Lobbying for Environmental Flows: Planning for the Sustainability of Deltas

Nasir Ali PanhwarGeneral Secretary

Friends of Indus Forum October 16, 2012,

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background Background

The Upstream modification in flow Indus

Rapid Urbanization, Overpopulation, Deforestation & Pollution

This has resulted into:

Sea Intrusion, salinity, shrinkage of aquifers, Freshwater bodies turned into brackish, deterioration of water quality & loss of biodiversity

Consequences:

Social, economical and ecological implications

Why Friends of Indus Forum ?

• Strong need for the society to act collectively to highlight, understand and work towards the restoration & preservation of unique eco-region

• WWF recognized that substantive change is beyond the scope of single organization

• Indus for All Programme- WWF Pakistan played an instrumental role in establishing the Friends of Indus Forum

• The Friends of Indus Forum was formally established in 2008 and Registered in Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 20 Jan 2010

• The Forum acts as a policy watchdog by bringing together concerned citizens, conservation activists, intellectuals and passionate individuals

Vision Statement

“Ensuring prosperity for current and future generations in Indus Basin particularly lower riparian through coexistence and

harmony with nature”

Charter• Serve as a policy advisory

body for government of Sindh, Pakistan and any other interested group for sustainable management of natural resources and environment

• Provide strategic guidance to government and organizations working for conservation

• Mobilize larger community support, awareness and lobbying for nature conservancy

• Document, disseminate and demonstrate success stories in biodiversity conservation

• Promote effective natural resource governance

• Raise voices for revival of lost habitats, species and resources

• Endeavoring to prepare young generations as a custodian of environment

Office Bearers

Mr.Sikander Ali BrohiPresident

Mr. Ali Akbar RahmoonVice President

Mr. Nasir Ali Panhwar General Secretary

Mr. Ghulam Mustafa MiraniJoint Secretary

Ms. Shahida PanhwarInformation Secretary

Mr. Altaf Sheikh Treasurer

Mr. Ayaz Ali BuriroOffice Secretary

Founding Office Bearers

Mr. Naseer Memon President

Mr. Zahid Keerio Vice President

Mr. Nasir Ali Panhwar General Secretary

Ms. Zahida Detho Joint Secretary

Mr. Zulfiqar Halepoto Information Secretary

Mr. Ali Muhammad Shaikh Treasurer

Mr. Majeed Thahim Office Secretary

Strategy

• Work as an independent forum comprising members of diverse disciplines and backgrounds

• Developing Environmental constituency through increased passionate membership

• Lobbying & advocacy with policy makers for nature conservation

• Effective involvement of media, academia and civil society to promote nature conservation

• Highlighting individual role models in the area of nature conservation.

• Prepare and promote youth as a future custodian of nature conservation

Brochure Brochure

Position Paper on water in Position Paper on water in River Indus downstream River Indus downstream Kotri Kotri

Position Paper on Manchar Lake Position Paper on Manchar Lake

Position Paper on Riverine Forests Position Paper on Riverine Forests

The role of Friends of Indus Forum in the CCAP Project

Advocacy and lobbying with politicians and government officials, among other stakeholders for sustainable flows as needed to maintain and enhance assets dependent on the Indus River as well as the River itself

Assist CCAP to obtain government sanction and notification of union council level adaptation plans for Kharo Chaan and Keti Bunder as well as any other coastal areas identified by stakeholders

Assist CCAP with mainstreaming of climate adaptation stratgeies into policy and planning documents

Lobbying for environmental flows….

E-flows is indeed a complex concept and thus needs to be simplified.

E-flows need to be understood and implementation strategies arrived at within the specific context of the river basin.

The communities should ensure whether the adopted methodology integrates and responds to local challenges and if their view points on how a river should flow or not flow is considered in the objective setting, assessment and implementation

Civil Society need to play the role of a catalyst or even a mediator in the overall implementation process

Conflicts are bound to arise while setting flows since it may involve compromises in one’s enjoyed share of water

Political parties need to be convinced about the directeconomic and social benefits of allowing e flows

Communities can be an asset in assessments, and have the first right to monitor the health of the rivers they depend upon.

Lobbying for environmental flows

Challenges for E flows in Pakistan

Lack of awareness: decision-makers and technocrats, by and large, are unwilling to relinquish the perspective the environmental flows are a 'waste of water' rather than an ecological necessity that will fuel economic growth.

Accuracy of environmental flow calculations: there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the accuracy and legitimacy of calculations for the environmental flow requirements (minimum flows for delta).

Government resistance: significant lobbying is needed at the district, provincial and national levels to not only advocate for the release of the proposed volume of water, but also institutionalize the necessity of this release.

Institutional blockages: the centralized and highly technocratic system of governance and decision-making coupled with technical barriers erected by WAPDA hinders the participatory policy development process.

Civil society’s role in the 50 Year Vision of the Indus Ecoregion….

Civil Society share vision and information about Indus Ecorgeion

Mobilization for environmental conservation among grass root level communities initiated by civil society

Environmental awareness is promoted among other stakeholders through CSOs

Coordination & cooperation mechanism established

CSOs in Sindh are becoming increasingly involved in environmental and development issues.

This involvement is not only in research, training, extension, awareness raising and advocacy but also in developing models of community participation and community-NGO-government partnerships

Thank you