Wetland management training course in Pakistan, February 2000

From the Ramsar Forum

(message received 16 November 1999)

To the Ramsar Bureau. I would appreciate if you kindly post the following information on Ramsar web site. With best regards, Muhammad Zaheer Khan, President, The Scientific and Cultural Society of Pakistan ( zaheer@scsp.khi.sdnpk.undp.org ).

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2ND INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON WETLAND CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT 2000

1-15 February 2000

IN COLLABORATION WITH RAMSAR CONVENTION BUREAU, SWITZERLAND

ORGANIZED BY THE SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL SOCIETY OF PAKISTAN

THE WETLANDS

Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. According to the Ramsar definition, "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters". In addition, the Convention provides that wetlands: "may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide lying within the wetlands".

Wetlands are among the most productive life-support systems in the world and are of immense socio-economic and ecological importance to mankind. They are critical for the maintenance of biodiversity and perform a great role in the biosphere. Ironically wetlands have been perceived as wastelands associated with disease, difficulty and danger. Emphasizing the negative impacts and ignoring their importance, these habitats were considered obstacles in the path of progress and hence drained, filled, despoiled and degraded for economic gains. The wetland loss has been responsible for bringing to the verge of extinction countless species of plants and animals. Inadequate understanding of the crucial role and utility of wetlands is a matter of serious concern.

Wetlands support high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrate species. Wetlands are also important storehouse of plant genetic material. Rice, for example, which is a common wetland plant, is the staple diet of more than half of humanity.

IMPORTANCE OF WETLAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING

Wetlands and their management have become internationally recognized issues. The Montreux recommendation states that "if management measures are deemed appropriate, a management plan should be developed and put into action."

At the 6th Conference of Contracting Parties held in March 1996 in Brisbane, Australia, this recommendation was reconfirmed. The wetlands issue is further shown to have a very high priority in Agenda 21, one of the documents of UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992.

Wetland management planning are involving hydrological, biological, sociological and administrative factors. Generally people who have managed wetland do not possess the current and update knowledge and skills for the good wetland management planning and wise use of wetlands. In this connection the Scientific and Cultural Society of Pakistan (SCSP) organizing 2nd International Course on Wetland Conservation and Management, in collaboration with Ramsar Convention Bureau, aims to provide practical training about Wetland Management Planning with other topics relevant to wetlands, from Feb 1st-15, 2000 at the Karachi, Pakistan.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The course is intended for those who are involved in wetland management planning. They may be Government officials concerned with wetland management planning, policies and development. Protected areas officers, water resource managers, employees of local authorities, University research and teaching staff, NGO officers involved in wetland management / research and graduate students with special subject of wetland.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course will be aimed at focusing the current knowledge and skills about wetland management planning with other relevant topics. Specifically, the course will aim at the following goals:

1. Classification of wetlands, including their socio-economic values.
2. Ecological survey design and sampling techniques.
3. Inventory techniques and development of monitoring program.
4. Planning of wetland management.
5. Introduction to using of GIS for wetland mapping and management.
6. Major current issues of Asian wetlands.

During the course the participants will prepare one management plan for their own country wetlands. This course is designed to provide practical and field work knowledge / experience but before the start of each practical exercise, lectures/demonstration will be given to provide the theoretical background.

Course participants will work on own / host country wetland case. This will be done in small group. During the preparation of wetland management plan and case study participants will have the opportunity to discus suggestions and ideas to their colleagues.

ELIGIBILITY

1. B.Sc or equivalent degree/ Field experience equal to such a level.
2. At least one year professional experience in the wetland management or managerial level experience related to the wetlands or protected areas.
3. Command of English, observation, assessment and communication skills.

APPLICATION

Course admission application should be directly sent to:

Secretary
2nd International Course on Wetland Conservation and Management-2000
The Scientific and Cultural Society of Pakistan
Head Office: B-7 (B-Seven) Sheet No. 25 Model Colony
Karachi-75100 Pakistan
Tel/Fax: (92-21) 409-336

The SCSP office must receive your application before JAN 10, 2000.

COURSE FEE

The total tuition fee is US$ 400 which includes administration fees, course materials, traveling during the course in so far as this part of the program and certificate awarding ceremony. Course Fee waiver available to deserving candidates.

THE COURSE FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE BOARDING AND LODGING, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND OTHER PERSONAL EXPENSES.

Accommodation in Karachi will be available at hostels and hotels range from US $ 15 to 20 per night. Meals are available at hotels around US$ 10 to 15 per day.

Participants may be financially supported by their governments, employers, NGOs or by fellowship granting organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, FAO, USAID, World Bank, IUCN, WWF, UNEP, Global Environment Fund, UNESCO, etc.

CERTIFICATE

Upon completion of the course, participants are granted a Certificate on a Certificate Awarding Ceremony.

THE RAMSAR CONVENTION

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, sometimes known as the Ramsar Convention from its place of adoption in 1971 in Iran, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for international cooperation and national action for the conservation of wetland resources. The Convention entered into force in 1975 and now has 116 Contracting Parties in all parts of the world, with more than 1000 wetlands designated for the Ramsar List of Wetlands International Importance.

The UNESCO serves as depository for the Convention. The secretariat, or Bureau, is an independent body sharing headquarters with the IUCN in Gland, Switzerland.

THE SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL SOCIETY OF PAKISTAN (SCSP).

The Scientific and Cultural Society of Pakistan (SCSP) was established in 1977 as a scientific, educational, cultural, non-governmental, non-profit, non-political independent organization. As NGO the SCSP has been accredited with United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Commission on Sustainable Development, United Nations. NGO on the Roster in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The SCSP is a full member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The primary aim of the SCSP is to improve the quality of research and education, popularize the scientific research, social development and establish International Scientific and Cultural cooperation.

The SCSP works to promote scientific research, education and social development and to create awareness. The SCSP has started a series of Educational Training Courses in the different fields of science and technology to impart latest research and techniques to highly qualified persons since 1988 and trained more than 3000 persons.

KARACHI

Karachi, the largest and the most populous city of Pakistan, presents an interesting and colourful combination of the old and new. Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches, many modern five star hotels, many colourful shopping areas offering a wide variety of local goods, wide collection of handicrafts made from onyx, wood and brass. Haleji lake is the largest bird sanctuary near Karachi (Ramsar site) where in winter millions of migratory birds come from as far Siberia -- a paradise for bird watchers, Keenjhar lake also near the Karachi (Ramsar site). Both lakes are included for the site visit during the 2nd International Course on Wetland with one night stay.

NOTE: DUE TO SHORTAGE OF TIME PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR ADMISSION: DO NOT NEED FORMAL APPLICATION.

NAME:

NATIONALITY

DATE OF BIRTH

ADDRESS E-MAIL

QUALIFICATION

WORK EXPERIENCE

CURRENT POSITION

YOUR DUTIES

FINANCES

REFERENCES

For more information please contact: The Scientific and Cultural Society of Pakistan Head office: B-7 Sheet No. 25 Model Colony Karachi-75100 Pakistan Tel/Fax (92-21) 409-336 E-mail: zaheer@scsp.khi.sdnpk.undp.org

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To join the Ramsar Forum, send this message: <join ramsar-forum>, without the < >, to ramsar-mgr@indaba.iucn.org. For more information on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 17 November 1999, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.