Unplanned development creating problems: experts

Unplanned and fast urban development with poor housing structure came under discussion among the leading experts in Hyderabad on Saturday, which raised the question about the conversion of fertile land for commercial purposes that may contribute in food insecurity. In the entire process there is no intervention and policy to check on this disastrous housing industry.
Looking in to the recent climate variations, increasing global warming, producing heat wave, unavailability of trees, developing sheds and shelters at bus stands and other public places were the recommendations produced the discussion for the government because there is no preparation and disaster mitigation at district level.
The experts were speaking at the consultative workshop with civil society organisations (CSOs) organised by Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) in co-operation with United Nations Development Program, UNDP Pakistan at SPO office, attended by agriculturists, researchers, public health engineering professionals and representatives of civil society organisations.
The speakers demanded the government to link development priorities in follow up of implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level, which has a global importance and Pakistan should respond to it with true spirit.
The participants were of the view that the unplanned development mechanism is creating worst problems and people are paying more prices of these initiatives due to poor governance and policy gaps. Agriculture land is being converted into housing schemes, which may cause food insecurity sooner or later. The other problems, they pointed out include drinking water, sanitation, transport, health and poor governance in responding threats of disasters within urban neighbour hoods. Let us see the problems expected in future to come due to this approach to expand unplanned urbanisation, speakers said.
Irony is that waste water with industrial chemicals, municipal and hospital solid waste is being thrown into major irrigation canals passing through the second largest city of Sindh without treatment mechanism, putting larger portion of communities residing in tale end areas to use poisonous water and face diseases. These irrigation canals including Phuleli, Akram Wah and others not only are the source of irrigation but also provide water to the people.
Professor Ismail Kumbhar of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam, who has also contributed in research on water, food sources, disaster risk reduction and impacts of climate change, proposed to have inclusive urban development, effective land use policy, provision of employment opportunities and access to improved water and sanitation facilities at district level should be prioritised.
Javed Hussain, head of Sindh Community Foundation shared the objective of the consultative meeting, saying they wanted to develop prioritise issues of Hyderabad district in connection with sustainable development goals at local level. He said these areas must be incorporated in annual development- district level plans and budget mechanism to avoid issues of disaster and health hazards.
Mustafa Meerani of Pakistan Fisher folk Forum (PFF) said that urban environment is being deteriorated due to various construction works. The builders do not have priority to provide the residents with basic faculties.
Mustafa Baloch, regional head Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) said that lack of oversight on building construction control and housing industry may be disastrous.
Representatives of CSOs, including HANDS, Sindh Hari Porhyat Council, Fast Rural Development Program, Indus Rural Development Organisation, SAFWCO, Sindh Development Society, SCF, Society for Protection of Rights of Child (SPARC), Management Development Foundation, Institute of Social Change and others took part into the discussion.