Community based Natural Resource Management Project Kharo Chan, District Thatta
2 Years [October 15, 2009- September 15, 2010]
Funding Partner
:
World Wide Fund for Nature [WWF] Pakistan
Project Area
:
Mal and Kanher Creeks of Taluka Kharo Chan District Thatta Sindh
Introduction and Background
Kharo Chan is situated at a distance of about 230 km East of Karachi in Thatta district. It is a taluks (tehsil) with a total of 42 dehs, 515 villages spread over a total area of 60,969 ha. The sea has engulted 12 dehs and the total affected area in the Taluka being 16,137 ha. It is a big deltic area along the Pakistan coastline that is facing environmental degradation and loss of livelihood opportunities for the local people.
The population of Taluka Kharo Chan, District Thatta and adjacent creeks is about 30,500. Majority of them are fisherman and belongs to Dabla, Balouch, Jat, Memon, Shiekh, Solangi, Khaskhelly, Syed, Murgar and other tribes. The people are living below the poverty line and thus the dependence on natural resources has been increased.
Traditionally agriculture, livestock and fishing were three major sources of livelihood for the communities of the area. High quality red rice was extensively cultivated and harvested in the past. The agriculture has now deteriorated due to water logging and salinity of lands, causing degradation of natural agriculture livelihoods.
The locals during the off season (May – August) were dependent on agriculture practices in past and fishing in other months of the year. Scarcity of fresh water in the area from the Indus and seawater intrusion into the land has been degrading the area. Currently, dominant sources of livelihood being fishing (90%), agriculture and livestock rearing (08%) and service sector (02%). Majority of the coastal communities usually purchase the water cans at heavy prices, making then economically more vulnerable. The water purchased and consumed is excessively unhygienic and causes outbreak of many water – borne diseases.
There is widespread degradation of mangrove forests as a result of commercial logging, cutting for fuel purposes as well as for feeding the animals. The phenomenon has threatened the lives and livelihoods of the local communities. The local communities are exposed to the treats of cyclones as a result of the reduced mangrove coverage. Similarly, fish and shrimp catch has also reduced a result of the degradation of the mangrove habitats of those natural livelihood resources.
Project Goal
Contributing to Biodiversity and livelihood sustainability by introducing community based natural resource management in Kharo Chan district Thatta
Objectives
To introduce Community based Management of Mangrove Forests in and around Mal and Kanher Creeks, Kharo Chan
To introduce Community based Fisheries Management in and around Mal and Kanher Creeks, Kharo Chan
Community based Natural Resource Management Project Kharo Chan, District Thatta
2 Years [October 15, 2009- September 15, 2010]Introduction and Background
Kharo Chan is situated at a distance of about 230 km East of Karachi in Thatta district. It is a taluks (tehsil) with a total of 42 dehs, 515 villages spread over a total area of 60,969 ha. The sea has engulted 12 dehs and the total affected area in the Taluka being 16,137 ha. It is a big deltic area along the Pakistan coastline that is facing environmental degradation and loss of livelihood opportunities for the local people.
The population of Taluka Kharo Chan, District Thatta and adjacent creeks is about 30,500. Majority of them are fisherman and belongs to Dabla, Balouch, Jat, Memon, Shiekh, Solangi, Khaskhelly, Syed, Murgar and other tribes. The people are living below the poverty line and thus the dependence on natural resources has been increased.
Traditionally agriculture, livestock and fishing were three major sources of livelihood for the communities of the area. High quality red rice was extensively cultivated and harvested in the past. The agriculture has now deteriorated due to water logging and salinity of lands, causing degradation of natural agriculture livelihoods.
The locals during the off season (May – August) were dependent on agriculture practices in past and fishing in other months of the year. Scarcity of fresh water in the area from the Indus and seawater intrusion into the land has been degrading the area. Currently, dominant sources of livelihood being fishing (90%), agriculture and livestock rearing (08%) and service sector (02%). Majority of the coastal communities usually purchase the water cans at heavy prices, making then economically more vulnerable. The water purchased and consumed is excessively unhygienic and causes outbreak of many water – borne diseases.
There is widespread degradation of mangrove forests as a result of commercial logging, cutting for fuel purposes as well as for feeding the animals. The phenomenon has threatened the lives and livelihoods of the local communities. The local communities are exposed to the treats of cyclones as a result of the reduced mangrove coverage. Similarly, fish and shrimp catch has also reduced a result of the degradation of the mangrove habitats of those natural livelihood resources.
Project Goal
Contributing to Biodiversity and livelihood sustainability by introducing community based natural resource management in Kharo Chan district Thatta
Objectives