| May 25, 2002 | Saturday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 12,1423 |
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Increasing forest cover
Lyari’s water woes
WITH a growing urge among the Muslims for a better understanding the basic outlines of an ideal but practicable Islamic way of life, the study and relevance of Seerat-un-Nabi has acquired added importance. It is in this context that the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) should be seen and celebrated. His attributes and accomplishments covered several directions and dimensions. As the recipient, transmitter and interpreter of Allah’s final Revelation, his life and Tradition (Sunnah), in conjunction with the Quran, form the fountain-head of Islam. This is also in keeping with the Divine injunction which says, “Whatever the Messenger giveth is binding.”
In today’s terror-stricken world environment the message of the “Mercy unto the Worlds” is highly relevant. He perceived life as an organic unity and proclaimed mankind as one in origin. His compassion and kindness knew no bounds. His stress on moderation and middle path — the antithesis of extremism and excesses in all forms — must be recalled in the prevailing climate of hatred, disharmony and antagonism on religious, ethnic and racial lines. Let us remember his Tradition that “the best of man is he from whom good accrueth to humanity.” The overriding need to bring out this aspect of the Prophet’s conduct and commandments is manifest.
The traumatic predicament of Muslims at this critical juncture can hardly be overemphasized. Those deliberately distorting Islam as a militant creed and its followers as people prone to violence should be reminded that the Prophet of Islam was the harbinger of hope for humanity. The Madinah Compact in the first year of Hijri (623 AD), his address after the conquest of Makkah in the eighth year of Hijri (630 AD) and the Farewell Sermon of Tenth Hijri (632 AD) are landmark events reflecting the traits of forgiveness and forbearance without parallel in the recorded history of the world. Patience in the face of grave provocation characterized the Prophet’s attitude in individual as well as collective affairs. When in Taif his enemies attacked him relentlessly and hurt him badly he pardoned them all and prayed to Allah for their change of heart. The most remarkable demonstration of magnanimity was the general amnesty the Prophet of Islam granted to his inveterate foes and tormentors in Makkah.
The Holy Quran speaks in glowing terms of the gentleness of the Prophet’s behaviour that attracted countless converts to Islam and records that “wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from thee.” His soft and soothing demeanour humanized a social milieu that was not only brutal but blood-thirsty. Oppressed and impoverished sections of society received his special attention. This kind and sympathetic disposition was an integral part of his nature. Much before the declaration of his prophethood he founded an Order of Chivalry (Hilf al-Fudul) along with his uncle in 586 A.D whose members swore to come to the help of any and every person being oppressed or in distress. An alliance of reconciliation also received his blessings. The way he brought together in a binding agreement the Muhajirs and Ansar after Hijrat in a deeply divided environment speaks volumes for his hikmah (wisdom).
The constitution of a city state called the ‘Prescript of Madinah’, which has fortunately been preserved in written form, provides valuable guidance for state-craft. Similarly, the Treaty of Hudaibyah, though apparently a one-sided compromise, was a shining proof of his political prudence and vision, so that the treaty proved to be a turning point in the history of Islam. He was tender towards the vanquished and tolerant towards the unbelievers as human beings. Seerat-un-Nabi as such has acquired added significance in the current search and striving for an ideal society based on true Islamic values.
THE NWFP forest department has developed a long-term strategy to massively increase forest cover in the province over the next 25 years. The aim is to bring an additional two million acres of land under forest cover and increase the forested area from the current level of 17 per cent to 25 per cent. The ambitious new policy document envisages a combination of conservation strategies to preserve existing forests and afforestation drives to create new ones. Some 10 per cent of the province’s villages are to be brought under forest cover over the next quarter of a century. There is no denying the importance of developing such a strategy given the alarming rate at which forests are being depleted. This is largely due to indiscriminate felling of trees, illegal logging, or logging beyond authorized limits, lack of forest regeneration, etc. Pakistan has a perilously low proportion of its area — a paltry four to five per cent — under forest cover, well below the recommended minimum of 25 per cent. The figures for the NWFP, the most heavily forested of Pakistan’s provinces, are equally depressing. According to studies, if the current state of affairs persists, the province will have no forest cover left by the year 2025. Forests in the province are reportedly depleting at an alarming annual rate of one per cent.
A combination of growing population pressures, ruthless exploitation and unsuccessful conservation and afforestation policies have brought the province to this sorry pass. While any plans to reverse this alarming situation is to be welcomed, the authorities must take care not to repeat the mistakes made during the implementation of similar grandiose schemes in the past. Two points, in particular, need to be emphasized. First, the authorities should not be deterred from coming down heavily on those powerful elements who ruthlessly and illegally cut down forests to enrich themselves. Second, the participation of local people and their cooperation is essential if any strategy of this nature is to succeed. The traditionally adversarial relationship between the forest departments and local people has proved highly counter-productive in the past.
KNOWN for their perennial civic problems, localities and areas falling under Karachi’s Lyari Town are experiencing one of the season’s worst bouts of water shortage for the past few weeks. The situation is so bad now that the Nazim and Naib Nazim of Lyari Town, along with their counterparts from eleven union councils, have taken their protest on to the streets. The Nazim of Lyari Town contends that both the KWSB officials and the city district government have refused to entertain complaints of water shortage by the residents, adding to their hardship and anguish during the current hot season.
Comprising mainly the low-income working class households in the heart of the old city, Lyari Town residents are not able to purchase water from other sources for their everyday needs. Home to over 600,000 people, the area requires some 45 million gallons of water per day, whereas the current supply, according to the Lyari Town Nazim, is under 10 MGD. Also, there are long-standing complaints of water theft, with allegations that water meant for Lyari is routinely diverted to more affluent areas of the city. If true, this is indeed sad and disturbing. The Nazim of Karachi will do well to immediately look into the matter and resolve the issue in an appropriate manner, so that residents of Lyari do not feel deprived of their due share in the city’s water supply.