A master plan is being developed by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to restore the Indus River Basin at the source with three work streams; to protect the source, use the river efficiently and sustainably and protect marine life.
In a meeting with Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, the representative of FAO Ms Florence Roll said that the Indus River Basin is under threat from climate change, environmental degradation, population pressure and pollution hence putting a question mark on its resilience to sustain life for future generations.
A delegation led by representative of FAO, Ms Florence Roll called on the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Tuesday.
Ms Florence Roll briefed the federal minister that “A master plan is being developed” to restore the Indus River Basin at the source, through the plains and to the sea. The plan will be developed with three work streams; to protect the source, use the river efficiently and sustainably and protect marine life.
An official source told The Nation that the first work stream will be the protection of upstream (the source), conserve and restore mountain ecosystems, watersheds and glaciers, reinvigorate trans-boundary water initiatives, sustainable management of forests and rangelands, increase responsible tourism, monitor river flows for very early warning action, enhance the water storage capacity.
FAO delegation informs Fakhar Imam plan to be developed with three work streams; to protect source, use river efficiently and sustainably and protect marine life
The second work stream includes ‘Plains: clean, efficient and sustainable management of rivers for peoples’ health and sustainable development, double the productivity and incomes of farmers with sustainable food production and climate resilient agriculture and water management practices, improve water resource management infrastructure, regulate urbanization and migration of population in response to economic opportunities and climate change, regulate industrialisation and treatment of industrial, agricultural and domestic waste and pollution, protect biodiversity and natural habitats, manage and use underground water resources sustainably, strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related disasters,
The third work stream is related to downstream which includes to protect marine ecosystems to sustain life, reduce marine pollution, protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems, mangroves and riverine forests, increase the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources and support small scale fishers, improve the ocean health and biodiversity dependent upon fresh water flows
This plan will build upon the national initiatives such as Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, Recharge Pakistan, Clean and Green Pakistan and other investments going into different aspects of Indus basin including building storage capacities, improving water conveyance and use efficiencies.
The plan will be used to raise climate financing with Green Bonds, Nature Performance Financing and Blue Financing. The plan contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals on; zero hunger, climate action, life below water and life above land. It will also contribute to the National Determined Contributions of Pakistan in COP26. Ms Florence said that the Indus River Basin is under threat from climate change, environmental degradation, population pressure and pollution hence putting a question mark on its resilience to sustain life for future generations.
Pakistan therefore needs a Perspective Plan to conserve the resource base, use it wisely and restore the ecosystem. The minister was told that the government requested the technical assistance of the UN to develop a Plan in consultation with all stakeholders to contribute and build upon provincial, national and international initiatives in Pakistan. The FAO representative said that climate change is shrinking the glaciers and making rains less predictable, reducing agricultural production and washing away the homes of the most indigent. Pollution from industry, agriculture and domestic sewage is sickening tens of millions of people who drink from its waters. Contamination from arsenic, nitrates, metals, plastic waste and microbiological contaminants are all at dangerous levels. Environmental degradation at the river mouth is increasing salination of the delta and destroying marine ecosystems and the fishing economy.
Fakhar Imam said that the government is using all its resources to protect Pakistan from the adverse impact of climate change. He said that the issue of food security is at the core of climate change.