The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan should also focus on Manchar Lake, Khebrani Forest, Kharo Chan and Nara region, former additional chief secretary of planning and development Ghulam Sarwar Khero said at the fifth annual review and networking meeting of the WWF Pakistan’s Indus for All Programme.
The recently held meeting was attended by a large number of organisations, including heads and representatives of government departments, civil society organisations, corporate sector, media and researchers.
Speaking on the occasion, Khero highlighted the need for handing over to the Sindh government the replication of successes in the socio-economic empowerment as well as biodiversity conservation in the existing four sites covered by the Indus for All Programme – Keti Bunder, Keenjhar Lake, Chotiari Reservoir and Pai forest.
Sindh Information and Archive Department Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah stressed the need for creating awareness among the masses to tackle the increasing challenges of environmental degradation. “The media can play a vital role in educating the masses. Rich forests and wetlands have remained the identity of Sindh and there is a need for collective efforts to protect the natural treasures of the province,” he said.
Shmasul Haq Memon, former secretary of forest and wildlife highlighted the need to document the lessons learnt under the first phase of the Indus for All Programme (2007-2012).
Indus for All Programme Coordinator Nasir Ali Panhwar highlighted the unique nature of the programme in terms of establishing diverse level of participation and an integrated approach to conservation.
He said that the Programme aimed to demonstrate participatory natural resource management practices to alleviate poverty and conserve biodiversity at the four sites it is currently covering.
