KARACHI: Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization of the University of Karachi organized a one-day seminar on the importance of mangrove conservation in commemoration of World Mangroves Day in collaboration with the KU Institute of Environmental Studies and Sindh government's Forest Department at the KU MAK-ISHU Conference Hall.
The Chief Conservator of the Sindh government’s Forest Department Riaz Ahmed Wagan informed the audience that the provincial government is working hard for the restoration of mangroves across the coastline as they are essential for coastal resilience and facing serious challenges due to the diversion of water and silt, over-exploitation and heavy grazing.
He shared that the Indus Delta is located in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Karachi districts. He mentioned that early records show the existence of eight species of mangroves, but, presently, only four are found i.e. Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Ceriops tagal.
The chief guest, Riaz Wagan expressed that mangroves also have economic importance as according to the World Bank 2022 report, the value of one hectare of well-stocked mangrove forest area is US$ 58,000, and the overall asset value of mangroves of the Indus Delta is approximately US$ 1, 22, 00 million by way of supporting fish and shrimp breeding, timber, tourism, habitat provision to wild life, grazing ground for the livestock of locals, besides provisioning services, global climate regulation (carbon sequestration and retention), soil (and sediment) erosion control, coastal protection, solid waste remediation, soil erosion control, and recreation and education related services.
He shared that shortage of fresh water and silt depositions from the River Indus, enhanced deltic salinity levels, increased rate of coastal erosion, sea-intrusion in fertile areas, industrial and municipal pollution result in the death of young seedlings and associated marine life. Cutting of mangroves for fuel, fodder, and grazing are also some direct threats to the mangroves.
[embedpost slug="from-classrooms-to-communities-karachi-universitys-women-led-climate-action-movement"]
A keynote speaker, Dr Dolly Priatna from Pakuan University, Indonesia, during his online address mentioned that Indonesia has the largest mangrove area on earth, covering 3.36 million hectares, 23 percent of the world's mangrove area. However, about 40 percent of Indonesia's mangroves were lost in the last three decades.
