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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan, which serves as the convener of the National Coordinating Body (NCB) – a joint-stakeholder platform chaired by the , has been actively engaged in coastal conservation and governance across the country.Ìý

The marine initiative launched by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan in 2016 under the , with support from NCB and its members, including the , has worked diligently over the years on strategic research, identification, and enhancement of marine protected areas in Pakistan.

These efforts resulted in attention towards four proposed locations for MPA which included Astola Island, Churna Island, Miani Hor, and Gwadar Bay. The proposed areas were considered vulnerable to human activities and interventions, endangering their preservation and fragile ecosystems. The developments by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan and NCB members led to the historic milestone of Astola Island’s official recognition as the first-ever Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Pakistan.

Following Astola’s designation, the approval of Churna Island as an MPA showcases the consistent efforts by the Forest and Wildlife Department, the Government of Balochistan, primarily supported and assisted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan’s strategic expertise. Churna Island serves as a significant marine hotspot, renowned for its rich marine life, including 25 species of coral reef, 250 fish species, several migratory bird species, endangered whale sharks, and sea turtles. The MPA designation will provide the necessary legal protection to Churna Island’s surrounding water, regulating human activities such as fishing, tourism, and industrial pollution, which have posed a threat to the island’s ecosystem in recent years.Ìý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan’s vision and approach towards marine protection serves as a sustainable model for preserving biodiversity, promoting responsible resource use, and ensuring long-term conservation of marine ecosystems. Along NCB members, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ is actively contributing through further programs and studies to establish and implement management plans for both Churna Island and the previously declared MPA, Astola Island.Ìý

Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan, commended the Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department for its efforts in achieving the important milestone for marine conservation. This designation is expected to have lasting positive impacts on Pakistan’s marine biodiversity and the coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems for their livelihood.

For more information, please contact:
Mr Naveed Ali Soomro
Manager Sindh Programme, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan
Tel. +92 21 35861540-3; Fax +92 21 35861448
E-mail: [email protected]

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