EDGE of DELTA

20/10/2024

IN THE SERVICE OF THE SUBLIME
SERVING UP THE RIDICULOUS

THE SUBLIME… Let us plant forests of mangroves that create communities of trees, which contribute to the fight against global warming! Bravo! I raise my hands in praise, palms touching and my entire being smiling. Let us keep placing seedlings where they have specialised and evolved to function. Where mangroves can flourish in their specific intertidal salt water ecosystem.

But, let me postulate…

THE HYPOTHETICAL… What if with ridiculous intent and reason, someone brought a Juniper, a specialised coniferous tree that grows on mountains, and planted it on the beach in Karachi. Say Sea View Beach, watered only by tides of oceans, salt water and salt laden spray.

Or, let me state…

THE RIDICULOUS… As has actually happened recently… With serious intent good people planted many Rizophora Muronocata mangrove saplings on land above the reach of salt water, sea shore, estuary or tides… Obligate halophytes, mangrove trees, planted in park planter beds, surrounded by green lawn of grass, watered by sweet water from tankers.

I hold my head in both hands…

THE SUBLIME TO THE SAD, or the…

A dichotomy ??? Between the perceived and the real. Between the need to show immediate impact and ignoring the botanical needs of declared impact…

Mangroves are intertidal trees. All the kinds of forests, trees, shrubs, micro plants, fungi, mycelium have evolved to become a part of and thrive in specific ecosystems. Adaption to ecosystem change happens in the long timeframe of nature, not in the shortsighted timeline or bottom line of mans business enterprises…

One has to ask…
What is happening to our ability to question? Do we not see, do we not contemplate? Which favours given to us will we deny? Let us walk gently on this Earth. Let us act as custodians and express appreciation for this wonderful place this heaven on earth, we still exist in.

I ask again, gently with some fatigue for Nature Reserves…

Tariq Alexander Qaiser
20 October 2024

For the full article please read:
DAWN - Aurora Magazine
ISSUE - September to October 2024,
PAGES - 28 & 29

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBU5ltdCzBi/?igsh=NmVrbXllYzFsN25i

22/09/2024

THE DANCE OF THE SURMAI

I must be getting old. Stories starting with ‘in my time…’ have appeared in my conversation. But since I was (recently 🤓) a younger man, a lot has disappeared. Especially in the natural ecosystems that I have had the privilege to have explored. Heartbreak is never a state to aspire towards. But…

These Surmai jumping did exist in massive numbers. I have seen them all the way from Karachi to Churna. The parts of the footage not seen in this clip, describe how at sunset the lateral light of the low sun would reflect off flanks of so many of these fish. Silver darts of sunlight thrown towards us as arrows, by living, fluorescing projectiles darting up in joy at the sky, breaking through an almost metallic shimmering silvery gold surface of darkening water. It was poetic - I write describing the memory while seeing the moving image etched in my minds eye. I am thankful to have lived it and do miss it.

In the early 1990’s the schools of Mackerel, the Surmai suddenly disappeared. They didn’t just migrate out of Pakistan. There was an influx of foreign fishing trawlers that had acquired liscence to fish in Pakistan’s territorial waters. Over just one season to the next, entire schools of fish including the Surmai were decimated. We were left with emptying seas and destroyed flattened reefs.

The dance of the Surmai is more than a nostalgic memory. It is a reminder that our responsibility is towards our home country, our communities and the natural ecosystems we are blessed with. Short term gain for the few is a problem for sustainability.

Happy though that the amazing young people at CAP asked me that question. ‘Tell us about the Dance of the Surmai.’

Tariq Alexander Qaiser
22 September 2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/FQAJVJUkhnXkDqX9/?mibextid=WC7FNe

21/07/2024

Out of the mangrove swamp temporarily…
But the water birds visit…
Fabulous happenstance…
Feeling 🙏🏽🤓

03/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/W8pWCCfXgC7r4Uie/?mibextid=WC7FNe

WWF-Pakistan would like to draw attention to mangrove deforestation along Karachi's coastline, a critical environmental concern that demands immediate action. Along with the Sindh Forest Department and local communities, we have made remarkable strides in preserving these invaluable habitats. However, these achievements stand jeopardized by the unabated cutting of mangroves by groups and individuals.

This destruction of mangroves is not only illegal, but also poses a severe threat to our ecosystem. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies strengthen monitoring mechanisms and take decisive action to address this issue promptly and effectively.

Mangroves are a vital natural resource and thriving ecosystems. They play a pivotal role in sustaining biodiversity and environmental equilibrium; serving as carbon sinks, acting as a natural barrier against extreme weather events, and providing habitat for numerous species. Help us in raising our voice for the enforcement of laws and for safeguarding this invaluable natural heritage.

29/04/2024

https://youtu.be/AH-c1kTpHFI?feature=shared

14/04/2024

The TPL BIODIVERSITY PARK
& The EDGE of DELTA’s
first Mangrove Learning Centre

A big note of appreciation and thank you to:

Mr Jameel Yusuf &
Mr Ali Jameel of TPL.

These gentlemen provided me the opportunity to design this facility.

It exists in Korangi, Karachi, and was created in collaboration with the Sindh Forest department. It will be opening shortly and I look forward to speaking and hosting educational tours here…

This project is the first intertidal biodiversity park for Karachi. I look forward to creating more such facilities in our Delta, all precursors to the Nature Reserves that MUST exist on our Islands…

The Design and details of the floating learning centre has been created by us at TAQ Associates. It is intended to be replicated and developed to provide floating houses and buildings for coastal communities in this era of climate change.

Tariq Alexander Qaiser
& TAQ and Crew
14 April 2024

https://youtu.be/x80zoSfYc8k

Music: Soundstripe - by: Emori - Mine
Happy to send you the link to the song!

The TPL BIODIVERSITY PARK& The EDGE of DELTA’s first Mangrove Learning CentreA big note of appreciation and thank you to:Mr Jameel Yusuf &Mr Ali Jameel of TP...

24/03/2024

https://fb.watch/qZxDCA4SoX/?mibextid=Nif5oz

02/12/2023

https://youtu.be/LGHPfhfWGGI?si=5BgZTZbmdEs2rxga

Extract from the talk at the German Consulate Karachi - at the German unification day .

21/11/2023

Taimurs Dua is tomorrow between ASR and Maghrib at his house

20/11/2023

Taimur Mirzas burial will be at the DHA phase 8 graveyard today at 5:00 after asar prayers at Mubarak masjid November 20th, 2023.