Pakistan celebrates Bio-diversity Day

KARACHI - Marine Bio-diversity, the theme for the current year’s International Biological Diversity Day holds particular relevance to Pakistan as it is exposed to rapidly depleting biological resources, said experts at a seminar arranged to celebrate the day by Mangroves for the Future (MFF – Pakistan).
The moot focused on coastal and marine wealth of Pakistan was addressed by researchers and academicians and major stakeholders in the coastal resources, said a press release issued by MFF-Pakistan on Wednesday.
Dr Shaukat Hayat Khan of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) highlighted the importance of the coastal and marine resources in national perspective. “Potential of tidal power has to be seen as one of the vital source of green energy generation,” he said.
Dr S M Saifullah discussed the possible scenarios and the performance of mangroves to mitigate climate change. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a former head of marine fisheries department discussed the coastal and marine bio-diversity; threats and challenges.
He emphasised the need to strengthen the knowledge base of the resource and maintained that a great deal of research and investigation was required.
Rafiul Haq, National Coordinator for MFF- Pakistan presented an overview of the MFF- Programme since its inception and its achievement until now.
He emphasised the relevance of the day celebrated on May 22 every year and invited the academicians and researchers to come forward with tangible solutions, with immediate benefits to the communities living in the coastal belt. On the occasion documentaries on Turtle and Mangroves were also screened.