ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has intensified its efforts to protect its coastal areas and marine resources. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-Pakistan) held the 22nd meeting of the National Coordinating Body (NCB) for Pakistan’s coast to address the depletion of coastal resources exacerbated by climate change. The meeting called for the establishment of more marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country.
The NCB meeting was part of IUCN’s long-running “Mangroves for the Future” Program, which concluded in 2018 but continues to receive support from IUCN, alongside organizations like Engro Foundation and Monaco Foundation, according to a press release.
Participants included experts from government departments, coastal agencies, the Pakistan Navy, civil society organizations, and academia. All agreed on the urgent need to designate marine and coastal areas as Protected Areas.
Pakistan’s Commitment to Coastal Preservation
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN, said that currently, less than 1% of the coast enjoys protection. Pakistan, as a dedicated Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signatory, needs to declare at least 30% of its coast as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in line with the 30×30 agenda.”
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN, underscored, “Currently, less than 1% of the coast is protected while as a Biological Diversity (CBD) signatory, Pakistan needs to declare at least 30% of its coast as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
To address this, the NCB established a sub-committee, identifying suitable coastal and marine areas for MPA designation, including Ras Malan, off Pasni, Kalamat Hor, Charna Island, Miani Hor, and Jewani, explained Ghulam Qadir Shah, Inspector General of Forests.
Shah commended NCB as an example of collective achievements in coastal preservation, highlighting its continued activity after the IUCN-MFF program.
In a significant move, the 22nd meeting officially revived the subcommittee responsible for MPA designation. It also launched the “Building Resilience of Coastal Ecological and Social Systems of Pakistan” project, funded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Naveed Soomro, Manager of the Sindh Programme at IUCN, explained, “This project will primarily focus on the establishment and strengthening of MPAs, with a key emphasis on developing a management plan for the pre-existing Astola Island MPA. The project aims to rehabilitate degraded coastal ecosystems, enhance capacity building, and diversify livelihoods of local communities.”
The meeting also witnessed Riaz Wagan, Conservator Forest at Sindh Forest Department, sharing achievements in increasing mangrove cover to about 160,000 hectares. He highlighted the carbon offsetting potential of mangroves in the blue carbon market.
Captain Badshah of the Pakistan Navy spotlighted the Navy’s contributions to marine protection, particularly through water treatment, desalination, and mangrove restoration projects.
Ghullam Muhammad, Chief Conservator of Forests at Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department, highlighted coastal conservation initiatives under the Green Pakistan Program. He emphasized successful mangrove restoration projects in collaboration with IUCN within the Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management project. He also underlined the eco-tourism potential of turtle conservation at Naran Beach.
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan, stressed the importance of a collaborative approach to coastal governance and active stakeholder involvement in safeguarding and conserving marine ecosystems. He also emphasized the need to establish a dedicated consortium focused on the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems.
