KARACHI, June 17: Experts at a workshop on Wednesday called for undertaking development programmes in coastal zones of the province to enhance economic output of the people there.

They viewed that economic development of coastal areas should be aimed at enhancing community integrity, family reunification, education quality, public health, neighbourhood service and social equity of communities.

The workshop was organised by Sindh Development Studies Centre (SDSC), University of Sindh, at a local hotel here in connection with a study entitled, "Statistical data collection of coastal belt in Sindh".

SDSC is a research project sponsored by Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, with major focus on collecting reliable, accurate and realistic data on various dimensions that have noticeable impact on humans, marine life and animals, environment and resources ie coastal belt of Thatta, Badin and Karachi districts.

While opening the discussion, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Department Shamsul Haq Memon said purpose of launching the data collection project was to get comprehensive documents, which could be part of the proposed integrated coastal zone management plan of Sindh.

Conservator of Forests Mahboob Alam Ansari said the workshop's objective was to assess and review the work carried out by SDSC, and ascertain whether it was in line with terms of reference of the project in question.

SDSC Director Prof Dr Abida Taherani informed participants of the workshop that a combination of formal and informal data collection methods was adapted to accomplish the study objectives.

Data of both primary, as well as, secondary nature were collected, validated, analysed and interrupted through a series of documents within a six months time, she added, mentioning that valid recommendations and conclusions coming through the workshop would be included in the draft report for producing a final report.

In their presentations, speakers, including professionals and academics, discussed the issues of coastal and marine pollution, harbours, leakages from ships and boats, effluents, land-based activities, dropping of solid and non-degradable wastes, education, health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, natural resources, disasters, poor tourism.

Dr Pervez A Pathan of Sindh University identified the issues for developing a strategic plan, and observed that development should help bring family reunification by attracting young generations to stay in communities.

He also added the development should not endanger quality of air and water in the region, while plans be included to conserve energy, environmental and cultural resources, natural habitats and reduce land subsidence in the region.

Former vice-chancellor of Tandojam Agricultural University Dr Rajab Ali Memon discussed the socio-economic and demographic aspects of the coastal belt. He observed there was no electricity in small villages along the coastal belt, subsequently putting heavy pressure on forest resources there.

He advocated for establishing schools, health facilities and vocational training centres to retain the population in coastal areas. He also called for training and capacity building of local NGOs and other civil society institutions.

Simi Kamal, a development consultant, said very few installations in coastal belts had touched pollution issues in any substantive way, particularly in rural areas, stressing the need for installing water treatment plants at appropriate allocations in the towns of coastal zones, and development of effluent treatment plants.

Among others, Najam Khursheed of IUCN, Babar Sani, Dr Bakhshal Lashari also made presentations, while Ghazala, an environmentalist from DHA, Dr Tahir Qureshi of IUCN and Sikandar Brohi of SZABIST presided over the technical sessions.