KARACHI: Pakistan Navy Commander Coast, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasool Lodhi on Tuesday opened the annual mangrove plantation campaign by planting a sapling at Karachi’s Port Qasim.
A statement issued by Pakistan Navy spokesman said three million small sized mangrove trees would be planted during the envisaged drive in the coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh with equal attention towards active involvement of the locals in the gravely required exercise.
On this occasion, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasool Lodhi addressing the PN personnel and locals highlighted the fact that decreasing in the size of mangrove forests was creating a negative impact on the environment as well as lives of the concerned communities in the areas.
Lodhi assured that Pakistan Navy would continue playing its role in shielding country’s resources.
Mentioning that PN is playing a important role in defense of mangrove forests on the coasts of the country, he said steps have assumed to sensitize coastal and fishermen communities about relevance of the same in supplementing their livelihood as well role of these mangroves in averting sea erosion besides serving as a buffer against series of natural calamities.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi (NI), in his message, was quoted to have urged the significance of mangroves in maintaining the vital balance between marine resources and coastal environment.
More than six million saplings were planted in the belt during past four years, which have gained significant strength and density due to coordination among concerned stakeholders, the statement read.