22th April, 2004
Earth Day Celebrated

WWF Pakistan organised a very informative and useful event on Earth Day. About 40 journalists and writers from leading English, Sindhi and Urdu newspapers and academicians of Karachi and Hyderabad assembled at Keti Bunder to listen to the ordeal of coastal communities. Needless to say, Keti Bunder had never been visited by a group this diverse. Equally unique was the opportunity for the visitors to witness the extent of damage caused by sea intrusion and lt the same time, listen to the coastal communities’ people. About 50 locals from Keti Bunder, Kharo Chaan and other coastal villages gathered to narrate the stories of socio-economic disaster resulting from environmental degradation of their natural resources. Local people mentioned issues emanating from reduced fresh water flows to Indus delta, resulting in sea encroachment and degradation of land and aquifer in the area. Other important issues discussed included loss of community livelihood in the context of agriculture

and fisheries (use of narrow nets, deep sea fishing policy and exploitative marketing mechanism).

This event was organised in collaboration with SPO and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF). We believe that the event would be helpful in mass dissemination of vital information on the issues of coastal areas. It will also help in raising the voice of coastal communities in policy/decision making corridors. Media provided extensive coverage to the event. Almost all leading newspapers carries detailed account of the event. Apart from that,Kawish TV network showed glimpses in its hourly news bulletins.

For further information:

Naseer Memon
Conservation Manager-Sindh
WWF-Pakistan
606-607, 6th Floor Fortune Centre
P.E.C.H.S, Block-6
Shahrah-e-Faisal
Karachi-75400
Tel : (021)4544791-2
nmemon@wwf.org.pk