Karachi (HRNW) 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 on Friday.
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.
Riaz Wagan also mentioned that due to continuous rehabilitation efforts since 2008 in the restoration process of Indus Delta mangroves Pakistan is currently occupying 10th position globally and the fifth position in Asia.
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.
He shared that mangroves support in restoration, protection, and conservation of endangered species like the Sumatran Tiger, Elephant, and Sumatran and Bornean Orangutan. They have a major role in carbon sequestration in nutrient cycling and water filtration, and also helping in boosting ecotourism. However, deforestation and land conversion for agriculture and aquaculture, urban development and industrial pollution, illegal logging and wood extraction, mining activities, government policies and enforcement issues, community practices and economic incentives, climate change, and rising sea levels are threatening the mangrove ecosystems.
Earlier, the KU Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Dr Musarrat Jahan Yousuf expressed that biologists and zoologists should work together for the betterment of the world’s ecosystem and environment. She observed that mangroves can also be used for honey production but it would require detail research to know which mangrove species can be helpful in this regard.
The KU Director IES Dr Farrukh Nawaz shared that mangroves are important for ecosystem balance and coastal protection.
The former KU Director MAK-ISHU Professor Dr Salman Gulzar read out the message of the Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, in which she mentioned that mangroves are a link between land and sea and said that these plants form a rare and fragile universe; a haven of life that must be protected as they are in danger.
On this occasion, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi observed that scientific events should be arranged regularly about the awareness of climate-based research to educate not only students, and faculty members belonging to different disciplines but also the general public who are the taxpayers so that they may realize real threats for our future generations.
He shared that there is no doubt that climate change is the biggest threat we are facing today, and global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate. The recent rise in heat index has even become life-threatening, and man-made activities are responsible for most of the climate change scenario. The major reasons are high carbon dioxide levels and other greenhouse gases.
He mentioned that concrete structures in most cities like Karachi will cause extreme weather, and events such as unexpected high rains, flooding, or even drought will be witnessed. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take immediate action to improve the environment.
“To beat hot weather, almost everyone has installed the air conditioners without realizing that they are now producing more heat and besides increasing pollution, they are also rising temperature in the city. In this context, mangrove forest are important, which can curb rising greenhouse gases as well as provide protection against coastal flooding.”
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi said that nature has provided a solution for every problem including man-made problems of climate change provided we take urgent action. We need the expertise of our scientists to work out sustainable solutions through collaborative actions.
Earlier, the Director KU MAK-ISHU Professor Dr Irfan Aziz highlighted the importance of mangroves and shared that they have very unique ecosystem for our coastline and deltaic region.
“One of the most important benefits of mangroves is their ability to sequester large amounts of blue carbon from the atmosphere. This makes them one of the most effective natural tools for mitigating climate change. The amount of blue carbon stored in the mangrove ecosystem can be massive, with estimates up to 1, 000 metric tons per hectare. Mangroves cover over 100, 000 hectares of our coastline, so one can imagine how important they are to us, especially for Karachiites given increasing air temperatures.”