PAKISTAN
In Badin district of Pakistan, trees are being indiscriminately chopped down along canals, distributaries and roads in a display of utter disregard for the environment. Besides inflicting heavy economic losses on the government, the activity smacks of sheer callousness. Every year, the government spends millions of rupees for its tree plantation programme, during which saplings are planted in the district. However, their growth and survival are left to chance and no follow-up report is published.
A forest official in Badin said that more than 124,000 saplings of eucalyptus were purchased by the irrigation department for Phuleli and Akram Wah channels in the years 1995-96 and 1996-97, costing about a million rupees. But there was hardly any afforestation and at the same time, the irrigation department felled several ancient trees.
A forest expert pointed out that, as per rules, a valuation certificate from the forest department is required prior to removing sick, fallen, defective or dead trees, a formality seldom observed. He suggested formation of 'plant protection committees' and creation of public awareness on the benefit of tree planting, besides strong penalties for illegal and indiscriminate felling.
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