World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) in collaboration with Community Development Program (CDP), Government of Sindh organised the launching ceremony of the project titled 'Integrated Approach to Skill Development and Provision of Sustainable Livelihoods at Chotiari Sanghar'.
The event was attend by government officials of Community Development Program, Planning and Development Department; Fisheries and Livestock departments, representatives from NGOs, media persons, local community and civil society members. Speaking on the occasion, Aijaz Mahesar, Programme Director, Community Development Program Government of Sindh said that efforts of different departments and organisations are required to address poverty.
He maintained that to tackle this issue government commenced program in 2008 to assist the local communities in collaboration with non-government organisations. He further said that 72 projects are being implemented in different areas of Sindh while 24 new projects have been approved by the Department. He also said that the present project would create livelihood opportunities for indigenous people and develop their skills.
He insisted for ownership of the projects by local communities so that sustainable development may be achieved. Ghulam Mujtaba Wadhar, Director, Inland Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh said that the department has been working in partnership with non-government organisations. He also assured of technical support and guidance in fisheries sector for successful implementation of the project at the site. He hoped that local community members would participate largely to benefit from the project.
Rab Nawaz, Director, WWF-Pakistan highlighted the ecological significance of Chotiari Wetlands Complex and informed the audience that it is one of 15 ecologically important landscapes in the Indus Ecoregion. He also said that it is a complex of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem of deep water, shallow marshes riverine forest, agricultural land and sandy dunes. He further said that it is home to March Crocodile, Smooth Coated Otter, Hog deer, Chinkara, Desert Cat, Fishing Cat Wild Boar, Desert hare and others.
The area provides habitat to thousands of resident and migratory birds. 'Over 120 bird species have been recorded here', he added. Shahzadi Tunio, Programme Sociologist WWF-Pakistan said that the project aims to provide alternate livelihood means to local communities to reduce pressure on natural resources.
She further said that the target communities could be equipped with requisite skills and knowledge for managing sustainable livelihoods with indigenous resource base. She further said that major themes such as livestock, agriculture and fisheries would be focused and Best Management Practices (BMP) would be used in these sectors to achieve maximum output. 'Beneficiaries of the project include 700 households from 10 villages of Chotiari Wetlands Complex', she added.-PR
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