IUCN Pakistan - Conservation Strategies

Consultative Workshop held to develop sectoral strategies for Sindh Strategy for sustainable development

Nasir Ali Panhwar

Karachi April 26: The Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh in collaboration with IUCN Pakistan has started the process for the development of the Sindh Strategy for Sustainable Development (SSSD). This strategy will provide guidance to government planners, policy makers, civil society and the private sector in promoting sustainable development. In this regard, series of consultative workshops were organized to develop sector specific strategies.

As part of the process, final consultative workshop was held on April 26, 2005 to develop strategies on sectors such as, settlements & urbanization, communication & knowledge management, environmental health, minerals, mining, energy, rangelands and livestock.

Speaking at the opening session, the Special Secretary Planning & Development Department, Rehana Ghulam Ali said that the urbanization has put pressure on the existing infrastructure of the province. She said that media could be used as tool for the sustainable development of the province.

Javed Jabbar, vice president of IUCN said that sustainable development should be considered as a core value of public policy. He said that while world is driven by market, consumerism and consumption, there is need to look for new paradigm and articulation. He said that we need not to surrender before the beauty of new market and added that this is not only dilemma of Sindh but it is a global issue.

The Secretary Environment, Shams ul Haq Memon, said that rest of the provinces have already developed their strategies and this year Sindh would also be able to develop its strategy for sustainable development.

Ali Raza Rizvi, Head IUCNP Sindh Programme said that IUCN is assisting Government of Sindh to develop Sindh strategy for sustainable development. He added that series of consultative workshops were held to involve stakeholders in its development process.

Nasir Ali Panhwar of IUCNP Sindh Programme said that formulation of viable strategy depends on participation of all stakeholders in the process.

In settlements and urban areas group, participants included Arif Hasan, Mir Nasir Abbas, DG Kachhi Abadis, Malik Zaheer ul Islam DG Karachi Mass Transit Cell, Farhan Anwar, Lala Fazal, Murtaza Dharejo and others. The group on Rangelands and Livestock was attended by M.H. Panhwar, Dr. Ghous Bux Essani, Amar Leghari, Tahir Qureshi, Najam Khurshid, Representatives of PARC etc.

Environmental Health group was attended by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi, Dr. Mubina Aagboatwala, A.G. Pirzada, Dr. Sher Shah, Dr. Masood Kadir from AKU, Huma Ikramullkah, PMA, WHO and Unicef Representatives.

Minerals, Mining & Energy sector strategy was discussed by the DG Coal Authority, Secretary Environment, Prof. Imdad Siddiqui Ahmad Saeed, Dr. M.A. Shah, Ghulam Umar Sarhandi from PECRET and Safia Shafiq.

The strategy on Communication and Knowledge Management was drafted by Zofeen Ebrahim, Sabihuddin Ghousi, Director Information Department, representative of Pakistan Press Foundation, Hasan Akhtar Rizvi and Tehseena Rafi.