Ms Kiran Zaidi, the geography teacher 9-F senior school planned a trip to WWF Wetlands to explore and study the mangrove ecosystem was indeed very informative. It was the best learning opportunity for mangroves. From the outset during the visit, it was evident that the mangrove fields needed rehabilitation. Unless the mangroves are rehabilitated, the ecosystem within Karachi will also be equally affected. The neglect of this environmental feature is evident throughout the portions that we visited and studied.
It is also crucial to mention that mangroves are important carbon sinks when compared to natural inland forests. Mangroves play an important role of up taking pollutants channeled into the marine environment. After testing the gulf waters, the results indicated that they were highly saline. This is a major threat to the growth and development of mangroves. However, there are still many opportunities to improve or boost the current level in the growth of mangroves.
The Geography Department at Beaconhouse Defence Campus with the support and encouragement from our Senior Mistress Ms .Rukhsana and Principal Ms. Shireen Karamali ,arranged a field trip for grade IXs, to the mangrove forest managed by the WWF Wasteland Centre.
We took two sections per day accompanied by two teachers and a support staff. The moment we reached the location, students were overwhelmed by the spectacular site managed by WWF. They visually saw what they were learning from the books. They planted mangrove saplings and did a beach cleaning activity. The best thing the students enjoyed was the Mangrove Trail.
The students not only learnt about the mangroves, what they learnt more was empathy, collaboration and analytical skills.
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