International Union for Conservation of Nature, Pakistan
IUCN Pakistan and Wetlands
Dr Abdul Majeed
Water and Energy Expert, IUCN
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Presentation Sequence
• Introducing IUCN
• Wetlands – What and Why?
• Wetlands in Pakistan – Importance
• IUCN Pakistan Water and Wetlands Program
• National Wetland Policy – Vision and Objectives
• Pictorial
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A GLOBAL UNION
THE DRIVING FORCE
Vision
A just world that values and conserves nature
Mission
Influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and ensure any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable
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OUR STRUCTURE
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Balochistan Office at Quetta
Country Office at Karachi • Programme Coordination • Constituency • Mangroves For the Future • Sea Intrusion Project • COBSEA • Sea Turtles • Business & Biodiversity • Communication. & Outreach • Finance • HR • Admin
Islamabad Office
• Pakistan Sustainable Transport
Project
• Murree Biodiversity Park
• Pakistan Water Programme
• Mountain and Markets project
• Water Challenges and Water
Governance
• NBSAPs
Gwadar Office
In Pakistan since 1985
Our Offices and Portfolio
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IUCN Pakistan Programme 2014-15
– Environmental policy and governance
Impact assessment
Environmental legislation and adjudication
Water diplomacy
– Ecosystems and livelihoods
Water and Wetlands
Sustainable agriculture
Rangelands and Livestock
Forests and wildlife
Coastal ecosystems
– Biodiversity conservation
Revised Pakistan’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Protected Areas – gap analysis and management system
Access-Benefit Sharing Law and Traditional Knowledge
– Climate change and
disaster preparedness
– Engaging businesses for environment
Urban biodiversity
Our Focus
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What is Wetland
A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.
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Why Wetlands?
Wetlands are important sources of water supply and support a unique biodiversity of flora and fauna consisting of important plants, birds and animal species, including eighteen threatened species of wetland mammals and twenty threatened bird species. Importantly these resources are also situated at the crossroads of Asia’s major bird migration routes, serving as transit points for migrating birds.
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• Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world,
comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of plants,
insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals are part of a wetland
ecosystem.
• Wetlands are “Biological Supermarkets." They provide great volumes of
food that attract many animal species that use wetlands for part of or all of
their life-cycle.
• Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. They are
ideal for the development of organisms that form the base of the food web and
feed many species of fish, amphibians, shellfish and insects. Many species of
birds and mammals rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter, especially
during migration and breeding.
• Wetlands' microbes, plants and wildlife are part of global cycles for
water, nitrogen and sulfur. Wetlands store carbon within their plant
communities and soil instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon
dioxide. Thus wetlands help to moderate global climate conditions.
Why Wetlands?
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• Water regulation – Pakistan’s wetlands play an important role in regulating water availability and water quality for water resource conservation and storage, groundwater recharge and purification;
• Wetlands and climate – wetlands play a significant role in local climate moderation and protection from extreme climatic events, but are threatened by climate change leading to reduced water availability and increasing variability between flood events and drought;
Wetlands – Importance in Pakistan
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• Biodiversity importance – Pakistan’s wetlands are globally and nationally important for their diversity of ecosystems, habitats and species, from the high alpine lakes, small streams and major rivers to lowland lakes and reservoirs, and coastal wetlands such as mangroves, estuaries and beaches;
• Human health and livelihoods – Pakistan’s wetlands and their natural resources contribute significantly to human wellbeing – the health, nutrition and livelihoods of communities adjacent to and using wetlands. Wetland loss and degradation will increase the vulnerability and poverty of wetland riparian communities
Wetlands – Importance in Pakistan
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IUCN Water and Wetland Program • IUCN has a long history of engagement in water and wetlands
conservation in the region.
• One of the earliest organizations to draw attention to the significance of wetland resources and has achieved some notable successes.
• IUCN has developed a comprehensive water and wetland program
• The Program aims to implement sustainable water and wetland management and mainstream ecosystems approach into IWRM processes in order to support poverty reduction, equitable development, resilience to climate change and conservation of biological diversity. The program also influences policy and builds the capacity across sectors and levels of governance to manage water resources.
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IUCN made significant contributions in developing the National Wetlands Policy.
Vision
Pakistan manages its wetlands for effective performance of ecological functions and services; and for realising opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, recreation and culture, research and education
Objectives
• Addressing primary threats to Pakistan’s wetlands
• Creating and implementing a regulatory framework for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands
• Greater co-ordination and collaboration between agencies and sectors on wetland issues encouraged from local to international levels
• Promoting wetland research, education and data management
• Building Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable wetland management
• Promoting improved understanding, perceptions and attitudes towards wetlands conservation and wise use
• Securing financing mechanisms for sustainable management of wetland
National Wetland Policy
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Jeewani Coast, Balochistan
Indus Delta, Sindh
Astola Island, Balochistan
Keenjhar Lake, Sindh Tanda Dam Reservoir, KPK
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Rush Lake 4661m, Pakistan's highest, Nagar
Karombar Lake, 4300m, Broghal Valley, Chitral
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Gudar Lake, 3800m, Swat Valley, KPK
Tarbela Dam Reservoir, KPK
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Uchali Salt Water Lake, Salt Range, Punjab
Manchar Lake, Sindh
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Thank You