Greenery and sea are not best friends - specially so along the Pakistani coast which is largely rocky and barren. However, the Karachi harbour area and eastward creaks are bestowed with mangroves.

These trees have complex breathing roots above the surface of the organically rich and oxygen depleted mud. The network of roots and trapped sediment create productive habitat for fish, shrimps, crab, oysters, snail, mussels, and other animals living directly or indirectly on the nutrients from fallen mangrove leaves. Mangrove forest also provides food and shelter for fish and prawns in their initial stages. The wood is also used for building, tanning and regrettably, burning as home fuel.

The Karachi Harbour spreads over an area of 62 square km. This area has always received non-saline water historically from the Lyari river flowing down from mountains and presently the waste water of the city through same river passage.

Presently Karachi Harbour receives an estimated amount of 200 millions gallons per day of municipal and industrial liquid waste from the city through six storm water drains including Lyari River and Nahre Khayam. Mangroves facing other negative activities includes cutting for firewood.

Initiative: Realizing the importance of this highly valued ecosystem, the KPT has embarked upon a project which includes a number of measures, which have a direct or indirect effect on the well-being of the mangroves.

Pollution control: The pollution control department regularly checks activities of vessels berthed in the port. Violators are fined on contravention which could head to pollution in harbour. surface oil and floating debris is collected by boats dedicated for this purpose. Provision has also been made for oily waste reception facility. The KPT Staff also conducts regular environmental audit of factories located on the harbour.

Mangrove area: The KPT has undertaken a detailed survey to assess the forest losses, the reason for those losses, and the quantum of replantation required.

Revitalization: Some of the existing plants could be revitalized since they have started to die primarily because they are water thirsty. Efforts are in hand to remove and physical barriers to movement of water.

Re-plantation: Re-plantations is being undertaken in two ways: transplantation and seeding. There are certain areas where saplings are growing but, these saplings have little chances of survival. Seeding would, of course, supplement this effort to grow trees in new areas.

Awareness: Awareness about the importance of mangroves, not only as a physical entity but also as a part of the overall ecological chain, needs to be augmented. The KPT pollution control department is also making efforts to increase this awareness and take preventive measures to avoid further loss. A surveillance boat has also

been deployed to check timber seekers. Warning boards have been displayed at various locations warning poachers and garbage dumpers as well as motivating readers to conserve mangroves.

Besides re-habilitation of mangroves, the KPT has adopted stringent measures to curb the menace of harbour pollution. These have been recognized and appreciated by numerous organization including consultants from International Maritime Organization of UNO.