Govt pledges coastal restoration, marine conservation push

June 08, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's  government called for a fundamental rethink of humanity's relationship with the oceans, warning that marine ecosystems face severe stress from climate change, biodiversity loss and rising emissions.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, speaking on World Oceans Day, said oceans are not distant ecosystems but life-support systems that shape air, food and climate.

This year's global observance carries the theme "REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean."

The minister highlighted expanding coastal conservation efforts, including a weekly cleanup campaign by the Karachi Port Trust aimed at removing marine waste and improving harbour sustainability.

Work is also under way to restore degraded coastal zones and enhance marine biodiversity, he said.

Mangrove restoration remains central to the country's coastal resilience strategy, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said, describing mangroves as natural carbon sinks, storm buffers and nurseries for fish, according to APP.

He singled out young environmental activist Almas Qasmani, founder of Saltwater Marina in Rehri Goth, Karachi, for her work in mangrove conservation, biodiversity documentation, eco-tourism promotion and youth plantation drives.

Almas Qasmani has been nominated a KPT Ambassador and recognised for her environmental leadership, he added.

Citing recent United Nations Environment Programme assessments, the minister warned of widening adaptation finance gaps and increasing risks for coastal communities in developing countries, including Pakistan.

Junaid Anwar Chaudhry also pointed to international cooperation opportunities, including the EU's OceanEye initiative, saying Pakistan could benefit from enhanced data sharing and marine innovation partnerships.

"The future of our coastal economies depends on protecting and restoring ocean ecosystems," he said.

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