KARACHI, July 28: A weeklong campaign to protect mangroves along the Sindh coastline through public awareness was launched by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) on Thursday.

The launch was followed by a token hunger strike by a group of PFF activists, who were joined by a number of people living in the coastal areas, outside the Karachi Press Club in protest against continued destruction of mangroves in Karachi in the name of development.

PFF chairman Mohammed Ali Shah, general secretary Saeed Baloch, and other leaders including Tahira Ali and Sami Memon said that demonstrations would be held simultaneously in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur by fishermen, human rights activists and civil society groups during the campaign.

Urging the government to take measures to protect mangroves and all other natural resources, they alleged that ‘land mafia’ with support of certain ruling party legislators were involved in the destruction of mangroves.

Mr Shah said mangroves served as a breeding ground for commercial fish and a natural shield against disasters like cyclone and floods.

In this year, declared by the United Nations ‘the Year of Forests’, the government should stop violating international conventions by turning a blind eye towards destruction of forests, mangroves and other natural resources, he said, adding that mangroves destruction along the 129-km-long coastline long should be condemned by all.

Referring to recent uplift work in Keamari Town, he deplored that mangroves in Kakapir and adjacent villages were uprooted by people supported by influential figures of the area and members of land mafia.

Mr Baloch told striking PFF activists and the media that mafia men threatened the area people, who were raising their voice against such activities, of dire consequences.

PFF activists at the protest camp raised slogans condemning atrocities on fishermen.

Later, the PFF announced holding of protest demonstrations in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur on Saturday.