Pakistan needs to preserve mangroves: Experts

karachi — The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove celebrated on Wednesday holds tremendous relevance to Pakistan, home to no less than four varied species of mangrove critically important for its coastal protection.

Horticulture and ecology experts, talking to APP, said the country needs to go beyond mere celebration and adopt a pragmatic approach for protection of the natural resource that is important to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

“We have already lost four of the eight species of mangroves found in the Indus Delta and can not afford any more complacency,” said an expert Rafiul Haq.

Regretting that four of the species have become extinct in the area, he said all the eight varieties peculiar to the delta’s ecosystem were equally important for food security, coastal protection, and mitigation of the impacts of climate change.

“Keti Bunder, one of the world’s largest arid climate mangroves site, needs special care in terms of conservation as well as fresh transplantation,” he said.

Officials associated with Sindh forests department said the provincial government was committed to the protection of the mangrove forests.

Attempts were being made to provide alternative source of fuel to the inhabitants of the area besides training them to make sustainable use of mangrove forests peculiar to their area of residence. “Around 5,000 mangrove saplings were planted by the local community volunteers at Keti Bunder,” said Sindh Chief Conservator of Forests Riaz Wagan.

In reply to a question the experts acknowledged that mangrove forests were not only chopped off, with absolute impunity, but were also destroyed through unchecked disposal of hazardous waste into the sea by many of the local factories.

Strong exception was also taken about the process of land reclamation and consequent destruction of mangroves depriving Karachi as well as many other coastal areas of the natural barrier against cyclone, tsunami etc. — APP