ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coastal mangrove forests, particularly in the Indus Delta of Sindh, are becoming a powerful asset in the country’s climate action and green economy efforts.
The Sindh mangrove forest have the potential to generate $20–50 million annually in carbon credit revenue, depending on global market trends and volumes.
Speaking on the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, stated that Pakistan is home to the largest contiguous arid mangrove forest in South Asia, mostly located in Sindh’s Indus Delta. These forests are not only vital for environmental protection but also for generating long-term economic benefits.
“Sindh’s Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) project, covering over 350,000 hectares, has already yielded $40 million in carbon credit sales and is expected to contribute billions of dollars in revenue in the coming decades,” the minister said.
Launched in 2015 as a public-private partnership between the Government of Sindh and Indus Delta Capital, the DBC project focuses on the restoration and conservation of mangrove forests over more than 3,500 square kilometers in the Indus Delta region.
Even Balochistan, with a comparatively smaller mangrove coverage of approximately 4,058 hectares, holds significant potential in Pakistan’s broader carbon market strategy.
Mangroves, known for their unique capacity to capture carbon, absorb up to four times more carbon dioxide than terrestrial trees, making them a critical tool in global climate mitigation.
Table: Pakistan Mangroves and Carbon Credit Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Largest Mangrove Region | Indus Delta, Sindh |
| Total Area – Delta Blue Carbon Project (DBC) | Over 350,000 hectares (3,500 sq km) |
| Balochistan Mangrove Coverage | Approximately 4,058 hectares |
| Carbon Credit Revenue (Sindh) | $40 million already generated |
| Annual Revenue Potential (Sindh) | $20–50 million (dependent on market conditions) |
| Future Projected Revenue | Billions of USD over coming decades |
| Carbon Sequestration Rate | Mangroves absorb 4x more CO₂ than other tree species |
| DBC Project Launch | 2015 |
| Project Type | Public–Private Partnership (Govt. of Sindh & Indus Delta Capital) |
| Key Benefits | Climate mitigation, shoreline protection, fisheries support, eco-tourism |
The minister added that Pakistan’s ongoing mangrove rehabilitation programs in Sindh and Balochistan are proving effective in protecting the coastline from erosion and flooding.
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“The health of our coastal ecosystems is directly tied to the sustainability of fisheries, eco-tourism, and coastal livelihoods. Any decline in mangroves threatens these key sectors and the well-being of communities that depend on them,” he warned.
With global attention increasing on nature-based climate solutions, Pakistan’s mangroves are not just an ecological treasure but a high-value asset in the global carbon credit market.
