By Syed Wahaj Ahmed

Overview of  The Program:

Environmental experts adopt a pragmatic approach to observe National Day by disseminating awareness about the vitality of marine life and human dependency. They highlight significance of mangroves in filtering and freshening the environment as mangroves have four times more capability of carbon sequestration than a tree.

On 77th Pakistan’s Independence Day, inDrive, a leading ride-hailing company in Pakistan, and WWF (World Wide Fund) for Nature launched its “Tide of Care” campaign, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on cleaning up Karachi’s Sandspit and Turtle Beach Karachi.

Impacts of Polluted Atmosphere on Sea Creature:

“Pakistan has the seventh largest mangrove forests in the world, Sindh has about 94% of the mangroves forest on its coastal belt whereas, Balochistan has the rest of the forest,” said Abdul Rahman, wetland center in-charge of WWF-Pakistan.

There are 470 hectares (1,161.4 acres) of mangroves on turtle beach, Karachi, offering splendid and scenic view that attracts locals-cum-tourists.

He delineates the hazardous contribution of plastic bottles, discarded fishing nets, broken glasses, and other pollutants in endangering aquatic creatures. “Non-biodegradable products take more than 400- years to decompose in the environment naturally,” he said.

Moreover, in the season of winter, educated and effluent families move towards beaches with a lot of picnic materials and jettison them that cause serious repercussions to sea life. He said, “In the winter season, after October and onward, myriad of mother turtles come carrying around 100 eggs in cloaca and suffer serious burn injuries due to burnt amber that enlightened peoples abandon at the beaches without appreciating the dire consequences of their action.

Abdul Rahman told about the activities of WWF-Pakistan, “it has been actively involved in a number of ecological projects, with an emphasis on protecting the natural heritage of the nation. An ecological research center that is ideally situated in front of Turtle Beach and next to Sandspit Beach is one of their major projects. The center was established in 1996 and formally opened its doors in 2001. Its mission is to educate individuals from all walks of life about the value of environmental preservation.

‘Tide of care’ initiative:

Sidra Kiran, PR and Communications Manager for inDrive Pakistan, commented on the initiative: “Our ‘Tide of Care’ campaign is not just about cleaning beaches; it’s about inspiring a sense of responsibility in every citizen to protect our environment. By partnering with WWF-Pakistan, we are able to amplify our impact and contribute to a sustainable future for our nation”.

What is mangrove?

Mangroves are shrubs or trees that grow predominantly in brackish or saline coastal waters. They are usually found along the coastlines in equatorial climates. These plants are distinguished by their bizarre roots, which frequently protrude above the ground and offer vital support in these difficult conditions.

Importance of mangroves:

Mangroves are a nesting and hatching ground for green sea turtles, which come ashore from October to mid-January, this site is especially significant ecologically. Each nest contains about ninety-nine eggs, and the hatchlings appear 40–46 days later. Thanks to the work of environmentalists and lovers of the natural world, what was once-desolate area has flourished into a mangrove forest, with trees that are now more than 20 feet tall.

Around the center, mangroves offer essential ecological services. Young fish, crabs, shrimp, and other marine animals can breed and thrive in their roots. More than 120 different species of birds, including migratory, exotic, Siberian, coastal, and water birds, depend on these areas as their primary habitats, especially in the winter.

“Apart from its ecological significance, the center provides researchers and nature lovers with exciting and daring activities. As part of their effort to maintain clean beaches, WWF-Pakistan and inDrive collaborate to arrange beach cleaning events. Beaches have major health benefits in addition to being an interesting and healing environment. It’s We must all do our part to keep them clean by gathering trash instead of throwing it away incorrectly, since plastic bags, clothing, and Styrofoam can seriously injure marine life,” he said and added, “highlighting the prominence of mangroves in absorbing carbon emission, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission that mangroves work as wall of defense against oceanic storms including hurricane, high tides, tsunamis and the like”.

Species of mangrove found in Pakistan:

• Avicennia marina – Grey Mangrove – White Mangrove
• Rhizophora mucronata – Loot Roop Mangrove – Red Mangrove
• Ceriops tagal – Spurred Mangrove
• Aegiceras corniculatum – Black Mangrove

Mangrove forests in Pakistan:

Mangrove forests in Pakistan encompass estimated  1,463,590 hectares and they are found alongside the coastline of Sindh and Balochistan, especially on the edge of delta of river Indus of Sindh.

Direct and Indirect Economical Benefits of Mangroves:

Direct advantage of mangrove:

Climate Regulation: By influencing local weather patterns, such as rainfall, mangroves play a role in climate regulation, which benefits agriculture and other sectors dependent on stable weather conditions.

Coastal Protection: Mangroves act as natural barriers, protecting coastal areas from erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis. Their dense root systems stabilize the shoreline and reduce the impact of waves.

Biodiversity: Mangroves provide critical habitats for a variety of species, including fish, crabs, birds, and other wildlife. This biodiversity is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Indirect advantage of mangroves:

A four-year grown mangrove absorb four times more carbon than a normal adult tree and that Carbon credits sell in international markets.

Support for Marine Ecosystems: Mangroves serve as nurseries for many marine species, indirectly supporting commercial and subsistence fishing industries by ensuring a steady supply of fish and other seafood.

What is Carbon credits?

Carbon allowances, sometimes referred to as carbon credits, function identically to emission permit slips. A company is authorised to produce one ton of CO2 emissions when it purchases carbon credits, which are typically provided by the government.

A company can produce a carbon offset if, as part of regular business operations, it removes one unit of carbon from the atmosphere. Then, in order to lessen their own carbon footprint, other businesses can buy that carbon offset.