KARACHI - The Sindh Forest Department, Government of Sindh, organised an event at Shah Bander to dedicate an island to Legendary Forester Tahir Qureshi–Baba-e-Mangroves (Father of Mangroves) in recognition of his services rendered towards conservation of mangroves along the Pakistan coast. The event was attended by a large number of Forest Department officials, IUCN staff members, admirers and family members of Tahir Qureshi. Qureshi, a forester by profession, having worked in Sindh Forest Department and then at IUCN, dedicated his entire life to the conservation of mangroves in Pakistan. He was later known as the ‘father of mangroves’. He passed away recently on December 29, 2020 in Karachi. Speaking on the occasion, Riaz Ahmad Wagan, Chief Conservator Forest, described Tahir Qureshi as a “true conservator who worked for conservation of mangroves as his religious duty. He was instrumental in planning millions of mangroves during his career.” He said that the Sindh Forest Department in recognition of his services for conserving the mangroves is dedicating a part of the Island as Tahir Qureshi Garden. He further said that the services of Tahir Qureshi will always be remembered. Tahir Qureshi’s commitment to conserving Pakistan’s mangroves will always be an example for others to follow who are engaged in the area of conservation. Qureshi, presented the idea to the Government of Sindh to compete in the Guinness World Records by planting most mangroves in a day.
He also takes the credit for data gathering of technical information for seven of the Ramsar Sites in 2000.