These fires are the major cause of deforestation in the region and it is a high environmental loss
KECH: The Amazon rainforest is the largest forest in the world. The burning of the forest, recently caused by an increase in wildfires, is a serious problem for the world. The forest is the natural habitat of almost half of the world’s wildlife. These fires are the major cause of deforestation in the region and it is a high environmental loss. In the current year, the forest has had to endure more than 72,000 fires. Instead of focusing on nature and the loss of indigenous species, the Brazilian government wants to use the Amazon for business purposes in order to open economic activities. This is not just a local issue but an international one. The Amazon produces 30 per cent of fresh oxygen; therefore its destruction can have grave implications on the rest of the world. The fires were so intense that the resulting smoke covered nearby localities in a way that left the sky dark during the day time. It was like an apocalyptic scene for most of the nearby residents and the sun was blocked out by the smoke. Furthermore, in a year Amazon rainforest has the ability to absorb billions of tonnes of CO2 and filter out the air helping it remain clean enough for us to breathe. Amazon is called the lungs of the world and international organisations and different countries should use all their resources to combat the issue. It is not just the job of the Brazilian government but rather all of us are stakeholders. The increasing destruction of the Amazon will increase the effects of global warming. An ecological catastrophe is looming. We still have time to unite for a single cause.
It is untrammelled human activity that is destroying our environment. We should have deep introspection reverse the trend of putting personal profit over society well-being. Let us join hands to protect different life forms on the Earth.
Muna Manzoor
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2019.
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