In Badin district ofPakistan, trees are beingindiscriminately choppeddown along canals, distributaries and roads in a displayof utter disregard for theenvironment. Besides inflicting heavy economic losseson the government, theactivity smacks of sheercallousness. Every year, thegovernment spends millionsof rupees for its treeplantation programme,during which saplings areplanted in the district.However, their growth andsurvival are left to chanceand no follow-up report ispublished.
A forest official in Badinsaid that more than 124,000saplings of eucalyptus werepurchased by the irrigationdepartment for Phuleli andAkram Wah channels in theyears 1995-96 and 1996-97,costing about a millionrupees. But there was hardlyany afforestation and at thesame time, the irrigationdepartment felled severalancient trees.
A forest expert pointedout that, as per rules, avaluation certificate fromthe forest department isrequired prior to removingsick, fallen, defective ordead trees, a formalityseldom observed. He suggested formation of 'plantprotection committees' andcreation of public awarenesson the benefit of tree planting, besides strong penaltiesfor illegal and indiscriminatefelling.