Risks to coastal ecosystems highlighted amid urban expansion

A media roundtable organised at the Aga Khan University (AKU) on the eve of Earth Day and themed “Our Power, Our Planet”. brought together journalists and experts, featured the screening of A Forest in Peril. The documentary examines the vulnerability and resilience of mangrove ecosystems on Bundal Island in Karachi, underscoring their role as a critical natural defence against coastal erosion, rising sea levels and extreme weather events. “The loss of mangroves is not just an environmental issue; it is a human one. These ecosystems protect communities, sustain livelihoods and maintain ecological balance,” said Tariq Alexander Qaiser, the film’s producer. The documentary is part of Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW), a three-season series that focuses on amplifying climate narratives from fragile ecosystems and bringing global attention to communities most affected by environmental change. VRW is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies, including AKU, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia, and is made possible with the support of multiple donors.