Integrated Coastal Management: To prevent massive fish deaths, city needs a holistic vision for coastal development

Splitting jurisdiction between various levels of govt will yield better results.

KARACHI:

The Karachi coast recently witnessed episodes of dead fish being washed ashore. As is customary, accusations have been made, fingers have been pointed but the fact remains that there is no conclusive data that can help reach a definitive conclusion.

This shortcoming of viable data on physical, climatic, hydrologic and ecological coastal features and processes applies to all aspects of coastal management in Karachi and, for that matter, all over Pakistan’s 1,000-kilometre-long coastline. This is because the coast-related agencies are not integrated and there is a lack of a holistic vision and plan for coastal development in the country.



In addition, the approach of treating the coastal zone in isolation - separate from the terrestrial activities having an impact on the coast - has not worked. The presence of multiple agencies, involved in managing our coastal areas, particularly in the critical Karachi coast and surrounding areas without having any viable ‘institutional interface’, hinders the development of coordinated polices and plans. There is, thus, an ‘ad-hoc’ approach towards problem-solving. For instance, the comprehensive Karachi Coastal Development Plan, prepared in 1987-88 by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) in co-ordination with UNDP, has not been implemented to date, despite the financial, recreational and ecological benefits it offered.

The map above shows the presence of flora and fauna in Karachi. SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI

Seemingly, the answer lies in Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) - a continuous and dynamic process of planning and managing the coastal area through an integrated approach. ICM, which splits jurisdiction among levels of government at the land-water interface, has emerged as the framework to realise goals and objectives of sustainable ocean and coastal development in many different international forums, such as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development 1992 and the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002. ICM also facilitates the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in coasts and seas.



Let’s just consider one important ICM requirement: its focus on facilitating environmentally sound financial investments and coastal development through forging partnerships and apply it to Karachi. What we find is a totally un-explored and highly beneficial area for partnership that exists between our ‘coastal managers’ and the ‘private sector’. For example, the government and financial investment entities, such as banks or companies specialising in energy extraction and production, recreational and tourism sites development and management enterprises, etc, can collaborate to work out the broad outlines of a coastal zone financial investment and resource utilisation plan. A change in approach and strategy from ‘Coastal Zone Management’ to ‘Integrated Coastal Zone Management’ thus seems advisable.

Apart from fishing, there is limited focus on utilising other options for economic growth. The National Institute of Oceanography and Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan have identified sites in the Indus Delta to establish experimental tidal and wave energy power plants but these projects have yet to materialise. Data suggests that the existing mangrove forests can support 300,000 honeybee colonies during the May-June flowering season, which can translate into revenues amounting to Rs100 million every year. This is considered a modest estimate.

Similarly, a World Bank Reconnaissance Mission Report in 1985 pointed out the possibility of identifying the suitability of the principal mangrove forests in the Indus Delta for pulp production. Pulp industries can be set up near the mangrove forests, if found feasible, but this possibility has yet to be evaluated. The full potential of producing solar salts also remains untapped. These are, nevertheless, just a few of the options available.

ICM requires, thus, a holistic vision that encompasses a range of integrated actions - from documenting the coast to monitoring impacts of development. We need such a vision and we need it on an urgent basis.

The writer is an urban planner and runs a Karachi-based non-profit organisation that focuses on urban sustainability

ICM helps strengthen local coastal governance by providing a framework and processes for:

· Multi-sectoral and interagency coordination

· Engaging multi-stakeholders and various partners

· Promoting environmental investment

· Developing local capacity in integrated planning and management

· Applying sea-use zoning and area-based management

· Linking upstream and downstream concerns

· Building public and private partnerships

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2013.