IN THIS POST
– What are Mangroves?
– Mangrove Forests in Pakistan
– Contribution to Marine Life
– Threats to Mangrove Forests
– Restoration of Mangrove Forests
Once dismissed as wastelands, mangrove forests are among the most important ecosystems that contribute to marine life and protect the coastal zones, keeping them healthy and safe. Unfortunately, various land reclamation projects along with pollution and climate change have led to a sizable reduction of mangrove forests in Pakistan. However, various public and private-sector organizations are now working to restore these forests in order to stabilize the shorelines, protect the natural habitat for thousands of species, prevent erosion, and keep the area safe from storms and high tides.
Despite being such a diverse and utterly important part of our ecological systems, mangrove forests in Pakistan, as well as the rest of the world, are facing serious threats.
Let’s take a look at the mangrove forests in Pakistan, their contribution to marine life, the threats they are facing and the steps taken by the government to restore them.
What are Mangroves?
Mangroves are the small trees and shrubs that grow in coastal areas. They are tolerant of the salt in seawater and can easily grow in harsh weather conditions. You can find this tropical coastal vegetation in most tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
The roots of mangroves contain an advanced salt filtration system that helps them stay alive and thrive in the seawater. Since they grow in waterlogged mud, mangroves can also survive rather easily in places with low oxygen levels. Moreover, mangroves get their nutrition from the silt and sediment accumulated from slow-flowing water.
Mangrove forests also referred to as mangrove swamps comprise both tall trees and shrubs. Some of the other natural characteristics of mangrove forests include the ability to hold their place firmly in the soil. They often form what appear to be small islands along the coastline filled with vegetation.
Mangroves plants play a vital role in stabilizing shorelines by preventing erosion and keeping saltwater from contaminating the inland water bodies. They also protect both the seawater and freshwater ecosystems.
There are more than 80 types of mangroves found all across the world.
Mangrove Forests in Pakistan
The mangroves in Pakistan are distributed among the coastlines of Sindh and Balochistan.
In Sindh, you can find these forests along the delta of the Indus River. It is the largest mangrove forest in Pakistan and is considered one of the top 10 mangrove forests in the world.
The mangroves around the Indus Delta cover an area of about 600,000 hectares and are considered the largest dry-climate mangroves in the world. While most forests in Sindh are under the control of the Sindh Forest Department, the mangroves are managed by three different organizations. These include the Sindh Forest Department along with the Port Qasim Authority and the Board of Revenue.
The mangrove forests under the management of the Sindh Forest Department and Port Qasim Authority are classified as the ‘Protected Forests.’ On the other hand, the mangrove swamps in Sindh that fall under the control of the Board of Revenue are declared as the ‘Government wasteland.’
As per the official website of the Sindh Forest Department, presently there are four types of mangroves found in the Indus delta.
Meanwhile, the mangrove forests in Balochistan are located along Milani Hor, Kalmat Hor and Gwadar Bay. Although they are limited, these mangroves are significant for the local environment and marine life.
How do Mangroves Contribute to Marine Life?
Wondering about the ecological importance of mangrove forests in Pakistan? Mangrove forests in Pakistan contribute to marine life in several ways.
Firstly, they provide ideal breeding grounds for most species of fish, jellyfish, sponges, shrimps, crabs and other shellfish. Several fish species even live under the mangroves for most of their juvenile lives and swim into the open oceans once they are adults. These marine animals are largely dependent on the food webs provided by these coastal swamps. Moreover, crabs and shrimps also forage in the soft mud beneath the mangrove roots.
To put it simply, mangrove forests are just as important to the underwater ecological system as the coral reefs.
Other than providing shelter and sustenance to marine life, mangrove forests also provide natural habitat to thousands of other species. They are considered the prime nesting sites for hundreds of migratory and shorebirds. Turtles also use these forests as their nesting ground while snails and clams burrow their way into the soft mangrove soil. You can also find giant lizards and other animals in these forests.
Threats to the Mangrove Forests in Pakistan
Mangrove forests in Pakistan began diminishing at an alarming rate due to urbanisation and climate change. However, efforts are being made to restore these ecosystems along the coastlines in Sindh and Balochistan.
Here are some of the major factors posing a threat to these mangroves forests in Pakistan as well as the rest of the world.
- Deforestation is the biggest threat to mangrove swamps in Sindh and Balochistan. The mangroves are usually cut to make room for urban development and infrastructure
- Cutting down mangroves to obtain wood and animal fodder is yet another problem that needs to be fixed
- The changes in the salinity level of the water due to freshwater diversions can damage the roots of mangroves
- The global overfishing crisis has also led to the destruction of mangroves
- The destruction of coral reefs also has an adverse effect on these mangrove forests in Balochistan and Sindh
- Pollution is one of the main reasons why mangroves are decreasing around the world. The pesticides, chemical wastage, untreated sewage water, fertilizers, oil, and other toxic substances carried by river systems can weaken these ecosystems
- Rising sea levels caused by climate change and global warming are yet another threat faced by the mangroves
Restoration of Mangrove Forests in Pakistan
The mangrove forests in Karachi saw an alarming decline during the early 2000s due to various land reclamation projects. However, the Sindh Forest Department along with other governmental and non-government organisations is now taking steps to rehabilitate these forests.
Since 2010, around 55,000 hectares of mangrove forests have been planted and restored. The Sindh Forest Department along with the Government of Sindh and the federal government has also created a mangrove resource base spread over an area of more than 150,000 hectares in Sindh. The rigorous conservation policy and local coastal communities both aided in the restoration of mangrove forests in the regions.
In June 2013, the Sindh Forest Department set the Guinness World Record for the ‘Maximum Number of Trees Planted in a Day’ after planting more than 840,00 mangrove saplings in the Thatta and Kharo Chan regions. The plantation drive was completed within a period of 12 hours with the help of around 300 local volunteers.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Wide Fund for Nature have also played an important role in supporting these initiatives to restore mangrove forests in Pakistan.
In April 2020, the Pakistan Navy also launched its widely-hailed ‘2020 Mangroves Plantation Campaign’ to restore the ‘green coastal belt.’
This brings an end to our guide on the mangrove forests in Pakistan and their importance. If you want to share your thoughts and comments with us, feel free to drop a message at blog@zameen.com.
You can also find out more about the wetlands at Deh Akro Wildlife Sanctuary in Sindh and learn about the classification of forests, woodlands, and trees in Pakistan by checking out our comprehensive guides on the topic.
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