Pakistan's mangrove ecosystem is one of the largest found in an arid climate. Without realising their global significance, the local communities continue to use mangroves as fuelwood and fodder. In urban areas, mangroves are being cut away for developmental activities on the coast.

The objectives of the WWF - Pakistan project include rehabilitation of mangrove-degraded areas at Sonmiani and Jiwani in Balochistan, and Sandspit in Karachi, Sindh. WWF - Pakistan initiated a two-pronged approach in this area, i.e. mangrove plantation and community mobilisation, simultaneously. So far a total of 200 hectares have been rehabilitated in Sonmiani, Jiwani and Sandspit. Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina have been planted in Miani Hor (Sonmiani), while in other areas only Avicennia marina has been sown. Four mangrove nurseries, established at three sites, have been stocked with 40,000 saplings

The local community is being mobilised by enhancing awareness on the significance of mangroves for livelihood and by persuading the local people to take responsibility for conserving mangroves. Many Community Based Organisations (CBOs) have been established and their capacities enhanced through various training programmes to initiate conservation and development activities in the area.
These include:
• training in mangrove plantation and nursery raising techniques
• epiculture
• report writing
• project proposal development
• smokeless fuel efficient stove technology
• training in traditional birth attendants for womenfolk
The communities are actively participating in mangrove plantation, nursery raising and monitoring.


Current initiatives


An educational centre for women has been established in Kakapir Village where about 70 girls of 5 – 27 years are given informal education. In order to improve the living conditions of women, a health need assessment of the community has been made.


Recognising the social, ecological and economic significance of the mangrove forests, Shell Pakistan Limited, a corporate member of WWF - Pakistan has agreed to support a mangrove conservation initiative. Thus, another project has been initiated on Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem in the Korangi – Phitti Creek System, in the Indus Delta with their support. The project aims to conserve selected degraded mangrove forests in the Korangi – Phitti creek area through involvement of community, local school children and other stakeholders like Port Qasim Authority and the Government Forest Department.