Question

short notes of vanishing forest

Answer 1

Forests keep the planet alive and play a key role in the battle against climate change. Forests feed rivers and are essential in replenishing the water table; they maintain soil fertility and minimise the often devastating impact of storms, floods and fires. They are the green lungs of the earth. But despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, people are destroying the very forests they need to live and breathe.

Environmental degradation in Pakistan is a well-documented fact and this degradation is impacting the entire national social and economic landscape. It covers all natural resources e.g. forests, wetlands, land and air. Soil erosion, degradation of organic matter, water logging, salinity and loss of cover of natural vegetation are the visible damage.

Water basins are depleting, water pollution is on the rise and there are no checks and balances in place to control the pollution of water by industrial and household waste. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, painted a bleak picture regarding environment degradation in the country.

“Forest cover is shrinking due to over exploitation of forest resources for private incentives and lack of awareness and ownership among the masses. The timber mafia is another factor behind the loss of forest cover. Pakistan is losing agricultural productivity, biodiversity and livelihood opportunities for the masses. Besides desertification, wetlands are also facing serious threats. Likewise, the quality of air is also deteriorating due to presence of chemical pollution. On top of it all, weak institutional arrangements by the government are further aggravating the situation”, he lamented.