Sindh Launches Rs. 87 Billion Coastal Protection Project

On Thursday, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated a significant Rs87 billion coastal resilience project aimed at assisting one million residents in Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin. This initiative, spearheaded by the provincial government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the Green Climate Fund, marks a transformative step for Sindh's coastal communities.

Shah emphasized that the coastal belt is a vital economic and ecological asset of the province, yet its inhabitants continue to confront challenges such as sea intrusion, salinity, waterlogging, floods, and extreme weather events.

Minister Jam Khan Shoro of Planning, Development, and Irrigation highlighted the necessity for a coordinated, long-term response to address poverty, flooding, saline intrusion, land degradation, and increasing climate risks. The comprehensive project integrates infrastructure development, environmental restoration, and livelihood support into a unified framework.

Fernanda Thomaz da Rocha, IFAD Pakistan Country Director, underscored that the project serves as a collective effort to safeguard rural communities against floods, salinity, and economic disruptions. Key participants in this initiative include women and young people.

Nissanka Amila Salgado, ADB Country Operations Head, noted that this marks the bank's first substantial investment in agriculture, food, nature, and rural development in Sindh in over 15 years. The project will directly target poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement in 500 villages across the three coastal districts. Its components encompass climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, value-chain development, financial inclusion, community infrastructure, and livelihood diversification.

Approximately 43,000 young people will receive market-oriented skills training, while around 30,000 vulnerable households will benefit from economic graduation programs, valued at Rs30.45 billion.

A substantial portion of the project will focus on enhancing climate-resilient water infrastructure, including the rehabilitation and upgrading of eight major drainage systems—Nagan Dhoro, Ghora Bari, Gharo, Pir Patho Buhara, Jati, and Malkani drains. Additionally, the project aims to strengthen flood protection systems, improve irrigation channels, augment freshwater storage and groundwater recharge, and support community-based water management strategies.

These infrastructure and ecosystem restoration efforts, managed by the Irrigation and Forest Departments with ADB and GCF assistance, are estimated at Rs56.14 billion and will benefit around 157,130 hectares of agricultural land, averting approximately Rs8.95 billion in annual flood-related damages.

The initiative also includes the planting of over 15,000 hectares of mangroves, more than 6,000 hectares of inland plantations, wetland restoration, and the rehabilitation of Pinnah Lake. Moreover, a Forest Mangrove Resource Centre will be established to facilitate scientific management and conservation efforts.