Karachiites urged not to uproot any tree on rumours

Scientists and senior journalists have urged the citizens not to root out any plant or tree in the city on the basis of rumours about their positive or negative effects and let scientists to decide which plant or tree is environment-friendly and which is not. They made this appeal, speaking at a seminar on 'Significance of Popular Science Writing' that was held at the Video Conference Hall, L.E.J. National Science Information Centre (International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK), here on Wednesday.
They alerted the citizens that timber mafia seems to be active against the survival of Conocarpus trees in Karachi. They said unwise urban design is the major cause of heat-wave in Karachi.
The seminar was addressed by Director ICCBS Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, meritorious Professor Dr. Jamil Hasan Kazmi, chairman Department of Geography, UoK, Aleem Ahmed, senior journalist and blog editor at a local media group and Suhail Yousuf, feature editor.
Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC) organised the skills development session in association with ICCBS, where Prof. Choudhary said science pave the way of rationality in any society as science provides values to a society. He pointed out that science can help feed the hungry as it contributes to poverty alleviation, and it also heals the sick. He observed that less than 0.1 per cent time of electronic media is dedicated for science and technology. He said Internet is contributing in disseminating misinformation about the science. He said wrong information was spread about Conocarpus trees planted in various parts of Karachi.
Prof. Jamil Kazmi spoke on the use of drone technology for environment studies in Pakistan. He asserted there is no scientific evidence about the destructive effects of Conocarpus tree in Karachi. He said unwise urban design was the major cause of heat-wave in Karachi. He apprehended timber mafia may have interest in rooting out Conocarpus tree but it is the job of scientists to decide which plant or tree is environment-friendly or which is not.
"Science enables people to work rationally. Common people should understand science as it is of fundamental value for a knowledge-driven progressive society and knowledge-based economy," Aleem said.
Suhail Yousuf stressed on the need of science promotion at grass-root level. He said Pakistan is confronting with devil of extremism which requires best remedy and science is the best antidote to extremism.