KARACHI: Pakistan Navy, in line with government of Pakistan’s vision of “Green Pakistan” launched “Pakistan Navy - Mangroves Plantation Campaign 2018”. This is the third campaign of this series which entails an effort to plant about two million mangroves in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces during next one year. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and inaugurated Pakistan Navy Mangroves Plantation Campaign at Shah Bandar.

Mangroves are vital to coastal ecosystem, prevention of sea intrusion and sustainment of marine life. However, these gifts of nature are diminishing in the face of economic development and demands for domestic needs. Being a major stakeholder of the maritime domain and realizing the importance of mangroves for marine life, Pakistan Navy took a major initiative to revive mangrove forests all along the coast. Apart from mangroves plantation, Pakistan Navy has also launched maritime economy awareness campaign.

During the address, Chief of the Naval Staff stressed that deforestation of mangroves has not only affected biodiversity of our coastal areas but also livelihoods of coastal communities. This situation essentially necessitates focused attention and coordinated efforts from all walks of the society. —PR