THATTA: The provincial forest department will supply about 50 million saplings of various varieties of trees to farmers and growers at subsidised rates and train them in how to plant them on their farmland in shape of shelter belts, wind breakers and clusters, say Sindh Minister for Forests, Wildlife and Minorities Affairs Giyanchand Essrani.

The minister said during a visit to different areas to review development works in Thatta and Badin districts on Wednesday that the tree plantation on such a massive scale would help minimise environmental degradation caused by climate change.

He said that tree plantation had become vital to increase tree cover, protect livelihood, preserve biodiversity and combat climate change which had affected agricultural productivity, water regime and bio­diversity.

Mr Essrani observed that recent spell of gusty winds in coastal districts of Thatta, Badin and Sujawal had caused wind erosion which played havoc with standing crops.

Most of these areas were already devoid of vegetation and prone to wind erosion that was why the g0usty winds caused huge losses to productivity of farmlands, he said.

He said: “We need to understand the role of trees and their associated benefits for the society. Forest and environment should get top priority in the allocation of funds in the budget as overall impact of trees will help in achieving economic goals of the province and the country”.

Riaz Ahmad Wagan, the chief conservator of forests, who accompanied the minister on his visit, said trees would be planted along both sides of more than 1000 km of canals and roads over the next three years.

He said that in addition, the department was establishing nine biodiversity hotspots at Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Umerkot, Thatta, Badin and Karachi to conserve native fauna and flora which would ultimately be opened to public for attract tourism.

About the coastal districts of Thatta, Sujawal and Badin, the official said these districts were confronting sea intrusion, degradation of coastal land, absence of potable water and reduction of fishing opportunities as well as shrinkage of mangroves cover.

Citing official data Mr Wagan said that in 1945 the Indus system was said to have a total of 194 million acres feet (MAF) of water which had dropped to just 94 MAF this day. He said the reduction in river flows had contributed to a decline in the mangroves cover which used to work as a bulwark against sea, stopping it from moving upland.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd , 2014