The benefits of nature and wildlife are significant. It is impossible to fully understand all the benefits of plants, water, air, etc since there are so many.
However, we are going to focus on the benefits of plants and Mangroves in particular. The Mangroves jungles shield the waterfront districts from soil disintegration, flowing flooding, storms, and cyclones.
Mangroves also serve as a shelter for the migratory birds who visit the coastal belts from other parts of the world.
For decades, Pakistan has also been deriving great socio-economic advantages from the thick Mangroves that grow all along its coastline that stretches for around 1,000 kilometers.
However, unfortunately, some greedy elements in society have been continuously chopping down and robbing this national treasure of wood.
Mangroves & Other Details
Since the mangroves are breeding grounds for a variety of fish, birds, and marine animals, the depletion of these forests is having a huge negative impact on the vast potential of the country’s fishing industry.
Pakistan has an estimated 0.6 million hectares of mangrove ecosystem, probably the 10th largest in the world. Through surveys and satellite imaging, the Environment Ministry has learned that; the mangroves in Pakistan are experiencing deforestation at the highest rate (2.3 percent).
Hence, irreparable losses being caused to the nation, especially the coastal communities. If the rapid rate of urbanization, industrial contamination, and deforestation continue unchecked, the mangrove forests may largely disappear in the next fifteen to twenty years.
When we evaluate this looming crisis on a global scale, experts are alarmed to see that: Over 35% of global mangrove forests destroyed, within the past four decades.
As the mangroves along the Pakistani seashores are vanishing, a few responsible corporate enterprises are organizing plantation drives and advocating action against this large-scale theft of wood.
The technology leader in Pakistan – Dawlance has taken the lead in this valuable cause, by launching an exemplary social-responsibility initiative, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Implementation of this MoU has begun with concrete measures to achieve the annual ‘Sustainability-Objectives’ of the brand. Recently, Dawlance and WWF have already planted 5000 mangrove saplings along Sonmiani Beach. Please follow this link to see glimpses of the mangrove-plantation drive:
Participants commented that: “Sustainability at the heart of every strategy adopted by Dawlance and its global parent company – Arcelik.”
Stakeholder’s “Serious Concerns”
The stakeholders stated that: Currently, Pakistan has only 5 trees per capita, while the global average is 422 trees per person.
Hence, Pakistan has a lot of catching up to do. Compared to normal plantations, Mangrove forests have a special capacity to ensure 5 times more ‘Reduction’ of carbon dioxide from the environment.
Pakistan must save this marine ecosystem from deforestation, to enable safe and healthy living in its coastal regions. This will stabilize national growth and promise the wellbeing of the masses with higher productivity.
In line with its vision of a sustainable environment for a cleaner and greener Pakistan. On Monday, June 28, 2021, under its ‘Dawlance for Humanity’ initiative, conducted a major plantation drive and along the coastal belt of Balochistan.
The Company is determined to play its part in reducing the atmospheric toxic carbon dioxide levels. To make sure that future generations can live in a healthy environment.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Dawlance – Umar Ahsan Khan stated:
“It is a pleasure for us to have launched this resourceful MoU.
Mangrove Plantation
The mangrove plantation is the first step towards many more earth-friendly initiatives in partnership with WWF-Pakistan. Our country surely blessed with abundant natural resources, while our mangroves are a treasure trove of biodiversity.
As a responsible and reliable organization, Dawlance shall continue propagating “Perfect Balance of Nature & Technology”. And play its role towards achieving the company’s annual sustainability objectives, which are in line with Arçelik’s vision of sustainability.
We are also committed to supporting the government’s focus on increasing forestation in Pakistan.
‘Dawlance for Humanity’ is an initiative that aims to foster sustainability in Pakistan. Dawlance has also taken the opportunity to support a brave 12-year-old Pakistani girl on her summit of Broad Peak.
Not only she’ss going to make a new world record but she is also setting a great example for a sustainable environment. You can learn more about her unique mountaineering efforts by visiting the following link.
READ MORE: NEWS AND EVENTS
What do you think of the story? Tell us in the comments section below.
