Over the last 30 years, Sindh has suffered the worst kind of deforestation.
ISLAMABAD: Like many others, I have observed that environmental degradation is occurring in rural Pakistan on a very large scale, particularly in Sindh.
Public anxiety and apprehension over the state of the environment is high on account of the increasing frequency of natural disasters, which cause a loss of lives and damage to property.
By now, it is well known that floods are caused by deforestation and by heavy pollution in lakes and rivers. The issues of environmental protection are related to the issues of widespread corruption and laxity in the administration of laws and the neglect of official duties. Corruption and negligence make officials apathetic, who then do not lend proper attention to natural resources such as forests and rivers, which they are destined to protect.
A high degree of social awareness is needed to mobilise public opinion against environmental degradation through civil society organisations. Over the last 30 years, my home province of Sindh has suffered the worst kind of deforestation and large populations of locals have borne the consequences of this. Deforestation has fast become the focus of social awareness programmes, which are pressuring the government for effective rehabilitation and conservation measures. Moreover, activists are campaigning fiercely against commercial loggers who are damaging the environment and rendering massive social costs.
Doubtlessly, Pakistan has a number of laws that are geared towards protecting the environment, but effective enforcement of those laws is another story. If the law is to act as a deterrent, an effective enforcement strategy is necessary. However, the courts in Pakistan, particularly the environmental protection tribunals and district judiciary courts, are requested to play an effective role to save the environment of this country.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.
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