Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, participated in a mangrove conservation campaign in Shenzhen, China today.

Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Saeed Ahmed Shaikh was also among the five guests who jointly inaugurated the campaign.

Pakistan is itself among the countries possessing mangrove forests along its approximately 1,050-kilometre coastline in Sindh and Balochistan.

Talking to the media, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal said Pakistan would also learn from China’s experience in using artificial intelligence tools for the monitoring, conservation and restoration of mangrove forests.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Radio Pakistan Saeed Ahmed Shaikh reaffirmed national broadcaster’s commitment to raising public awareness about mangrove conservation through dedicated radio programmes and related broadcasts.

The campaign highlighted the vital role of mangroves in protecting coastal communities, preserving biodiversity, supporting livelihoods and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

Pakistan is also undertaking several public, private and community-supported initiatives to conserve these life-supporting trees.

A recent scientific assessment indicates that mangrove cover along Pakistan’s Indus Delta increased from approximately 50,973 hectares in 1990 to 101,446 hectares in 2023.