| MANGROVES |
 |
| Mangroves bear extreme importance in coastal ecology as they provide protection to coastline against sea erosion, buffer the intensity of cyclones, and serve as natural nurseries for fish and shrimp. They, therefore, are essential for the protection and livelihood of population along coastal areas and contribute significantly to the national economy. Mangroves are dominated by several species of trees or shrubs that grow in salt water these trees have shallow, widely spread roots that extend from their trunks and branches to anchor them to the bottom. Some species send up snorkel roots, or pneumatophores, to the surface for oxygen from above the anoxic mud. Their extensive root system traps and filters plant matter. This material is broken down into detritus, which forms the base of the food change. |
| |
| Sindh coastline has 160,000 hectares of mangrove forests mainly located in the creeks. Mangrove ecosystem is of great economic and ecological significance. It is a pool of biodiversity and is the habitat for diverse community of organisms ranging from bacteria and fungi to fish, shrimp, birds, reptiles and mammals The root system also provide habitat for invertebrates, such as mussels, sponges, tunicates, hydroids and oysters, as well as many juvenile fish species. |
| |
| There were eight species of mangroves that historically occurred in Indus delta and creeks but now only Avicennia marina is dominant while few patches of Aegiceros corniculata occur, whereas, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal have been reintroduced in the area. The hard timber from grey and red mangrove trees is commonly used in making furniture. |
| |
| Karachi has not been on world map as far as Scuba Diving is concerned, even though this port city and Ex. Capital of Pakistan offers various type of scuba diving, which was one of the reasons that KSDC decided to go in collaboration with “National Sailing Center†establishing Scuba Diving Club at NSC Boat-Basin in April 2003. |
| |
| Karachi coast extends from Korangi Phitti creek to Cape Monze, Sandspit/Hawks bay is globally important as nesting habitat of threatened species of marine turtles, Green turtle and olive redley turtle nest here in considerable numbers. The backwater at Sandspit consists of 1600 ha of mangroves of Avicennia marina. The historical fishermen island “Baba-Bhit and Shamspir” are the characteristic examples of muddy shore. The animals are found embedded partially in the mud within the burrows that they form themselves. Lingula is the characteristic of the muddy shore but this animal has now been exterminated from the area mainly due to pollution explosion, Nereis, Tubeworm and Uca is abundantly found here. |
| |
| The sandy beach of the vast inter tidal area at Clifton beach (The area had been an important roosting ground for migratory birds) has been squeezed, to provide land to the agencies without considering the consequences. That it will be an ecological disaster. further to that DHA had been involved in reclaiming a large inter tidal marshy land and the sandy beaches been converted in to prize land for soldier’s colony, resulting the shifting of sand beds closing the mouth of the Gizri creek and pushing the Bender Island which in the course of time will convert the green mangroves forest of Korangi creek in to desert, Some expert said “that over a period of time, The Landhi and Korangi industrial area could come under the threat of flooding by sea water”. |
| |
| Environmental pollution in Karachi has reached an alarming level and experts believe the city dwellers are exposed to very harmful effects of environmental degradation. The report apprehends that additional 1,000 tons of sulpher is discharging from a power generating units near Karachi. This would also increase the city's temperature by 10 degrees centigrade in the days to come. Chronic pollution has turned the 50-km stretch of the Arabian Sea as the country's most polluted waters. Although the entire habitat has degraded over the years, it still supports a wide variety of wildlife, mainly fish and crustaceans. Besides the forests are frequented by 20,000 to 30,000 migratory birds from central Asia visits these grassland from September to mid march, of the 110 species recorded here 36 are resident. Egrets, herons, cormorants and black winged stilts are among many that can be watched through out the year, wile some of the migratory birds are lateen, pelicans, flamingos, gulls, terns, coots, ducks, osprey, dowitchers, dunlin, oystercatchers, and waders. |
| |
| A part of mangrove forest being in the vicinity of the largest city of Pakistan, could be consider to developed into an eco-tourism site where both local and foreign nature enthusiasts can visit and behold the rich flora and fauna of the area, as well as witness the flourishing life in the thick forest of mangroves. The communities living on the islands and mainland would benefit by providing services to the eco-tourists as an alternative income-generating venture. Caution should however be exercised in ensuring that any tourism activity is regulated and does not degrade the ecological character of the site. |
| |
| Despite the tarnished reality, no concrete step is being taken by the Islamabad to save the people of this largest city and commercial capital of the country. Instead Islamabad decided to connect aristocratic residence area, of Clifton, and Defense Housing Authorities (DHA) to the Commercial hub of the city I.I.Chundrygar Road. They connive with KPT, and build Mai Kolachi By-pass wiping off thousands of hectares of mangrove forest on the excuse that environment laws does not apply to the land because the land belong to the KPT, despite the strong opposition, from the Karachiites, Ignored warring from environmental agencies, and NGO’s That’s wasn’t enough the agencies are still actively involved in continuation of deforesting the mangroves forest of the city zone knowing very well they are absolutely vital for our biodiversity, instead building a environmental project including tourism and research centers they plan to wipe out the whole forest in order to make quick buck these recent pictures were taken in the month of August, 2005. |
| |
| That’s not enough, there are strong rumor that Army being the most powerful rich and supercilious decided to take a large part of this forest which is nesting ground for the migratory birds, to convert it in to another luxury golf club for their top brass. Let me tell you we live in a country where more than 80% population lives under the poverty line. hardly gets one meal per day (and that’s not even squire meal) During last 50+ years of time most of the coastal indigenous habitants i.e. fishing villages had been vanished and 70% of the coast of Karachi had been under the direct control of Islamabad. Karachiites are banned to the beaches, worst thing is the internationally endangered Green turtles when they come to lay eggs their home ground had been occupied by rich and famous they have build their beach bungalows, there is a continuous concrete wall of these beach bungalows, actually build upon the nesting ground of green turtles, From July onwards at an average every night 50 turtles come up the beach to lay eggs but most of the time they run into the cemented walls and steel fences. |
| |
| They have to dig the fences and lay eggs in the courtyards, some find room in the space in between the bungalows, about 50% of those poor turtles turn around and go in a circle in desolation find no place to lay eggs and actually they go back to the sea thanking human being for steeling the homeland. |
| |
| As time has passed and attitude about the environment and natural life has shifted, divers have increasingly become leading proponents for the protection of marine ecosystems and they’re myriad of creatures. Karachi Scuba Diving Center (KSDC) dedicated to protecting our fragile ocean environment and its diversity of life through public education, innovative projects, research, and advocacy. |
| |
| Good way to preserve local resources is to expand National Parks, Reserve and Sanctuaries. This protects multiple eco-system and breeding grounds. Howe ever, to be successful it must include local communities in designed and management. |
| |
| To develop and the disseminate educational material, create public awareness, promote and organize industries efforts, provide direct financial support for worth while endeavors, create innovative projects build alliances and partnership with to strengthen, common goals and commitment to conservation of the aquatic environment. |
| |
| One of the recommendations of the KSDC is to gather more information on mangroves forest and scope out the feasibility to promote the wetland as a potential eco-tourism site. Conservationists have proposed that the area declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary. |
| |
| WILD LIFE SANCTUARY |
|
|
The wetland should constitute a natural marine field laboratory and would be an ideal location for the establishment of a small marine research station. |
|
More detailed information on the fauna and flora of wetland needs to be gathered. |
|
In particular, the seasonal density and numbers of migratory birds nesting on the trees needs to be determined so that appropriate measures may be taken to protect the habitat of migratory birds. |
|
The site is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of the area. |
|
There is a considerable convergence of plant and animal species that inhabit the mangroves forest and surrounding waters. |
|
For any conservation effort to succeed in the long term, enhancing awareness in the community is an essential prerequisite. The electronic and print media can still achieve much more awareness. |
| |
|
| ENHANCE AWARENESS |
- Eco-tourism, involving the local community
- Need for on site Research
- Birds watching towers
- Canoeing in the mangrove jungle with the help of eco-guides
- Build sky walk-way to enjoy Bird eye view
- Educational tour for Schools
- New pharmaceutical products
- Cleaner environment and a bigger fish catch
- Conservation of nature for the future generation
|
| Are just a few of the rewards awaiting communities willing to sacrifice a few needs now for humungous rewards in the future? |
| |
| The mangroves bring lots of livelihood. Not enough has been done to protect the mangroves. The documentary will cover the thriving life of the remaining mangroves and the ecosystem. |
| |
| |
| |
| Yousuf Ali |
| Director Operation |
| |
| Karachi Scuba Diving Center |
| C-32, 9th Street , Suit # 7, Baddar |
| Commercial Area Phase V Ext. D H A |
| Karachi - 75500 |
| |
| Coordinate: - (24°47′46.07″ N 67°02′38.44″E) |
| |
| Mobile: 0300 219 0304 |
| |
| PTCL (021) 534 0595, 534 0528 |
| |
| Email: - |
