Pakistan asks for urgent steps to conserve marine resources, ocean habitats

Highlighting the mounting challenges posed by pollution and climate change, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has emphasised the need for immediate and effective steps to safeguard marine resources and protect the maritime environment.

In a special statement to mark World Oceans Day, the minister said oceans are not just environmental systems but the basis of life itself. He said big scale mangrove plantation activities are playing a critical role in environment rehabilitation and ecological sustainability.

The government is working towards further strengthening the waste management systems to tackle marine pollution, he said. Marine pollution and climate change remain major risks to marine life and ocean ecosystems, the minister said.

The developing countries are faced with many issues which include coastal dangers and limited financial resources making the environmental protection measures more difficult, said Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. He emphasised the need to fast-track initiatives to save marine biodiversity.

“The youth were actively engaged in awareness campaigns on marine conservation and environmental protection,” the minister added. He also underscored the importance of oceans to maintain the ecological balance of the globe and for the survival of human beings.