Pakistan could earn up to $50m a year from mangrove carbon: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Sunday that Pakistan could generate $20 million to $50 million a year through a mangrove carbon market, as he urged stronger protection and restoration of coastal forests ahead of World Mangrove Day.

In a statement, the minister said mangroves were critical to shielding the Arabian Sea coastline from erosion, flooding and storm surges, while also protecting coastal communities, ports and marine biodiversity. He said these ecosystems also help counter broader climate impacts and support fish stocks that sustain fishing communities.

Chaudhry said Pakistan is home to the world’s largest arid-climate mangrove forest, concentrated in the Indus Delta in Sindh, with smaller patches in Balochistan. He added that the country currently ranks around seventh globally in mangrove forest area and could rise to fourth or fifth place if restoration efforts are sustained.

Blue economy and coastal livelihoods

The minister said degradation caused by encroachments, pollution and reduced Indus flows was threatening food security and livelihoods because mangroves serve as breeding and nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, crabs and other species that underpin fisheries and emerging aquaculture.

He said Balochistan’s roughly 4,058 hectares of mangroves could also feed into national carbon market initiatives, adding an economic dimension to conservation efforts linked to the blue economy.

Restoration measures

Chaudhry said the Karachi Port Trust had recovered mangrove areas from squatters, carried out afforestation along Mai Kolachi Road and nearby coastal belts, and organised weekly clean-up campaigns.

He added that the KPT had appointed environmental activist Almas Kasmani as its ambassador for coastal mangrove restoration. According to the minister, she has already restored 4,000 mangrove plants and is targeting another 100,000.

Calling for stricter action against encroachment and greater public awareness, Chaudhry said public-private investment would be needed to turn mangrove conservation into a broader blue economy opportunity.