Nestled between the Arabian Sea and the towering peaks of the Himalayas lies Pakistan, a country blessed with a stunning coastline stretching over 1,000 kilometers with rich marine biodiversity. This coastline is divided into the eastern and the western coast. The west coast is about 750km long known as Makran Coast, close to the Strait of Hormuz and the eastern coast is 296 km long which is the center of commercial activities of Pakistan.
This beautiful coastline not only serves as a source of livelihood for millions of people but also plays a crucial role in supporting diverse marine ecosystems and also a significant contributor to the country’s economy. The country’s fishing industry is worth approximately USD 1.3 billion and provides employment to over 3 million people.
However, in recent years this natural treasure is under threat from an escalating problem in the form of marine pollution. Marine pollution in Pakistan is primarily caused by the discharge of untreated industrial waste, agricultural runoff, oil spills, and plastic debris into the sea. Understanding the gravity of this issue and its implications is crucial in devising effective strategies for prevention of marine pollution.
One of the major sources of marine pollution in Pakistan is untreated industrial waste. Many industries along the coast release effluents containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals directly into the sea, contaminating the water and harming marine life. These pollutants can accumulat.