Preserving the Botanical Lakes.
Do you residents wish to see and have thousands of migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and insect which helps to keep the ecosystem intact, to come to our Botanical Lakes.
One way to preserve the environment of the lake is by releasing of fresh water into the lakes, whence the fresh water sources have been blocked.
Here is a shocking article of the Lakes environment in Karachi, Pakistan, whereby lakes are dying due to the persistant flow of industrial waste.
Environmentalists have urge that one way to preserving is by releasing of fresh water into lakes, as fresh water sources have been blocked. Pakistan wetlands is a devastation of natural lakes.
The International News
Monday, February 02, 2009, Safar al-Muzaffar 07, 1430 A.H.
February 2:World Wetlands Day
By Jan Khaskheli
Karachi - The Pakistan Government has urged provincial governments and relevant NGOs to design projects aimed at preserving the environment in connection with the year 2009 being declared as ‘National Year of Environment’. Environmentalists meanwhile have urged the government to ensure release of fresh river water to lakes, as few of them, known as Ramsar sites, have become dead due to persistent flow of industrial and urban effluent. Nareri Lake is a glaring example of environmental depreciation and the loss of livelihood for hundreds of fishermen families, who according to some are the real custodians of the major water body.Dr Tahir Qureshi, marine ecology expert from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), says that the situation of wetlands in Sindh is deplorable. Some of the wetlands are of national importance while others are internationally significant. Wetlands from Kashmore to Keenjhar in Sindh however are drying up because their sources of fresh water have been blocked, he said.In Pakistan, wetlands cover approximately 9.7 per cent (78,000 sq km) of the total area. Keenjhar, Manchhar, Haleji and other major lakes have become dumping grounds. Keejhar supplies water to Karachi but the authorities have never bothered to clean useless weeds, Qureshi said. “No scientific plan has been initiated to manage these wetlands, despite the fact that thousands of families derive livelihood from them.”Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) Chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah said that other countries are aware of the significance of river restoration, and have initiated mega projects aimed at facilitating both the communities and the environment. “If the rivers are alive, the communities and the environment will also thrive. The government should launch sustainable uplift projects to avoid the loss of ecosystem,” he added. Recent movements by environmentalists for decommissioning dams is another valuable initiative, and people here should follow suit and oppose the dams as well, said Shah, claiming that mega water projects near rivers are adding to the devastation of natural lakes. Keenjhar Lake, Drigh Lake, Haleji Lake, Indus Dolphin Reserve, Jubho Lagoon, Nareri Lagoon, Indus Delta, and the mangroves have been declared wetlands in Sindh. These lakes and mangroves are host to thousands of migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and insects which keep the ecosystem intact.However, over the past few years most wetlands have degraded due to unsustainable environmental exploitation. Meanwhile, the development of more large-scale projects has made the situation all the more threatening in Sindh.Amar Leghari, the author of four books on wildlife and environment has explained that the Makhi Forest wetland linked with Lake Sadori system and Lake Wasoo system in Nara Valley. He pointed out that majority of lakes in the area are dying because the Chotiary Reservoir project has blocked the canals which are a source of fresh water for the lakes.In this regard, various groups have designed variety of activities to mark the World Wetlands Day. The WWF-Pakistan will be hosting the Indus for All programmes featuring a walk, community service and a discussion. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) has organised a show to sensitise the government authorities and educate communities about the protection of wetlands at their head office in Ibrahim Hyderi. Pakistan Wetlands Programme is planning to host a wide array of activities during the week of February 2 to 14 to commemorate the World Wetlands Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment