Role of Mobile Phones in Creating Environmental Awareness Among Fishers in the Indus Delta of Pakistan

Introduction

Ecological problems and climate change related-issues have emerged as major challenges for the global society and economy during the past few decades and people in different parts of the world, including fishing communities, are facing the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation (Senpati & Gupta, 2017) and are exposed to risk (Eckstein et al., 2019). In this context, information and awareness campaigns are regarded vital to raise concerns and create behavioral change to respond to the problems related to climate change (Chakraborty & Chakravarty, 2017). Information and communication technology (ICT) devices are providing fundamental support to these campaigns with ICT tools fast transforming interactions around the world (Shafiq et al., 2014; Ospina & Heeks, 2011). Accordingly, ICT tools are potentially instrumental in disseminating critical information related to climate change and engaging communities for sharing of experiences to develop viable adaptation and resilience strategies (Eakin et al., 2015).

Information systems are seen as playing a mediating role in tackling climate change responses and adaptation (Hasan et al., 2017). The rapid penetration of mobile phones in both rural and urban areas all around the globe has spectacularly changed the communication patterns. Mobile phones have become the most widely available and affordable tool of ICT, thus offering unprecedented solutions to the communication gaps and barriers, especially in rural areas (Singh et al., 2016). The devices are used for supporting environmental awareness campaigns in rural areas and development of a collective and participatory response to the climate change problems in far-flung rural areas (Ospina & Heeks, 2012). They also play a role in environmental education, particularly for rural communities (Banks & Burge, 2004).

In this context, the study aimed at assessing the role of mobile phones in creating environmental awareness among the fishers in the Indus Delta region of Pakistan. The Indus Delta is the 5^th largest delta in the world covering approximately an area of 41,440km² (16,000 square miles) and providing habitat for many migratory birds and different species of fish (WWF, 2020). It comprises 17 major creeks and meets the sea across an area of 210 km (130 miles) (Chandio et al., 2011). However, the environmental degradation of the mangroves ecosystem of the Indus Delta, sea erosion and other ecological problems are resulting in depletion of its fish resources and other traditional sources of livelihood in the region (Amjad et al., 2016; Bux Mallah, 2013).

This paper analyses the role of mobile phones in the fishing communities with the Indus Delta in relation to accessing and using information about environmental problems in the region. We first offered a brief literature review as a background for the study followed be description of its methodology and its objectives. The findings from a survey of fishers in the Indus Delta conducted in 2019 are then discussed and some recommendations offered.