The mangrove forests have recovered and reclaimed some of area it lost to massive deforestation. The Indus Delta is now showing a Mangrove cover over 139,000 hectares as compared to in 2005 when the forest cover was reduced to 86,000 hectares. This recovery was discussed by environmental experts in a seminar organized by WWF Pakistan on International Day of Protection of Mangrove Forests in Thatta. Addressing the seminar, Manager Mangroves Conservation Project, WWF Pakistan, Saeedul Islam, said that mangroves safeguarded coastal belts from natural disasters, particularly sea storms, major tides, tsunamis and floods, and added “these trees absorb toxic gases from the atmosphere and also improve water quality and sustain nurseries of fish.” He emphasized that the proximity and quantity of mangrove forests is vital for the Sindh Forest Department, WWF, IUCN and the local population. The Coordinator Natural Resource Management, IUCN Pakistan, Dr. Babar Hussein said that awareness was being created among people regarding the protection of mangrove forests. He apprised that mangroves forests were breeding grounds for a wide variety of fish, lizards, birds and other animals. Dr Mukhtar Maher, Director, University of Sindh, Bhutto Campus, said the mangroves reduced the impact of climate change.