Balochistan government has officially designated Churna Island as Pakistan’s second marine protected area (MPA), a move praised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan.
This decision, announced on September 4, aims to safeguard the island’s delicate marine ecosystem.
Previously, the only MPA in Pakistan was Astola Island, established in June 2017. Churna Island, situated near Karachi, is renowned for its coral reefs and serves as a crucial habitat for diverse marine life.
Despite its ecological significance, the island faces threats from recreational activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, and jet skiing, as well as industrial developments such as nearby power plants and oil refineries.
WWF-Pakistan commended the Balochistan government’s proactive step in protecting Churna Island’s fragile environment.
The organization highlighted the efforts of key officials including Secretary of Forest and Wildlife Department Dostain Jamaldini and Chief Conservator of Wildlife Sharifuddin Baloch in securing this designation.
The move aligns with Pakistan’s commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30% of the ocean area by 2030. WWF-Pakistan’s Biodiversity Programmes Senior Director, Rab Nawaz, has called on federal and Sindh governments to follow Balochistan’s lead and establish more MPAs to meet this target.
The declaration of Churna Island as an MPA is expected to play a crucial role in conserving its rich biodiversity, which includes over 50 coral species and 250 fish species.
It is seen as a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and industrial activities on marine ecosystems.