Living in harmony

Published November 14, 2024

HISTORICALLY, hunting was a way of survival, particularly in the ancient and medieval periods. However, as civilisations advanced and alternatives emerged, hunting shifted from a survival mechanism to a form of recreation and status symbol, especially among the social elite.

In medieval times, hunting became a royal pastime. Rulers often took their heirs on hunting expeditions, solidifying it as an entertaining legacy. What was once a necessity became a tradition — an extravagant pursuit to experience thrill at someone else’s cost.

As a result, we are now confronted with the consequences of centuries of unch-ecked exploitation. Entire forests have been decimated, bird species have been endangered, and numerous animal species have been driven to extinction or kept confined to cages.

This legacy of exploitation has left an indelible mark on our planet, threatening biodiversity and natural ecosystems. If humanity continues to interpret its suppo-sedly ‘exalted’ status as a licence to exploit at will, the remaining living creatures on Earth would continue to face an uncertain future. The idea that the Earth exists solely for humans is a dangerous misconception.

It is imperative that we reconsider our actions and redefine our ethics. Without strict laws and restrictions on activities like hunting and deforestation, we risk further destabilising the planet’s delicate balance.

The Earth does not belong to humans alone; it is home to all living beings. Living in harmony with the species that share our planet is our responsibility.

Tahir Jamali
Shaheed Benazirabad

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Brewing catastrophe
Updated 19 Jun, 2025

Brewing catastrophe

If Mr Trump makes the mistake of plunging into the fight on Israel’s behalf, the world will enter very dangerous territory.
Pension bill
19 Jun, 2025

Pension bill

IT is, indeed, a worrying conundrum. The federal government’s annual pension burden now exceeds its fiscal space...
Abandoned Karachi
19 Jun, 2025

Abandoned Karachi

THE explosive mix of decay, institutional apathy and corruption has, once again, placed Karachi among the bottom ...
Spread of hate
Updated 18 Jun, 2025

Spread of hate

HATE speech is not confined to words; in fact, there is a causal link between hateful rhetoric and real-world...
Big challenges
18 Jun, 2025

Big challenges

BALOCHISTAN’S Rs1.028tr budget, featuring a public development investment of Rs245bn and provincial surplus of...
Rampant disinformation
Updated 18 Jun, 2025

Rampant disinformation

WITH the arrival and proliferation of digital media, the creation of information is now a decentralised function,...