KARACHI: Eviction of twin islands residents deplored
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec 23: The Pakistan National Committee of the IUCN at a meeting held here expressed serious concerns over the proposed development of twin islands of Bundal and Buddo, said an IUCN spokesman on Saturday.
The PNC represents a forum in which official institutions of the federal and provincial governments, official research and autonomous bodies as well as recognized NGOs come together to work for the sustainable development and promotion of environmental values.
The participants suggested the media reports showing the government’s action to forcibly evict residents of the islands. They regretted that the government which had a duty to enforce law and order was itself violating the law.
They said the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) provided clear guidelines as to how to proceed on such matters. Therefore, they said, initial environmental examination and environmental impact assessment were essential prerequisites under the law.
Ghulam Rasool Channa, conservator of the Department of Wildlife, Government of Sindh, said he was taking note of the concerns expressed by civil society members and would convey it to the provincial government.
Tahir Qureshi from the IUCN in his presentation said the Bundal and Buddo Islands were formed by the alluvial deposits of the River Indus over several centuries. These islands are close to the municipal limits of Karachi. The frontage of Islands has sand dunes and mangroves in some areas. In the past, the entire area was covered with dense growth of mangroves.
However, due to change in the ecological conditions and over-exploitation, many mangroves have disappeared.
He said the area also served as a fishing ground for thousands of local fishermen. Flocks of migratory birds visit these islands for breeding, feeding and roosting. Realising the ecological, social and economic importance of these islands, IUCN Pakistan has designated this as a high priority area.
Mr Qureshi said that in the past as well, many government organisations formulated development plans for these Islands. The defunct KDA in the early ‘90s created a management plan for promoting tourism. The DHA earmarked these islands for recreational purposes. The oil companies which are conducting offshore surveys have also earmarked these areas as their base camps.
He said in all these processes of planning and development, local communities were completely ignored and never consulted.
Speakers said in three important dimensions – governance, environmental and social – the livelihood of local communities was at grave risk. According to estimates, about 4,000 to 5,000 boats navigate through the right and left side channels to the open sea. Korangi and Phitti creeks are located on these sides. Access to Korangi Creek would not be possible after the construction of the bridge that would connect DHA Phase 8 to these islands. Similarly, access to Phitti Creek would also be blocked with the development of a marina club and a PAF base, said a speaker.
PNC chairman Javed Jabbar, who is also Global Vice President of IUCN-The World Conservation Union, presided over the meeting. The country representative of IUCN Pakistan Sohail Malik, Dr Ejaz Ahmad, deputy director general WWF, Meher M. Nosherwani of Shirkat Gah, Mohsin Babar of Sungi, Roland de Souza of Shehri, Dr Samina Kidwai, Dr Saifullah, Ellahi Bakhsh Baloch, Ghulam Rasool Channa, Shahid Khan, Ikram Khan, Rafiul Haq and Nasir Ali Panhwar participated in the discussion.
