A recent report by WWF-Pakistan has highlighted significant mangrove destruction along Karachi’s coast, where vast tracts have been cleared for housing schemes and commercial projects. The report calls for urgent action to prevent further deforestation and promote reforestation. Utilizing Earth Observation Satellites, Remote Sensing, and GIS tools, experts at the Richard Garstang Conservation Lab documented the decline in mangrove cover over the last two decades. They found that land reclamation and mangrove cutting for development have led to a rapid reduction in mangrove forests.
WWF-Pakistan’s report urges the implementation of strict laws and reforestation programs to halt this decline.
The report warns that without immediate preventive measures, existing mangrove areas could soon be entirely eradicated. The Sindh Forest Department (SFD) has made strides in mangrove conservation, planting mangroves on 55,555 hectares along the Sindh coastline from 2020 to 2024. Collaborative efforts with WWF-Pakistan and IUCN have also increased Pakistan’s mangrove cover from 1,338.16 km² in 2016 to 1,573.57 km² in 2020. Despite these efforts, mangroves in Karachi face significant threats.
The SFD reported a loss of approximately 200 hectares of mangrove forests along Karachi’s coast between 2010 and 2022, primarily due to land grabbing and development projects. Satellite images from WWF-Pakistan’s GIS lab show extensive mangrove clearing for residential projects. Regions where mangrove cutting continues at an alarming rate are highlighted, showing a concerning trend of gradual tree removal leading to neighborhood encroachment and development.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, emphasized that mangrove forests are vital for local communities, providing biodiversity support, urban cooling, air purification, and carbon storage. The loss of mangroves increases vulnerability to oceanic disasters and threatens the city’s sustainability and resilience against climate change.
The report underscores the need for coordinated efforts by stakeholders to conserve and manage mangroves, which are essential for ecological, economic, and social benefits. It highlights land reclamation and illegal land allotments as primary causes of mangrove destruction, driven by short-term financial gains at the expense of long-term environmental health. The ongoing clearing of mangroves for commercial use, especially near Port Qasim, poses a significant threat to the ecosystem. Immediate action is crucial to safeguard these vital natural resources for future generations.
