The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), under its Indus for All Programme, organised a two-day training workshop on environmental indicators.
The workshop aimed at building the capacity of government officials. Highlighting the need for the development of environmental indicators in major themes including fisheries, agriculture, livestock, forest and education, the speakers at the workshop said that awareness should be created among people about their significance to protect the environment and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the closing session, Small Grants Programme National Coordinator Masood Ahmed Lohar said that the country is in a state of emergency with regard to environment and the next ten years are critical.
“Due to environmental degradation, Rs 1 billion is lost every day in the country,” he added.
“Capacity building is a major step towards strengthening the institutions. Government officials can play a vital role in taking effective steps to curb environmental degradation,”
He further said that the unprecedented flood of 2010 and the rains of 2011 are vital indicators of climate change. “The increasing use of pesticides has destroyed the biodiversity and many species of fauna and flora have vanished.”
Lohar said that the discharge of untreated waste in river and freshwater bodies needs to be stopped. He cited the examples of other countries, which are taking measures for nature conservation.
WWF Programme Coordinator Nasir Ali Panhwar said that due to the acute shortage of data on environmental degradation, the damage to nature is not taken into account, while making policies and plans.
“Economic, demographic societal development and corresponding changes in lifestyle is resulting in environmental pressures,” he added.
He said that all stakeholders should come forward to provide credible data for research through a coherent approach. “Being a regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to be strengthened to ensure enforcement of environmental laws. Raising public awareness for environmental indicators is imperative.”
He said that the five-year Indus for All Programme aims to conserve the rich biological diversity of the Indus Eco-region through the livelihood improvement of local communities.
“The capacity building of government officials is a vital part of the programme. All stakeholders should strive for conservation of natural resources of Sindh that are depleting at a fast pace.”
Ibad-ur Rahman and Tufail Ali Zubaidi from the National Environment Consultants said that population growth and development needs are the primary driving forces, which exert pressure on the environment.
Various environmental themes were discussed during the workshop including types and significance of environmental indicators and the framework for the development of environmental indicators.
The participants were of the view that deforestation is on rise and various migratory birds have disappeared in the region. Wetlands are also decreasing in the province. They stressed the need for urgent measures to address the degrading environmental situation in Sindh.
The workshop was attended by government officials from three districts – Shaheed Benziarabad, Thatta and Sangha. The participants included Imamuddin Khoso, Imtiaz Ahmed Mangi Ghulam Rasool Keerio, Zulfqar Ali Larik, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Usama Anwar, Dr. Manzoor Ali Rajput, Vikyo Chohan, Qaisar Ali Jatoi , Dr Hadi Bux, Dr Muhammad Usman Memon, Bilqees Khatti, Kubra Mangrio and Shumaila Imtiaz.
