Pakistan Wetlands Programme’s Inception Workshop
December 6th-9th 2006
The Programme is now adequately staffed and has acquired most of the essential technical equipment, skills and services necessary for its implementation. A Programme Management Unit has been established in Islamabad and a Technical Resource and Equipment Centre has been set up in Lahore.
As a substantial period of time has elapsed since the Programme was first designed and approved, the Programme Management Unit held the Programme’s Inception Workshop from December, 6th-9th 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. The expected outputs of the workshop were to:
- Rebuild commitment and regain momentum with Programme implementation;
- Introduce the Programme Team, Steering Committee and Programme Management Committee to Programme Partners;
- Ensure that the Programme Implementation Team and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the Programme seeks to achieve and the roles of the team members in contributing to the Programme’s objectives;
- Establish and adapt the required procedures for oversight and for effecting such changes to Programme activities, outputs and outcomes as may be required in terms of the approved overall objective.
The inception workshop was intended to achieve certain significant objectives that served as catalyst for accomplishing the Programme’s commitment. Moreover, the workshop served as a forum for introducing the Programme team to its stakeholders and partner organisations and to strengthen ownership and commitment to the Programme in addition to creating awareness on the wise-use of wetlands resources in the country.
Highlights of the workshop:
The Federal Minister of Environment Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat formally launched The Ministry of Environment’s Pakistan Wetlands Programme.
The inaugural and technical sessions of the workshop were consciously amalgamated with several other activities to inculcate the concept of wetlands conservation and their wise-use. The technical sessions were interlaced with a traditional dance from the community representatives of the Hirrak Foundation from Kot Adu to evoke the spiritual and cultural outlook on this mega event by giving live performance on the awareness of Blind Indus Dolphin.
The Federal Minister marked the occasion by inaugurating;
The launch of the crane poster, named the Cranes ofPakistan, depicting the illustrations of cranes in Pakistan. The poster will later be made accessible for the public, educational and research institutions for use;
Launch of a computer-based network portal. This network will allow the users to share useful information on wetlands and seek support for scientific and research based quires from across the globe. Organisations and individuals that are generally interested or involved in wetland conservation in Pakistan can make use of this interactive venture as a useful communication tool.
The Programme’s brochure, embellished with a common wetlands pheasant on a lotus leaf, was also
instigated by the Federal Minister. The brochure is intended to serve as a preliminary source of information on wetlands for the general public.
The Pakistan Wetlands Programme involved schools from the twin cities to compete in developing 3-D model on wetlands. The participating schools were instructed to develop models on six themes focusing different perspectives on wetlands. The themes were:
# |
Wetlands Themes |
Class Level |
1 |
Flora and Fauna of Wetlands |
Montessori Level |
2 |
Types of Wetlands |
3 |
Wetlands of Pakistan |
Primary Level (Class 1-5) |
4 |
Future of Pakistan’s Wetlands |
5 |
Wetlands and People |
Secondary Level ( Class 5-8) |
6 |
Wise Use of Wetlands: People and Wetlands |
This innovative approach to create awareness was part of the Programme’s awareness raising and school outreach initiative. It was apparent from the overwhelming response received from the participating students that the Programme had managed to sensitise these junior ambassadors to care for and conserve these precious ecosystems (ecologically important constituent) of our environment. The winners of the model display were awarded with shield and certificates. The winners were:
# |
Wetlands Themes |
Winners |
1 |
Flora and Fauna of Wetlands |
Sheikh Zayed International School
Beacon House Systems |
2 |
Types of Wetlands |
3 |
Wetlands of Pakistan |
SLS Montessori and High School
The City School |
4 |
Future of Pakistan’s Wetlands |
5 |
Wetlands and People |
SLS Montessori and High School
Schola Nova |
6 |
Wise Use of Wetlands: People and Wetlands |
The inception workshop served as a robust means to launch some vital components of the Programme. It is hoped that through this platform the Pakistan Wetlands Programme will look forward to developing sound synergies between the people and wetlands and accordingly give way to similar ventures for strengthening sustainable development.
