ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday revealed that Parliament has approved the country’s largest “Living Indus” initiative.
The minister said that the aim of the project was to protect the cradle of civilizations which were facing severe threats due to environmental degradation and human activities.
Addressing a media briefing along with Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Asif Haider Shah, the minister unveiled the salient features of the plan which has been prepared after full consultation with academics, experts, stakeholders and provincial governments.
Rahman said that the Indus River is the mother of the nation as it has nurtured the entire agriculture and humanity living around it from north to south.
“We have to ensure development in harmony with nature, not against nature.”
He said that the United Nations has helped the Ministry of Climate Change prepare a detailed report on the Indus River to devise a well-thought-out strategy to initiate its conservation and restoration as a living river. .
The minister emphasized that the nature, topography and biodiversity of the Indus River changes with each region it passes through.
“Marine species are at risk, while the greatest threat is to humans living across the mighty river. The Indus River burst in 2010 due to major floods and recent torrential rains. We need to find ways to restore the natural channels of the Indus River. shall be.
Explaining the Living Industries Initiative, the minister said that 25 initial interventions would focus on priority areas. Furthermore, access to adaptation will be central to our defense strategy and climate change mitigation planning.
“As we must ensure climate resilient growth and development, access to adaptation will be our primary focus.”
He added that the ministry would lead to losses and damages and intervention in climate financing at global forums. The minister expressed his pride in launching the Living Industries Initiative.
Explaining the key 25 interventions, the minister said that the project would work across the country while the private sector would need to help finance due to lack of financial resources.
“All our funds have been diverted to humanitarian aid for the recovery of flood victims. Climate adaptation and resilience funds have also been channeled into this effort.
He said that the ministry will try for financing after the end of the humanitarian phase in the country.
They stated that the 25 priority interventions were:
- Nature-Based Resilient Agriculture
- Salinity control in lower Sindh
- Indus Delta Conservation
- Cleaning Sindh from industrial waste
- Green infrastructure and ground recharge
- Land rule
- One lakh community bond
- Zinda Indus Knowledge Platform
- Industry Trust Fund, Climate Nature Performance Bonds
- Social Entrepreneurship for Green Indus
- Cities with plastic waste along the Indus River
- Urban forest on the banks of the Indus
- Industries Protection Act
- Conservation of Indus Beds
- Restored biodiversity in the Indus Basin
- Community-based tourism in Sindh
- Indus Heritage Sites,
- Extended GLOF II
- Promoting Permaculture and others
He said that this initiative belongs to every government including the provinces because these projects will be started in the provinces.
Pakistan paid a heavy price in the agricultural sector due to heatwaves, he said, adding, “It is a matter of our survival. Shrinking size of salmon and other species is clear evidence of environmental degradation and habitat loss in the polluted Indus River. Is.
He mentioned that all provinces are dumping industrial waste which needs to be addressed through stakeholder engagement.
He said that the Zinda database under the initiative will provide quality data and the ministry will take all necessary steps in this regard.
“We will encourage control of plastic pollution through public and community participation, not fines. Pakistan has been home to the hottest cities this year with temperatures exceeding 53 degrees Celsius.
The Minister emphasized that the Indus River is the second most polluted river in the world.
Speaking on the occasion, MOCC Secretary Asif Haider Shah said that these interventions involve large-scale community involvement to gain ownership of the local population and it is a long-term intervention.
Responding to questions from the media, he said the consultation process would involve experts, academicians and provincial governments while the steering committee would include chief ministers of all provinces to implement the plan.
“It will have public-private partnerships, government and international funding.”
Answering questions, the Minister said that this is the biggest adaptation project which should be promoted for the benefit of the country.
“The previous government has been criminally negligent on environmental adaptation projects as many initiatives during Imran’s tenure ended up on paper.”
By the end of this year, he said, the ministry would ensure legislation that traditionally took two years.
“The Live Indus Initiative will cost $11-17 billion. We will try to manage it through available financial facilities. We will also launch it at COP 27.
