December 30, 2009
Call to protect wetlands of Sindh
Thatta December 30, 2009: The Friends of Indus Forum has called up on to the
government to improve the situation of wetlands in Sindh particularly
Keenjhar and Manchar Lake. This was stated by the Forum at a meeting
held at Keenjhar Lake. The meting was presided over by President of
Forum Naseer Memon, while General Secretary Nasir Ali Panhwar briefed
the forum about major achievements. The meeting was attended by Prof.
Aijaz Qureshi, Prof. Qalandar Shah, Zulfiqar Halepoto, Dr. Yameen
Memon, Dr. Ali Murtaza Dharejo, Dr. Fateh Mari, Dr. Altaf Abro, Ali
Mohammad Shaikh, Aziz Ranjhani, Nazir Esani, Nawaz Kumbhar, Ashfaqe
Soomro, Abdul Jabbar Bhatti, Khalil Yousfani, Ishaqe Mangrio, Majeed
Thaheem, Shoukat Soomro, Amar Guriro and Saleem Shaikh. The Forum
decided to launch its position paper on water requirements downstream
Kotri, which has been published recently and sensitize policy makers,
parliamentarians on the issue.
The Forum deplored that situation of wetlands in Sindh has been
deteriorated alarmingly and as result number of migratory and local
birds has been declined sharply. The Forum observed that communities
dependent on the resources of the wetlands has been pushed to poverty
and have been compelled to migrate in search of livelihood. They
deplored that untreated effluents of Kotri and Nooriabad industrial
area has been released into Keenjhar Lake, which has affected the
ecology of the Lake. The Lake is major source of water for Karachi and
added that urgent efforts should be undertaken to stop industrial
waste into Lake. They said that Lake is Ramsar site and is located on
Indus Flyway route of migratory birds but due to degradation the Lake
is not offering favorable habitat for birds. The Forum also expressed
its concern over the pollution caused by the tourists and suggested
that mechanism should be devised to save the Lake from the pollution
by the visitors who even wash their vehicles inside the Lake and
through garbage in the important water body. The Forum urged that
concept of eco tourism be promoted.
On this occasion, Zahid Jalbani, site manager Keenjar Lake Indus for
All Programme-WWF informed that Prgramme is working in 39 villages
through nine community based organizations. He highlighted that the
programme has started the implementation of livelihood development
plans by providing backyard poultry units to the women, establishing
fish eco point etc. He informed that alternate energy schemes like
biogas, solar units have been provided in various villages.
Earlier the Forum members visited the interventions of Indus for All
Programme-WWF at villages Aaz Mohammad Jakhro and Karo Dhandhail
located around Keenjhar Lake. They were briefed by Rauf Palari,
President of Jhole Maari Welfare and Development Organization about
the biogas and solar unit. They also visited the under construction
Keenjhar Conservation & Information Center at Keenjhar Lake and
Floating hut established by UNDP-GEF.
Call to protect wetlands of Sindh
For further information:
Muhammad Zafar Khan, Manager Communications and Environmental Education
Contact: 0300-3495901, email: zafar.hilbi@gmail.com
Badarunissa, Communication Officer.
Contact: 0312-3642817, arshi_mtunio@yahoo.com
