KARACHI, July 15: Environmental experts at an international workshop on Thursday determined roles and responsibilities of the institutions and organisations contributing to conservation and enhancement of the Indus Delta Ecoregion (IDER).
The experts, on the fourth day of the marathon knowledge sharing event also discussed the available and required resources ie human, material and knowledge. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan) has provided a forum to the experts representing a number of organisations from within and outside the country to gather their ideas towards an IDER conservation plan for the next 15 years.
These deliberations were aimed at strengthening the biodiversity action plan in Sindh and the institution focus action plan for implementing the ecoregion conservation plan.
The themes of today included: forest, wildlife, irrigation and drainage, environment, planning and development, and role of civil societies including the WWF-Pakistan and IUCN-Pakistan.
Participants were unanimous that the Forest and Irrigation departments of Sindh should come up with leading roles, while the Drainage, Planning and Development, and Finance departments should extend support their activities.
Civil societies like the WWF-Pakistan are supposed to provide technical assistance, process facilitation, project implementation and monitoring. The WWF-Pakistan has been working for conservation and upgrading of nature coupled with community building, and had already launched various projects throughout the country.
The group discussions also focused on institutional framework to facilitate the functioning of IDER Action Programme Steering Committee, which would be headed by Sindh additional chief secretary and include provincial secretaries of Forest and Irrigation, and Sindh Chief Economist.
Coordinator, IDER Action Programme and Head of WWF-Pakistan's Policy Division Faisal Farooq Khan told the APP that the IDER Conservation Action Plan would be published jointly by all stakeholders of the committee within the next three months.
He said the WWF-Pakistan would serve as secretariat for the steering committee. Representative organisations of the IDER Action Programme Steering Committee would implement the decisions internally.
The ecoregion conservation vision statement says that an ecoregion is where adequate and sustainable water flows. It provides playground for river dolphins, an economic base for people's livelihoods, nesting sites for marine turtles and populations of aquatic birds, and allows mangroves to perform their functions.
The experts, who summed up their discussions over the day, called for research and coordination among the related government departments and social organisations and community development organisations (CBOs) for conservation and enhancement of the IDER.
They underlined the need for creating awareness especially in regional languages among the masses by 2007 through the print and electronic media, private sector, NGOs and CBOs, for preserving and increasing viable populations of species mainly Indus dolphin, marine turtles, palla fish, hog deer, gavial, a turtle-like creature living in Nara Canal and Indus.
For preservation of dolphins, two projects - one each by the WWF-P and Sindh wildlife department - had been launched, they noted; the set target was a 25 per cent increase by 2007.
The WWF-P, IUCN-P and related government departments were also working on marine turtles and a target had been set for a 25 per cent increase by 2020. The experts also called for removal of predators like crows and dogs, and cleaning the habitat at Sandspit and Hawkesbay by 2007 through increased awareness among the masses.
Regulation of solid waste by coastal communities and general visitors, removal of nets used for fish catch and other irritants was also emphasised for promoting the growth of marine turtles at Sandspit.
Hence, the Karachi Port Trust, hut owners, Manora Cantonment Board and local government could play an active role, they noted. They proposed an amendment in the KPT by-laws to enhance its role in nature conservation.
About wetlands, they recommended redesigning and rehabilitation of tidal link and the role of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for achieving the objective. A management plan for five important inland wetlands by 2009 was also stressed.
For preservation and growth of the palla fish, the experts called for more research and coordination. Strict ban on prohibited nets was also stressed. They recommended increase in the breeding grounds of palla by improving the fish ladder at Kotri Barrage by 2009.
At least a 10 per cent increase in water flow into the Indus delta by 2007 was also strongly suggested with strict check of pollution, especially insecticides and pesticides by 2010.
They also emphasised the need for training farmers and bringing institutional reforms, which, however, requires political will. It was recommended that environment promotional material should be printed in Sindhi language as well to ensure the participation of local communities in the mission.
Besides, establishment of nature clubs and civil societies could play an effective role, they viewed. They recommended 25 per cent rehabilitation of coastal habitats, with a 5 per cent increase in the target of mangroves, by treatment of industrial and municipal effluents by 2009.
It was recommended that a minimum water requirement for maintaining balance within IDER scientifically be assessed through transparent and consultative process by 2007. Irrigation efficiency be enhanced by at least 10 per cent through improved agricultural and irrigation practices/techniques by 2009.
It suggested that the best management practices should be taken at farmer level by 2010 to get at least a 30 per cent increase in agriculture yield. They said that sustainable fisheries policies be developed and improved through participation of all stakeholders and implemented by 2006.
Fisheries department and fisher folk societies could play an important role with financial and technical support from WWF-P. Earlier, Community Development Specialist Yameen Memon gave a presentation on Sindh's water resources management.
He pointed out that 1.2 billion people throughout the world had no safe water and at least five million people died every year from water related diseases including 2.2 million children under the age of five.
He suggested institutional reforms in irrigation and drainage system which included revamping of the old system and capacity building of the staff. He noted that there was more expenditure than income for maintenance and operation of irrigation and drainage system. He underlined the need for equitable distribution of irrigation water among farmers in the province.
On Friday, an overview of the entire workshop and comprehensive ecoregion conservation plan would be made. Relevant Sindh government department heads would participate in the concluding session. - APP
