The IUCN Karachi Programme Office celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2023 with the coastal community of Kakkapeer at Sandspit, Karachi.
The IUCN Karachi Programme Office celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2023 with the coastal community of Kakkapeer at Sandspit, Karachi.
This event was part of IUCN Pakistan’s newly launched initiative, “Building Resilience of Coastal Ecological and Social Systems of Pakistan.” Coastal community members, including men, women, and children, actively participated in discussions highlighting the vital role of mangroves for migratory birds.
The event was led by Mr. Naveed Ali Soomro, the Manager of the Sindh Programme, and presided over by Mr. Danish Rashdi, Head of IUCN Karachi Programme Office, with support from the Karachi Programme office staff. Guests included Mr. Farhan Hassany, CEO of Haroon Oils, and Mr. Abdul Basit, Director of Deewan Group.
Mr. Naveed Ali Soomro extended a warm welcome to the attendees and underscored the significance of migratory birds. He applauded the Kakapeer communities for their role as guardians of the mangroves and acknowledged their efforts in promoting ecotourism activities like bird watching.
Dr. Babar Hussain, Natural Resource Management Coordinator of IUCN Pakistan, briefed the communities on the importance of the day. Mr. Danish Rashdi delivered a keynote speech and engaged in a constructive dialogue with the local communities, addressing their concerns.
Guests, Mr. Farhan Hassany and Mr. Abdul Basit, commended the community’s dedication and expressed their appreciation for the event.
The event concluded with a symbolic mangrove plantation activity involving participants and local communities at the Sandspit backwaters.
This event highlighted the shared responsibility of local communities and dedicated conservation organizations, such as IUCN Pakistan, in protecting and preserving these vital habitats. It emphasized the importance of conserving these habitats and reaffirmed our collective commitment to protecting the rich biodiversity in Sandspit, Karachi.
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.