Daily Times

Sir: Not long ago, in many areas of Sindh, both sides of roads and canals were seen lined with trees. The cutting of any tree resulted in registration of an FIR. These trees were a source of comfort for pedestrians and different types of birds. The economic value of these old and new planted trees was immense: they provided fodder for animals, timber for various uses and were a source of income for low income farmers, as well as acted as sanctuaries for birds and wild animals. But now many roadsides and edges of water canals have been deprived of trees.

For the last two decades, forest lands have been turned into urban lands. Kacho area on both sides of River Indus, Kachho belt in the west of Sindh and the Thar desert in the east are the worst affected areas where rare types of trees continue to be removed and consequently many kinds of fauna and flora have disappeared. There is no better time than the arrival of spring to start tree plantation on a large scale.

I am happy to see that the Pakistan People’s Party Johi chapter and a Dadu-based NGO Sujag Sansar are going to launch a tree plantation campaign in my home district. There is a need to launch this campaign through the length and breadth of Sindh province, not ritually but with true spirit and dedication.

GULSHER PANHWER

Johi