Protecting Churna Island

Earlier this month, Pakistan marked a milestone by designating Churna Island as its second marine protected area - a step that should have environmentalists breathing a sigh of relief. But beneath the surface, the challenges are as vast as the Arabian Sea that surrounds this fragile island. Churna is home to rare species and vibrant coral reefs. Yet, despite its new protected status, the island remains on the brink of disaster.

Environmentalists have been ringing alarm bells for years, warning of the grave threats closing in on Churna. Industrial activity, marine pollution and illegal fishing are rapidly eroding the island's unique biodiversity. Thousands of fishermen from Sindh and Balochistan rely on these waters for their livelihood, and now their future is in jeopardy. Just a few hundred meters from the island, a single-point mooring transfers oil to a refinery. A spill from this facility could turn Churna's vibrant waters into a wasteland in a matter of hours. The nearby power plants - one of them coal-fired - are already spewing harmful emissions, slowly suffocating the delicate habitat. In 2022, the island experienced coral bleaching for the first time, a warning sign that the ecosystem is crumbling under unchecked industrial activity. Tourism has been a significant source of income, but it is also adding fuel to the fire. The lack of regulation and oversight has turned what should be a balanced eco-tourism haven into a free-for-all, where the island's fragile ecosystem is at risk of being trampled.

While declaring Churna a protected site is an important step, it is far from enough. A title alone will not save this island. What Churna needs is a safeguarding mechanism that prioritises three main aspects: enforced regulations on fishing; strict controls on industrial expansion; and sustainable tourism practices. Protecting Churna means real accountability for industries and developers, and a commitment from authorities to stand by their promises.