Over a number of decades, mangrove forests in the Indus Delta have experienced massive-scale deforestation and degradation due to several contributing factors. These include their use by the local communities as a source of fuelwood, fodder and open range grazing by livestock. The situation has been exacerbated by the reduced supply of fresh water and sediments into the delta area due to upstream activity.

The Delta Blue Carbon Project is an initiative to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, maintain biodiversity and create improved livelihoods, well-being, and employment for forest-dependent communities in the Project Zone. The Project Zone is an area of 350,000 ha of the Sindh Indus Delta Region in the Thatta and Sujawal districts of Sindh Province in south-eastern Pakistan. The delta is a vast complex of tidal river channels and creeks, low-lying islands, mangrove forests and inter-tidal areas. The delta’s mangrove forests are unique in being the largest area of arid climate mangroves in the world.

Project Objectives

The project’s climate, community and biodiversity objectives include: upscaled mangrove reforestation, participatory planning and awareness raising, access to education, sustainable fisheries, access to safe drinking water and healthcare, improved protection and law enforcement, community-based business development and access to microfinance, sustainable energy development, training and capacity building of Sindh Forest Department, promotion of various gender development and income generating activities for women.