International Union for Conservation of Nature

Mangroves Forests in Pakistan

Mohummad Tahir QureshiMohummad Tahir QureshiCoastal Ecosystem ExpertCoastal Ecosystem ExpertIUCN - PakistanIUCN - Pakistan

International Union for Conservation of Nature

• Largest arid climate mangroves in the World• Maritime Zone is one of the most productive areas in the world• 80 percent of the World’s oil tankers pass through Pakistan water• Government of Pakistan earns 8.8 billion rupees on exports, on an average

annually

International Union for Conservation of Nature

90 million tons is the world wide catches of marine fishes per annum and 0.665 million tons is the catch in Pakistan

About 450 sp: of fish are recorded from Arabian sea and Pakistan has over 100 sp:

25 sp: of fish are of commercial importance

Coastal & Marine Resource Potential

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Over 150,000 people use about 36,000 tons of mangrove fire wood per month along Pakistan coast.

About 16,000 camels, 4,000-6,000 cows and water buffaloes and 2,500 – 3,000 cattle graze in mangroves.

Coastal & Marine Resource Potential

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Distribution of Mangrove Forests along the Coast of Pakistan

Mangrove Categories Year Area in Hectares

1. Dense, normal and sparse mangroves vegetation 1932 604,870

2. Dense, normal and sparsevegetation 1986 440,000

3. Dense, normal and sparsevegetation 1992 160,000

4. Dense, normal and sparse vegetation 2005 86,000 (approx.)

Source: coastal environmental management plan for Pakistan, UNESCAP, GOP, 1996Mangroves of Pakistan – Status & Management, IUCN Pakistan, 2005

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Average Annual & Seasonal Discharge Volumes Downstream of Kotri Barrage

Causes of Changes in Mangrove HabitatCauses of Changes in Mangrove HabitatScarcity of Fresh Water

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Waste disposal and pollution

Causes of Changes in Mangrove HabitatCauses of Changes in Mangrove Habitat

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Marine Pollution

Municipal Waste: 104 million gallons/day

Industrial Waste: 175 million gallons/day

(Tanneries

Power Plants, Steel Mills, Harbours, Ports etc )

Oil Pollution: 1.5 million tons/year

International Conventions relating to SeaMARPOL 73-78

Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matters

Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation Control of

Transboundary movement and hazardous waste and their disposal.

Laws Relating to Pakistan

Pakistan Penal Code 1861

Port Act 1905

Factories Act 1934

Regulating Bodies / Agencies

Maritime Security Agency (MSA), Sindh and Balochistan

(Environmental Protection Agencies), Port Authorities, Fish Harbour Authorities

Source: Karachi Development Authority (2000)

Causes of Changes in Mangrove HabitatCauses of Changes in Mangrove Habitat

International Union for Conservation of Nature

• Improper management and over exploitation

Causes of Changes in Mangrove HabitatCauses of Changes in Mangrove Habitat

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Ecological implications of Destruction/Depletion of Mangrove Resources

Change in composition of vegetation

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Ecological implications of Ecological implications of the Destruction of Mangrovesthe Destruction of Mangroves

Sea Intrusion

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Organizations involved –

IUCN-Pakistan, Gwader Development Authority (GDA), Port Qasim Authority, Balochistan & Sindh Forests and Wildlife Deptt, Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, District Govt. Communities

Plantation

Nursery

Mangrove Rehabilitation in Pakistan

Replanting 1987-2008 30,000 hectares

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Re-introduction of 2 mangroves species to increase biodiversity along Balochistan Coast

To develop effective methods of rehabilitating degraded mangroves forests, using both artificial and assisted natural regeneration.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Mangroves protective plantation against natural disaster (cyclone, Tsunami) and sand dunes shifting

New nursery grounds for shrimp and fishes

International Union for Conservation of Nature

• to raise awareness among the coastal communities, in order to promote sustainable use of mangrove forest

• to build the capacity of the Sindh and Balochistan forest departments.

• to provide technical back stropping to the agencies responsible for the conservation of mangrove forests.

Awareness Raising & Capacity BuildingAwareness Raising & Capacity Building

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Honeybee keeping in Mangrove

Mangrove Walkway

Apiculture & Ecotourism

Alternate source of Income for Coastal Community

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Suggestions and Recommendations

• Minimum environmental flows should be released down the Kotri barrage for ecosystem and livelihood of local population.

• The pollution should be treated at source before discharging into the sea.

• Deep sea fishing policy should be developed in consultation with coastal community.

• Government should sanction long term mangrove forests and fisheries rehabilitation project along the coast of Pakistan.

• Coastal communities should be involved in coastal resource management at all levels.

• Communities should be provided alternatives for reducing their dependence on mangrove ecosystems.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Thanks