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Depletion of Mangroves in Sindh: Role of Government AuthoritiesBy Khalid Hussain JamaliPakistan Customs

Faculty AdviserMs. Samina Intizar

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Interview with Mr. Tahir Qureshi of IUCN Pakistan and Ex-DFO Karachi

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Why to highlight issue of depletion of mangroves

“We should not play with nature”

Mangrove forests are among the world's most productive ecosystems

Producing organic carbon well in excess of the ecosystem requirements and contributing significantly to the global carbon cycle.

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Mangroves

Mangroves are woody plants that grow at the interface between land and sea in tropical and sub-tropical latitudes

Mangroves exist in conditions of high salinity, extreme tides, strong winds, high temperatures and muddy soils

No other group of plants with such highly developed morphological and physiological adaptations to extreme conditions

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Global status of the mangroves forest

92 countries of the world have the mangrove forests in tropics and sub-tropics

60-70% of the tropical coastline is under the mangroves forest and one half is in Asia and Pacific

So far 80 plant species have been reported in mangrove forests out of which 60 are true species and 20 are associated species

Mangroves are disappearing faster than land-based forests.

Coastal Development has led to the destruction of 50% of the world’s mangroves

Source: Restoration of Mangroves – ITTO-ISME, 1998

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World Distribution Of Mangroves

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Locations of Mangrove Forests in Pakistan:

The mangrove forest in Pakistan lies between 230 45’ and 250 37’ latitude north and 610 38’ and 680 10’ longitude east in Pakistan

The mangroves are found mainly (94 % ) in Indus delta but around 3000 hectares of mangroves are in Mani Hor, Kalmat Khor and Gawadar Bay area as well

The Indus Delta mangroves are perhaps unique in being the largest area of arid land mangroves in the world, being dependent upon the River Indus for its freshwater requirements

Source: Sattelie survey by SUPARCO

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Extent and Distribution of Mangroves in Indus Delta

Different estimates based on field surveys

Khan(1966) suggests 249,486 ha in Indus delta

Tahir Qureshi (1983) 344,846 ha

SUPARCO in 2003 Satellite survey 86728 ha

Source: WWF Pakistan, 2006, Brochure on Mangrove Ecosystem of Pakistan

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Indus Delta Mangroves

In Sindh, mangroves of the Indus Delta are present in the districts of:

Thatta Karachi

Badin

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Species of Mangroves in Indus Delta:

At present, there are four mangrove species found in the Indus delta: i.          Avicennia marina                          about 90 %ii.         Rhizophora mucronata                about 08 %iii.        Aegiceras corniculatum               about 1.5%iv.        Ceriops tagal                                   about 0.5 % 

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Mangroves Varieties in Sindh

Early records show eight species of mangroves exist along the delta. Presently only four are found i.e. Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Aegiceras corniculatum and Ceriops tagal

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Mangrove Species of Indus Delta

Rhizophora mucronata (Kumri)

Ceriops tagal (Kiriri)

Aegiceras corniculatum (Chaunr)

Avicennia marina (Teemur)

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Historical ownership status of the Mangroves of Indus delta

Organization / Department

Area(Hectares)

Legal Status

Sindh Forest Department

280,470 Protected Forests (1958)

Sindh Board of Revenue 260,000 Wasteland

Port Qasim Authority 64,400 Protected Forests (1958)

Karachi Port Trust 2,000 No Legal status

Total 606,870Source: Website of Sindh Forest Department

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Importance of Mangroves Mangrove forest ecosystem of Indus delta is essential life supporting

ecosystem providing habitat, shelter and breeding ground for a number of economically important wild fauna and flora

It acts as a barrier for the protection of coastal regions/ports against the disastrous natural phenomenon such as cyclones, wind storms, flooding and soil erosion etc

The economic importance of mangroves of Indus delta could be ascertained from the fact that they provide important breeding zone for commercially important marine fish, shrimps, lobsters and crabs which help national economy to earn foreign exchange of US$ 100 million annually from exports besides; providing employment and livelihood to more than 100,000 people associated with fishing industry

It is estimated that 90% commercially important tropical marine fish species, especially prawn, spend at least some part of their life in the mangroves.

If the mangroves are degraded then as much as 250,000 tons of fish caught off the Sindh Coast would have been at risk

Source :IUCN in 1998

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Extent of Pakistan’s coast The Pakistan’s coast is about 1050 km

long extending from the Indian border on the east to the Iranian border in the west.

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan is about 240,000 sq. km with an additional continental shelf area of about

50,000 sq. km. As such, the total maritime zone of Pakistan is over 30% of the land area NIO 2011

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Fishries

The deltaic networks of creeks are a major breeding area for commercially important coastal fisheries that include shrimps, finfish, crabs etc with average export value of US $110 million a year.

The annual average catch of Shrimps from Sindh coast is 27,500 tons (35 times larger) whereas, from Balochistan is 800 tons

The annual Finfish harvest in Sindh is 231,000 tons as compared with 103,000 tons of Balochistan

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Economic importance of mangroves Important supplier of nutrient and oxygen Nurseries for many species of fish and shrimp Stabilize shorelines and reduce coastal erosion Protect coastal areas from storm damage Act as carbon sinks

One ha of properly managed mangroves can yield annually 100 kg of Fish, 25 kg of Shrimp and 15kg of Crab

meat (IUCN 2005) In Dollars termsDirect Valuation = $ 37500/ha (Fishery and

Forestry products)Indirect Valuation = $ 1700/ha (Protective services)

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Coastal livelihoods

A diagnostic survey of Indus delta shows that 25% of households depend on Mangrove wood for cooking & heating purpose. Each family uses 173 kg. of mangrove wood per month giving a total annual consumption of 18,000 tons.

It is estimated that a total of 6,000 camels and 3,200 cattle are using the ecosystems resources and consume about 19.5 m kg of grasses and 67 million kg of leaves annually.

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Ecological implication of the reduction of impacts of Indus River down the Kotri Barrage: Sea Intrusion

Remote Sensing Applications DivisionPakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

(SUPARCO), P.O. Box 8402, Karachi - 75270E-mail: suparco@digicom.net.pk

K a r a c h i Kinjhar Lake

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Depletion of Mangrove Forests along the Coast of Pakistan

Mangrove Categories Year Area in Hectares

1. Dense, normal and sparse mangroves vegetation 1966 604,870

2. Dense, normal and sparse vegetation 1986 440,000

3. Dense, normal and sparse vegetation 1992 160,000

4. Dense, normal and sparse vegetation 2005 86,000 (approx.)

Source : Coastal environmental management plan for Pakistan, UNESCAP, GOP, 1996 Mangroves of Pakistan – Status & Management, IUCN Pakistan, 2005

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Causes of Depletion of Mangroves

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Fresh Water ScarcityHistorical Data

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Tragedy of Indus Delta

Construction of Barrages on Indus River System

Barrages in Punjab and Sukkur barrage in 1932

Indus Basin Treaty 1960

The historical surrender of Three Rivers

Construction of Dams

The ecosystem of Indus Delta ruined

Source:Mr. Tahir Qureshi of IUCN

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Tragedy of Indus Delta

The towns of Keti Bandar and Shah Bandar were almost abandoned. Municipality of Keti bandar used to give loans to Karachi Municipality of Karachi

Indus River was navigable from Sea all year

Man and Mangroves were thriving Red Rice was cultivated in area

Source:Mr. Tahir Qureshi of IUCN

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Causes of Depletion of Mangroves

Illegal cutting for fire wood

Over 150,000 people use about 36,000 tons of mangroves fire wood per month

along Pakistan coast Over grazing

About 16,000 camels, 4,000-6,000 cows and water buffaloes and 2,5000 – 30,000

cattle graze in mangroves

Illegal Land Grabbing

Marine Pollution Municipal Waste: 104 million gallons/day Industrial Waste: 175 million gallons/day Oil Pollution

Source: Mr. Tahir Qureshi of IUCN and data from Karachi Development Authority

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International Convention relating to Sea Pollution

MARPOL 73-78 The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO

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

Source:www.imo.org

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Role of Government Authorities for conservation of Mangroves

Sindh Forest Department is actively working on conservation of mangrove forests all over coastal areas of Sindh

The coastal forest division was also constituted in forest department

The Sindh forest Department has successfully attempted setting a Guinness World Record twice

By planting 541,176 mangrove plants in one day through a force of 300 planters on July, 2012 and again on 22 June 2013by planting 847,275 mangrove sapling.

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Linear Plantation Staggered Protective

Block Plantation

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Mangrove Plantation at Shah Bandar

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Sindh Environment Protection Agency

In collaboration with Forest Department, City Governments and other agencies, Sindh Environment Agency is working for the protection of mangroves

While carrying environment impact assessment for projects on coastal areas, aspects of mangrove conservation is taken into account

More over SEPA organized many workshops and seminars for creating awareness in general public as well as stake holders for conservation of mangroves

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Sindh Coastal Development Authority

Awareness to local communities Empowerment of communities Working with International

Organisations

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Efforts of KPT

The Karachi Port Trust is also working for conservation of mangroves

On May 26,2014 ,the federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Kamran Michael, planted a sapling to inaugurate the mangrove plantation activity initiated by Karachi Port Trust

Kamran Michael highlighted the importance of having mangroves plantation on coastline and announced that KPT will undertake the plantation of around 100,000 mangrove saplings in the near future

However in past, one side of Mai Kolachi Bypass mangroves had been cleared to set up the controversial KPT officers’ colony

The other side of the mangrove swamp, which borders the NLC depot and a katchi abadi, is also being occupied by land-grabbers.

The KPT failed to take action against land-grabbers.

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Efforts of Port Qasim

Port Qasim authority is also aware of mangroves conservation

Mangroves are being planted over 500 hectares along the Korangi-Phitti creek system near Port Qasim

Under an agreement between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan and the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT).

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Role of other Environment Organizations

Efforts of IUCN IUCN initiated pioneering work on mangroves

restoration in the Indus Delta. In year 2005 with the support of ADB and CIDA conducted an study on mangroves. IUCN sensitized threat to mangroves in case unsustainable development is carried in Zulfiqarabad a new coastal city being developed near Keti Bandar area. The mangroves for future( MFF) Programme ,a collaborative initiative of IUCN and UNDP is also being carried beside other eleven countries of Asia region which envisages targets of 100,000 ha mangrove planting with the participation of community.

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Efforts of WWF:

The Sindh Mangrove Conservation project is being implemented at Sandspit Karachi

The area contains shallow tidal lagoons, inter-tidal mudflats and 400 hectares of mangrove swamps

The river Lyari feeds the backwaters from the eastern side and seawater enters from the south and from Karachi harbor

The average annual rainfall is 125 mm and the mean annual temperature is 32°C

The climate is arid subtropical, with temperatures remaining moderate throughout the year

Source: WWF case study on Sindh Mangrove Conservation Project by Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Dy. Director General WWFat Karachi

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Ray Of Hope:

The ray of hope has emerged that due to efforts of government departments mangrove plantation increased

A satellite assessment conducted by the Sindh Forest Department reveals mangrove area increased to 107,000 ha in 2009 up from 86,000 ha in 2005.

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Evident changes in mangrove coverage

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Laws Relating to Environment

Port Act 1905 Factories Act 1934 Regulating Bodies / Agencies Maritime Security Agency (MSA),

Sindh and Balochistan (Environmental Protection Agencies),

Port Authorities, Fish Harbour Authorities

Pakistan Penal Code 1861

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Analysis

Shortage of required fresh water and silt depositions from River Indus have enhanced salinity levels in the delta

Sea intrusion and erosion in the delta caused by sea level rise

Encroachment for settlements around Karachi mangroves

Industrial and municipal pollution, dumping of waste, oil spills and leakages

Over exploitation of mangroves for fuel wood/fodder

Grazing and Browsing by Camels Development of new coastal cities like Zulfiqarabad

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Analysis

Over exploitation of mangroves for fuel wood/fodder

Grazing and Browsing by Camels Development of new coastal cities

like Zulfiqar Ownership not by a single

department

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Suggestions and Recommendations

Minimum environmental flows should be released down the Kotri barrage for ecosystem and livelihood of local population.

The pollution 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 like gas connections for reducing their dependence on mangroves for firewood

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Action Plan

S.No Project /Activity Implementing Organization

Finances Out come

1 Ensure sufficient at least 10000 maf water flow as per 1991 Accord

Sindh Irrigation Dept: and all stakeholders

NIL Besides availability of fresh water to coastal area people,

2 Treatment Plants at Liyari and Malir Rivers

Karachi Municipal Corporation

Rs.2 Billion Besides Protecting marine life ,Loss to mangroves will be controlled

3 Strict monitoring of oil spillage

SEPA, Maritime Security

Fines on Violation

Besides Protecting marine life ,Loss to mangroves will be controlled

4 Five Year mangrove forests rehabilitation project

Forest Department Government of Sindh

Rs.500 million Yearly

Plantation of mangroves in Indus Delta

5 Provision of Gas to Coastal Community

Sui Southern Gas Company Limited

Rs.500 million Yearly

Cutting of wood for fire will be less

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Dedication by all stakeholdres

SOURCE:AFP — PUBLISHED NOV 10, 2011