December 30, 2010
Hyderabad, December 30: Sindh Minister for Power, Ms Shazia Marri has pressed on need for raising awareness among masses about environmental challenges and fast depleting natural resources and sensitizing masses to play their part for mitigating soaring pressures on the all aspects of environment.
She remarked at the 4th Annual Planning and Networking Meeting of the Indus for All Programme of WWF Pakistan, held here on Thursday at a local hotel.
She observed that media should play more active role in this regard and raise awareness among the people about the environmental perils and motivate them to help reduce mounting pressure on the natural resources and their conservation as well as protection.
“God has bestowed human being with abundant treasure of the natural resources but it is a matter of deep sorrow that most of us have been misusing the natural resources, which has led to rapid depletion of the natural resources and pollution of our environment,” the provincial power minister remarked.
She also said that this behavior of the man towards environment and the natural resources has become cause of the natural disasters that are now taking place intermittently.
She underlined need for increased and sustained investment in environmental protection and development, for such investment is now key to healthy living of the man on earth.
“The present time wants members of all segments of the society to work hand in hand for halting the environmental degradation and reversing the losses caused to the environment,” she indicated.
She noted that the Sindh province is in the squeezing grip of environmental degradation because of different reasons and said, “It is matter of sadness to hear the ignorant people saying that release of freshwater into sea is wastage.”
They perhaps ignore the fact that the environmental flows are natural need of the deltaic areas, which in fact help resist sea intrusion from devouring the fertile lands in coastal belt of the Sindh, Shazia Marri argued.
Talking about the dire need for promotion and adoption water conservation technologies, the provincial power minister said: “No doubt our freshwater resources continue to deplete rapidly, which point to the scary picture of the freshwater availability and may lead to food insecurity. However, there is serious need to promote the water conservation through introduction of such techniques like drip and pitcher irrigation.”
There was also equal need for introducing water-efficient varieties of crops so that wise use of water in agriculture sector can be encouraged. She appealed to all provinces to understand the situation of downstream Kotri where vast area has been taken away by sea. She said that it has been established that large dams are neither economically feasible nor benefit the ecology, so the whole debate of building Kalabag dam is irrelevant now.
She lauded efforts of the World Wide Fund for Nature – Pakistan with regard to raising mass awareness about different facets of environmental degradation, natural resources depletion and other ecological challenges.
“I know that WWF Pakistan began working in Pakistan in 1970 and since then it is actively working for conservation of natural resources. In addition, endeavours being put by the WWF’s staff members deserve whole-hearted appreciation,” the minister said.
Earlier, she also appreciated environmental journalists for highlighting environmental issues, which has helped build up awareness among the masses about all aspects and issues of the environment.
She observed that the increased environmental coverage has also compelled the government to make pro-environment policies and increase investment in environmental development and protection at all levels.
Director Indus for All Programme, Rab Nawaz said that the meeting primarily aims at planning for year 2011 and networking for more effective implementation of the Programme’s different initiatives related to conservation and protection of natural resources.
He also shed some light on the flood’s impact on ecology and new challenges ahead.
He urged the government and civil society to come forward and play their due role in mitigating the post flood ecological damages and rehabilitation of revirine forests and displaced wildlife in the province.
The Programme’s Coordinator Mr. Nasir Ali Panhwar introduced the Indus for All Programme, its goals and objectives, achievements and different plans implemented so far in the four priority sites, namely: Keenjhar Lake, Keti Bunder, Pai Forest and the Chotiari Wetland Complex.
Mr. Panhwar also spoke on the significance of the Indus ecoregion, its different aspects and talked about why the four priority sites were selected in the ecoregion for conservation and protection of natural resources.
He said: “Under the Programme’s a variety of initiatives the local communities in the four priority sites have been mobilised to play their role in conserving the local resources and who actively support the Programmes environmental and wildlife protection initiatives.”
Besides, members of local civil societies including journalists have also been taken onboard to join the Programme’s hand and play their part in mitigation of pressure on the natural resources and their sustainable use as well as management.
Participants from various walks of life including government departments, civil society and community organisations shared their experiences of implementing sustainable resource use initiatives.
Others, who spoke on this occasion included Shahid Panhwar, Manager Monitoring and Evaluation and Hafeezullah Ghambir, Mohammad Amin Keerio of Sindhi Reform Society; Abdul Qadir Palari of Jhol Mari Welfare and Development Organisation at the Keenjhar Lake; Shakeel Ahmed Memon of the United Community Development Organisation at Keti Bunder; Kandero Mallah, of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum in Sanghar district.
Earlier, shields were awarded to journalists acknowledging their contribution for creating awareness. Those who received shields included
Jan Khaskhali, Daily The News Ms. Faiza Ilyas, Daily Dawn, Bhagwandas
Daily Dawn, Amar Guriro, Daily Pakistan Post, Zulfiqar Memon, Daily Dawn
(Nawab Shah), Iqbal Khawaja, Daily Dawn (Thatta), Mohammad Hussain Khan
Daily Dawn Hyderabad, Naz Sahito, KTN, Niaz Panhwar, Daily Kawish,
Faiz Khoso, KTN Imdad Soomro, Daily Ibrat, Rauf Chandio,
Mehran TV, Ishaque Mangrio, Freelance and Irfan Ghumro, Geo TV,
while best community based organisations from the four priority sites
of the Indus for All Programme were also given shields.
For further Information:
Muhammad Zafar Khan
Manager Communications and Environmental Education
Contact: 0300-3495901
email: zafar.hilbi@gmail.com
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