Sangat Sindh Report on World Environment Day Seminar

World Environment Day

Human-Caused Biodiversity Loss and Climate Disruption Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Serverabad, Nawabshah

Seminar Report By Nisar Brohi

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

1. An Introduction 2. Objectives of the Seminar 3. Seminar Proceedings 3.1 Mr. Nek Soomro, Coordinator, Sangat Development Foundation (SDF) 3.2 Mr. Nisar Brohi, Director, Sangat Development Foundation (SDF) 3.3 Mr. Nawaz Brohi, Eminent Journalist 3.4 Mr. Inayat Udasi, Writer 3.4 Mr. Nazeer Ahmed, Educationalist 3.5 Mr. Jamsahib

Mir

Dost,

Naib

Nazim,

Union

Council

3.6 Mr. Ashfaque Gupchani, Social Activist 4. Recommendations of the Seminar

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

1. An Introduction The global warming and possible environmental threats to the various Eco regions of the world are today’s striking issues in the world. The different Eco regions of world have different problems and threats in nature but one element is common that human made causes probably do the most damage. When we talk about the global warming, it has many causes; such as excess burning fossil fuels, Pollution, massive deforestation etc. Pollution is one of the biggest man made problems and fossil fuels are fuels made of organic matter such as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned, they give off a green house gas called CO2. The CO2 is the primary cause to global warming, on the other side, the tress that convert CO2 to oxygen are being demolished. There is no suitable replacement of the trees as important for the Eco system. It is fact that the global warming mainly caused by humankind, and even still accelerating it. Only drastic reduction of the waste gas emission and large-scale afforestation can help to the normalcy in the global warming. The Indus Eco region has had a potential threat even to its very existence. When we look at the problems/threats to the Indus Eco region, there is long list, which has badly affected on the biodiversity of the Eco region. Due to construction of dams and barrages at the upstream of the country, has resulted into shortage of fresh water flow to the lower riparian and riverine areas of the Indus in Sindh. Which also ultimately encouraged the sea intrusion in the coastal districts i.e Thatta and Badin. Over harvesting of forests, water logging and soil salinity are also major causes of the degradation of environment and losses of biodiversity.

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

As the case of Nawabshah district is concerned, it was once famous for its both inland and riverine forests. There has been massive deforestation under the supervision of government agencies during the last couple of decades, and also due to growing land degradation and water shortages, common people also resort to cutting of the forests as to clear land for cultivation, because the forestlands are rich in fertility. The common people don’t care of cutting the trees, being unawareness about the link of trees with environmental maintainability. The large scale deforestation by the Govt agencies as well as the people, have created many

environmental problems in Nawabshah district, as it is felt from the growing heat of the district, being the top in the country, it is usually remains high more than 50 centigrade. Many different warmoriented diseases have occurred in the district and have largely threatened to the ecology and biodiversity of the district. Sangat Development Foundation (SDF), being responsible civil society entity has organized a

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

one-day seminar on “Human-Caused Biodiversity loss and Climate Disruption” June 5, 2007 at Serverabad, Nawabshah, on the eve of World Environment Day, in order to discuss the role of the state and its machinery as well as the role of the civil society for the protection of environment and biodiversity. The objective of the seminar was also to sensitize the responsible social actors regarding their civil and moral duties for the protection and development of the Indus Eco region and forest trees in the country for the stifling of the growing disastrous ecological changes. 2. Objectives of the Seminar ♦ To highlight the causes of global warming and environmental problems. ♦ To develop the understanding of the common people on the environmental issues, especially the possible threats to the Indus Eco region and biodiversity ♦ To create awareness to combat the burgeoning environmental challenges through community based environmental upgradation and social forestry ♦ To establish forest friendly watch committee for the promotion and protection of forest trees in the area. 3. Seminar Proceedings 3.1 Mr. Nek Soomro, Coordinator, Sangat Development Foundation (SDF) While welcoming the participants of the seminar Mr. Soomro said the world currently is facing many problems, and environment degradation is one of the main issues in the world. The primary cause of the environmental disruption is the man made antienvironmental actions, which have not only created most serious environmental problems and threats to the natural Eco system but also playing havoc with the lives of the human population. The need is to

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

address the problems of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the fossil fuels and the destruction of carbon-absorbing forests. There is direly demand of the time to launch a comprehensive campaign for the protection and promotion of the biodiversity, which is only the sustainable mean to meet the environmental challenges in the country, as well as to ensure the safety and security of our coming generations. 3.2 Mr. Nisar Brohi, Director, Sangat Development Foundation (SDF) Mr. Brohi giving a presentation on the Global Warming and Possible environmental threats, said the world is passing through its most critical period of human history, coupled with multidimensional threats to its very existence. There is no exaggeration to say that human population activities are the main cause of the global warming and huge losses of biodiversity. According to the scientists and climatologists, if the current global warming trend would not be arrested, it would be raised to 3 to 5 centigrade in the next hundred years, which would be resulting into 16 –20 feet raising in the sea level. Due to growing global warming trend, many ecological changes are expected, which would certainly disturb the world Eco system it all. Because of global warming, the plains will have a lot more fires than expected, the coastal regions will have disastrous floods because of all the extra rain. As the coastal community of Sindh has already been having a lot of socio-economic catastrophes, and expected coastal floods would certainly add more miseries and force the inhabitants to leave their homes and flee. A large portion of the polar ice cap might melt making sea level rise 16-20 feet; some forests in some world regions will dry up and become

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

deserts by the middle of this new century. The snow covered peaks will probably melt causing floods and very dangerous mudslides around the globe. It is also expected that in coming decades, there will also be a dramatic changes in global weather compared to the weather of today. As there will be periods of drought followed by periods of dramatic storms. A drought might occur when the plants have just sprouted up from the ground. It is ultimately the human population and biodiversity of the world would suffer. Due to the burgeoning global warming, human population would host a number of warm-oriented diseases, such as malaria, skin cancer etc. Malaria is a disease that will increase in coming years. As mosquitoes breed in warm, wet places, with the increases of rain and warmth during global warming, the population of mosquitoes will increase, making the risk of increase of this disease. Skin cancer is one of the main concerns of the world when global warming hits. Behind this entire dilemma, there is none but irresponsible human actions, which create unfriendly weather increasing the large-scale carbon emission. A survey reveals that due to human irresponsible actions carbon emission per sector annually is, in industrial process 16.8 percent, power stations 21.3 percent, waste disposal and treatment 3.4 percent, Land use and biomass burning 10.0 percent, transportation fuel 14.0 percent, agriculture by products 12.5 percent, residential and commercial and other sources 1.03 percent. On the other side, the deforestation has also two causes in contributing in the global warming, one, due to deforestation, there is no absorption of carbon emissions and other it is also responsible for 25 percent of all carbons emission entering the

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

atmosphere by burning and cutting million acres of trees each year.

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When we take stock of Sindh province, Sindh once was biodiversity rich and forest prone area, and had wide and flourished Eco-region and coastal belt. But at present it has been facing burgeoning threats not only to its Eco region and coastal belt but also land and riverine forests. In Sindh, forests occupy 2.5 percent total land area. But on the other side, there are many threats to forests, lack of government interest in developing forest nurseries, the large-scale deforestation under the supervision of the government departments, no afforestation move, low flow in Indus river, which badly hurt in the riverine areas and as well as down stream Kotri the coastal belt. The forests and trees are not only beneficial for the preservation of environment, but there are also a lot of others benefits to our lands and ultimately to the people. As the forest trees also improve degraded soil, such as controlling soil erosion, adding favorable nutrients to the soil, improving the soil’s physical and chemical properties, and also reducing desiccation of crops. As for as the case of Nawabshah district is concerned, it once used to be hub of forest trees but during last couple of decades, there has been massive deforestation by the so called mafias under the supervision of government and the common people have also been involved in illegal cutting of trees, Which has also created many environmental problems for the people of Nawabshah district. As it is noted from the growing heat of the Nawabshah, being in the top of country, more than 50 centigrade. Many different warm-oriented diseases have occurred in the district and have threatened the common people lives.

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

On other side, it was expected that the local government would have special focus on the forest tree protection and promotion in order to maintain and control the raising heat and warming. But, unfortunately, they seem to be indulged in the destruction of parks and tree in order to leveling the ground for developing shopping markets and buildings. In order to maintain and control the burgeoning heat and environmental problems of the district, following immediate measures should be taken, ♦ Massive afforestation move, through community participation should immediately be launched in the district. ♦ Legal action should be proposed for the Protection of plants, forests and also ban should be imposed for cutting of trees for next ten years ♦ During monsoon and spring season, the tree plantation campaign should not only be reserved to the Official event/photo session, but involving all stakeholders of the society, as large scale plantation could be carried out. 3.3 Mr. Nawaz Brohi, Eminent Journalist While speaking on the occasion Mr. Nawaz said, the people of Nawabshah has been confronting with major environmental problems from many many years but none has come forward to get them relief from this critical conditions. There are many reasons of warming but it is also undeniable fact that due to massive deforestation moves in the district by different Mafia’s have also had a huge contribution in the climate disruption. It is also matter of fact that the community has itself also indulged in large scale cutting of trees in the district. But there are

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

very few people who are aware aspects of the forest trees.

about

beneficial

It is now indispensable to launch environmental education campaign for community workers in order to educate them about the importance of forest and trees for the maintainability of climate and also benefits for their soil productivity. Any move without community participation for the betterment would be in vain. So, community and social worker should be taken collectively work for forest tree community based plantation.

awareness and of environment community-based on board to protection and

3.4 Mr. Inayat Udasi, Writer Mr. Inayat said, due to environment pollution many problems have occurred from socio-economic to health to the common people. He suggested that there is badly need for special efforts for the containment of global warming as well as local Environmental facility through community-based schools. He was of a view that at the first step community based schools should be involved for the tree protection and plantation and also the school teachers and students should be provided trainings for the protection and promotion of small level nurseries, as tree loving community should be established. No doubt the community-based schools can play very paramount important role for the tree nursery development. 3.4 Mr. Nazeer Ahmed, Educationalist While speaking in the seminar, Mr. Ahmed said that our community is facing many socio-environmental problems since many years. Due to growing warming and starching heat, common people hosted different serious diseases, which resulted into more socio-

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

economic miseries of the masses. Environmental pollution has created many serious health problems for the local community. He suggested that Social forestry training should be imparted to all stakeholders of the society in order to develop tree friendly environment in the district. The forestry would not only help in absorption of toxic and carbon oxide emission emanating from industrious, vehicles, power stations etc, but also would create healthy society. 3.5 Mr. Jamsahib

Mir

Dost,

Naib

Nazim,

Union

Council

While speaking on the occasion, he first appreciated the efforts taken by Sangat Welfare and Development Organization for the community welfare and development in the remote areas of the district Nawabshah, and said that once our society was very loving one for the trees, they used to take precautionary measures for the nursing and looking after the tress themselves, and also there was trend of domestic nurseries but now there is very little care for the trees. He proposed tree plantation campaign in rural areas involving the rural community and public representatives for environmental protection. Until and unless, the community and elected representatives would not be engaged in the tree plantation campaign, any move for the tree plantation would not be successful. 3.6 Mr. Ashfaque Gupchani, Social Activist Mr. Gupchani said that environmental issue is one of the major problems facing by the world population. If the required steps would not be taken, that issue would have disastrous results on the over all-human as well as living organisms. Due to unsustainable development trend, it has created

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION

many problems in the society, and also having colossal losses on the environment of the globe. He said, it is high time that all possible measures should be taken to contain the environment degradation through involving all stakeholders of the society. 4. Recommendations of the Seminar ♦ Sustained efforts for the reduction of the emission intensity of energy production ♦ Sustainable policy to combat deforestation, and to promote the sequestering of greenhouse gases though reforestation ♦ Develop community based sustainable management of biodiversity ♦ Provide alternative income generating activities to the local communities that reduce community demands on the local environment, and avoid unsustainable uses of forest or local wildlife ♦ Encourage Agro-forestry, crop diversification and soil renewal activities that help preserve biodiversity ♦ Public-private partnership policy for the Conservation and sustainable management of natural habitats, site protection and parks management activities ♦ Combat land degradation and diversification in arid and semi arid areas, such as pastoral development, range management and village based integrated land management ♦ Encourage shifts to environmentally benign fuel and transportation modes

SEMINAR REPORT: HUMAN-CAUSED BIODIVERISTY LOSS AND CLIMATE DISRUPTION