KARACHI, Oct 2: Wetlands are really important for local communities living in Sindh as they provide food, water and transportation networks.

This was stated by Dr. Shahid Amjad while presenting his paper at a consultative workshop, organized by the Sindh Programme of the IUCN Pakistan.

“Wetlands sustain the local cottage industries, agriculture, tourism and commerce. Moreover, they act as valuable wildlife refugees, providing over-wintering facilities, along with feeding, nesting and resting grounds for migratory and resident birds”, he said.

Wetlands ecosystem provide a wide range of services, many of which are taken for granted in government planning and development processes and are thus under valued. Despite the importance of ecosystem, no effort has been made to develop such plans, which assist the local communities in creating innovative methods of resource management.

Conversation education is required to spread up that will ensure improved natural resource management and reduction in environmental damage.

He informed that among 16 wetlands of international significance present in Pakistan, six are located in Sindh including Kinjhar Lake, Drigh Lake, Haleji Lake, Indus Dolphin Reserve, Jubbo Lagoon and Nurri Lagoon.

The workshop was attended by Dr. Aijaz Ahmad of WWF, Abdul Munaf Qaimkhani and Hussain Bux Bhagal of Sindh Wildlife Department, Dr. Mohammed Yar Khawar and Rafiq Dhanani from University of Sindh, Dr Naureen Aziz Qureshi and Dr. Zaheer Khan of Karachi University, Syed Ali Ghalib and Hamid Iqbal of Zoological Survey Department.—PPI