A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between WWF Pakistan and Dawood Corporation Private Limited at Karachi to collaborate for the establishment of a regular beach cleaning mechanism at Sandspit Beach, Karachi. Dr Ghulam Akbar, Regional Director WWF Pakistan, and A. Samad Dawood, CEO, Dawood Corporation Limited signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
Ghulam Qadir Shah, Rab Nawaz and Nasir Ali Panhwar of WWF Pakistan were also present on the occasion. Under the MoU, the Dawood Corporation Limited would provide support to WWF Pakistan for installation of waste bins and hiring of cleaners to maintain cleanliness at the beach. Collaboration with the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) for the disposal of collected solid waste would also be established.
Sandpit beach is a globally important nesting site of two endangered species of marine turtle, the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), that visit the beach for laying eggs between June to December each year. The beach is visited by a large number of people from Karachi as a picnic spot.
Due to absence of waste disposal facilities, the visitors litter the beach, which results in disturbance to safe nesting of marine turtles. Both WWF Pakistan and Sindh Wildlife Department are engaged in marine turtle conservation activities at Sandspit.