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PK

Pakistan


247,112 ha

Delta Mangroves

Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation

Revitalizing communities and ecosystems through blue carbon.

Overview

Delta Mangroves

PK

Pakistan

247,112 ha


Developer: Indus Delta Capital Limited

Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation

Delta Mangroves is an ambitious project spanning over 350,000 hectares in the Indus Delta Region of Sindh province, southeastern Pakistan. With a primary focus on restoration through large-scale reforestation, the project aims to combat extensive deforestation and degradation that has impacted the region for decades. In addition to environmental restoration, the project prioritizes community development. Proceeds from carbon funds are utilized to improve access to education, healthcare, and clean drinking water within the project zone. Through its multi-faceted approach, Delta Mangroves not only addresses environmental degradation but also fosters socio-economic resilience and empowerment within the Indus Delta Region, setting a model for sustainable development in coastal communities.

Registry

Verra Logo

Registry ID: 2250

Certifications

Certification - Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards Logo

Methodology

VM0033

Pachama's project evaluation criteriaPachama rigorously evaluates every project listed on our marketplace to ensure that we're surfacing only the highest quality projects. Our Evaluation Criteria includes a series of checks that every project must pass as well as a number of informative insights on project quality. You can see a preview of these checks below.

01

Additional

Does the project have a net additional climate benefit?

  • Net additional climate benefit

    Emissions reductions are calculated based on the difference between baseline, project, and leakage emissions. Pachama analyzes emissions claims to confirm that the project has a net additional climate benefit, and each credit represents at least one metric ton of carbon.

02

Conservative

Is the climate benefit based on sound and conservative claims?

  • Baseline claims

    Pachama analyzes baseline emissions accounting to confirm that the reported baseline emissions are less than what Pachama observes with remote sensing.

  • Project claims

    Pachama assesses the project boundary, project emissions accounting, carbon inventory, and financial and legal additionality.

  • Leakage claims

    Pachama summarizes the project's reported leakage emissions accounting.

03

Durable

Is the climate benefit long-lasting?

  • Ongoing monitoring

    Pachama quantifies emissions since the last verification to ensure the project continues to deliver a climate benefit.

  • Project risks

    Pachama characterizes fire and other natural risks and summarizes buffer pool contributions.

04

Beyond Carbon

Does the project deliver benefits beyond carbon?

  • Social impacts

    If a project occurs on community-owned land, Pachama confirms the community is fully informed of the project activity and impact, consent is given without coercion, and a grievance and redress mechanism is in place.

  • Ecological impacts

    For ARR projects, Pachama analyzes native species planting, species diversity, regional suitability, and reforestation practices.

  • Certifications

    Pachama provides a summary of the project's awarded certifications.

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Project story
Combining conservation and economic development.

Indus Delta Capital, alongside the Government of Sindh, leads the charge in protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing the natural resources of the Indus Delta Region. Through the Delta Blue Carbon – Phase- 1 (DBC-1) initiative, they forged a powerful public-private partnership, facilitated by the Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department. Since its launch in 2015, the project has remained steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding this vital ecosystem.

Before the project’s inception, vegetation in the area was gravely sparse, with mangrove trees scattered or confined to creek banks, while large stretches of land were barren or covered in salt-tolerant Oryza coarctata grass. The situation was exacerbated by the reduced supply of fresh water and the release of sediment into the delta area due to upstream grazing activities.

Through their concerted efforts, Indus Delta Capital and the Government of Sindh are making significant progress in revitalizing the region's mangrove forests and wetlands. Their work paves the way for sustainable environmental management and economic development.

100%

Native species planted


7th

Largest mangrove forest system in the world

The project spans 350,000 hectares in the Indus Delta Region, Pakistan addressing deforestation and degradation through large-scale reforestation. The aim is to foster a vibrant community and economic development in the region.

The project spans 350,000 hectares in the Indus Delta Region, Pakistan addressing deforestation and degradation through large-scale reforestation. The aim is to foster a vibrant community and economic development in the region.

Impacts beyond carbon

Building futures, restoring nature.

Offering full-time employment to 21,000 locals, Delta Mangroves is reshaping livelihoods for nearly half the region’s population. Supporting propagation, nurseries, planting, and infrastructure development, locals are active participants in every aspect of the project. Well-being and essential services, including access to clean water, immunizations, and preventative care, are also top priorities for Indus Delta Capital and the Government of Sindh. Delta Mangroves addresses community health issues, from communicable diseases to malnutrition, through access to Basic Health Units and specialized services for women and children. Its training programs cover a range of topics, ensuring healthier futures for all.

01

No Poverty

A large number of locals will benefit from direct employment in the project and from its livelihood enhancement measures.

Learn more

02

Zero Hunger

Interventions improve agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, boosting income and food security.

03

Good health and well-being

Provides community members with access to affordable quality healthcare facilities.

04

Quality Education

Improves access to primary and secondary schools for children and infrastructure of existing learning facilities.

05

Gender Equality

Gender development interventions empower women through income-generating activities, improved health, and nutrition.

06

Clean water and sanitation

Enhances community well-being by providing clean water and sanitation facilities.

07

Affordable and clean energy

Promotes renewable energy and provides solar energy to select communities.

08

Decent work and economic growth

The project has a 60-year lifetime and with a focus on providing support for the most vulnerable populations.

10

Reduce inequalities

Supports adult literacy, particularly among women, reducing education disparities.

13

Climate action

Mitigates GHG emissions, mainstreams environmental concerns into development plans, and builds resilience to climate-related hazards.

14

Life below water

Promotes sustainable fishing practices and coastal area management, supporting artisanal fishing communities.

15

Life on land

Actions focus on conserving mangroves, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, with measures to end poaching and integrate biodiversity into planning processes.

biodiversity
Strengthening resilience for coastal ecosystems.

The project operates within a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), essential for maintaining the habitat of 11 globally threatened species. This region holds significant ecological importance, supporting aquaculture, shrimp species, invertebrates, turtles, migratory birds, and coastal flora. Identified in WWF's The Global 200, the Indus River is recognized as a crucial global ecoregion. Additionally, it serves as a vital migration route for thousands of birds, traveling over the Himalayas to spend the winter in Pakistan or farther south. To learn more about how mangroves protect biodiversity, explore our resources below.

biodiversity image
Avicennia Marina image
tree spotlight
Avicennia Marina

Avicennia Marina is a resilient mangrove tree that thrives in both salty and freshwater environments. It's found worldwide along warm coastlines, forming dense clusters where the ocean meets the land. Sporting shiny green leaves, yellow flowers, and pencil-like roots protruding from the ground, this tree has adapted to breathe underwater and secrete excess salt, giving it a salty taste.

how this project helps

Crucial for coastal communities, Avicennia Marina helps mitigate flooding and erosion while providing habitat for a variety of marine and terrestrial species. Additionally, it serves multiple human needs, including construction, fuel, medicine, and supporting fisheries.

Indus River Dolphin image
animal spotlight
Indus River Dolphin

The Indus River Dolphin, found exclusively in Pakistan's Indus River system, primarily inhabits the lower parts of the river and its tributaries, preferring deep and slow-moving waters. It stands out with its long, narrow snout, small, functionally blind eyes, and grayish-brown body. This species relies on echolocation to navigate and hunt fish in the river's murky waters. It's classified as Endangered due to habitat degradation, pollution, dam construction, and entanglement in fishing nets, with its population dwindling to fewer than 2,000 individuals.

how this project helps

Mangroves provide essential habitat for a diverse range of species, offering shelter and serving as nurseries for marine life. They support a rich food web, with detritus and organic matter sustaining herbivores and predators. Additionally, mangroves protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges, stabilizing sediments and minimizing damage from extreme weather.

Public registry documentsApplicable calculation methods are referenced in the reports below. Note that registries do not publicly provide all pertinent data required to reproduce emissions calculations. However, Independent Validation and Verification Bodies have access to the data needed to reproduce and verify emissions calculations.
  • Project Description Document.pdf

    pdf

  • Verification Report 2015-2021.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2021-2023.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2015-2021.pdf

    pdf

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