Just like Murree, the rest of the Galiyats are on their way to becoming concrete jungles.
NATHIAGALI: I am a frequent visitor to the Galiyats and in fact go there almost every summer. For the last few years, I find there is a decline in several aspects and I list a few of my observations below.
There is rapid deforestation which is adding to climate change. Every summer seems to be getting warmer and warmer. Rainfall has become erratic and the monsoons are diminishing, and the temperature rising. In our country forests only cover about three per cent of the total land area and this number is continuously decreasing. The timber mafia needs to be kept in check, as they cut down beautiful old trees for sale.
There is no adequate garbage collection, and one finds mountains littered with rubbish plus gutters overflowing, especially from the many hotels in the area. At the height of summer, there is often a water shortage. However this to me seems needless, as there is abundance of rain. It appears that there is a water tanker mafia operating hereas well. In any case, the area residents need to, for their own good, learn how to use water harvesting techniques so that they can put to use the precipitation that falls round the year.
Just like Murree, the rest of the Galiyats are on their way to becoming concrete jungles. Residents, especially those who have vacant plots and build houses on it, rarely seem to abide by the building by-laws. These laws are in the interest of the area residents themselves because their objective is to preserve the local ecosystem and environment.
This is a great shame, as God has gifted us with one of the most beautiful old forests and mountains in the world, and it is our responsibility to abide by the rules so that we can enjoy the fruits of Nature’s bounty.
Ali Iqbal
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2014.
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