The Sub-Committee of Indus Ecoregion Steering Committee (SCIESC) has recommended the provincial government to nominate Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus blythi) and Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger) as the provincial animal and the provincial bird, respectively.
At the 13th meeting of SCIESC held under the chairmanship of Sindh Forests and Wildlife Department Secretary Sohail Akbar Shah, it was informed that key stakeholders, including major universities of Sindh, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, have been consulted on the issue before the suggestion.
The meeting was attended by Water and Drainage Planning and Development Department Senior Chief Fazal Nizamani, Forests Department Additional Secretary Aijaz Nizamani, Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Haider Mangrio, Forests Department Deputy Secretary Haider Raza, Sindh Wildlife Department Conservator Saeed Baloch, Kirthar National Park Project Director Hussain Bux Bhagat, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority Project Director Shamil Hingorjo, Benazirabad Assistant Commissioner Imtiaz Mangi, Thatta Forests Conservator Riaz Wagan and Sindh Environmental Protection Agency representative Dilshad Ali.
Sharing the detailed objectives of the conservation organisation at the meeting, Indus for All Programme Regional Director Rab Nawaz gave a brief introduction of the programme to the Indus ecoregion committee.
Briefing on the progress of implementation on natural resource management and livelihood development plan, Indus for All Programme Coordinator Nasir Ali Panhwar said the programme is underway at four sites, including Keti Bunder, Keenjhar Lake, Chotiari Wetlands Complex and the Pai Forest.
“The Hog Deer sanctuary and the observatory hut at Pai Forest have been established and the terms of references are to be signed between the Indus for All Programme and Sindh Wildlife Department for the management of the facility beyond the programme life,” he said.
Panhwar informed the participants that reed and weed management activity has been conducted at Keenjhar Lake and community-based fish nursery established where 5,000 fish seed have been released.
Highlighting different activities under the programme, including institutional support to community based organisations (CBOs), awareness raising activities and partnership fund activities, the programme coordinator said that plantation of mangroves on 1,500 hectares was completed in Keti Bunder.
Earlier, Indus for All Programme’s Policy and Partnership Fund Manager Altaf Sheikh briefed the participants about the progress of the decisions taken in the 12th meeting of SCIESC held on March 31 and at the special meeting of the sub-committee held on April 14.
The SCIESC was constituted on July 13, 2007 to guide and review the implementation process of the Indus for All Programme on a more frequent basis and recommend any action to be taken to Indus Ecoregion Steering Committee headed by the Sindh Planning and Development Department Additional Chief Secretary.
