April 22, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1429

KARACHI, April 21: There used to be a time when tree plantation drives were initiated by the government not only to create awareness among people about the significance of trees in our eco-system but also to maintain the count of trees in an area. However, it has been years since Karachi witnessed a massive tree plantation drive.

It was in the year 2006 when some jackfruit trees were reportedly planted to mark a plantation campaign; however, Karachi, according to official records, has lost 794 trees over the past year and a half. Interestingly, this may not include those trees chopped off by anyone other than officials of the City District Government of Karachi. But the parks and horticulture department maintains that it has managed to plant more than 10,000 trees to compensate the loss.

Even non-governmental organisations, both local and international, have been doing nothing in this regard. Those working on environment issues like the World Wildlife Fund for Conservation of Nature have been active only as far as the mangrove plantation on the shore is concerned. Incidentally, not even the botanists and researchers working in the city have ever made any effort to bring about a visible positive change. Sadly though, there is no document available on the number of trees Karachi has or it should have keeping in mind the current pollution level.

Environmentalist Dr A.A. Qureshi claims that over the last few years almost 10,000 have been chopped off to pave way for new roads and other construction projects but it has never been told as there is no one who catalogues or monitors such data.

“We don’t have a research-based system developed to cultivate and germinate plants in the city,” he says, adding that there should have been a nursery of plants for research purpose where genetically modified species more suitable to our environment could be developed. “Looking at the number of vehicles on the roads, industries and other factors contributing to high levels of pollution in the city a massive tree plantation drive is direly needed. Such a campaign must also involve people from all sections of society in order to make them aware of where we are heading,” Dr Qureshi observes.

With a record rise in carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels in our atmosphere, oxygen in the air has drastically fallen and there cannot be done much to counter this except to plant trees.

Exotic species of trees

Dr Suriya Khatoon, a botany professor at the University of Karachi, is against specific trees being given preference in plantation drives.

During the last 10 to 15 years whenever the government decided to plant trees it is observed that they get carried away by a particular exotic species of tree, she points out. “Earlier, it used to be eucalyptus, while now you will find them planting Conocarpus,” she explains.

Dr Qaisar, the vice-chancellor of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology and an expert on plant sciences, carries almost the same opinion. He says the reason for planting eucalyptus more often is that it grows fast and is easy to maintain. However, he points out that eucalyptus dries up land and birds never make their nest on it due to the strong smell of its leaves and wood. Also, its leaves have a particular toxic that when decompose in the soil make the land unsuitable for growth of any other tree, he briefs.

He suggests, “Acacia nilotica (sheesham), balbergia sisoo (kekar) salvadora oleoides (peelu) and Melia azadirachta (neem) are some of the plants suitable for our environment.”

Discussing whether plants can be grown along the city beach, he says “We are in a sub-tropical region we should have no problem in planting trees on the coast, however, if the water supply to the sand is ensured it would be an added benefit”.

Greenbelts

Director Parks and Horticulture Liaquat Ali Khan, however, raves the work done under his directorship.

In reference to what botanist or environmentalists point out, he says, “People here just chatter and do no work in practical. We have planted more than 10,000 trees and 8,000 of which are planted at Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim only. Like M.A. Jinnah Road, the greenbelt on Sharea Faisal was planned to be done away with. However, I strongly opposed the plan. Furthermore you must look at how many trees we have planted over the period of time on roads connecting Guru Mandir to Gulshan and Sharea Faisal.”

Commenting on one particular species of trees being planted in the city, the official maintains that it is totally absurd as whatever tree can grow in our soil is a gift of God. He mentions various hardships that are encountered by them from people who have hoardings placed on the roads. “We find that people throw acid on trees, burn them or chopped them off if they obstruct the hoardings from the view”.

One of the former directors of the parks and horticulture says, “If you go around in the city you will find three or four species in abundance -- canocarpus, eucalyptus, cazura and lignum. The reason is that these trees can survive even if not watered for weeks and this saves the department a lot of work in order to maintain them” he explains.

Referring to a survey conducted on the ratio of population and greenery in Karachi, he says it is revealed that citizens rather than having a tree per person only have 13 or 14 inch of trunk of a tree per person. The City District Government of Karachi is spending billions of rupees on parks and trees but there is not much planning involved, he believes.

However, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal seems satisfied with plantation by saying, “We had no precedent to follow therefore we are setting new milestones for ourselves. It will take a lot of time to develop lab and research culture,” he adds.