Speakers at the seminar on 'Coastal and Marine Wealth of Pakistan' highlighted the significance of mangroves in balancing coastal ecosystem, saying that land reclamation through cutting of mangroves and dumping of untreated sewerage waste are major threats to mangroves.
The programme was organised by MFF- Pakistan to mark International Biodiversity Day at Karachi University on Tuesday. They said May 22nd has been celebrated globally as International Biological Diversity Day to create awareness about rapidly depleting biological resources.
This year's theme for International Biodiversity Day was "Marine Biodiversity". The seminar was focused to specifically address researchers and academicians and major stakeholders in the coastal resources. Rafiul Haq, National Co-ordinator for MFF- Pakistan gave an overview of the MFF- Programme from its inception and its achievement until now.
He emphasised the relevance of the day celebration with MFF defined Programme of works. He also invited the academicians and researchers to come forward with tangible solutions, with immediate benefits to the communities living in the coastal belt.
Highlighting the importance of the Coastal and Marine Resources in national prospective Dr Shaukat Hayat Khan discussed the potential of tidal power to be seen as one of the vital source of green energy generation. He maintained the lives of fishing people are threatened due to degradation of Indus delta. He highlighted the need of community based natural resource management and mainstreaming of poverty environmental linkages at decision making levels.
Dr S. M. Saifullah in his presentation discussed the possible scenarios and the performance of mangroves to mitigate climate change. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Ex DG Marine Fisheries Department discussed the coastal and marine biodiversity; Threats and Challenges. His emphasis was more to strengthen the knowledge base of the resource. The sessions were very well attended and there were participants from six different departments; besides the development sector and the media.
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