Terms of References
To Conduct Hydrological Regime Study
1. Introduction
A ‘floodplain’ is a flat or nearly flat area of land adjacent to a river or stream which is prone to flooding when the water level rises during times of high discharge, such as after heavy rains. Floodplains provide a range of valuable ecosystem services, especially in flood risk reduction by storing excess flood water and then slowly releasing it back into the river system and into the groundwater aquifers. This has the effect of reducing the peak height and speed of the flood discharge, so reducing the damage that may be caused downstream. Floodplains also act as spawning and rearing ground for many river fish species during the times of flood and as the high water recedes. The flood waters also bring nutrient rich sediment, which covers the flooded ground so making it particularly fertile for agriculture after the waters recede. The conservation and restoration of wetlands play an important role in reducing the losses from floods.
2. Project
Funded by the Department for International Development (DfID) under the Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF), for a period of three years, this project (Improving Livelihoods of Fisher Communities of Central Indus Wetlands Complex) is being implemented by WWF-Pakistan in the entire stretch of Central Indus (approx. 500 km long) covering Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary, Kot Mithan – Chachran Site and Indus Dolphin Reserve. The two protected areas are also the Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of global significance).
This project focuses at improving the livelihoods of at least 2,100 households (17,000 people) of fishermen at three project sites through addressing the poverty-environment nexus.One of the components of this project is to develop the floodplain management plan, as this region is flood prone and was heavily affected during 2010 floods. In order to develop floodplain management plan, there are several studies that need to be undertaken and one of the studies is the Hydrological Regime Study of Connecting Wetlands with Rivers.
3. Duration of the Consultancy
The maximum duration of the study is two months (from the signing of the contract), that include fieldwork, and meetings with the local stakeholders (where necessary). April 30, 2015 is the end date of this consultancy.
4. Project Location
The project location is Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary, Kot Mithan – Chachran Site and the Indus Dolphin Game Reserve (Guddu Barrage to Sukkur Barrage), which is approx. 500 km long stretch.
5. Reporting
The consultant will report to the Project Manager / Senior Programme Manager, WWF-Pakistan.
6. Terms of References
Recent climate trends by analysis of historical climate data and climate change scenarios from IPCCAR5 using downscaled GCM results for this region.
Climate change impacts and vulnerabilities specific to settlements with specific focus on the vulnerability of people, places or systems.
Estimation of flood in the region and preparation of flood maps for low, medium and high floods.
Propose mitigation measures to cater the impact of the floods.