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The Sea Soldier


Human beings, biologically called as Homo-Sapiens, are species famous for haunting anything in their surrounding be it on land, air or even in the depths of water. They are blamed for making many species go extinct and our dear soldiers of sea, Mangroves are undergoing similar fate.
Mangroves are various types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics. Mangroves make a special saltwater woodland or shrub land habitat, called a mangrove swamp or mangrove forest. These swamp in turn protect the shores from high tides by acting as resistance and reducing the intensity. Moreover numerous fish use them as shelter and lay eggs in the swamps.





Seeds collected from Sea
In Pakistan, mangroves are located mainly along the delta of the Indus River (the Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves eco region). Major mangrove forests are found on the coastline of the provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan. In Karachi, land reclamation projects have led to the cutting down of mangrove forests for commercial and urban development. In other regions, mangroves were used for fire and it is reported that around 36,000 tons of mangrove wood was used for fire on coastal area (IUCN - Pakistan, 2005 report) and about 16,000 camels, 4,000-6,000 cows and water buffaloes and 2,500 – 3,000 cattle graze in mangroves and all of these activities resulted in almost 604,870 hector area of mangrove in 1932 to an approx. 86,000 in 2005 (source: coastal environmental management plan for Pakistan, UNESCAP, GOP, 1996 Mangroves of Pakistan – Status & Management, IUCN Pakistan, 2005).  

Moreover, Scarcity of Fresh Water due to construction of dams and barrages reduces water volume and increase siltation which in turn affect the habitats of mangroves. The famous pollution plays another vital role in the destruction of mangroves habitat. According to Karachi Development Authority (in 2000) marine pollution is combined effect of Municipal Waste (104 million gallons/day), Industrial Waste (175 million gallons/day) and Oil Pollution (1.5 million tons/year). Though government of Pakistan had tried to prevent the marine pollution by making laws (Pakistan Penal Code 1861, Port Act 1905 and Factories Act 1934) but like we all know that in Pakistan basic human laws are violated so who will even care about the mangroves.  Also, improper management and over exploitation, changes in composition of vegetation and sea intrusion are some of the other factors that furthermore helps destroying the mangrove habitat.

Efforts of rehabilitation are taking place in Pakistan, at present two species namely, Acaecia and Rhizophora are been used for plantation. KPT (Karachi Port Trust), Pakistan Coast Guards and other naval units including the Pakistan Navy (Pak Bahria) are playing vital roles in rehabilitation. One of the methodology observe by KPT and PCG are that they go in sea regions to gather the seeds of mangroves. Which are the planted in fresh water and after the seedling is mature enough it is taken out and replanted in swamp. Pakistan had a record for planting highest number of saplings within a day, when 750,000 mangrove saplings were planted at Kharo Chan, Thatta on 22 June 2013, in a little over 12 hours. (Tribune Newspaper).

Acaecia Sampling Nursery


The reason I am writing this article is because of the fact that although many efforts are taking place yet still people are not aware of the importance of mangroves. As said by an official of KPT there are many individuals still playing a role in cutting down the mangroves for urbanization, using them as grazing source and also for fire-wood. The folks are also involve in polluting the sea and ensuring that the rehabilitation efforts fail. I request all the reader to play a role in rehabilitation of our soldiers of sea by either planting mangroves if you can or avoid to play a role in marine pollution or by simply creating awareness by either on your own or simple sharing the article.

By
Ahmed RIK












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