Deforestation continues as world observes Environmental Day

KARACHI: Pakistan continues to face highest level of deforestation with no private or governmental efforts at present to preserve ecosystem as world commemorates 39th Environmental Day.

Pakistan will commemorate World Environment Day 2011 (WED) on Sunday with the theme "Forests: Nature At Your Service."

It is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action.

WED celebration began in 1972 and has emerged as a tool to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and encourage political attention and action.

WED is also a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations.

The theme for the current year "Forests: Nature at Your Service", emphasizes the multi-trillion dollar value of these and other ecosystems to society, especially the poor.

Environmentalist Dr. Tahir Qureshi, associated IUCN, with particular reference to Pakistan said it has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world which comes to 2.9 per cent.

Dr. Tahir Qureshi mentioned that Karachi particularly needs mangroves as an important source not only to protect it against natural calamities but also to absorb the high level of carbon dioxide. Seeking concerted efforts to check the deforestation in Pakistan, Dr. Rafiq- uz- Zaman, another environmental expert said the national forests of Pakistan are confronted by a wide variety of threats and pressures exacerbated further by poverty level which is not less than 32.6 per cent.

The degradation is cited to be largely human-induced as poverty, population growth, inequity, insecure land tenure system, encroachment; high fuel- wood consumption, timber use etc. have a negative effect on plantations.

The two experts were of the opinion that plantation was extremely essential for the city and its inhabitants.

"Sweet water is fast turning into a rare commodity and I would suggest people to resort to plantation that must be salty- water resistant," said Dr. Qureshi.

"It could be an indirect investment to counter high level of pollution," said Dr. Zaman adding that "Karachi need lungs and oxygen as used by plants."

Environmentalists said social, economic and environmental well- being of people are pre-requisite for sustainable development that also guarantees a just and equitable world.

They referred to the message of Baan Ki Moon the UN Secretary-General's message for the day asking people to make the most intelligent use of their natural capital.

The WED provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to sustainable reduction in poverty, guarantee food and nutrition security and provide decent employment for growing populations, said Dr. Syed Najam.

Another environment expert, Dr. Syed Najam said country's vulnerability to environmental degradation is also closely linked to its active participation in the global war against terrorism.

He said human migrations from one part to another is also adding to the burden on the available natural resources in settled areas with direct impact on size and quality of these resources.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011