Deforestation and Drought

Dear Mr Abbassi
Caring for nature is a rare commodity in Pakistan, its a shame many Pakistanis do not even realize or care to know the damage deforestation is having on rivers and future agricultural prospects.

On our holidays to Kashmir and the northern states we were sadened by the brown river waters. Local inhabitants told us that these used to be blue, but because of deforestation mud content is rising, trees cannot find their roots and there is an increase in mud slides endangering the lives of local inhabitants.

Nice to know we have people who care and make an effort to try and raise our awareness. Thanks.

I am surprised by the lack of interest, which is evident from the number of times the article is read and the interacts, from Pakistanis for this important issue. I believe most Pakistanis may still believe that drought is another curse from Allah which is brought by not giving enough attention to prayers.
If the timber Mafia is actively depriving us from our forests and the present drought is its outcome then it shows criminal neglect and indifference of the forestry department of the Pakistani government. Before blaming this department, I ask myself which government department in Pakistan does not have rampant corruption and what hope we may have for saving our forests which, after all, seems to be a matter of insigificant (Pakistani) public interest.

Does Pakistan have a national park ?

According to Rand`s Corporation`s Report for Technology Prowess of a group of 29 Nations by 2020, the US, Japan, Germany and Canada will be the leading nations. They will be followed by China, India and Poland.

Bad news for Pakistan is that it has been clubbed with countries like Cameroon, Chad, Jordan, Kenya and Nepal which form the bottom of the heap.

Still some hard work ahead for Pakistanis.

It`s all in the psyche of people that how they look towards nature and environment.At the time of partition my ancestors migrated to a village near Okara.It was a typical west punjab village with magnificent gothic and sikh architecture type havelis and orchards surrounding it.The main population comprising of sikhs and hindus left for India, but a few sikh families stayed behind because of emotional reasons.As is the case with the ignorant muslims,within a decade the havelis lost their grandeur and beauty and the orchards were mercilessly massacred.Planting a sapling and see it growing into a tree is a patient and caring process which is somehow missing from our characters.The other day i was witnessing on TV the cutting down of Juniper trees of Ziarat Quetta despite been declared as UNESCO World Heritage.Just imagine that a thousand year old tree being chopped to ground within minutes.Every year thousands of various varieties are planted in the name of spring or monsoon tree plantation drives but still we are as devoid of greenery as some arid African country.What happens to these plantations no one knows. Even the desert fowls and game know that across the border on our side is the death zone while indian side is safe as we have wiped out entire species in the name of thrill and adventure.The legendary Peacock singing in the desert or columns of Dear leaping is as rare a sight these days as looking for whale in the Jehlum river.
Thanks to our colonial masters that Chhanga Manga jungle is still surviving despite the selective harvesting.
The fate of hilly areas is no different either.There also a constant hide and seek is going on between Timber Mafia and forest department.Sometimes without their notice and sometimes under the table deals for turning a blind eye.In my personal opinion the use of wood as costruction and furniture material should be strictly discouraged like poaching of animals.Use of other synthetic materials should be encouraged.Cut the demand so that supply is also reduced.Stop deforestation,stop turning of whispering pines of upper Topa into a whisper of the past.

how can that be done? is there much awareness in pakistan of this? is anything being done?