By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, June 13 (INP-WealthPK): Nature has gifted the few coastal islands in Pakistan with rare but diverse marine ecosystem of coral communities. The islands of Churna, Astola, Ormara and Gwadar are naturally adorned by these delicacies. However, release of industrial waste, blast fishing, spearfishing, the use of cyanide, boat anchors and bleaching, etc. are turning the coral communities into sea deserts. It is estimated that coral reefs/communities add $36 billion per annum to the world economy. About 70 million trips are made to these natural vistas every year. During a discussion with WealthPK, head of Sindh Wildlife Department Javed Ahmad Mahar said Pakistan should promote coral community-tourism to earn great economic benefits. “In the coastal waters of Pakistan, about 50 live species of corals have been found, of which 15 species are found alone in the Churna Island. It takes them more than a hundred years to form reefs. They are vulnerable to sudden ecological changes and contamination,” he explained. Javed Ahmad said to conserve the wild species, an ordinance was passed in 1972. “Later, the provincial government enacted the Sindh Wildlife and Protected Areas Act, 2010, which clearly defined the steps for protection, preservation, sustainable use, conservation and biodiversity management. The Act was further amended in 2020 to enhance the protection boundaries in a more comprehensive way.” However, he said that improper implementation of policies, and lack of proper monitoring and conservation planning were depriving Pakistan of its precious coral communities. “Blast fishing, spearfishing, the use of cyanide, boat anchors and bleaching, etc. are turning the coral communities into sea deserts.” Javed Ahmad said the Sindh Wildlife Department was going to establish Sindh Marine Division to help properly define and manage the civil limit, open waters and marine protected areas. Meanwhile, talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a fisheries scientist and technical adviser (marine fisheries) in World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan, said coral reef tourism had become a potential industry. “Fortunately, nature’s masterpieces in the form of coral colonies are found in a few coastal islands of Pakistan. Among all these islands, Churna Island is richer in biodiversity surrounded by coral communities.” Moazzam Khan, who also remained a former director-general of Marine Fishing Department, and chief executive officer of Fisheries Development Board, Sindh, said that about 150 years ago Churna was a place of safari for British officers, who used to come here for diving and hunting the whale shark. “Churna is the basking area of the whale shark. Local fishing folk knew this reality for a long time and they also hunted whale sharks for commercial purposes.” “In the decades of 60s and 70s diving was regular on Churna Island. Towards the end of 1990, the first-time underwater photography of Churna was done and the information about its depths was collected. Till 2000, Churna was not popular as now. In 2000, under the Darwin Initiative project, coral communities in Pakistan were identified.” Moazzam Khan maintained that WWF-Pakistan, Centre for Excellence in Marine Biology and Marine Reference and Resource Centre, the University of Karachi, were involved in this project. “Later, further studies were carried out under the wetland management programme of WWF-Pakistan.” “Corals’ habitat is getting badly disturbed by the existence of different industrial plants and a single point mooring. Due to industrial waste released in water, the coral colonies have started to bleach. It was first noted in 2000 among the coral communities of Churna Island. The presence of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears is also endangering them. Illegal harvesting/mining of corals is also damaging them. Such intrusions will wipe out this rare biodiversity.” He said coral colonies were a paradise for snorkellers, scuba divers and tourists. “But some amateur ones try to walk over them and destroy their colonies. Awareness about conservation of coral reefs is a must for both professional and amateur divers.” Churna and all coral attached islands must be declared marine protected areas, he said, adding it was reported that around 10,000 people visited the islands weekly for multiple recreational activities. “By conserving these sites and ensuring proper tourist arrangement, Pakistan can generate good revenues.” During a discussion with WealthPK, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Aftab-ur-Rahman said that a master plan was badly needed at the provincial level for conservation and tourism planning of such areas. “PTDC is always ready to extend its expertise to all provincial bodies for promotion and conservation of marine life by helping to train people associated with the industry. It is a fact that there is a communication and coordination gap between provincial and federal bodies, which must be bridged. Only then Pakistan can earn proper benefits from the tourism industry,” the director said.