ISLAMABAD, June 20: World Hydrography Day (WHD) is celebrated worldwide on 21st June every year to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a role in the improved knowledge of the seas and oceans. The theme chosen by International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) for WHD-22 is “Hydrography – contributing to the United Nations Ocean Decade”.
This year’s theme is designed to highlight how hydrography can support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021 – 2030). The commemoration would emphasize importance of hydrography that underpins almost every activity associated with the sea including safety of navigation, economic development, security and defence, environmental protection, scientific research, resource exploitation, disaster management, maritime boundary delimitation and Integrated Coastal Zone Management etc. Moreover, this year WHD celebrations will highlight the efforts to bring together ocean stakeholders across the world to foster partnerships and generate the knowledge needed to support a well functioning, productive, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
Pakistan is a responsible coastal state blessed with over 1,000 Kms of coastline along with 240,000 Sq Km of sea area within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) In 2015, Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department (PNHD) along with other relevant national organizations played a vital role in securing approval of an additional sea area of 50,000 Sq Km as extended Continental Shelf from relevant UN Commission, adding it to Pakistan’s Maritime Zone. As per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states are responsible for hydrographic surveys and production of nautical charts/ maps of their waters to provide accurate nautical information to the mariners. On behalf of Pakistan, PNHD is fulfilling this obligation and has produced required nautical paper and digital charts to ensure safe navigation through busy shipping lanes traversing across our Maritime Zone. PNHD is also shouldering the national responsibility of Coordinator NAVAREA-IX (comprising North Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and the Red Sea Region) since 1976 by promulgating regular Navigation Warnings. In 2019, a new Survey Ship ‘PNS BEHR MASAH’ was inducted in PN, which has boosted national surveying capacity. Its services are also being utilized to support regional countries in addressing their specialized survey needs.
Pakistan Navy celebrates WHD every year to underscore the importance of hydrography towards its share in all marine and maritime related activities. On this day, Pakistan Navy reiterates its resolve to continue to ensure safety of navigation through our waters and contribute towards sustainable maritime economic activities. On this note, let us reaffirm our commitment to promote awareness on the importance of hydrography at the national level and support UN Ocean Decade initiative in its bid to reverse the cycle of decline in the ocean health.
Pakistan Navy Zindabad – Pakistan Paindabad
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