Eco-friendly (ShajarKari)
- Ramzan Ali
- Apr 22, 2017
- 2 min read
We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment. –Margaret Mead
Summer is stretching and winter are shrinking in Pakistan. Its not a coincidence. I’m one of those who believe that it is the result of drastic climate changes not just in Punjab province but all over Pakistan. Last year the highest temperature recorded was above 48°C, which is enough to sound alarms for any country. But unfortunately, this is not just any country, this is Pakistan. Here the priorities of people as well as govt. both are entirely different than any other countries.
Increase in number of sub-standard automobiles at an enormous rate corresponding to the exploding population is one of the biggest reasons for detrimental effects on climate. Second major reason is rapid deforestation. Cutting of trees due to multiple development projects in large cities like Lahore and Karachi, just for sake of political benefits have totally destroyed the environment.
With temperature reaching 45°C in mid April and orange train mega project, the once great Lahore city known for its gardens, has been suffocating with dust cloud for more than 2 years. No one is against development but here almost all the projects initiated are purely for political gains rather than for the facilitation of public. I believe these climate changes are having drastic effects on public. In recent few years, cancer ratio has increased rapidly and there is no authentic study to correlate this increase with environmental pollution. On the other hand, Imran Khan, being the most famous political leader and a philanthropist in Pakistan, is so focused on starting SKMH (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital) in every provincial capital of Pakistan that he can’t pay any attention to the causes of such an increase in cancer patients.
I believe there is a dire need to revisit our climate change policies and start focusing on environment protection programs. One of the appreciable step by KPK provincial govt. was to start tree plantation campaign. I believe Punjab needs to start that campaign as well. I still remember when we used to have a whole chapter in 3rd grade books by the name of “Shajer-Kari” meaning afforestation or planting trees. Its purpose was to teach every child that planting trees is the best way to serve humanity.
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