RECORDER REPORT
HYDERABAD: Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies, University of Sindh Campus Thatta organized one-day seminar lecture program on “Climate Change and Coastal Issues in Sindh: Civil Society, Media Perspective and Inclusion”, in collaboration with Federation Handicap International (FHI) Pakistan, held at University of Sindh Campus Thatta. The seminar was attended by experts and representatives from civil society, media, Thatta/Sujawal DRR forum, I/NGOs, DPOs and coastal communities.
Muhammad Memon, Project Manager FHI, presented brief introduction of Federation Handicap International and its international mandate. Memon added the main objective of organizing a series of seminars is to highlight the issues faced by coastal communities and to devise strategies in form of recommendations from a pool of experts representing different sectors. He talked in detail about the causes and risks of climate change and its short-term and long-term impacts on coastal zone of Sindh. He said climate change respects no boundaries and does not differentiate between who you are, therefore it is a global issue and requires global understanding and commitment to prevent it and mitigate its effects and that Handicap International is working towards this end across the world. Memon shared that coastal communities are facing many issues including lack of opportunities, reduced nutrition values, poor diet, poor health, seasonal migration for labor work, unplanned and poor condition of infrastructure and reduced productivity of fish. He further shared that mangroves have reduced by 70 percent due to development and use as firewood by local communities. He stressed on the dire need of planning at all tiers and that there is a need to reduce emission of Green House Gases at global level as governments are supporting Thermal Plants which will ultimately result in increased CO2 emission. Further there is a need to devise policies for industries to control their emission and polluting water sources.
Dr Sarfraz Hussain Solangi, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh Campus Thatta in keynote presentation highlighted the consequences of climate change in this region are far-reaching. With the help of satellite maps, he shared that how increase in temperature and rising sea level has resulted in changed creeks pattern and tidal boundaries in this region. He further pointed out the role of civil society and media in sensitizing coastal communities on climate change adaptation. In concluding remarks Dr Sarfraz Hussain Solangi presented findings regarding extreme level of threat to Indus delta and coastal areas of Sindh in context to climate change scenario. He said that the awareness level can be further raised through debates taking civil society and media on board. He emphasized the need for better governance and coordination through cross disciplinary collaboration amongst the Government, Academia, Civil society, Media, and Non Governmental organizations for addressing the specific issues of vulnerable coastal communities.
Prof Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar, Director Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies, University of Sindh Campus Thatta formally started the seminar with a welcome address to all participants on behalf of University of Sindh and briefed about the current scenario of coastal issues, protection of natural resources, livelihood of communities, drinking water scarcity, infrastructure, health, education and socio-economic problems and emphasized the need of urgent priority based adaptation solutions for resilience and mitigation. The seminar was attended by large number of social activists, media and district press representatives and shared valuable ideas for resilience.
