By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), in collaboration with the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), held a community dialogue titled “Bridging Gaps in Policies through Community Input in Climate Vulnerable Districts” in Thatta. The initiative aimed to promote inclusive, community-led climate governance and ensure that local perspectives played a central role in shaping sustainable and equitable climate policies.
The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including community representatives, officials from the District Administration, focal persons from the Social Welfare Department and Human Rights Cell, as well as local government representatives from various Union Councils and the Additional Deputy Commissioner-I (ADC-I) Thatta.
Thatta, one of Sindh’s most climate-vulnerable districts, faces multiple environmental challenges, including sea intrusion, land degradation, freshwater scarcity, and declining livelihoods. The dialogue highlighted the urgency of involving local communities in decision-making processes to develop effective, locally relevant climate resilience strategies.
Discussions focused on climate vulnerabilities, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement between communities and government institutions. Participants shared their experiences, identified local challenges, and proposed recommendations to strengthen climate adaptation and governance mechanisms.
A dedicated session on the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016 underscored the role of transparency and public access to information in enhancing accountability and informed climate action.
Speaking at the event, TIP Executive Director Kashif Ali, Project Coordinator Nasreen Memon, and Policy and Research Coordinator Raima Mehmood discussed the social and economic impacts of climate change in Thatta. They stressed the importance of integrating community knowledge and participation into policy frameworks to ensure that climate governance remained transparent, inclusive, and responsive to local realities.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen cooperation between communities and local authorities, aiming for a more resilient and sustainable climate future in Sindh’s vulnerable coastal districts.
