envisages provision for setting up a fish processing plant at the Korangi Fish Harbour, establishing an aquiculture as a source of income-generation for local communities, apiculture to supplement the livelihoods of the very people, promotion of eco-tourism as an income-generating activity and establishment of micro-credit facilities.
Earlier, Abdul Latif Rao, Country Representative, IUCN- Pakistan said massive public awareness and commitment is required to arrest the fast deteriorating environmental conditions in the coastal areas through prompt implementation of laws.—APP
