Rise in mangroves logging disturbs local fishermen

Rise in the mangroves logging has disturbed the local fishermen community of Keamari as their fears met a cold response from the concerned authorities to protect the marine forest shield near the tiny islands. "We have requested the authorities to protect the mangrove forest near our islands from illegal cutting but there is no response," President Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Welfare Association, Asif Bhatti told Business Recorder on Thursday.
The fast logging of mangroves, he said, created also marine environment problems as the forest was also a natural hatchery for shrimps breeding besides inhabitant of mud crabs. He said the fishermen would face a big setback if their livelihood disturbed only because of the migration or killing of marine animals, which they depended on for income purposes.
He said the forest was also a natural shield against the strong sea waves and cyclones for the Baba and Bhit islet of Keamari, showing fears the government has been ignoring the matter since long which could lead to a disaster. "Hora boats come from Mohammadi Colony, Machar colony, etc, and chop trees without any fears and concerns of law and the ecological danger which they cause to natural inhabitants of marine species," Asif said.
He said secretary ports and shipping had assured him of all possible efforts to protect the forest with deploying port security force and hiring a patrolling boat to keep a close and permanent check on the loggers. He regretted that there has been no such action so far which the ports and shipping ministry might have taken due to which the local fishermen community's fears further rose to demand the federal government to help the forest save from complete vanishing.
"Despite the passage of two months, the community is waiting for a response from the ports and shipping ministry to play its role in protecting the marine environment for the sake of the nation," he demanded. The other issue that worried his community was the non-implementation of the Sindh Fisheries Department and Karachi Fish Harbour Authority's plan to ban the use of illegal size of fishing net in creeks and open sea.
Asif said both the concerned authorities are only holding meetings on a periodic basis but had taken no real step to enforce the use of legal nets during fishing. He said despite the government had already determined the net size of 1.5cm then what are the factors that are holding it from enforcing its genuine plan. He also demanded of the government to show its interest in the protection of mangroves and marine species affecting from use of illegal nets and logging of forest.