The Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan Syed Abu Ahmad Akif visited IUCN Pakistan Country Office at Karachi on 25th April 2016. In the first leg of his visit he accompanied IUCN experts to the mangroves plantation surrounding the Port Qasim Area, where he also planted a mangrove sapling at the site.
IUCN Coastal Ecosystem Expert, Mr. Tahir Qureshi and Dr. Babar Hussain briefed him about the mangrove plantation activities in the area since the beginning of IUCN’s activities in Pakistan. They informed that the biggest threats to mangroves forest are the grazing of camels and sea intrusion. They stressed on the importance of raising awareness and the role local communities play in the protection of the mangrove forests.
Later, the Secretary met with IUCN senior staff at the IUCN Country Office, during which he was briefed by the IUCN Country Representative, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema about IUCN Pakistan’s historical achievements and its ongoing projects. Syed Abu Ahmad Akif expressed his interest in various projects and made suggestion for potential collaboration between the Ministry of Climate Change and IUCN Pakistan in upcoming opportunities.
