THIS is with reference to a news item, ‘Sea erosion risk management plan being prepared’ (Aug 31). Coastal erosion is a problem in all maritime countries. But in Pakistan, it is very serious, mainly because of unchecked anthropogenic stresses which include drastic decline in the flow of Indus river water into the delta, over-exploitation of mangroves, dredging and channelisation, multiple use of coastal resources by different industries and institutions, pollution and rise in the sea level due to global warming.

Although the entire coastal belt of Pakistan is affected but that of Sindh, including the Indus Delta, is the worst.

According to an estimate, more than a million acres of land have been eroded or lost to the sea which has also intruded as far as 100km inland.

To prevent deterioration, 10 maf Indus water should be allowed to flow down the Kotri barrage as per the Indus Water Accord of 1991, which is not only important for the growth of mangroves but the silt and clay contained in the water help in embankment of the eroded shores. There should also be a ban on cutting of mangrove trees which fight back erosion.

In fact, mangroves are land builders. Recently, volunteers planted mangroves on Marone Beach Indonesia to protect Ahmad Yani International airport in Semarang, Central Java from coastal erosion. The Sindh Forest Department also planted more than three quarters of a million mangroves in the active Indus Delta in 2013.

As a coastal erosion management plan is being prepared. I suggest the authorities involved should refer to IOC Report No. 114 on ‘International Workshop on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 1994.

Prof (Dr) S.M. Saifullah

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 11th , 2014