FAISALABAD (December 05 2008): Asian Development Bank has urged the government to implement planting, filling of existing low-density areas, 350 hectares by third quarter of 2009, while implement planting new areas on 3,000 hectares @ 750 per year through fourth quarter of 2011.
In a draft of Project Administration Memorandum (PAM) of Sindh Coastal Community Development Project, prepared by Agriculture, Environment, & Natural Resources Division Central and West Asia Department, ADB experts stated that all major coastal plan components underway to be completed by the end of 2011, while Brackish water and fresh water fisheries and water quality survey to be completed and results promulgated by the end of 2010. Under this project, about 1,388 community groups will be formed to co-ordinate household based economic activities by the end of 2012, while 25,000 beneficiaries will be trained in income generation options and environmental management by the end of 2012.
All community organisations should have access to micro-savings and micro-credit within 2-years of formation of demand-driven small-scale civil works and/or services initiatives provided to community organisations in 700 villages by mid-2012. About 91 medium-scale civil works and/or services initiatives to be completed by districts by the end of 2012, ADB experts mentioned.
ADB urged that quantity & quality of participation in village meetings and activities be increased to 70 percent of participating villages. 100 pilot extensive prawn ponds, crab ponds, and 100 bivalve or seaweed rafts with adaptive replications be established by the end of 2012. Three hatchery sites to be upgraded with training facilities by the end of 2012, they mentioned.
ADB project updates revealed that Sindh Coastal Community Development Project, aims to reduce poverty for the inhabitants of the coastal zone of Thatta and Badin districts in Sindh province. The project area Talukas are: (i) Ghorabari, Jati, Keti Bander, Kharo Chan, Mirpur Sakhro, and Shah Bander in Thatta district; and (ii) Badin and SF Rahu (Golarchi) in Badin district.
The overall project impact would be reduction in poverty for households in Sindh province. The outcomes are improved, ecologically sustainable income opportunities, and access to services for poor residents in the eight coastal Talukas of Thatta and Badin districts. The outputs include (i) an environmentally sound coastal zone medium-term socio-economic development, management and conservation plan implemented by CDA; (ii) effective community-driven mechanisms for community planning and increasing household incomes; (iii) transparent and accountable community-driven mechanisms for small-scale civil works and public services delivery; (iv) sustainable community-managed income-generating mangrove stands, crab and prawn ponds, and bivalve rafts; and (v) an operational project management system.
To achieve output (i), the project will help CDA to develop a comprehensive coastal development plan that effectively addresses environmental, social development, economic, and other concerns. The project will enhance the capacity of CDA to implement its mandate through team building of an expanded CDA staff, provision of geographic information system (GIS) facilities, and support for appropriate leadership and cross-institutional collaboration. A survey of coastal fresh water and brackish water fisheries and water quality will be implemented by the Sindh provincial Livestock and Fisheries Department (SLFD) over three years in co-operation with district fisheries divisions and in consultation with other government and university organisations.
Output (ii) consists of activities towards the formation of at least 1,388 community organisations in no less than 700 villages; participatory planning and assessment of household and community needs; training of households in income-generating options and leadership; micro-savings and links to micro-credit and graduation of groups to community citizen boards.
Output (iii) involves providing grants for (i) community-demand small scale initiatives in not less than 700 villages within the project area, including small-scale rural service infrastructure and capacity building activities; and (ii) the construction of not less than 91 medium-scale rural infrastructure projects within the project area.
Output (iv) includes provision for (i) planting of not less than 3,350 ha clusters of mangroves at sites in the inter tidal zones to provide significant disaster protection from storm induced tidal surges and episodic cyclones; (ii) developing simple aquaculture ponds and trials of prawn, crab, bivalve, and seaweed cultivation methods; and (iii) minor production capacity upgrades to the Badin fresh water and brackish water hatchery, the Hawks Bay marine hatchery, and the marine rearing facility at Gharo.
Output (v) will be achieved by establishing the project management unit (PMU) within the CDA, staffed with a project director and supported by appropriate technical and supporting staff including a rural infrastructure engineer and two district project implementation units (DPIUs) in each project district of Thatta and Badin. A baseline and project performance monitoring system (PPMS) will also be established to monitor the progress of the project.
It may be recalled that upon the request of the government, the ADB will provide a loan equivalent to 36 million dollars from its special fund resources to finance 90 percent of the project cost. The government and beneficiaries will cover the balance. The loan will have on 32-year term, including a grace period of eight years, with an annual interest charge of one percent during the grace period and 1.5 percent thereafter. The government will re-lend the proceeds of the ADB loan to the government of Sindh on the same terms and conditions as those between the government and ADB. The government of Sindh shall make the entire proceeds of the loan available to CDA on a grant basis.
