The tree is nature's gift to mankind. Not only do trees keep the atmosphere clean and healthy, but the most vital fact is that mature trees add to local humidity through transpiration (the process by which plants release water through their leaves) and thus ensure rainfall.
In the water cycle, moisture evaporates into the atmosphere forming rain clouds before being precipitated as rain back onto the forest. The forests, therefore, play a vital role in regulating the regional climate by providing the base for continuity of water cycles.
These conifer forests also play a critical role in climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide, a gas believed to be partially responsible for global warming.
The keen interest shown by the conscientious city dwellers particularly by inviting attention of the apex court to stop the pillage of the Murree hills forests and Lahore Canal trees is inestimable.
However, vast tracts of forests in the countryside have suffered devastation at the hands of ruthless "humans". In Sindh, not very long ago, on both banks of the River Indus there were thick forests spread over from Kashmore to Karachi. These forests were not only the main source of monsoon rain but served as a safety valve against annual floods beyond the protective dykes. The fertility of the soil in these forests was proverbial; it provided livelihood to millions having permanent abode there. These wood lands were sanctuaries of a variety of wild life, flora and fauna, and a great source of fresh milk, honey and by-products.
With the passage of time, these forests have been completely destroyed by the influential lands-lords who got virgin lands leased to their family members on government rates as Katcha in perpetuity.
The forest department whose primary function is to protect these natural woodlands either remained silent spectator or collaborated with the predators in total deforestation. Now state of affairs is that right from Kashmore down to Karachi except small patches no forest worth mention is left and the grabbed invaluable lands are now in the possession of influential as "Ketties" in their names.
The change we experience in the rain fall pattern, which has declined considerably for the past one decade is mainly on account of deforestation of Indus Banks for which responsibility exclusively lies with those who were supposed to preserve it. Unfortunately, this depredation continued for years unhindered under the patronage of those who were paid to protect it. While a tree falls in Karachi and Lahore or Murree hills gets immediate notice of the authorities entire forests of Sindh that under went the continued onslaught disappeared without being detected.
Although slaughter of even a single tree is an act most reprehensible but the massacre of an entire forest, without an iota of exaggeration, is a sin unpardonable under any cannon of law and religion. I request the relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the depleting river forests and fix responsibility on those who have rendered unimaginable damage to the ecology, besides instantaneous and indiscriminate cancelling leases of forest-lands in the national interest for reforestation. I also look forward to the honourable apex court for attention on this issue of national importance in the right earnest.