Karachi: The Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has emphasized the critical importance of Pakistan’s mangroves in safeguarding the coastline of the Arabian Sea, supporting fisheries, and enhancing the nation’s resilience to climate change. In a statement marking World Mangrove Day, he urged for unified action to preserve and rehabilitate these ecosystems, highlighting their potential contributions to the blue economy.

According to Radio Pakistan, Chaudhry noted that Pakistan boasts the world’s largest mangrove forest in an arid climate, primarily located in the Indus Delta in Sindh, with additional areas in Balochistan. He stated that Pakistan currently ranks seventh globally in terms of mangrove forest area. However, with continuous restoration efforts, the country could advance to the fourth or fifth position.