Why are Pakistan's wetlands disappearing?

Pakistan's wetlands are disappearing due to reduced freshwater flows, unchecked cutting, coastal pollution, urban encroachment, industrial effluent, solid waste dumping, and ill-planned infrastructure projects.

What is the importance of mangroves in Pakistan?

Mangrove forests in Pakistan serve as living infrastructure that buffers coastal communities against cyclones and storm surges, reduces erosion, stores vast amounts of carbon, and sustains fisheries supporting thousands of livelihoods.

How can Pakistan protect its wetlands?

Pakistan can protect its wetlands by strengthening enforcement against encroachment, ensuring credible and transparent environmental impact assessments, integrating wetland conservation into land-use planning, and restoring environmental flows to critical areas like the Indus Delta.

Home / Environment / Pakistan's Wetlands Vanish: A Fraying Line of Defense

Pakistan's Wetlands Vanish: A Fraying Line of Defense

2 Feb

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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.

Pakistan's Wetlands Vanish: A Fraying Line of Defense

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.