Karachi: To raise awareness for the protection of mangrove trees, which are considered as the first line of defense against storms and floods, a unique initiative was taken by Sky Wings Aviation. For the first time in Pakistan, a plane belonging to Sky Wings Aviation introduced air taxi service and flew over the mangrove forests in Port Qasim and Ghizri at an altitude of 3,000 feet to assess the damage caused, completing a successful mission during a two-hour round-trip.
In comparison to other aircraft with larger capacities, the smaller yet highly challenging Diamond DA40 aircraft from Sky Wings Aviation’s fleet took off from General Aviation Hangar near Karachi Airport with the aim of drawing attention towards the continuous deforestation of mangrove trees, which play a significant role in protecting the coastal belt and enhancing marine life.
Flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet with four passengers, the aircraft embarked on a flight over the spread mangrove forests in Port Qasim and Ghizri coastal areas with the slogan “Let’s become the silent guardians of the seas”.
Prior to take off, during an interview with Express News, Captain Ahad Yousuf Abbas of the aircraft mentioned that the deforestation of mangrove trees, which were being used as firewood and animal fodder, posed a threat to the coastal areas of Sindh, including Karachi.
He emphasized the need for immediate action to address the destruction of these forests as they serve as the only defensive barrier during environmental changes, which can prevent the intrusion of overflowing seas and storms.
Regarding the awareness campaign for the mangrove forests, Husain Gilani, associated with Sky Wings Management, stated that the international community has taken initiatives for environmental conservation, with the recent example being the COP 28 conference held in the United Arab Emirates.
He stressed the importance for Pakistan to also play its part in this crucial issue, as continuous deforestation of mangroves would mean inviting dangers from the sea. After continuous flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet and a speed of 180 kilometers per hour, the flight successfully landed at Runway 25L of Jinnah Terminal, marking the conclusion of the informative and exploratory trip over the mangroves.