World Wetlands Day 2016 celebrated

Islamabad

The World Wetlands Day was celebrated by Ministry of Climate Change, IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Fatimah Jinnah Women University on the theme of the year as ‘Wetlands for Future: Sustainable Livelihoods,’ says a press release.

Member National Assembly Marriyum Aurangzeb graced the event as chief guest. The event was participated by students of Fatimah Jinnah Women University, civil society and academia, international partners including UN, ADB, EU, AKF.

Fauzia Malik, manager, IUCN Islamabad Programme welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of wetlands day celebration with the theme of 2016 focused on people’s livelihood associated with the health of wetlands. Students of Fatimah Jinnah Women University; Sana Anjum, Syeda Harim and Faiza Rafique presented their learning and research on wetlands in the country. Dr. Abdul Majeed Water and energy expert of IUCN, emphasised IUCN’s work on wetlands over the years and state of wetlands in Pakistan.

Syed Mahmood Nasir, inspector general, Forest encouraged the youth to equip and prepare themselves with knowledge for the future, as they are the ones to face it. He appreciated the interest of youth regarding wetlands. He highlighted that Pakistan is a land of ground water and we depend on it; while the wetlands provide that ground water. However reduction in the fresh water of wetlands due to un-sustainable practices, impacts the complete ecosystem. He emphasised the need of floodplain management towards recharging the ground water, land fertility and wetlands. He also highlighted that Pakistan is a country of five seasons including summer, winter, spring, fall and monsoon; hence we need to take benefit of the flood water through floodplain management. Floodplain management involves the management of the people, land use and the environment. He also mentioned that the introduction of Alien Invasive Species impact the health of the wetlands, be it the flora or fauna species.  

He shared from his experience that the planting of Populous euphratica if planted in deserts, can get the required water during flood season and survive through the drought season on that. He recommended that the Forest department should consider planting this specie in the areas that have flood and drought cycles. 

He shared a common indicator of reduction in the dragon flies due to lack of fresh water in the wetlands getting polluted. The dragon flies use to be abundant when there was abundant fresh water and they would eat mosquitoes, and keep environment healthy. Now much less Dragon Flies are seen that is a sign of less fresh water. Law of nature has to be followed. He also shared that Mangroves as the coastal forest, capture 5 times more carbon than any terrestrial ecosystems. He suggested that the university students may base their research on the recommendations of Ramsar mission.

Suhail Awan, executive director, Human Resource Development Network emphasized that Universities and the Chamber of commerce may be linked so that the action oriented research can be produced.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, MNA shared here experience on the wetlands programme that has been implemented successfully leaving a number of benchmarks. She highlighted importance of awareness raising and capacity building at various levels to those who do not have the knowledge on wetlands and their importance. She shared that wetlands programme coined the term wetlands for the first time in Pakistan. 

She also highlighted that the Wetlands policy debate has to be taken up again in the parliament for approval. She also emphasized the role of International Partners by taking the national priorities ahead of the global priorities. 

Dr. Uzaira Rafiqe, dean, Environment, Fatima Jinnah Women University thanked the Chief Guest, speakers and participants, as well as MoCC and IUCN for joining together to organize this event.