Pakistan: Mystery behind disappearance of trees in coastal towns

[phantom power]

Gulab Shah, a local small landlord and fishermen representative from Keti Bunder said that since there is a shortage of downpours in the entire area, the fertile lands have turned into barren lands. The trend of cultivation is declining rapidly because of the shortage of water. Apart from this the families depending on the livestock have sold out their animals because there are no more grazing fields available. There are a few lucky influential landlords who are still able to cultivate their lands and are forcing the local land owners to sell their lands to them, he elaborated.

Nawaz Kumbhar, a local environmentalist, who is running an organisation, engaged in preserving the flora and fauna in Achhro, Thar Sanghar district, stated, “Unfortunately, acute poverty has forced people to cut down trees in their courtyards.” After building the roads which link Sanghar, Nawabshah, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas towns have provided an easy access to greedy people, who use tractor trolleys and trucks to transport wood for commercial purposes, playing havoc for the community. Some people allegedly sell firewood to the road contractors for burning stones and other road materials.

Several traders sell fuel wood to various kilns, producing bricks, violating the constitution, which prohibits people from engaging in this practice. However, the concerned forest department officials claim otherwise. According to them they have been taking measures for the protection of forests and scattered trees in the province.

Dr Karam Rustamani, President Sindh Green Development Organisation, says the entire Kachho arid zone is under threat due to the frequent cutting of trees and plants. He allegedly said the Revenue and Forest department officials have been involved in this business, which may further destroy the wildlife. “The endangered trees, which were a major source of fodder and honey, provided a livelihood to many local families, while several birds and wild animal species have become extinct due to this illegal practice,” he concluded.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=125393

[hogwyld]

1. Just another example

Of humans ability to work towards it's own demise. Sometimes, I wonder what a paradise this planet could be without us.