KU seminar highlights importance of protecting mangroves

Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation of the University of Karachi organised 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 the 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, Algeciras 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 $58,000, and the overall asset value of mangroves of the Indus Delta is approximately $12,200 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 for 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, 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 forests are important, which can curb rising greenhouse gases as well as provide protection against coastal flooding.”