THATHA : Nov 10,2022: A one day seminar on the impact of climate change, pollution and over exploitation of natural resources in coastal and marine zone of Thatta:challenges and opportunities was organized under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rafique Ahmed Memon Pro-vice Chancellor University of Sindh Campus Thatta,
Addressing to the guest Dr. Mr Memon said that there was a lot of scope of research in coastal belt Thatta Campus is doing commendable job. In this direction, he opined, that the center for coastal and deltaic studies was playing pivotal role by wining various projects from PMDC Sijawal and PMDC Thatta. PVC Thatta campus concluded that these projects will bring wealth of knowledge which will help policy makers to devise plan of action accordingly.
Furthermore, chief guest Mr. Ghazanfar Qadri Deputy Commissioner Thatta inaugurated Marine research laboratory and oceanographic survey unit and appreciated the efforts of Director CCDS Professor Dr Muktiar Ahmad Mahar.
Highlighting the importance of marine research laboratory for Thatta region he assured further cooperation and support in terms of acquiring a separate building for Thatta campus. He instructed civil society organizations to work in collaboration with administration of CCDS.
On the other hand, Project director PMDC Dr. Mukthiar Ahmed Mahar welcome and thanked the guests. And presented a comprehensive project report of PMDC Thatta in the seminar. He specified ongoing research activities and their results up until now. He resolved that remaining work of the project will meet all the due deadlines. The director further showed the equipment of the project procured thus far and explained the functions of the equipment.
Miss Fiza Shah campus coordinator presented Marine Research findings and highlighted the existing status of Fauna and flora in coastal creeks of Thatta district that are facing enormous challenges due to environmental conditions.
Miss Shah recommended that the district government may take necessary measures for protection and conservation of fisheries, mangroves and commercially important shell fishery.
Mr Khuda Bux Behrani deputy director social welfare department, expressed great concern of socioeconomic fabric of most vulnerable coastal communities living in creeks of District Thatta. He also expressed full support of social welfare department to Thatta campus, in context to field data collection.
Director fisheries Mohammad Aslam Ansari offered the collaboration of Sindh fisheries with University of Sindh Thatta campus in connection to Mari culture sector development.
Dr Shahnaz director CEMB of University of Karachi, appreciated the efforts of research development at Thatta campus, she also offered to share the research facilities, assessment of samples free of cost by utilizing all the facilities of Centre of excellence of Marine biology.
The other keynote speakers were Mr Akhtar samoon (IUCN), Mr Ahmed khan, Mr Mir Mohd Baloch, Mr Iqtidar Rasool, Miss Humera, Miss Mahreen Baloch and others spoke at the event.
