THIS is with reference to the report ‘Orchards of Mango City being devoured by housing schemes’ (March 27) which has described in detail the denuding of mango orchards and conversion of them into an urban property over the past years in Multan. The destruction is rather sad and tragic, to say the least.

Mango is an amazing fruit and is considered the king of fruits. Although it is grown around the world, mango produced in Pakistan has no rival in taste, smell and texture.

For a Pakistani, not to taste the local mango during summers, feels like something important is missing in our lives. It, therefore, came as a rude shock that mango trees have been systematically cut down in Multan since 2017.

What was more shocking was to find that the mango plantations were mainly taken over by a housing project, which is believed to have acquired a vast piece of of land not meant for the purpose.

Mango trees take a long time to grow and bear fruit, and require hot climate. The soil of an area plays an important role in the flavour of the fruit. Besides, mangoes form an important export and industrial sector in Pakistan.

The government should intervene and stop this massacre of mango trees in the country. Mango orchards should have the status of protected forests.

The management of housing project should be asked to plant the mango trees which they have already felled in Multan.

Just like pine nuts, Himalayan pink salt, natural forest honey, etc., mango is an important treasure and asset of Pakistan. It should be protected at all costs.

Shahryar Khan
Peshawar

(2)

FOR the sake of establishing a housing society in Multan, the authorities concerned have reportedly cut thousands of mango trees. This is despite the fact that Pakistan recently found itself on the list of world’s most polluted countries.

Air pollution is at its peak. This year we hardly saw rains owing to climate change. On the other hand, there has been mushroom growth of housing societies. There is construction on arable land, and rapid urbanisation across the country is making matters worse.

The question is: should we have housing schemes at the cost of human lives. This brutal deforestation and felling of mango trees must be stopped, for this will not only contribute to climate change, but will also deprive us of mango, which is considered the king of fruits.

Are those who have initiated the billion-tree plantation drive listening?

Muhammad Waseem
Lahore

(3)

THERE have been reports lately making the rounds on social and mainstream media that the Multan Development Authority (MDA) has allowed the deforestation of mango orchards and plantations in various areas of the city.

Isn’t it absurd that, on the one hand, the government has been championing a campaign against global warming and is supporting tree plantation en masse, whereas the relevant ministry is feasting on taxpayers’ money and allowing this to happen?

Answers should be sought on a war footing along with the submission of resignation of the minister concerned for simply not doing his job. All employees of MDA are to be held accountable for this act of destructive lunacy.

Alister Anthony Dsouza
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2021