An illegal dyke has been constructed in the heart of a mangrove forest in Korangi Creek, disrupting the natural flow of water and depriving the mangroves on one side of the creek of their essential water supply. As the mangroves dry out and die, they are subsequently cut down by those involved in this illegal reclamation for the sake of land grabbing. —Waqas Ali Ranjha • Forest dept says illegal activity is taking place on its land, but police refuse to act on ‘sub judice matter’ • Experts warn continued loss of mangrove cover could leave Karachi’s coastal areas more vulnerable to natural hazards KARACHI: While cutting mangroves for firewood is a common occurrence, encroachers are active in Karachi’s coastal areas, illegally uprooting mangroves to reclaim land, even next to a biodiversity park at Korangi Creek. The Sindh Forest Department (SFD) confirmed that the illegal activity was being carried out on its land. However, it said police had refused to take action, claiming that the land in question had been allotted by the Board of Revenue and that the matter was sub judice. Dawn visited the Korangi Creek area and found mangrove cutting and land reclamation taking place alongside the Mangrove Biodiversity Park that was inaugurated by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab in September last year. Right beside the erected boundary walls, a large portion of land has been enclosed by an earthen bund to restrict the flow of water towards the mangroves, and the mangroves inside the enclosed area have been cut while their stems are clearly visible in the standing water. In some parts of the bund, a wall is also being erected, while debris has been spread over some of the open area in between, due to which the place is taking the shape of an enclosed plot. A security guard has also been deputed by some private owners to guard the land in question. When Dawn approached the SFD in this regard and inquired about the status of the land and the ongoing activity there, the department sent a team to inspect the site. A senior official of the department said after the inspection that the department was aware of the issue. He said that the land in question belongs to the Forest Department and that such “illegal allotments” were made by the Board of Revenue. The Forest Department, he said, has taken action against such activities several times. In the current case too, they had attempted to take action and remove the bunds. However, the matter was taken by the other party to a court and, therefore, the police refused to take any further action. “And unless the legal issue is resolved, we can’t act on our own, ” he added. According to the official, the practice had been continuing for several months. He said creating bunds to stop water from reaching the mangroves was one of the techniques being used for a long time. Once the mangroves dried up, he said, the trees could be cut either by local people seeking firewood or by those involved in the encroachment. The official said the department was making efforts within its mandate to protect the mangroves. Mangroves serve as a natural barrier against hazards Climate change experts and conservationists have expressed concern over the matter. Talking to Dawn, Rafiul Haq, a conservationist and climate change expert, said mangrove cutting had been taking place in the said area for some time and that considerable land had already been encroached upon over the past many years. He warned that continued loss of mangrove cover would leave the coastal area more vulnerable to natural hazards, including tsunamis and hurricanes, as mangroves served as a natural barrier. Therefore, he called for an immediate halt to the cutting of mangroves. Mr Haq also said Pakistan had adequate laws relating to climate change and environmental protection, but the major problem was their implementation. Influential people, he alleged, were often able to evade the consequences of violations. Climate change expert Masood Lohar said mangrove cutting was not confined to the area in question and was also taking place at other locations in Karachi and along the Indus Delta. He termed the situation “very concerning” and warned that, in the event of a major tsunami or other coastal disaster, areas including Korangi and DHA could face severe flooding if the natural protection provided by mangroves was lost. Environmentalist Tariq Alexander Qaiser stressed the need for greater vigilance to protect the city’s remaining mangrove and tree cover. “All existing mangroves need to be protected. They are critical to the health of our city. They and other trees are a primary element in tackling climate change. Karachi cannot afford to lose its remaining green cover, ” he told Dawn. “We need to be more vigilant against such things, ” he added. Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026
Mangrove cutting for land reclamation at Karachi’s Korangi Creek threatens environment
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