By: Asim Nawaz Abbasi
Pakistan being one of the top vulnerable countries to climate change continue to suffer despite laudable steps of the incumbent government. The unprecedented floods, prolonged dry weather, smog, haze, deforestation everything under the sun which makes flashing red signs is there.
Prime Minister Imran Khan initiated forestation campaign and is all out to change the picture of Pakistan with the slogan ‘clean and green Pakistan’.
It is time this burnt forest should be an eye opener for authorities especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, as seeing is believing. The ashes in the jungle has many a burned and charred lifeless skeletons of birds and animals which had no voice to call for help.
Despite the efforts there is still something missing. The depleted existing forests in Pakistan are under great threat from timber mafia.
The pine forests in the upper north have been under threat since long. Few people have dwellings there the timber mafia in connivance with government officials cut the trees with out any remorse resulting in massive landslides.
The result with these landslides is evident from the fact that the roads swept away by these landslides cut off a considerable population from the rest of the world.
It is not an uncommon phenomenon that certain valleys in north are inaccessible for months owing to snowfall and only approachable through airplane. Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu are to name a few which in winters cut off from the rest of the world.
The upper part of Kashmir also has the same fate as wherever there are trees which grip the soil and the landmass are mercilessly cut and result is loss of lives and properties.
There is another dilemma Pakistan is faced with is hunting of the migratory birds. Pakistan is home to millions of migratory bird which travel thousands of miles for warm climate to lay their eggs. Killing the migratory birds satiates the culinary taste buds of the hunters who without a thought shoot them down.
The social media has these hunters pictures, in abundance who flaunt their kills in stacks. It is not known whether they stock the hunt for the year or their next generation to come.
The visiting royals from Middle East also have a passion for the migratory Houbara Bustard which is listed as endangered specie in the World Wildlife Fund. It is believed the bird’s meat serves as an aphrodisiac which is totally false by the scientists who found nothing such quality in the meat.
The falcons are used for the hunt which, are also an endangered specie in Pakistan but who cares and who is checking.
The common man who happens to own a small partridge is required to get a license while the big wigs who ensured shutting down of the Marghazar Zoo gets away with all unlawful activities.
The farm houses of the rich elite have a collection of exotic birds which are sold for a huge sum as all the money that these rich can get their hands on by hook or by crook is never left unattended. How did bird section ended in Marghzar Zoo is an open secret and the trail leads to but a few places which house the stolen birds.
That is not all these farm houses also house lions, cheetahs, deers and even giraffe. The question arise where is the law which asks commoners for getting a license for a common partridge but dies down before it makes it to these elite adobes.
There was news not long ago when 40 people were booked for burning the ‘Lashari Walla Jungle’ . The place is in Southern Punjab and at the brink of Taunsa Barrage. The reasons for burning down the forest is unknown as the jungle serves as a hideout to outlaws besides it a home to millions of migratory bird who hatched their eggs.
The jungle is bone of contention between two political rivals who have been at daggers drawn since long and the amount of damage done cannot be gauged as damage to according to reports covers over 200 acres. The loss of birds and animals lives is not included in this catastrophe while it is reported that cattle worth millions were also burnt in the carnage.
Why this happened will be a reason which will never be made public? Who were penalized will also be a secret? This fire breaking incidents are a regular feature as the jungle had similar fire prior to that.
Prime Minister Imran envision ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ for Pakistan will he be able to take notice of this carnage that was done owing to the personal grudges of the rival political parties.
Why doesn’t the forest as well as agriculture ministry come to the farmers is telling them to grow precious herbs besides the regular cash crops. Why doesn’t it encourages farmers to change their quality of life.
The subsidies announced on papers and power point presentation fail to reach the tail end and the real farmer never gets a chance to benefit from the incentive.
It is time this burnt forest should be an eye opener for authorities especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, as seeing is believing. The ashes in the jungle has many a burned and charred lifeless skeletons of birds and animals which had no voice to call for help.
The writer is Editor at the ‘The Dayspring’. He can be reached at [email protected]