SENSE & SENSIBILITY

by Wafa Ali

Karachi, once a green city, has rapidly transformed into a concrete jungle. Neighbourhood parks, once celebrated and maintained have been reduced to a novelty. They have disappeared and been replaced with massive shades of grey. The loss of these green open spaces has led to a drastic climate change and resulted in Karachi and its neighbouring areas to heat up exponentially. With temperatures in Karachi recorded to being a whopping 52 degrees Celsius in 2015, we must look to reforestation.

What can we as individuals do to bring back this foliage? I am glad you asked. This is the season of fruits like mango, jamun, phalsa, apricot, peaches etc. After you have enjoyed your seasonal fruit do not throw the seeds away. Wash them, dry them and store them in a cool and dry place. Whenever you plan to go out, take the seeds along with you, find a barren land, perhaps on a highway or even an open unused space, and throw the seeds. They will germinate easily in the upcoming monsoon season from July to September. If with this noble act we can contribute to even one single tree each to our city, our mission to reforest Karachi is successful. This is not a novel idea. It has been practiced for decades in the neighbouring country in areas like Maharashtra. Many other districts in India have also looked to their people for help and appealed to them to spread the abundance of nature in this easy way. Many of their citizens have joined this wonderful mission, therefore, I am reaching out to YOU, my people, to also join me in this wonderful mission of helping mother nature to heal. Bring Karachi back to its green and refreshing zeal!