The 20th meeting of the National Coordinating Body (NCB) of Mangroves for the Future Programme Pakistan was held on 30th January, 2020 in Karachi. The participants urged for the safety of Marine Protected Area in Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan Ms. Naheed Durrani.
Country Representative, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema welcomed the NCB Members to the meeting and informed that IUCN Pakistan was continuing to maintain the NCB platform as it was useful for coordination amongst agencies and organizations working on coastal issues.
He also thanked Engro Foundation for their generous funding for the Mangroves for the Future Programme’s activities.
He highlighted the significant achievements of MFF in the last 9 years and gave a presentation on MFF’s journey over the last few years, its achievements, milestones, and collaborations all focused on building coastal sustainability.
He said he welcomed further inputs from members present on the occasion on how to better the working of NCB.
Special guest on the occasion was the CEO National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed (Retired) was present on the occasion along with Secretary Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, Mr. Abdur Rahim Soomro.
Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change Ms. Naeed Durrani, appreciated the efforts by the National Coordinating Body (NCB) towards protection of the coastal resources.
She especially appreciated IUCN for bringing together all the relevant stakeholders for collective efforts and to find a way forward in the face of threats posed by climate change and sea intrusion.
Conservator Forest, Sindh Forest Department Mr. Riaz Wagan shared achievements of the Sindh Forest Department towards enhancing the mangroves forest area. He informed that the mangroves forestation activities provide a source of livelihood to the local communities. He mentioned that Sindh Government has been awarded GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in the years 2009, 2013 & 2018 for planting the largest number of mangroves sapling in a day.
He spoke of the threats to the mangroves that include: shortages of required fresh water; silt depositions; industrial, municipal pollution, urbanization; cutting of mangroves for fuel and fodder and grazing of camels.
The participants emphasized on holding a workshop of all the relevant stakeholders for developing a plan for designating Churna Island as the Marine Protected Area in Pakistan and more efforts towards Marine Protected Areas as per the international obligation.