KARACHI: Steps needed to save trees in quake-hit areas
KARACHI, Dec 9: Speakers at a meeting of Shura Hamdard has urged the government to provide with sources of energy such as LPG cylinders, coal brackets and efficient stoves to the earthquake survivors.
They said these supplies to quake-stricken people could save forests which were valuable capital of the country as people in quake-hit areas used firewood for getting energy by cutting down trees and thus reducing the forests.
The meeting held at a local hotel on Thursday on the topic “Natural calamities and human determination”, was presided over by former provincial ombudsman Justice (retd) Haziqul Khairi.
PCSIR Ex-DG Dr Mirza Arshad Ali Baig said every individual had to cut down a tree in winter to get heat as that was the only source of energy in quake-affected areas.
Abundant cutting of trees and destruction of forests were damaging and harmful because they were valuable resources of herbs and herbal plants, which could be big source of earning of foreign exchange, if exported, he added.
“It is, therefore, essential that small lands for cultivation of herbs be given to the quake survivors, efficient stoves with small quantity of firewood be provided to them and tent villages made of tin containers which can bear pressure of snowfall and downpour be constructed there,” Dr Baig urged, adding that there should be resource utilization along with rehabilitation.
Former vice-chancellor of Karachi University, Dr Syed Irtefaq Ali, said technical training should be given to quake survivors so that they could earn their livelihood. Besides, jobs should be provided to those who already had skills as no one invariably wanted to live on donations.
About problems being faced by Muslims all over the world, he said: “No doubt, there is a need of propaganda to counter propaganda being carried out against Islam, but our deeds are the actual answer of this propaganda as non-Muslims make assessment about Islam by our deeds. If we make our deeds and performances better we can be able to get and feel much better,” he added.
Former chairman Pakistan Steel Haq Nawaz Akhtar suggested that small enterprises, workshops and industry be established in quake-hit regions to provide livelihood to people there. “Quake-proof houses be made there and LPG cylinders and coal brackets be provided for energy to avoid cutting trees and destruction of forests,” he added.
He urged that for solution of psychological problems, jobs must be provided to male survivors and handicrafts work be given to female victims.
Ismailuddin Aga, a businessman, was of opinion that illegal wealth deposited in foreign countries’ banks by some Pakistanis be brought back and wiped off loans of local banks be recovered forthwith.
Lamenting role of some big political parties and feudal in earthquake tragedy, he urged industrialists to set up industries in quake-ravaged areas.
Praising the government step regarding national volunteer movement, former diplomat Qutubuddin Aziz said this movement should be made more active and organized, adding that donated money be spent properly and its audited accounts be put before parliament and nation.
Musarrat Akram, Dr Amjad Ali Jafri, Muhammad Ahmed Sabzwari, Mohammad Saeed Siddiqui and Dr Naeem Qureshi also spoke.
The Shura in a unanimous resolution condoled death of noted poet, writer, intellectual, researcher and cleric Shanul Haq Haqqi, who recently died in Canada. —PPI
