HYDERABAD: Experts and researchers speaking at the three-day international conference emphasised the need for bringing about an improvement in the irrigation and drainage system while simultaneously putting an end to `zamindari bunds` inside the riverine area of the province. They made several recommendations at conclusion of the conference on `Integrated Flood Management Under Changing Climate Scenario` on Friday.

It was organised by the Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, in collaboration with the `US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water` of the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET).

The experts said that not only dykes of Indus river should be improved, but issues relating to the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) should also be addressed.

They said that the dykes should be repaired on time. They foresaw temperature rise in future andnoted that a desirable early-warning system was not available. They said that a model of such a system that was available did not cater to the needs of foreseeing global and local climate changes.

The experts feared that more floods might be witnessed in future for which necessary arrangements should be made. They proposed that drainage of runoff after rainfall in the Chukhi area of Balochistan province should be monitored during monsoon season. They also suggested that storage [facilities] should be put in place.

All obstructions and encroachments blocking natural waterways and lakes should be dismantled. They called for strengthening the mechanism for handling post-flood situation.

Speaking at the conference on-line, former federal minister Nisar Memon expressed the view that Sindh irrigation minister should have participated in the conference to enlighten students and researchers as to what steps he had taken. People usually talk about bringing stakeholders on `one page` but that seems difficult. Pakistan is findingthe `path` the country needs to tread on.

He noted that tendency to tinker with nature had caused destruction right from Swat to Sindh.

Stakeholders should focus on three `Cs` communication, collaboration and coordination for good results; and three `Fs`flood, food and future should be given serious consideration, said Mr Memon, stressing that unless the three Cs and three Fs approach was given a serious thought, no planning would be beneficial.

Lahore University of Management Sciences representative Dr Mohammad Abu Bakar said that this conference had removed many intricacies and complexities. The conference, he added, educated him that destruction was in fact caused by bad governance and not climate change. He said the recommendations should be given serious attention by all stakeholders. Dr Rasool Bux Mahar of the MUET said this conference would be organised every year by the centre. He said the university was trying to identify problems and find out their solutions. -Staff Correspondent