Over 80 members of the Human Resources Development Network (HRDN), along with the officials of Sindh Forest Department planted 300 mangrove saplings on a mud flat in Jhari creek about 1.5 nautical miles from the Korangi Fish Harbour. This activity was part of the awareness campaign undertaken by HRDN with the support of Mangroves for the Future (MFF), a regional initiative for the conservation and rehabilitation of the coastal ecosystems.
The members of HRDN, who had especially come from different parts of the country, attended the one day seminar. On the occasion, Inspector General of Forests, Mahmood Nasir, and Chief Conservator Sindh, Riaz Waggan highlighted the importance of the mangroves.
Rafiul Haq, National Co-ordinator, Pakistan, of the MFF led the plantation drive and explained that how the artificial plantation process works to increase the covered area of the mangroves to increase the bio-shield against natural disasters. He especially appreciated the contribution of Pakistan Navy, the only Force in the entire MFF region and the National Co-ordinating Body. Captain Fayyaz Malik and his team who were facilitated the plantation activity.
Fauzia Malik, Director of HRDN thanked MFF and the Sindh Forest department for proving awareness about the mangroves to its members, and proposed that this plantation be made an annual activity. This would be supplemented by the earlier announced declaration of extending the awareness to one million people within a year.-PR