National Consultation Workshop on Preparation of Handbook on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICM)

A “National Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop” was under the Mangroves for the Future Programme, Pakistan, on 24^th December 2012 at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi. Approximately 30 participants representing various governmental, non-governmental and academic organizations attended the workshop to provide their input on the draft of a handbook on coastal areas of Pakistan, being prepared under the Mangroves for the Future Programme. This handbook will serve as a quick reference guide for the coastal stakeholders and resource managers and will contain consolidated information on coastal resources, policies and laws and the agencies working for coastal development. It will help agencies better co-ordinate with each other for the sustainable management of coastal resources.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shamsul Haq Memon, Advisor, Sindh Coastal Development Authority viewed that achieving integrated coastal management is not a simple task and there is a need to learn from the successful regional experiences in this regard. He stressed on the need for consistency and updating of data contained in the draft document and suggested that it would be better if the handbook is termed as a guide book on coastal zone of Pakistan.   

Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Acting Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, highlighted that the purpose of this consultation was to compile views of relevant stakeholders and assured that once finalized, the document will also get peer reviewed to further improve it. He appreciated the participants for their valuable input on the document and assured them that a better draft, keeping in mind their feedback, would be prepared containing updated information on coastal resources, processes and policies.