Karachi: Exploring ecotourism potential in mangroves

[Naveed Yaseen]

Environment Secretary Kamran Lashari emphasised exploring potential for ecotourism in the backwaters and mangrove forests near Sandspit at Karachi Beach.

He highlighted this during a visit to the Wetlands Centre at Sandspit along with World Wide Fund (WWF) Pakistan officials.

“The Sandspit Beach, for being an important ecological site by providing a nesting place for the endangered green turtles, needs our immediate attention and for this purpose the role of the WWF’s Wetland Centre is vital,” Lashari said.

He observed how the untreated sewage from Lyari drain is thrown into the Arabian Sea, which poses a severe threat to marine life. He felt the need for a comprehensive plan for awareness raising and conservation initiatives in the area. In this regard he pointed out that the backwater mangroves; flora and fauna and scene environment of the area has tremendous potential to attract a large number of visitors, as the place is located near Karachi - of the biggest metropolis in the region. He observed and appreciated the initial efforts taken by WWF Pakistan and the local communities of Kakapir villages.

Later, the secretary was briefed by a team of WWF Pakistan headed by Regional Director Dr Ghulam Akbar. Dr Akbar gave a detailed presentation about WWF’s intervention in the area including the Indus for All Programme, which intends to demonstrate the community-based conservation initiatives in the lower Indus Basin by enhancing livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

WWF officials Rab Nawaz and Dr Altaf Abro informed the secretary about future plans to have a long-term programme for Pakistan’s coastal areas including the Indus Delta and mangroves ecosystem.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=177114