KARACHI, July 22: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has said that all measures will be taken for preserving the natural beauty of coastal areas and protecting mangroves. Immediate action will be taken for removing the bottlenecks and problems in the way in this regard, he said while presiding over a meeting held at Governor’s House on Friday.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Adviser on Environment, Noman Saigal; Deputy-Director WWF Pakistan, Dr Aijaz Ahmed; besides secretary environment, officials of Karachi Port Trust, city district government, Coastal Development Authority and others.

The governor called for collection of details about nature of encroachments in Hawkesbay, Sandspit and other coastal areas along with clarification about their government proprietorship so that effective measures could be taken for their protection. He gave one month time for a complete survey of the area and compilation of a final report. He directed the officials concerned that problems as identified and proposals for protection of the area be compulsorily submitted during this period.

He asked the KPT and city government officials to issue a joint notification banning allotments of any kind in these areas and cancelling allotments made in the past.

Earlier in a briefing, Dr Aijaz Ahmed referred to the fast emergence of encroachments in the coastal areas which were not only posing threat to mangroves but also to the lives of some 50,000 marine birds which came to these areas every year.

Besides, he said, the illegal occupants were also polluting the marine life by throwing waste and garbage into the sea and destroying the natural environment.

He feared that if immediate action was not taken these coastal areas, which were rich with unique natural beauty, would face ruination.

Dr Aijaz alleged that the former nazim of Keamari Town had been involved in encroachments and ruining the natural environment of Hawkesbay and Sandspit areas.—APP