Dawn: Mangroves are being cut down in Karachi for land reclamation
In Karachi, Pakistan, near the Mangrove Biodiversity Park at Korangi Creek Bay, mangrove trees are being cut down and an earthen embankment is being built for land reclamation. Dawn reports that its journalists visited the site and documented the tree cutting and work to prepare the area.
The embankment restricted water access
A large area next to the park’s fence has been enclosed by an earthen embankment, restricting the flow of water to the mangroves. Inside the enclosed zone, trees were cut down, and their trunks can be seen in standing water.
In some sections of the embankment, a wall is also being built, while part of the open area has been filled with construction debris. According to Dawn, the site is guarded by a security guard hired by private individuals. Mangrove Biodiversity Park was opened in September 2025 with the participation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.
The forestry department’s position
The Sindh provincial forestry department confirmed that the work is being carried out on land it considers its own. After journalists contacted the department, it sent an inspection team to the site.
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A department representative said that the Board of Revenue had made “illegal allotments” of such land and that the forestry department had repeatedly responded to similar cases. According to him, workers tried to remove the embankments, but the other side went to court. Police declined to take further action, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
The department representative added that the practice has continued for several months: blocking water causes mangroves to dry out, after which the trees can be cut down for firewood or as part of land development.
Risks to the coast
Climate experts and conservationists called for the cutting to stop. Expert Rafiul Haq said that mangrove cover in the area has been shrinking for some time and that significant areas of land have been seized over many years.
According to him, mangroves serve as a natural barrier against tsunamis and hurricanes. Expert Masood Lohar noted that cutting is also taking place in other areas of Karachi and along the Indus delta. He warned that in the event of a major tsunami or another coastal disaster, the Korangi and DHA areas could face significant flooding if the natural protection of mangrove forests is lost.
