1. Mangroves Forests in Pakistan
Mohummad Tahir Qureshi
Coastal Ecosystem Expert
IUCN - Pakistan

2. 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

3. Coastal & Marine Resource Potential
90 million tons is the world wide catches of marine fishes per
annum and 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

4. Coastal & Marine Resource Potential
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.

5. Distribution of Mangrove Forests along the Coast of Pakistan
Mangrove Categories Year Area in Hectares
Dense, normal and sparse
mangroves vegetation ,870
vegetation ,000
vegetation ,000
vegetation ,000 (approx.)
Source: coastal environmental management plan for Pakistan, UNESCAP, GOP, 1996
Mangroves of Pakistan – Status & Management, IUCN Pakistan, 2005

6. Causes of Changes in Mangrove Habitat
Scarcity of Fresh Water
Average Annual & Seasonal Discharge Volumes Downstream of Kotri Barrage

7. Causes of Changes in Mangrove Habitat
Waste disposal and pollution

8. Causes of Changes in Mangrove Habitat
Marine Pollution
Municipal Waste: million gallons/day
Industrial Waste: million gallons/day
(Tanneries
Power Plants, Steel Mills, Harbours, Ports etc )
Oil Pollution: million tons/year
International Conventions relating to Sea
MARPOL 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)

9. Improper management and over exploitation
Causes of Changes in Mangrove Habitat
Improper management and over exploitation

10. Ecological implications of Destruction/Depletion of Mangrove Resources
Change in composition of vegetation

11. Ecological implications of the Destruction of Mangroves
Sea Intrusion

12. Mangrove Rehabilitation in Pakistan
Replanting ,000 hectares
Plantation
Organizations involved –
IUCN-Pakistan, Gwader Development Authority (GDA), Port Qasim Authority, Balochistan & Sindh Forests and Wildlife Deptt, Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, District Govt. Communities
Nursery

13. 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.

14. Mangroves protective plantation against natural disaster (cyclone, Tsunami) and sand dunes shifting New nursery grounds for shrimp and fishes 14

15. Awareness Raising & Capacity Building
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.

16. Honeybee keeping in Mangrove
Apiculture & Ecotourism
Alternate source of Income for Coastal Community
- Ecotourism
Mangrove Walkway
-Apiculture
Honeybee keeping in Mangrove

17. 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.

18. Thanks