KARACHI: IUCN Pakistan organized the closing ceremony of its USAID funded project titled, “Integrated Approach to Education, Capacity Building and Livelihood Development of Coastal Communities in Sindh and Balochistan Provinces” at a hotel in Karachi. Iffat Malik, Additional Secretary, Sindh Forest Department was the chief guest for the event.

In his opening remarks, Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, IUCN country representative appreciated the generosity of the American people, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for investing in the environment and sustainable development of our country. He hoped that this partnership would continue flourishing in future with newer, bolder initiatives.

Cheema explained that this project had focused primarily on raising community awareness on the importance of nature conservation. A significant portion of the project’s activities were dedicated to raising environmental awareness and building capacity in schools and local communities along the coastline. Through this initiative, environmental education sessions were held in more than 60 schools, where around 5,000 students and 500 teachers benefited. Because IUCN places a great deal of importance on building sustainability through community involvement, this project is a very good example of IUCN’s approach to environmental conservation.

The project also addressed an issue that does not often receive the attention it is due: the illegal trade in endangered species. One of the reasons it is so difficult to regulate and prevent the trade in endangered species is because there is very little awareness of it amongst the general public. Under this project, a study was conducted on the illegal trade in freshwater turtles, the results of which were presented and discussed at a consultative workshop earlier this month. At the same time, efforts were made to make beach goers conscious of how they may be able to contribute to the continued survival of marine turtles.

Finally, the project also worked to promote eco-tourism along the coast in order to benefit the local communities in the area by presenting them with an alternative means of livelihood.

Iffat Malik commended both IUCN for its tireless efforts in this area, and USAID for its generosity and for turning this project into a reality, which is a reflection of its continued commitment to improving the environmental situation in Pakistan.—PR