KARACHI:
In recent years, many countries have cleared out large areas of trees and forests to build houses and public spaces to inhabit people. Deforestation has been taking place rampantly across the world and can have a devastating impact on the environment and climate. Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, which is released when trees are cut down along with other greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas emissions can cause respiratory diseases from smog and air pollution. It also contributes to climate change by trapping heat. The loss and damage of trees have caused at least 10% of global warming. The climate crisis will further worsen if deforestation does not stop.
In remote areas of Pakistan, people cut down trees and use their branches as fuelwood for their kitchens. In addition, trees have been cleared out in urban areas of the country to build housing schemes and large-scale shopping malls. Pakistan already had minimal forest cover, which is now being further reduced. It is extremely important for the government to take the initiative to provide remote areas with an alternative to fuelwood. The government should encourage plantations to create a good ecosystem. In addition, the public should be informed of the detrimental impact of deforestation. The government needs to enforce strict laws over illegal deforestation, and construction over forests should not be allowed. If the government fails to address this effectively, the country will face severe environmental challenges in the near future.
Homar Jan
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2021.
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