Federal
Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan held a meeting with the
delegation of World Bank at Ministry of Climate Change.
Federal Minister for Climate Change
Senator Mushahidullah Khan said while talking to delegation that thousands of
tons wastes from Karachi flows into sea which is not only polluting sea but
also hampers growth of mangroves and fisheries. He further said these waste
being discharged into sea should be included in the Blue Economy project of
World Bank.
Ms. Rahat Jabeen environmentalist
Specialist from World Bank apprized the Minister that World Bank emphasizes the
uplifting the socio economic conditions in developing countries. She further
highlighted that Punjab has better capacity building skills in forestry sector.
She also emphasized that Baluchistan province has great potential to revive
forestry through protecting mangroves. She also informed that mangroves forests
are part of their Blue Economy Project and they are also working on sustainable
fisheries projects. She also informed the minister that World Bank wants
Federal Government to use money of World Bank as incentives for provinces. The province which shows better performance in forestry
sector should be rewarded with this money.
Earlier Secretary Ministry of
Climate Change Syed Abu Ahmed Akif requested Economic Affairs division to
assist in mobilizing matching funds to increase pool for implementing different
components of Green Pakistan Program. The World Bank on request of Economic
Affairs Division visited Pakistan in June 2017.Three potential areas were
identified by world Bank Scoping Mission for additional funding through Green
Pakistan Program.1) Forest investment for resilient landscapes and
infrastructure. It shall support protection of important physical
infrastructure such as roads, water supply, irrigation and hydropower
facilities by mitigating disaster risks related to forest landscapes and forest
ecosystem.2) Forest investment for economic and livelihood development. It
shall develop benefits related to restoration of production forests and agro
forestry system to meet crop, livestock, timber and non timber forest products
that are essential for livelihood of rural poor.3) Capacity building,
monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management. It shall facilitate
exchange of best practices and knowledge among provinces and with the
international community.
The meeting was attended by Jiang
Ru, Senior Environmental specialist, Ms. Rahat Jabeen Environmental Specialist,
Mr. Najam us Sahir Senior Social Development Specialist, Secretary Ministry of
Climate Change Syed Abu Ahmed Akif, Inspector General Forest Syed Mehmood Nasir.
