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