Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry underscored the critical importance of Pakistan’s mangroves in safeguarding the Arabian Sea coastline, supporting fisheries, and enhancing climate resilience, during a statement made on the occasion of World Mangrove Day.

According to Press Information Department, the minister emphasized the necessity for coordinated efforts to preserve and rehabilitate mangrove ecosystems to harness their potential for the blue economy. He pointed out that Pakistan hosts the largest arid-climate mangrove forest globally, primarily located in the Indus Delta of Sindh, with smaller areas in Balochistan.

Chaudhry stated that Pakistan ranks approximately seventh worldwide in mangrove forest area and has the potential to improve this ranking through ongoing restoration initiatives. He highlighted the role of mangroves as natural barriers against shoreline erosion, flooding, and storm surges, providing protection to coastal communities, ports, and marine biodiversity.

The minister cautioned that the deterioration of these ecosystems poses a risk to food security and the livelihoods of fishing communities, as mangroves are crucial breeding grounds for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other species vital to fisheries and aquaculture. He projected that Pakistan’s mangrove carbon market could generate between $20-50 million annually, contingent upon carbon-credit prices and volumes. The mangroves in Balochistan, spanning approximately 4,058 hectares, could also contribute to national carbon-market efforts. Chaudhry noted that mangroves have the capacity to sequester about four times more carbon than terrestrial forests.

Addressing past degradation due to encroachments, pollution, and reduced Indus flows, Chaudhry detailed rehabilitation activities led by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and provincial authorities. He mentioned KPT’s initiatives in reclaiming mangrove areas from squatters, conducting afforestation drives along critical coastal areas, and organizing weekly clean-up operations. The appointment of environmental activist Almas Kasmani as KPT’s ambassador for coastal mangrove restoration was also highlighted. Kasmani has succeeded in restoring 4,000 mangrove plants and aims to plant an additional 100,000.

The minister called for heightened public awareness, stricter enforcement against encroachment, and increased public-private investment in blue economy strategies, urging stakeholders to translate commitments into action as Pakistan observed World Mangrove Day.