World Hydrography Day today: Naval chief calls for creating awareness about hydrography

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi has urged all the maritime stakeholders to join efforts in promoting awareness regarding importance of hydrography and its related activities.

"It will strongly contribute towards sustainable seas and growth of national economy through enhanced trade and utilisation of marine resources," the naval chief in his message on the eve of the World Hydrography Day (WHD), which is celebrated worldwide on June 21, said.

The day is celebrated to acknowledge the work done in the field of hydrography in support of safe navigation at open seas and ports. Every year a specific theme related to contribution of hydrography in world maritime affairs is promulgated by International Hydrographic Organisation. Theme of WHO for this year "One hundred years of international cooperation in hydrography' is designed to showcase progress in knowledge and technology over the past 100 years while celebrating the centenary of the establishment of International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) in 1921.

Annual celebration of this day emphasises importance of hydrography as it underpins almost every activity associated with the sea including safety of navigation, economic development, security and defence, environmental protection, ports and harbour construction, coastal zone management, disaster management maritime boundary delimitation etc. Admiral Niazi said that Pakistan, like other coastal states, is responsible for hydrographic surveys and production of nautical charts and maps of its waters to provide accurate nautical information to the mariners. On behalf of Pakistan, the Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department (PNHD) has fulfilled this international obligation.

Pakistan is blessed with over 1000km of coastline along with 240,000 Sq kms of sea area within its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). In 2015, PNHD along with other relevant national organisations played a vital role in approval of an additional sea area of 50.000 Sq kms by relevant UN commission. One of the PNHD's main achievements is completion of coastal surveys and charting of complete coast of Pakistan. This process spanned over decades. The department has significantly contributed towards development of national ports and other maritime infrastructure all along the coast.

The naval chief recalled that in 2019, a new survey ship 'PNS BEHR MASAH' with latest research equipment was inducted in PN, which has significantly enhanced the national surveying capability. The inducted technology shall also be utilised to support CPEC related infrastructure on the coast and to ensure that maritime component of CPEC remains navigationally safe.

"Pakistan Navy celebrates this day every year to underscore the importance of hydrography towards its share in all marine and maritime related activities which are eventually contributing significantly towards our national economy," he said..