Trees pay the price for rapid transit

Despite climate change and heatwaves wreaking havoc with the province, the Sindh government has started cutting down all trees that stood to make way for the construction of the BRT Red Line project.

According to environmentalists, deforestation is likely to increase drought in the city. For such projects, they suggested choosing a route that does not affect trees and vegetation.

Trees are an invaluable gift of nature and an important asset to the environment, helping protect against environmental pollution, floods, earthquakes, land erosion and natural disasters. They also the most vital source for the oxygen we breathe and need to survive.

Efforts to curb global warming continue through government and public tree plantation campaigns in various countries. The importance has also been highlighted through the curriculum of educational institutions.

The problem of rising temperature in Karachi has taken a serious turn.

The Red Line project started from Malir Tank Chowrangi in Karachi. For this, trees were being cut down from this location all the way to the Race Course. All nurseries on the service line have also been affected, while the metropolis is turning into more of a concrete jungle by the day.

According to environmentalist Owais Haider, trees are expected to reduce heat intensity. In this regard, he added that after the rains, water accumulates in the roots of the trees due to which the area is protected from drought. “If the trees are cut down, water will dry up immediately.”

He suggested that for such projects, a route should be chosen that does not affect the existing green belt in the city. If the trees are getting in the way, they should be moved to an alternative location instead of chopping them down.

The process of moving trees is made possible by using machines. Earlier, these machines were also used in Balochistan, but moving such a large number of trees is a difficult step.

The contractor, on the other hand, is allowed to move the trees to an alternative location, not to cut them down, but not all of these procedures could be implemented.

Meanwhile, citizens said that the heat was becoming unbearable due to the increase in temperature and load shedding. In such a situation, they urged the government to work for the promotion of tree plantation campaigns instead of cutting them down.

“After a long wait, work has started on the BRT Red Line project in Karachi. For this, we expected better measures from the Sindh government,” one of the locals said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2022.