Rally against mangrove forests destruction

KARACHI, Jan 25-2011: Activists of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) on Tuesday staged a rally on Mauripur Road against removal of mangroves from the city`s coastal areas and demanded action against all those involved in the destructive activity.

Carrying banners inscribed with slogans against some influential people of the area who, they believed, are patronising the culprits, they urged the government to help lodge an FIR against a group of people who had attacked the Kaka village (Keamari) office of a community-based organisation working for the protection of mangroves and marine resources.

PFF chairman Mohammad Ali Shah spoke to the protesters and informed them that the forum had written a letter to the president, prime minister, minister of environment, Sindh chief minister and other authorities concerned drawing their attention to the destruction of mangroves and urging them to order action against the influential people indulging in such activities “with the aim of grabbing land”.

The letter, reproduced in a PFF release reminded the authorities of their international obligations, saying: “The United Nations has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests Conservation and the Pakistan government has endorsed it.”

It alleged that the local police were supporting the criminals in their act of destroying mangrove forests in violation of the relevant laws.

The letter claimed that the mangrove forests were being destroyed mercilessly by certain influential people and the authorities concerned were taking no action on this regard.

It stressed that mangroves played the important role of `a natural shield` against storm, cyclone or high tide for the population of coastal areas.

It called for action against the criminals who had ransacked the office of the community organisation and beat up its activists for resisting their activities a few days back.