THATTA: Provincial Forest Minister Muhammad Taimoor Talpur said on Thursday that the restoration of the Indus Delta is very necessary, as the mangrove forests breeding there provide a natural defense to the coasts due to their natural structure.
He said this while talking to media representatives after inaugurating the spring mangroves plantation campaign in Ketti Bandar today. He continued as saying that the Sindh government was trying to protect, restore and expand the ecosystem of mangroves in the Indus Delta.
The minister said that under the five-year plan to plant mangroves on 350,000 hectares, about 2.4 billion saplings had been planted, which was the highest plantation record in the whole country. He said that restoration of Indus Delta would promote aquatic life.
Talpur further said that the decrease in mangroves had not only negative effects on the coastal organisms but it had also caused a decrease in the livelihood of the people living there. Therefore, it is important to stop the decrease in forests and focus on their growth.
“Mangroves also play an effective role in preventing negative impacts on coastal areas caused by climate change. Realizing the usefulness of mangroves as a major contributor to the protection of coastal areas, the Government of Sindh has taken significant steps to protect the mangrove forests along the coast, ” said the minister.
He reiterated the role and commitment of the Forest Department in protecting the mangrove forests and environment. He said that it is a message for government institutions, industrial community and every Pakistani to participate in this campaign for the benefit of aquatic environment and coastal residents.
“Let’s work together to make this campaign a success and save the environment for future generations,” he urged. Later, Talpar inaugurated the mangroves plantation campaign by planting mangroves in Ketti Bandar area. The ceremony was also attended by Provincial Secretary Forests Jameel Badar Mendhro, Chief Conservator Sindh Forst Riaz Wagan, Conservator Forest Arif Khokhar and other officers.