Karachi, July 08, 2020: A consultative workshop on the draft of Sindh Climate Change Policy” organized by U.S Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, (USPCASW) Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET) in collaboration with Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Department, Govt. of Sindh held here in MUET on Tuesday.
The introductory remarks on Sindh Climate Change Policy were given by Mr. Waqar Hussain Phulpoto-Additional Director General, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Karachi.
Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar has delivered detailed Presentation on Sindh Climate Change Policy. Dr. Mahar emphasize on different zones i.e Barrage Brackish, Barrage sweet water zone, Hilly water zone, sandy desert zone respectively.
He informed the participants that Sindh province shall be ready to adopt the mitigating measures as mentioned in Sindh Climate Change Policy. The Sindh Climate Change Policy shall be linked with all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) Goals.
This workshop was attended by different experts of Academia especially in the field of Environment including other stakeholders and NGOs too.
During the open consultations Mr Bakhshal Lashari of USPCASW, MUET emphasized that to collect the background information from relevant sectors and missing data shall be incorporated. Previous data & current implementation status should be linked with the draft policy. The subject draft policy framework of action shall be mentioned. The justification regarding the referred draft policy and its authenticity shall be addressed properly. However, research is the main components that shall cover its worth of this Policy also. While major impacts should be addressed including priority on health impacts.
Giving his suggestions on draft policy, renowned consultant Dr. Abdul Khalique Ansari inquired that what mechanism will be followed to identify the impacts over on resilience infrastructure through this Policy. The climate impacts should clearly be linked with impacts on Flora & Fauna. The carbon trading & carbon credits mechanism must also be introduced, he added.
Dr. Ismail Kumbhar of Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam has focused that to maintain gender balance which is missing and same should be addressed through Women Development Department. Further, the impacts on the livestock should also be addressed. In addition to this, he sort out that the Rural Development component is missing so the same should be linked with Policy and addressed properly including educating local people with coordination. Further, he proposed that the Topography of Sindh should be taken as per Ecological zone and he stressed the need to address the issue about the land resource management issues as per features of Topography of Sindh because each zone having its own peculiar issues.
Dr. Altaf Siyal of SAV in his precious opinion talked about the wet land of Sindh especially Ramsar Site wherein the rehabilitation of Manchar Lake was also discussed. Moreover, he emphasized about sea intrusion issue and he recommended that District Sujawal shall be placed on board in this Policy and technical input shall be given through concerned stakeholders.
Zulfiqar Halepoto of CSC appreciates this draft of Policy which covers that Global Protocols of Climate Change and he underlined the significance of the impact of Climate Change on Urban & Rural areas of Sindh Province. In addition, he recommended that proper allocation must be done regarding downstream in order to safeguard the delta. The Policy regarding usage of ground water shall be developed and same be linked with this Climate Change Policy.
Dr. Tanvir Phulpoto of MUET discussed the Carbon Capture Policy and suggested that incentive shall be provided to the all industries of Sindh province specially Sugar & Distilleries Sectors for carbon capturing purpose. In addition to this, he also pointed out the impacts of RBOD & LBOD which are affecting the land of Sindh province and priority must be given for rehabilitation of the Manchar Lake. The usage of GIS Application shall be introduced and the Climate Change & Environmental issues of Sindh shall be incorporated in academia curriculum in the Primary & Secondary level, he added.
Engineer Abdul Malik focused on natural resources & manmade resources and he gave the input about the rehabilitation of Riverine Forest and promoting the urban forestry and a forestation shall be made at minimum level 1 percent in the province.
Suleman Abro of SAFWCO proposed that SDGS 17 shall be linked in this Policy and this Policy should be linked with relevant Departments and framework of the action plan shall be made.
Dr. Zubair Ahmed of USPCASW, MUET urged on carbon credit footprints and emphasized the GIS importance for this Policy. Dr. Amanullah Mahar of Center for Environmental Science, University of Jamshoro called for better coverage of Urban & Rural Development issues particularly Land Management Resources.
The Environmental courses shall be introduced through Sindh Text board at School & College level. In addition to this, he recommended that subject of Environmental Science should be incorporated in the syllabus of Sindh Public Service Commission.
