Spring plantation campaign starts in Sindh at Keti Bandar

KARACHI: Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department in coordination with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-Pakistan, commenced the Spring Plantation Campaign 2017 in Sindh at Keti Bandar, one of the world's largest arid climate mangroves site.

Sindh Chief Conservator of Forests, Riaz Wagan speaking on the occasion said that 5,000 mangrove saplings are being planted by the local community volunteers at Keti Bandar.

"Eight species of mangroves were found in the Indus Delta but unfortunately four of the species have become extinct and presently only four species exit in the delta," he mentioned on the occasion.

A senior government official said that Keti Bandar site for the Spring Plantation was selected due to its significance as a unique in being the largest arid climate mangroves in the world.

The site is also significant as Pakistan set a Guinness World Record by the Sindh Forest Department in 2013 for planting record number of mangroves saplings, he said. Riaz also mentioned that spring plantation 2017 has also been initiated in all the districts of Sindh under the Green Pakistan Programme with major focus on local species.

Project Director, Sea Intrusion Programme for Sindh, Agha Tahir on the occasion discussed the benefits of the local species in the coastal belt of Sindh.

NRM Coordinator, IUCN Pakistan Dr Babar Hussain talked about the benefits of mangroves and role of local communities in protecting the mangrove forest. He appreciated that to withstand the challenges of deforestation and Climate Change, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has taken the initiative to launch "Green Pakistan Programme" across the country.

The programme being implemented during the period 2016-2021 is meant to improve forest and wildlife sectors in the country in line with the best international approach and practices.

Protection and management of wildlife and reclaiming and developing forest areas are the main aspects of the programme, Dr Babar Hussain said mentioning that it targets to add 100 million plants over the next five years.

Senior government officials of the Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, journalists and IUCN Staff were also present on the occasion.