Project Name:
Participatory Community Consultations for LBOD Regional Master Plan under WSIP – I

Country:
Pakistan

Project Location within Country: 
Sindh Province of Pakistan.

Name of Client:
Mr. Abdul Uyoob Alabdeen
Mr. Carlos Gandarilas Ph.D, Team Leader. The Louis Berger Group Inc B-37, Defence Housing Society, Thandi Sadak, Hyderabad, Sindh Phone No: 022-272-0117 The Louis Berger Group Inc

Name of Associated Firm,
,Sindh Agricultural & Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization (SAFWCO), Badin Rural Development Society (BRDS), Goath Seenghar Foudnation (GSF) and Management & Development Foundation

Name of Senior Staff Involved and Functions Performed:
Dr. Yameen Memon, Chief Executive, Mr. Avais Ahmed Memon, Manager Programs & Mr. Imran Memon, Executive Director MDF

• Prepare project document
• Review the existing presentation and secondary / primary data
• Impart training to the project staff and Stakeholder workshop
• Monitor project activities
• Facilitate data management
• Coordinate with the client and relevant stakeholders
• Literature review and report production
  
  

Description of Project:
The main objective of the Water Sector Improvement Project Phase-I (WSIP-I) is to prepare for the Government of Sindh (GoSindh) a regional master plan for addressing the flooding issues and providing proper drainage to the area on the left bank of the Indus River through appropriate structural and non-structural measures, including remedial measures for any outstanding deficiencies in the Left Bank Outfall Drainage system, measures for retention and/or safe disposal of drainage, storm and flood water, improvement of wetlands in the delta area and in the coastal zone recognizing their environmental importance and considerable economic potential for the local communities.

The water resource management issues in the Sindh province are complex and multi-dimensional and require a comprehensive analysis and consideration of various factors to identify the existing issues and develop feasible and publicly accepted solutions which will improve water management and increase agricultural productivity.

The main objective of the assignment requires that these studies should be carried out in consultations with the stakeholders starting from beginning to end covering identification of the issues, analysis and design of solutions. As per the norm for regional planning assignments the work will be carried out in phased manner. Each phase would be concluded through consultations and shared understanding with the stakeholders leading to key decision necessary for carrying out work under subsequent phases.

The Phase I includes inventory and assessment of existing conditions and identification of issues and problems, preparation of a report that can form the basis of consultations with all stakeholders to reach an agreement on definition of issues and problems. This would also cover issues related to supply of water and management of drainage & wastewater effluent expected to be generated by development of Thar Coal mines and power complex in future as planned by the government.

The Phase-I would be finalized through extensive consultations with the population, water users and stakeholders in area on the Left Bank of the Indus River, delta and coastal zones and should help identify and prioritize issues for which the solutions have to be developed during Phase-II.

Genuine participation and involvement from the community and other relevant stakeholders is essential throughout the planning and design process. The main objectives of the community participation are: (1) to encourage ownership of the project and outputs, (2) to provide improved visibility and education regarding the complex issues for consideration and the activities initiated by SIDA to identify and solve the problems, (3) to allow community/stakeholder concerns to be identified and adequately addressed; (4) to generate alternative solutions to complex problems; (5) to improve transparency and accountability; (6) to empower and include often marginalized and underrepresented groups; and (7) to provide education on critical issues assisting the long term sustainability of the interventions.

People should be correctly informed of the issues and potential solutions and allowed to voice their comments and concerns – which should in turn feedback into the planning and design process. It is essential that all stakeholders are identified and given the opportunity to be involved and informed regarding the project, the irrigation and drainage issues and potential structural and non-structural solutions.

The public consultations will include a broad spectrum of stakeholder such as farming communities, fishermen, villagers urban populations, non-governmental organizations, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the area and Sindh, user groups in each of the water sectors (irrigation, domestic use, municipal and industrial, environmental), as well as interest groups concerned with environmental and socio-cultural issues. Open public consultation sessions must allow any interested parties to express their concerns and /or to access information regarding the project.

• Organized 5 consultative workshops at difference levels
• District/Regional Workshops
• Area Water Board (AWB) Workshops
• National Workshop
• Stakeholders Feedback analysis report
• Draft and Final Report Developed