QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet has officially designated ‘Miani Hor’ as Pakistan’s third Marine Protected Area (MPA).
According to a statement from World Wide Fund (WWF) Pakistan, this significant step follows the earlier declarations of Astola Island as the country’s first MPA in 2017, and Churna Island as the second in 2024. These coastal regions are recognized for their rich biodiversity and serve as critical habitats for coral reefs and various marine species.
The decision reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to marine conservation and the protection of fragile coastal ecosystems, especially in the ecologically rich province of Balochistan.
According to WWF Pakistan, ‘Miani Hor’ is one of the few places where the forests of natural mangroves are in full swing, it is the only place in Pakistan where 3 types of mangroves are naturally found.
Apart from this, ‘Miani Hor’ is Pakistan's largest ligament located in Lasbela District, based on the varieties of birds found here, it was declared a Ramsar site in May 2001, which shows its international environmental importance, the mangrove forests here were declared "safe forest" by the government of Balochistan in September 2022.
In this regard, Senior Director WWF Pakistan Rab Nawaz said that the critical marine environmental system and biological diversity of ‘Miani Hor’ are currently in many dangers. The federal and coastal provinces governments should also follow the footsteps of the Balochistan government and announce more Marine Protective Areas.
