International conference on “Environmental issues of Sindh and its Remedies” organized at Khairpur- Pakistan by Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur on 9-10 April, 2014

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Islamabad (11 April 2014): Environment is a blessing of nature and all stakeholders must collaborate for protection of environment and sustainability of ecosystems, for wellbeing of biodiversity and global community- said President ECO Science Foundation, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro. He was speaking as the Chief Guest in the inaugural ceremony of two day international conference on “Environmental issues of Sindh and its Remedies” organized at Khairpur- Pakistan by Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur on 9-10 April, 2014. The conference was organized in collaboration with Higher Education Commission-Pakistan, WWF Pakistan and Sindh Green Environmental Forum.

Prof. Soomro shared his own study on environmental and health hazards of pesticides and said that chemical pesticide residues were found to be present in 100% sample of vegetables collected from markets in cotton growing districts of Pakistan. Of which around 60% samples had pesticide residues above maximum residue limit (MRL) set by WHO. He further said that fertilizers and the irrigation water contaminated with industrial affluent was adding to the miseries of consumers and the degradation of environment. Thus Dr. Soomro stressed upon minimizing the use of synthetic agricultural inputs and avoiding the contaminated water for irrigation. He also considered the public awareness about the sources of environmental pollution as very important.

Dr. Soomro further said that climate change is a reality and a bigger challenge. He said that ecosystems and biodiversity serve the humanity we must learn from nature and research must lead to the development of the society. He told the audience that in the light of IPCC report the Intergovernmental Science and Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has been established in Bonn Germany for scientific research on climate change and mitigation/adaptation. He also shared that his organization- ECO Science Foundation has been accredited by IPBES as an Observer/Stakeholder of IPBES and has already nominated numerous experts from ECO countries including Pakistan to IPBES for various deliverables.

Prof. Manzoor Soomro suggested that building on the strengths of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, efforts should be made to strengthen and expand it to undertake research and awareness on various aspects of environment.

Mr. Naseer Memon the Chief Executive of Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) Islamabad in his key note lecture, presented the dismal state of environment in Sindh. He said that forests in Sindh are being lost by the passing day and in Pakistan, only 5% area is under forest cover, while in Bangladesh forest cover is 18%. Naseer Memon said that due to air pollution and vehicular emission, the environment is being degraded; water logging and hunger have become eminent, and three million people are Hepatitis patients due to use of unsafe water. He said that at this juncture Sindh faces serious challenges; i.e., Indus Delta is dying, Left and Right Bank falls have collapsed, wetlands are in bad condition, EPA is no more effective in terms of finance, legal course of action and trainings. Mr. Memon suggested that the means for the improvement of environmental status of Sindh can be achieved by empowering Universities in research, policy and awareness, civil society agenda for betterment, regulation process.

Prof. Dr. Asadullah Kazi Chancellor of Isra University- Hyderabad, in his Presidential address said that "we have destroyed the ecosystem and biodiversity and must make efforts to protect them". He shed light on Indus water accord between Pakistan and India and elaborated on the importance of water distribution among the provinces on equity. Earlier, Prof. Dr. Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor SALU welcomed the dignitaries and participants from different parts of Pakistan and abroad and said that in the era of globalization the most common issues is environment pollution caused by various human interventions including; industrialization, urbanization, deforestation and global warming etc. Thus she emphasized on more research and mitigation.

Dr. Fayaz Ahmed Memon from U.K. presented another key note speech on decentralized water management options to address water scarcity in developing countries. He said that water has central importance in world .He said by year 2015, 25 mega cities in the developing countries would be developed and as result, three billion people will face water scarcity. He shared some projection which indicated that there will be severe water scarcity among the 25 most populists countries of south Asia including Pakistan by the year 2025, which will also lead to energy crisis. Finally, Prof. Dr Nisar Ahmed Kanhar, Conference Secretary extended vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, eminent speakers and the participants from across the country and abroad.