SHENZHEN: An agreement for the establishment of the International Mangrove Center (IMC) was formally signed last Wednesday in Shenzhen. Representatives from the first group of 18 member countries jointly signed the agreement on its inauguration.
Mr. Sardar Muhammad, Acting Consul General of Pakistan in Guangzhou, represented his country at the signing ceremony dedicated to preserving and restoring mangroves, as well as enhancing global biodiversity for a sustainable future and improved human well-being.
China has placed significant emphasis on the protection of mangrove forests and has implemented a national wetland protection plan, along with a special action plan for the conservation and rehabilitation of these vital ecosystems.
Today, China boasts a total mangrove area of 30,300 hectares, reflecting an increase of approximately 8,300 hectares since the turn of the century. This growth positions China as one of the few countries globally to achieve a net increase in mangrove area, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
Mangrove forests around the world have been in decline for decades, but this trend is beginning to reverse in Pakistan. The country’s mangrove area has nearly tripled, increasing from 48,331 hectares in 1986 to 143,930 hectares in 2020, according to an analysis of satellite data from 2022.
A five-year project initiated in 2019 by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is assisting Pakistan in restoring its damaged coastal wetland ecosystems. The project has successfully planted 16 hectares of mangrove forests at various sites, including dams, in Balochistan and the neighboring Sindh province, significantly enhancing local mangrove conservation and development efforts.
This project is one of many initiatives aimed at restoring Pakistan’s mangrove forests. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, these semi-aquatic trees offer numerous benefits, including protection for coastlines against storms and rising sea levels, habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife, superior carbon sequestration compared to most other ecosystems on the planet, and support for the livelihoods of an estimated 120 million people worldwide.
In 2020, China launched a five-year initiative aimed at protecting and restoring mangrove forests. The country’s coastal regions have been actively exploring methods to plant mangroves and safeguard their habitats. Additionally, China has set a goal of protecting at least 150,000 square kilometers of ocean area by 2030. This objective encompasses the preservation of rare and endangered marine species, as well as vital marine ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs.
“China invested a lot of effort in mangroves, even planting them in urban areas. They have also constructed many artificial wetlands and planted mangroves there. The same model can be replicated in Gwadar. Mangroves protect the coastline by reducing siltation and sedimentation, bind and build up the soil and prevent erosion,” said Abdul Raheem, Deputy Director of Environment at the Gwadar Development Authority and Coordinator of CPEC Component. in an interview with Pakistani media.
“Pakistan has the expertise and enough coastline available to grow them. However, the Chinese help is still required to maintain juvenile sources, nurseries, fence sources, channel digging, and funding to carry on all these processes,” he said.
The establishment of the International Mangrove Center demonstrates that “Shenzhen experience” of mangrove conservation has gained recognition and support from environmentalists worldwide. China will utilize the center as a platform to enhance exchanges and cooperation with its members and to promote collaborative global efforts in mangrove protection. –Agencies
