Charna Island in Balochistan: A New Sanctuary for Marine Biodiversity

The government of Balochistan on Wednesday declared the island called ‘Charna’ as the second ‘Marine Protected Area‘ of Pakistan.

Charna is a small island located in Balochistan border near Mubarak Village in Karachi where sea water is 20 to 60 feet deep and whales, sharks and other marine life can be seen.

During the meeting of the Balochistan Cabinet on Wednesday, it was recommended to declare Charna Island as a protected area for marine life.

After declaring the island as a protected area for marine life, the island will now be opened to the general public for recreational and educational purposes only with the permission of the government.

In addition, there will be a ban on catching, hunting or trapping any species of endangered species, including whales, sharks, turtles and birds.

No temporary or permanent construction will be allowed on the protected island. According to the government document, anyone other than law enforcement agencies will be prohibited from carrying weapons and from scuba diving, underwater swimming, cliff diving, jet skiing, boating, surfing or fishing without permission.

Earlier in June 2017, the Balochistan government had declared Astola Island, 40 km off the coast of Gwadar district, as a protected area for marine life.

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According to WWF, an international non-governmental organization working for the conservation of animals, Charna Island, like Astola Island, is one of the few marine areas that are considered coral reefs or coral reef habitats.

This small island is considered a biodiversity hotspot.

The island is also considered very important for fishing, where fishermen from Sindh and Balochistan come in large numbers to catch fish.

The World Wildlife Fund has welcomed the Balochistan government’s decision to declare Charna Island as a protected area for marine life, but has also said that Charna Island is widely used for scuba diving, snorkeling, cliff jumping and jet skiing. Being used for skiing and other recreational activities.

WWF said in a statement that the marine ecosystem and diverse wildlife living in Charna Island are under severe threat due to many human activities.

‘These include development of power plants, single point mooring, oil refinery in the vicinity as well as recreational activities.’

However, Chief Conservator Balochistan Wildlife Sharifuddin Baloch while talking to Independent Urdu said that after declaring Charna Island as a protected area for marine life, it will become legal to protect this island.

Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association has also welcomed this decision.

President Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association Ahmed Mamor Amimi has said in his statement that declaring Charna Island as a protected area for marine life will provide protection to this island.

According to Ahmed Mamor Amimi, this decision will help to achieve the goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is related to the protection of marine life.

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