Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday launched a major Rs87 billion coastal resilience project aimed at benefiting one million people in Thatta, Sujawal and Badin.
The Sindh Coastal Resilience Project is being implemented by the provincial government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Chief Minister House, Shah called it the start of a transformative journey for Sindh’s coastal communities.
He said the coastal belt is among the province’s most valuable economic and ecological assets, but its people continue to face threats from sea intrusion, salinity, waterlogging, floods and extreme weather.
Planning, Development and Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said the coastal areas need a coordinated and long-term response to deal with poverty, flooding, saline intrusion, land degradation and rising climate risks.
He said the project combines infrastructure development, environmental restoration and livelihood support under one framework.
IFAD Pakistan Country Director Fernanda Thomaz da Rocha said the project is a shared response to help rural communities withstand floods, salinity and economic shocks.
She said women and young people are key participants in the initiative.
ADB Country Operations Head Nissanka Amila Salgado said the project marks the bank’s first major agriculture, food, nature and rural development investment in Sindh in more than 15 years.
According to officials, the project will directly target poverty reduction and livelihood improvement in 500 villages across the three coastal districts.
It will support climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, value-chain development, financial inclusion, community infrastructure, and livelihood diversification.
Officials said around 43,000 young people will receive market-oriented skills training, while about 30,000 vulnerable households will be supported through economic graduation programmes.
The livelihood and community development component is estimated at Rs30.45 billion.
A major part of the project will strengthen climate-resilient water infrastructure through investments in irrigation, drainage and flood management systems.
Officials said eight major drainage systems, including Nagan Dhoro, Ghora Bari, Gharo, Pir Patho Buhara, Jati and Malkani drains, will be rehabilitated and upgraded.
The project will also strengthen flood protection structures, improve irrigation channels, enhance freshwater storage and groundwater recharge, and support community-based water management systems.
This infrastructure and ecosystem restoration component, to be implemented through the Irrigation and Forest Departments with ADB and GCF support, carries an estimated value of Rs56.14 billion.
Officials said the interventions will improve water management and climate resilience across about 157,130 hectares of agricultural land and help avoid nearly Rs8.95 billion in annual flood-related damages.
The project also includes more than 15,000 hectares of mangrove plantations, over 6,000 hectares of inland plantations, wetland restoration, and rehabilitation of Pinnah Lake.
A Forest Mangrove Resource Centre will also be established to support scientific management and conservation efforts.
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