ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Amin, a retired government servant, travelled on a motorbike in Islamabad for decades. However, for the last a few years he has been troubled by the accumulation of mud on different roads in the city.

“In the ‘80s and ‘90s, I used to travel on different roads in the federal capital on a motorbike. Even during rains I never saw mud on the roads and my dress always remained clean. However, I never visited Rawalpindi during rains because of mud on roads there,” he told Dawn.

“For the last a few years, I have observed that during rains muddy water start flowing on the roads in the federal capital. I can also see people traveling on motorbikes getting soaked in muddy water. Even the colours of their clothes change,” he said.

“This change, which has occurred over a few years, is really disturbing because it shows that there is something wrong with the environment and conditions of the city. With the passage of time, things are changing in the city,” he said.

Islamabad is the most beautiful city of the country, so steps should be taken to ensure that it sustained its beauty. Otherwise, Islamabad will give a look of other cities of the country where mud gathers on roads even after a light rain, he said.

Environmentalists also believe that the capital city has suffered in many ways and the accumulation of mud on the roads was a result of manmade changes and deforestation.

Dr Jawad Chishti, an environmentalist, told Dawn that the recent changes showed that the “living layer” of the land, which was necessary for the plantation, was disappearing in Islamabad.

Describing the nature of the land, he said there was a layer of soil on the rocks which was called the top soil or the living layer. Big trees pay a major role in ensuring that the top soil remained at its place. Moreover, bushes also play a vital role in making the soil firm.

“Plantation cannot grow without the top soil. Unfortunately, development activities and deforestation have damaged the top soil. Here there is a trend to plant saplings which cannot be alternative to big trees.”

He said in natural forests, there were different kinds of trees and bushes which reduced the flow of rainwater. But these days, after development works, only saplings are planted which cannot reduce the speed of rainwater. The top soil also moves along with the rainwater and can be seen in the shape of mud on roads after rains, Dr Chishti added.

“The erosion of the soil will not only decrease the capacity of plantation on slopes and mountains but it will also choke our sewerage and water drainage lines,” he said.

Because of deforestation, dust particles in the air also increase so during rains they accumulate on roads and add to the problems of the citizens.

There is a need to stop deforestation. Bushes should be planted to reduce the flow of water and stop soil erosion. Otherwise it will increase the pace of silting in water reservoirs, he said.

“If the top soil is removed from the Margalla Hills, it will be very difficult to re-fix it.”

Dr Chishti said the government should introduce public transport systems all over the city to reduce the burden of traffic and pollution.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2016