Almost eight years after its designation, the Astola Island Marine Protected Area (AIMPA) has an officially approved management plan. The Balochistan government has endorsed the plan to conserve Pakistan’s first marine protected site, also known as Jezira Haft Talar (Island of the Seven Hills).
Pakistan, being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), committed to protecting its ecosystems. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit saw Pakistan join 150 countries to sign the CBD, which promotes conservation and fair use of biodiversity. In 1999, Pakistan drafted its first Biodiversity Action Plan to meet 2010 targets. However, the Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (GBO3) revealed that these goals were not met globally.
At the CBD’s 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Japan in 2010, a new Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 was adopted. It included Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs), setting five strategic goals with twenty sub-targets, all to be achieved by 2020.
Later, COP15 in 2022 introduced the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). This plan envisions a planet where biodiversity is valued and restored by 2050. The framework set four major goals and twenty-three global targets to be met by 2030. Target 3 focuses on conserving at least 30% of land, water, and marine areas by 2030.
As a signatory to CBD, Pakistan must fulfill this obligation. The Federal Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Protection oversees international environmental commitments, while provincial governments handle protected areas.
By notifying MPAs like the Astola Island Marine Protected Area and implementing management plans, Pakistan supports the global conservation target. Several sites in Balochistan and Sindh have been identified for future MPAs, but Astola Island became the country’s first, declared on June 15, 2017.
Astola Island holds significant national and international value. According to the management plan, it hosts terrestrial, intertidal, and marine biodiversity. Pakistan does not have coral reefs, but early reef formation has been observed at Astola. A 2018 survey recorded 11 species of hard corals, including five listed as vulnerable or near-threatened.
The Astola Island Marine Protected Area is a vital nesting site for green turtles, classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It also shelters the rare saw-scaled viper, a snake found nowhere else on Earth. Moreover, sea anemones and Gardiner’s butterflyfish were first documented in Pakistan near Astola.
Under AIMPA regulations, activities harming marine life are banned. Fishing with explosives or chemicals, unauthorized construction, staying without permission, and using firearms are prohibited. Recreational activities like scuba diving, jet skiing, and sport fishing require prior approval. Any activity that disrupts the ecosystem or breeding grounds is forbidden unless aligned with CBD guidelines.
After dedicated work and inclusive consultations, the Balochistan government has endorsed the Astola Island Marine Protected Area management plan, according to a statement by IUCN Pakistan.
The Federal Ministry for Climate Change formed the National Coordinating Body (NCB) to help meet the KMGBF 30×30 targets. This led to Astola’s designation as a Marine Protected Area. The NCB then identified management gaps and asked IUCN Pakistan to draft a detailed management plan.
During the 24th NCB Meeting, hosted by the Engro Foundation, the third Subcommittee Meeting on MPAs advanced the plan into action. This move strengthens Pakistan’s commitment to the CBD 30×30 target, ABTs, and KMGBF goals.
The IUCN classifies protected areas into six categories. The Astola Island Marine Protected Area falls under Category IV, which focuses on species and habitat management. This category requires active interventions to meet the needs of critical species and habitats, a key requirement for Astola.
Aisha Humera Chaudhary, the Federal Secretary at the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), praised the NCB platform for boosting Pakistan’s marine conservation efforts. She called the endorsement of Astola’s management plan a national milestone.
Abdul Fattah Bhangar, Secretary of the Forest & Wildlife Department, Balochistan, confirmed the government’s full commitment to enforcing the plan. He credited IUCN’s technical guidance and partner collaboration for this achievement.
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, IUCN Pakistan’s Country Representative, stressed the urgency of moving from planning to real action. He warned about the rising threats to marine and coastal ecosystems from climate change and human activities. He acknowledged the crucial support of the Ministry of Defence and Pakistan Navy in developing the plan.
Favad Soomro, Head of Engro Foundation, underlined the private sector’s role in conservation efforts. He highlighted the importance of partnerships across sectors to achieve sustainability goals and recognized the value of cultural and heritage sites in conservation planning.
Chief Conservator of Forests Sindh, Riaz Ahmed Wagan, presented a feasibility study for Patiani and Dabbo Creeks as potential new MPAs. He detailed their ecological importance and assessment methods during the NCB meeting.
Secretaries of the Forest & Wildlife Departments of Sindh and Balochistan, Najab Uddin Sehto and Abdul Fattah Bhangar, applauded the momentum of marine conservation work in Pakistan. They praised IUCN’s role in protecting the country’s coastal and marine treasures.
