Mangrove jungles play a critical role in protecting the coastal regions from soil-erosion, tidal-flooding, storms, cyclones, and other natural disasters. These marine forests also offer shelter to migratory-birds, while maintaining the quality of water along with the coastal belts, around the globe. These are only a few of the tremendous benefits of having rich Mangrove vegetation along the shorelines of any country, while these dense plantations continue to play a pivotal role in the healthy growth of marine-life and conservation of the nature’s ecosystem.
For decades, Pakistan has also been deriving great socio-economic advantages from the thick Mangroves that grow all along its coast-line that stretches for around 1,000 kilometers. However, unfortunately, some greedy elements in the society have been continuously chopping down and robbing this national treasure of wood. Since the mangroves are breeding grounds for a variety of fish, birds and marine-animals, the depletion of these forests is having a huge negative impact on the vast potential of the country’s fishing industry.
Pakistan has an estimated 0.6 million hectares of mangrove ecosystem, probably the 10th largest in the world. Through surveys and satellite-imaging, the Environment Ministry has learnt that; the mangroves in Pakistan are experiencing deforestation at the highest rate (2.3 percent). Hence, irreparable losses are being caused to the nation, especially the coastal communities. If the rapid rate of urbanization, industrial contamination and deforestation continues unchecked, the mangrove forests may largely disappear in the next fifteen to twenty years. When we evaluate this looming crisis on a global scale, experts are alarmed to see that: Over 35% of global mangrove forests have been destroyed, within the past four decades.
As the mangroves along the Pakistani sea-shores are vanishing, a few responsible corporate enterprises are organizing plantation-drives and advocating action against this large-scale theft of wood. The technology leader in Pakistan – Dawlance has taken the lead in this valuable cause, by launching an exemplary social-responsibility initiative, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Implementation of this MoU has begun with concrete measures to achieve the annual ‘Sustainability-Objectives’ of the brand. Recently, Dawlance and WWF have already planted 5000 mangrove saplings along Sonmiani Beach.
Here are a few glimpses of the mangrove-plantation drive
Participants of this valuable effort commented that: Sustainability is at the heart of every strategy adopted by Dawlance and its global parent company – Arcelik. The stakeholders are expressing serious concerns that: Currently, Pakistan has only 5 trees per-capita, while the global average is 422 trees per person. Hence, Pakistan has a lot of catching-up to do. Compared to normal plantations, Mangrove forests have a special capacity to ensure 10 times more ‘Reduction’ of carbon-dioxide from the environment. Pakistan must save this marine ecosystem from deforestation, to enable safe and healthy living in its coastal regions. This will stabilize national growth and promise the wellbeing of the masses with higher productivity.
In line with its vision of a sustainable environment for a cleaner and greener Pakistan, Dawlance, on Monday, June 28, 2021, under its ‘Dawlance for Humanity’ initiative, conducted a major plantation drive, along the coastal belt of Balochistan. The Company is determined to play its part in reducing the atmospheric toxic carbon-dioxide levels, to make sure that the future generations can live in a healthy environment.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Dawlance – Umar Ahsan Khan stated: “It is a pleasure for us to have launched this resourceful MoU. The mangrove plantation is the first step towards many more earth-friendly initiatives in partnership with WWF-Pakistan. Our country is blessed with abundant natural-resources, while our mangroves are a treasure trove of biodiversity. As a responsible and reliable organization, Dawlance shall continue propagating “Perfect Balance of Nature & Technology” and play its role towards achieving the company’s annual sustainability objectives, which are in line with Arçelik’s vision of sustainability. We are also committed to support the government’s focus on increasing forestation in Pakistan.
The mangroves plantation is one of the many initiatives under the ‘Dawlance for Humanity’ program which aims to work towards environmental sustainability. This inspirational programme has now pledged to sponsor the courageous feat of a 12-year old Pakistani girl, who is making a record-breaking attempt to summit the Broad-Peak. It aims to promote the exploration and protection of Pakistan’s beautiful mountainous regions. Kindly follow the following link for the latest news and updates about this unique mountaineering expedition. https://www.dawlance.com.pk/news-events/