SANDSPIT -

THE NATURE TREASURE AT RISK

Dr. Ejaz Ahmad
Deputy Director General
WWF-Pakistan
Marine
Species Climate Change
Toxics
Freshwater
Forests
Global Priority Issues of WWF
Sandspit / Hawkesbay
Biodiversity of the Area:
Mammals
Jungle cat
unique since only found
in this area close to Karachi
3 Dolphin species
- Spinner
- Humpback
- Bottle-nose
1 Finless porpoise
Spinner Dolphin in Pakistani waters
MANGROVE FOREST
Important supplier of Nutrient and Oxygen.
Nurseries for many species of Fish and Shrimp.
Stabilizes Shorelines and reduce Coastal
Erosion.
Protect Coastal areas from storm damage.
Act as Natural Water treatment plants.
Important feeding and nesting grounds for birds
Medicinal value, honey, fuel wood and fodder
Corals
Species of Corals
Nesting site of 3 species of marine turltes
Globally important nesting site of Green Turtle
More than 1000 green turtles nest annually
Peak nesting season from Aug to Dec
Marine Turtles
Ecotourism Value
WETLAND CENTRE
Beach Cleaning
Turtle Watch
Hatchling Release
Mangrove watch
Birds watch Training
Mangrove Planting
Fossils collection
No. of Visitors
Year No.
2000 576
2001 1132
2002 1759
2003 4146
2004 5280
2005 5032
2006 6000+
Waterfront Project
Area extends from Manora (south-east) to
Hub river (in north) and Cape Monze
(west)
Total Area 40,000 Acres
Part of Karachi Strategic Dev. Plan 2020
Waterfront Project - risks
Local population displacement
Social issues
Cost of shifting and settlement
Livelihoods at risk
Impact on Mauripur area due to cutting of mangroves
Mangroves act as lungs of the city
Karachi Harbour at risk due to change in water regime
Inaccessibility to the area for general public
Depriving research and education oppertunities
Waterfront Project - risks
Biodiversity Loss
Loss of mangrove ecosytem
Loss of turtle nesting grounds
Loss of nesting habitat for birds
Damage to Coral habitat
Change in shoreline ecology
Make your ecological foot prints
small & GREEN!
THANK YOU!