Home / Environment / Pakistan's Wetlands Vanish: A Fraying Line of Defense
Pakistan's Wetlands Vanish: A Fraying Line of Defense
2 Feb
Summary
- Pakistan's vital wetlands, including mangroves, are disappearing rapidly.
- Wetlands serve as living infrastructure, protecting coasts and supporting livelihoods.
- Effective wetland conservation is crucial for climate adaptation and disaster management.
On World Wetlands Day, Pakistan confronts the alarming disappearance of its vital natural assets, including mangroves, lakes, and floodplains. These ecosystems are a crucial line of defense against intensifying climate shocks like floods, heatwaves, and cyclones. The mangrove forests of the Indus Delta, once depleted, show fragile signs of recovery from plantation drives. These mangroves are essential living infrastructure, shielding coastal communities from storm surges, preventing erosion, storing carbon, and sustaining fisheries.
Beyond coastal areas, Pakistan's inland wetlands face severe stress from urban expansion, industrial waste, and infrastructure projects. Lake Manchhar and Haleji are examples of degraded wetlands. Reduced river flows due to upstream diversions and erratic rainfall further threaten biodiversity, including migratory birds. Wetlands offer natural solutions for climate adaptation by absorbing floodwaters and filtering pollutants.
Despite their immense value, wetlands are often treated as wasteland. Integrating wetland conservation into land-use planning, strengthening enforcement against encroachment, and ensuring credible environmental assessments are essential steps. Restoring environmental flows to the Indus Delta is vital for mangrove survival. Protecting these wetlands is a practical defense for Pakistan against climate breakdown, economic insecurity, and ecological collapse.
