Description
This mangrove restoration project is rooted in 350,000 hectares of tidal wetlands on the southeast coast of Sindh in Pakistan. Over a number of decades, the mangrove forests in the Indus Delta have experienced massive deforestation and degradation. Upstream activities have reduced the supply of fresh water, exacerbating the situation.
This incredibly rich and diverse landscape embodies exceptional potential to contribute to climate change mitigation through its unique multi-functionality coupled with the critical ecosystem services it provides. The region is home to a high biodiversity of benthic invertebrates. It sustains productive fisheries, serves as an important feeding ground for migratory shorebirds, and supports the livelihoods of coastal villagers who collect shellfish and crabs.
This project enables greenhouse gas (GHG) emission removal through the reforestation and revegetation of degraded tidal wetlands with indigenous mangrove trees and other species—all aimed at absorbing carbon dioxide as well as stabilizing and protecting the coastal area and supporting communities dependent on the wetlands.
How it works
Through the restoration of de-vegetated and degraded mangrove lands, this project supports the land’s ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Why this project
This nature-based solution focuses on removing carbon through mangrove restoration. It is the largest coastal blue carbon project in the world, and the restoration of these wetlands has immense potential for sequestering and storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
Further, the Indus Delta region has great ecological importance: it supports the sustainable practices of local fishing communities, and the habitats of shrimp, invertebrates, turtles, migratory birds, and coastal area flora species. The region was identified as an important global ecoregion in the World Wildlife Fund Global 200, and the entire project area is classified as having high conservation value based on its size and species population.
Benefits
- The project is estimated to remove approximately 140 millions tCO2e over its lifetime.
- The project’s region is home to 11 globally threatened species, including the Indus River Dolphin, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin, and the Indian Pangolin.
- To date, the project has created over 20,000 jobs and benefited the local population of 49,000.
