Life under water

The largest island along Pakistan’s coast, Astola Island, was declared ‘marine protected area’ (MPA) last year. This decision was taken under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Our government also agreed that at least 17 percent of its coastal and marine areas will be declared protected by 2020. So far only two percent of the areas have declared protected. The government has to take some big decisions if it really wants to fulfil its international obligation. Pakistan’s second largest island, Churna Island, is an uninhabited island. If the government declares the island protected, it will be the second marine protected area in the country. The island is under threat due to industrial projects.
The marine life around Churna includes rare green turtle, shark, whale, dolphin, oyster, crabs and lobsters. Two anti-marine life projects including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and a coal-fired power project works are in full swing near Churna Island. Environmental organisations and local fishermen of Mubarak Village have reservations over these projects. It is believed that they are not eco-friendly projects and will harm and hurt the marine life. The LNG terminal and the coal-fired power project will also disturb the traditional fishing. We urge the government to declare Churna Island the country’s marine protected area.
Sarfraz Haroon (Karachi)