KARACHI: The 21st meeting of National Coordinating Body (NCB) was organized by IUCN Pakistan at a local hotel. The meeting was chaired by Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. Asif Hyder Shah, and attended by relevant government officials, coastal authorities, Pakistan Navy, representatives of the provincial government agencies of Sindh and Balochistan, the private sector, NGOs, academia and research institutions.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, highlighted key successes the Ministry achieved jointly with IUCN and other stakeholders as well as brought focus on numerous coast related issues. He said that the contribution of Pakistan towards greenhouse gas emission is minimal whereas the losses by natural calamities presently being faced by Pakistan are colossal. He said that we are facing water scarcity and need to have adequate water storage capacity for our future needs. He said that all the pollution from rivers end up in the sea. He further said that the government is trying to build a consolidated database that all the stages of waste disposal and volumes are recorded properly.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, resented the background and context that led to the creation of the Mangroves for the Future programme (MFF), and how the National Coordinating Body was put together and the mandate it served. “NCB is a coordinating body and the only platform that brings together all relevant coastal stakeholders to discuss issues pertaining to coastal sustainability.”
He informed that declaration of Astola as Pakistan’s first marine protected area became possible through the support of the Ministry of Climate Change as well as the provincial government of Balochistan. The technical support provided by IUCN.” He also appreciated generous support of Engro Foundation for organizing the National Coordinating Body meeting.
Representative of the Balochistan Forest Department informed that the federal cabinet has approved declaration of of Miani Hor, Kalamat Hor and Jewani Mangroves forest as protected areas and the notification by the Ministry of Climate Change is expected in the near future.
Representative of Pakistan Navy informed that Pakistan Navy has planted approximately 7.5 million mangroves in collaboration with Sindh Forest Department and IUCN. Mr. Ghulam Qadir Shah, Inspector General Forests, Government of Pakistan said that a lot of milestones have been achieved through collaborative efforts of the National Coordinating Body Members.
Mr. Riaz Ahmed Wagan, Conservator Forest, Government of Sindh informed that according to the World Bank statistics over the past 25 years the area of mangroves in Pakistan has increased from 92,100 hectares in 1993 to 211,790 hectares in 2018 which is 230%.
Ms. Fauzia Bilqis Malik, Manager ccGAP project made a presentation. She highlighted on the Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) for Integrated Coastal Management, which is one of the priority areas of the ccGAP. The process will include: Gender inclusive ICM policies, Gender mainstreaming across relevant regulatory bodies, facilitate women engaged in fisheries and coastal management; ccGAP monitoring to strengthen gender inclusion; Evidence based gender inclusive ICM; stakeholder capacity on gender linkages.
Mr. Asim Jamal, Project Manager, 3rd Party M and E Consortium – TBTTP made a presentation on the assessment conducted by IUCN on damages caused due to Forest Fire in Chilgoza Forest Ecosystem – District Sherani. The total number of trees damaged was approximately 840,050. He also shared the response needs which included: food ration for the affected communities and alternate livelihoods.
The representatives of the organizations participated in the meeting included: Ministry of Climate Change; Pakistan Navy, Ministry of Defence; Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority; Forest Department, Government of Sindh; Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Balochistan; Fisheries Department Government of Balochistan; National Institute of Oceanography; Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh; Sindh Coastal Development Authority; Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh, Engro Foundation; Gwadar Port Authority; WWF-Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry; SHEHRI-Citizens for a Better Environment and Indus Earth Trust.