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Scope concerned at KPT cutting mangroves

KARACHI: The Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE) has expressed serious concern over the cutting of mangroves by KPT authorities near Mai Kolachi Bypass and KESC Grid Station to make room for KPT Officers Housing Society with reclamation of coastal land covered with mangroves.

According to SCOPE, a construction company hired by KPT has already cleared 10-15 acres of forest land and are engaged in clearing more such land along with land levelling and pumping out the mud.

Expressing deep concern over this environmental apathy, the SCOPE appealed to Sindh Governor, Air Marshal Azim Daudpota and Federal Environment Minister Omer Asghar, Marine Pollution Control Board, Environment Protection Agency, Sindh and Maritime Security Agency to take notice of the situation and restrict KPT from cutting more trees.

Instead the KPT should be directed to replant the trees on the land being reclaimed, SCOPE said.

Mangroves are unique kind of forests on the coasts of Balochistan, Karachi and Thatta. They grow on both fresh and saline waters. Mangrove swamps serve as nurseries for fish and shrimps. They play host to a large number of birds and other wildlife species.

Mangrove swamps act as front line protection shield against cyclones and storms.

"It would be a great tragedy if part of such an important coastal ecosystem is wiped out in an age in which the countries feel proud in growing mangrove forest plants and investing huge resources to protect the existing ones", SCOPE said.

According to SCOPE environmental agencies like IUCN and WWF have been striving hard to protect mangroves and thousands of saplings have been planted at Karachi and Balochistan coasts.

But it is ironic that at the same time a government agency was acting just contrary to what agencies concerned with environmental conditions were doing.

SCOPE demanded that the KPT Officers Housing Project should be immediately stopped and inquiry be conducted as to why such land of high ecological value was reclaimed for the scheme and why the concerned authorities did not take notice of mangroves being wiped out. APP