Conserve mangroves

I recently got a chance to visit the wetlands adjacent to Sandspit, Karachi where I got the opportunity to see the mangroves. Although I had prior knowledge about the ecological system, I was still amazed to learn about the benefits that this small plant offers. Mangroves are the protectors of the coastal belt (protects from floods) and they are not only the breeding ground for fish and crabs, but they also play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide. Studies suggest that each mangrove sapling offsets three times more carbon than a normal tree.

It is worrying that our mangroves are in severe danger. The increasing levels of marine pollution, oil disposed of by ships – accidentally or otherwise – and the release of heavy metal toxic substances emitted through chemical factories, power plants, steel mills into the seawater are a severe threat to their existence. The government needs to look into this and find new ways to conserve the plant.

Muhammad Arsalan Babar

Karachi