‘Karachi’s coastal areas in danger’

KARACHI: WWF- Pakistan conservation officer Mahrine Rashid claimed that there is a need to review the policy on economic development for the conservation of the coastal areas due to rapid urbanisation.

According to Rashid, the regeneration of mangroves around Hawkes Bay and Sandspit is a vast development in environment conservation. However, she said that river life has been adversely affected by human contact leading to a loss in its quality, originality and uniqueness.

“Political commitments are necessary for the conservation of protected areas from the pressures of environmental degradation.” Citing India as an example where protected areas have been declared “ecologically sensitive zones”, preventing any damaging developmental activities.

The Government of Pakistan and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) should employ similar provisions to limit urbanisation and reduce the hazardous impacts of the increasing population to the bays of Karachi.

“The population boom has caused severe damages to the ecosystem as different housing schemes have cropped up at Hawksbay and Sandspit.

“The beaches are very important as it is home to five species of marine turtles in Pakistan and a shelter for migratory birds,” she explained. About the mangroves, she claimed them to be essential for the dissipation of coastal storms.

Urbanisation near the beach will change the ecology of the area, she warned. Once the wastewater sediments run off from the construction sites and enter the sea, the mangrove and marine environments will be affected, Rashid said, adding that any construction in close proximity to the beaches can cause pollution to the natural habitats.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2010.