Category Archives: Wetlands

Weeping sea : Documentary on climate change

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Weeping sea 
 Duration: 21 minutes
 Language: Malayalam (Subtitled in English)
 Direction: K Rajendran
 Camera: K Rajendran, Rahul R Chandran, Muhammed Basheer
 Editing: Jayakrishnan

 

An investigation on
How does climate impact marine and fisheries sector?
How does it affect fishermen?

How does human intervention precipitate climate change impacts?

1. Depletion of Mussels.
Location: Elephant mussels hill, Thiruvanandhapuram.
Two varieties of mussels are found in Kerala;Brown mussels and green
mussels. This (September-December) is the season of mussels. Huge
depletion of mussels is being found this season. Depletion is being felt
during last 3 years. According to marine expert this is due to the climate
change.

2. Fishes disappearing

Location; Kovalam beach, Thiruvanandhapuram
Many varieties of fishes are disappearing in Kerala sea shore.. Kilimeen (Mesoprion) is the best example. According to Central Marine and Fisheries research institute, it is one of the best examples of climate change impact on fisheries. Kilimeen is known as the ideal fish for poor. Because of it’s less
cost and good taste. So it’s depletion is widely effected the poor who doesn’t have enough money to purchase fishes of high cost.

3 .How islanders are affected?

Location: Lakshadweep
How lonely islander is being affected? .Lakshadweep is the best example.
Three islands in Lakshadweep, Pitti(Fastest sinking Island) ,Kavarathi,
Agathy are telling their stories.
Here 3 climate change impacts;
A . Water level is rising marginally.
B. Depletion of fishes is being felt
C. Corals are vanishing.
4. Salty water
Location; Mavilakadavu village, Poovar

This is a new phenomenon in many of the villages in Kerala. Water in the well became alty although it is situating 5 or 6 Km away from sea. According to marine expert this is an excellent example of climate change.

5. Human intervention expedites climate change

Location: Puzhikara beach
Once, the beautiful beach Puzhikara, was known for the varieties of fishes. Now it has become a “beach of Eagles”. The beach has been turned as a dumping place of waste. Eco system in the seashore is being scuttled.6. Encroachments

Location; Vembanadu backwater, Alapuzha
This backwater is converted as a lake of Tourism and encroachment. All existing laws are being violated. Encroachments are being done by big corporates. Authorities act as mute spectators.

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Pakistan breaks India’s record mangroves plantation

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By 
Lahore Times
Published: June 24, 2013

KETI BUNDER, Sindh: “The Sindh Forest Department has set a Guinness World Record for planting a maximum number of mangroves saplings at Keti Bunder” on Saturday (June 22), informed the Additional Secretary Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Nizamani at a press conference held here, in Keti Bunder, a coastal town in Sindh.

He was accompanied by Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan; Mr. Riaz Ahmed Waggan, Chief Conservator of Forests and Mr. Muhammad Umer Memon, Project Director Sindh Coastal Community Development Project (SCCDP). Two independent adjudicators for the Guinness World Records event, Mr. Rafi-ul-Haq and Dr. Shaukat Hayat Khan also joined them, along with Mr. Tahir Qureshi, Coastal Ecosystem Expert, IUCN Pakistan.

The announcement was made, shortly after 300 coastal community volunteers had planted 8,47,257 saplings, breaking an earlier record of 6,11,000 saplings planted by India in 2010. While congratulating the nation, he thanked the forest department employees, coastal community volunteers and the coastal experts for their tireless efforts in achieving this goal.

He also informed the media that the Asian Development Bank has announced Rs.5,000 as a special reward for each of the volunteer. ADB has funded a 5-year long Sindh Coastal Community Development Project in the area in partnership with the Sindh Forest Department. A special shield was awarded to Mr. Tahir Qureshi for his exceptional conservation work in the Indus Delta over the last few years.

While congratulating the efforts of the Sindh Forest Department, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema said that there have been competitions between Pakistan and Indian in sports but a competition in the field of environment is even healthier, as in the end it will only lead to healthy ecology in both the countries.

Weblink: The Lahore Times Read more: http://www.lhrtimes.com/2013/06/24/pakistan-makes-world-record-by-planting-847275-mangrove-saplings-in-a-day-174792/#ixzz2ZCUKpgDs
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Sindh’s migratory birds

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As Pakistani media was busy giving immense coverage to the elections held on May 11, the feature broadcast later talks about the declining species near Sindh’s coastal areas due to declining mangroves and extreme weather conditions…..

http://climatechange.panossouthasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MIGARATORY-BIRD-DAY-FINAL.mp3

(Produced by Desiree Francis for Hot FM Radio Network, Pakistan)

Cross-border collaboration can help improve conservation, spur uplift in South Asia

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KATHMANDU/ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development have joined hands to put a regional framework in place for cooperation on important transboundary landscapes, said a media release.

Recognizing the global and regional significance of transboundary landscapes, the Government of Nepal through its Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation has been working closely with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and partner institutions from Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal to facilitate the development of a regional cooperation framework for developing Transboundary Landscape Conservation and Development Initiatives.

Cooperation across borders for the management of landscapes will help preserve the Hindu Kush Himalayan region’s unique biological diversity, valuable ecosystem goods and services, and value-based cultural and natural heritage while enhancing livelihood opportunities of the local communities of the most revered and sacred transboundary landscapes in the world, namely Kailash and Kangchenjunga.

In this context and for future cooperation in other landscapes, the Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Dr. Krishna Chandra Paudel, and the Director General of ICIMOD, Dr. David Molden, signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an official function held today at Hotel Himalaya. Prior to the ceremony, MoFSC held the 2nd National Coordination Committee Meeting for Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative, in which several key decisions were taken for the implementation of the programme on ground.

This MoU envisages areas and modalities of cooperation based on the understanding reached and broad areas identified for focusing the collaboration by both parties.

The implementation of this MoU will be effected through agreements with key Nepalese institutions that share the common vision of long-term conservation initiatives based on regional transboundary cooperation and ecosystem management approaches.

The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative is the pioneer programme supported by UK Aid and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through German International Cooperation (GIZ).

This initiative will go a long way in forging transnational cooperation between China, India, and Nepal by proactively engaging them in ensuring the sustained management of ecosystem services and protecting the welfare of millions of people living both upstream and downstream.

The story published first in Lahore Times on May 3, 2013.

Weblink: http://www.lhrtimes.com/2013/05/03/cross-border-collaboration-can-help-improve-conservation-spur-uplift-in-south-asia/

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INDUSTRIAL WASTE ARE PRESENT IN THE WATER OF KANJHAR LAKE FROM KB FEDER

The Industrial Waste of the Kothri and Nooriabad are present in the water of KB Feder to Kanjhar lake,which are dangerous for the human being and the underwater species.The solutions were made for this problem but it was temporary,the industrial waste and poisionous water will again enter in to the Kanjhar lake.The Managing Director of Karachi water and saverage board seriously said that after the notice from Department of Environment and Industry for the last two years ,there were no steps taken to solve this problem

Looming threats of acute shortage of water due to lack of protection of the Wetlands

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Looming threats of acute shortage of water due to lack of protection of the Wetlands

Industrial affluent is entering in in Keenjhar Lake and other water resources, Climate Change is also affecting the water resources – Seminar
Karachi (Jamshed Bukhar): Due to Climate Change and by not protecting the water resources and wetlands, Pakistan will face acute water shortage in the future. Besides, it can also affect the crops which can create food shortage. These thoughts were expressed by the speakers at a Seminar organized by IUCN (an international organization for the protection of nature) in collaboration with the Sindh Coastal Development Authority and Fisheries at Keenjhar Lake (Thatta) on the World Wetlands Day.
Besides, students of the colleges, various experts from different sectors also participated in the Seminar.
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan, Mr. Shamsul Haq Memon, Consultant, Sindh Coastal Development Authority, Director General Fisheries, Sindh, Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Meher and Project Director, Sindh Coastal Development Authority also spoke in the Seminar, whereas Director General, Sindh Coastal Authority, Mr. Muhammad Pathan was the special guest at the occasion.
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema said that consumption of water has increased with the increase in the population. We used to have per capita 5,000-6,000 cusecs of water which has been reduced to 1,000 cusecs. Due to Climate Change and improper system there will be shortage of water. Sometimes heavy rains can cause floods and sometimes dryspells can affect the crops.
Shamsul Haq Memon said that conservation of wetlands is extremely important for the economic development. Wetlands are not only major source of food, but also provide wood and fodder for the cattle and other needs of life. They provide livelihoods to thousands of people. But now the wetlands are facing a lot of threats due to Climate Change. They are facing natural and man-made calamities. Ghulam Qadir Shah said that Pakistan has 230 wetlands out of them 46 are protected areas spanning over 1500 hactres of land. These wetlands play crucial role in the growth of mangroves. A patch of 600 meter mangrove forest can reduce the effect of the Tsumani wave upto 80%. These wetlands provide habitat to a lot of animals. Now the affluent from the Kotri Industrial area is being released into Keenjhar Lake which extremely hazardous for human health. They said that if the protection will not provided to the wetlands, the coming generations will face a lot of problem in the future.

http://e.jang.com.pk/02-04-2013/Karachi/pic.asp?picname=07_19.gi

The numbers of Siberian migratory birds recorded decreased due to poaching and climate change, although.

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The numbers of Siberian migratory birds recorded decreased due to poaching and climate change, although. These birds are now began go back, but Sindh Wildlife Department or any authority have no any certificate the records of these evacuee birds.

The data of these migratory birds can not be release as yet, although their arrival started from October. A large number of exotic & colourful birds including Harriers, Kindfishers, Flamingos, Falcons, Geese, Swans, Cranes, Mallards, Waders, Cormorant, Mallards, White Ibis, Herons , Spoonbills, Egrets and Flamingos spend their migrated periods at the wetlands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. These birds also spent 4 to 5 months at Guddo Barrage, Drigh Lake, Lake Mancher , Haleji Lake, Khanjer Lake and adjacent areas of Indus Delta.

Lack of proper maintenance of the said Wetlands by the number of birds has decreased significantly. According to the wildlife experts now these beautiful birds migrating India and Iran instead Pakistan. During the decade of 80’s and 90’s more than 12 million and 670 species of migratory birds arrived at the said lakes from Indus Migrated Route No.4

They Birds comes here from Siberia for search of food through a distance of 4 thousand kilometers off the coast of Pakistan and, to descend rivers and wetlands in Pakistan. In the first phase, the birds stay at the lakes in Kazakhstan followed by different ranges of Karakoram in Pakistan.

The numbers of Siberian migratory birds recorded decreased due to poaching and climate change, although.
From 1986 to 1990, the largest bird stay at the lake Haleji, where installed a Birds Ranking Station, put on the rings in foot of some birds. In the 90 decade there was 223 species & 2 million birds arrived at the Lake Haleji. However, the shortage of water into Lake Haleji and poaching has reduced the numbers of Birds, while numbers of birds in the Lake Khanjer also decreased. These birds also sold in the different area in Badin

The wildlife experts say that if there was not stop the illegal hunting of birds in Sindh the arrivals of the migratory birds will be turned off.

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Environmental pollution and human activities

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Environmental pollution and human activities without proper maintenance mistreatment and neglect of Sindh Governement departments, the Wetlands of Sindh are now losing their existence. Due to negligence the irrigation Department, Sindh Wildlife Department & EPA Sindh (Environment Protection Agency ) Manchar, Khanjar, Jaboo Lagoon, Dock Lagoon & Haleji Lake have posed serious threats, due to shortage of water and aquatic life in the lakes, inflow record of birds has decreased. According to experts if serious action will not be taken the Sindh pose a serious shortage of Water in the future including depletion of aquatic life and fear that peoples will be unemployed.

The authentic sources told to the “ Jang “ that the construction activities around the lake Khanjar, the biodiversity of the lake has been the victim of threats and polluted industrial water and city sewage has contaminated the lake Khanjar. Agricultural and industrial waste as well as human health has been severely damaged aquatic life.

The agricultural substances are also effluent in Khanjar Lake which causing the bushes and grass spontaneous agricultural substances by providing the nutrition that their growing bushes because of their damage is not only fish but also birds are disturbed to find their foods.

The hazardous chemicals in lake, fish breeding generation has dangerous implications which set number of fish has decreased significantly. Haleji ( which is also famous as “ The Paradise of the Birds” ) now suffering from acute shortage of water. Due to acute shortage of water here migrated birds significantly decreased. The Haleji also lost his attractive.

Recently, experts have recommended more water for lake Haleji, the said lake is also have a rank of protect game sanctuary, situated 3 Kilometer from National Highway.

Manchar which is a largest lake in Pakistan have server threats. In 2010, the incompetence Department of Irrigation its one Dam damage which is not yet re-construct.

The construction work still can not starts at the bridge of Zero Point , MC & AFP.

The three doors of Danstruah were not repaired for last 37 years. In 1994 the doors of Danstruach were broken which was a great diaster. Government ofPakistan must take proper care of these historical sites If proper actions were not taken these beautiful Wetlands will lose its importance.

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