Step 1: Find a piece of land. Preferably one enjoying protected status such as a Mangrove forest , it goes particularly well after the monsoon season.

The Mangroves near Mai Kolachi bridge, Karachi

Step 2: Find all the trash and toxic chemicals – even human waste will do just fine, and then dump it on that selected piece of land.

Mounds of rubbish and dirt piled near Mangroves located near Boat Basin, Karachi

 Step 3: After several mounds of trash have accumulated, discreetly light fire to it and let it burn over  night. Repeat until the trash is reduced to a mound of ash that resembles a hill. Remember, thick and black smoke tells you that you are doing step three just right. 

Rubbish being burnt at the Mangrove site next to Mai Kolachi, Karachi

 Step 4: After several hills have formed in the process and begin to resemble a range of sorts, replace the garbage trucks with dumpers. Using the dumpers, now unload massive boulders and heaps of sand on the site. Step four is bound to get you noticed by local authorities or concerned citizens. If so, suspend activity for a while. Give it a few days before returning to the activity with full confidence. 

* The end result should be satisfying. A couple of weeks of work should be enough for you to acquire a sizeable piece of land.  

*Pretending to be officials from the city district government, KPT or KDA will also get you out of a tough situation. Another sure fire reason that’ll help: claim that you are burning the trash and mangroves upon the orders of ‘higher’ authorities who want the area neat and clean. 

Cleared for construction?

Mangrove forests in Sindh have been declared as a protective area, but are they really being preserved? For more information on Mangroves and the many reasons why they are so important to the environment, you may check the following links: -http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/mangroves/ -http://www.urckarachi.org/CLIFTON%20BEACH.HTM 

Taimur Sikander, who wishes there were more trees in Karachi, is a Sports Editor at Dawn.com 

* Photos by Taimur Sikander 

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.