Minister Calls for Recognition of Traditional Knowledge of Coastal Communities
**ISLAMABAD:** Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar has called for greater recognition of the traditional ecological knowledge held by coastal communities, saying it can play an important role in climate adaptation, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
In a statement issued in connection with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed on Sunday under the United Nations’ 2026 theme, **“Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,”** the minister highlighted the importance of preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge systems and ensuring their transmission from one generation to the next.
Junaid Anwar said coastal communities had developed generations of valuable knowledge about tides, fishing grounds, marine species, weather patterns, mangroves and wider coastal ecosystems.
He stressed that such community-based knowledge should be recognised as an important resource for developing effective and locally appropriate strategies for environmental protection and climate resilience.
The minister said integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific approaches could strengthen marine conservation efforts, promote sustainable fisheries and help coastal populations adapt more effectively to the growing impacts of climate change.
He also emphasised the need to preserve these knowledge systems for future generations, noting that the experience and practices of coastal communities represented an important part of the country’s environmental and cultural heritage.
