STAFF REPORT KHI: Experts at a workshop highlighted the threat that climate change poses in Pakistan where lack of awareness puts an increased risk on each citizen. Coastal areas such as Thatta in particular suffer the most. Hotter summers result in raised sea levels, posing a serious threat to coastal areas.
The workshop “Climate Resilient Communities in Coastal Lying Areas of Sindh project” was organised by Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBSP).
Purpose of the event was to create awareness about the impact of climate change on the lives of local people living in the coastal areas of Pakistan.
Briefing the participants of the event about the challenges the coastal areas of Pakistan face, Saleema Salim, Programme Manager Sindh, AKPBS,P said,
“Studies by WWF-Pakistan and NIO, Pakistan, show that sea water intrusion in the past 30 years has encroached over 1km inland. Indus River Delta may see a rise of up to 10mm per year in the future.
Other studies predict an eventual rise of up to 6.5 feet, naturally displacing local communities”
Speaking at the event, Chairman AKPBS,P, Hafiz Sherali said, “Despite challenges in the region, the Climate Resilient Communities project will fill a gap and be a stepping stone towards future built environment related interventions to tackle the hazardous impact of climate change.”