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The launch was held at the Pakistan Pavilion, co- organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan. Delegates at the launch included representatives of the Pakistan government, federal and provincial line departments, international delegates as well as environmental and climate change experts from different parts of the world.

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ delegation from Pakistan was led by Mr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan, who presented the report to the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah.Ìý

Covering the entire coast of Pakistan, the report outlines the overall status of mangroves growth in Pakistan, the threats it faces and the role of institutions in protecting and restoring degraded areas with mangroves.

The report further highlights the recent causes of mangrove degradation and loss, noting that these issues are similar across the four South Asian countries of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The identified threats include overharvesting of wood, animal fodder and fishery resources; reduction in the supply of freshwater and silt; coastal erosion; pollution; the impacts of storm and tsunamis; and conversion of mangroves to other land uses. The report also recognises the significant efforts of the Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department in expanding mangroves cover and protecting natural forests.Ìý

Speaking on the occasion, ÌýMr Cheema highlighted the significance of the mangroves assessment and termed it very timely, given the current challenges being faced due to exacerbating climate change impacts on the Pakistan coast. He added that mangroves serve as highly efficient carbon sinks—up to four times more carbon-rich than terrestrial forests. They also contribute significantly to improving community livelihoods through improved fish catch.

The Chief Minister of Sindh province, Syed Murad Ali Shah, commended the efforts of the Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Pakistan for their collaboration in enhancing the mangrove cover in the country, which has significantly contributed to increasing Pakistan's overall forest cover.Ìý

The Chief Minister also spoke about the collaboration between Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ and Indus Delta Capital Ltd in the Delta Blue Carbon project and he assured that such initiatives has not only helped reduce emissions but would also support community livelihoods.Ìý

The mangroves assessment report can be
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