Constrains on mangrove forests and conservation projects in Pakistan

Mangroves forests are facing serious stresses which jeopardize their sustainability and their existence in Pakistan. Theses coastal forests are found in the Indus delta in Sindh and the coastal areas of Sonmiani, Kalmat and Gawatar bay in Balochistan. A significant reduction in the fresh water supply and increased marine water pollution in from industries as well as over harvesting of mangroves and fishes by the local peoples, sedimentation, population stress and coastal erosion are usually considered to be the immediate causes of mangrove loss in Pakistan. Various Projects have been under taken in the past and in current scenario to conserve the resources of mangrove areas. Strong planning with the collaboration of the local institutes at the grass-root levels will be helpful to strengthen their capacity and to achieve the targets easily, and they will also help in achieving the conservation goals in a sustainable manner. It is predictable that large-scale plantation of this mangroves species in these areas would increase the resources in coastal areas, resulting economic benefit to the local people.