Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Legacy of British Raj
Recent judgment by Islamabad High Court to protect and preserve sanctity of land reserved and declared as national park on Margalla Hills was long overdue, given the tendency of powerful land mafia groups to illegally occupy amenity plots, forest etc, posing a threat to an already grave environmental crisis that haunts life and health of citizens.
When state-funded disciplined institutions indulge in such irregularities like DHA Valley Islamabad ventures, then the trust and confidence of citizens and their institution is likely to be compromised. All this can be avoided if principles like Conflict of Interest are upheld and the constitution reigns supreme.
The British colonial occupation used state lands and titles to buy loyalties of natives to serve the Raj, and forcefully take over lands and property of those who dared to defy them. In 1943-44 the Raj invoked the Defence of India Rules to dispossess Quaid of his House No 53, located in Lahore Cantonment. The Viceroy did not desire MAJ to be more actively involved in Punjab politics.
The British officers could not dare to take over state lands in the UK, where the writ of laws prevails and no man or institution could defy law. They could only do as an occupational force in colonies. It is unfortunate that after over seven decades of being independent and having a written constitution to which all paid or elected public holders have on oath pledged to uphold and protect, it is being flagrantly defied by a few, blinded by greed.
When the Writ of Law and supremacy of constitution becomes slave to whims of powerful groups, then criminal elements and extremists emerge using threats and intimidation to defy the majesty of laws. Such states become sanctuary to criminals of all shades and opinions and national sovereignty and security is compromised.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Water pollution
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of concerned authorities towards excessive water pollution in the district Buner. Natural water and aquatic life are at the highest threat in the region. The quality of both water and life is decreasing day by day due to the irregular and unprofessional lifestyle of humans. Water pollution is an alarming threat to aquatic life, humans and other land animals in this region.
The increase in the number of marble extraction and refining factories is the major cause of water pollution. As a matter of fact, out of 700 marble factories located in Malakand Division, approximately 500 exist in Buner alone, which account for approximately 51% of Pakistan’s Marble production. The waste of these factories is channelled to the lakes which turn the water into lime water. The deposition of calcium oxide (CaO) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has caused aquatic life to vanish in the region. These chemicals are so fatal to life that they can even cause death. This water has also affected the irrigation of crops. It did not only affect beauty drastically but also affected human life, and wildlife. The number of fish decreased to a dangerous level in major areas of the District.
The second cause of water pollution is the un-concreted gutters and manholes of houses. The faecal bacteria and viruses are absorbed by the soil and reach the underground water. People use this contaminated water for drinking and cooking. Such contaminated water can cause fatal diseases, for example, hepatitis, diarrhoea as well as other water-borne diseases.
BILAL NASEEM SHAH
Islamabad
Take a breath, thank a whale
400,000 tons of carbon are extracted from air due to whales every year and also helps in survival of marine ecosystem where they provide at least half of the oxygen we breathe. Whales, the saviour of marine eco-system, contribute in various global nutrient cycle. They provide cleaner atmosphere for the marine life which results in smooth survival. Depending on the whale species, some marine mammals spend more of their life together and protect each other from harm.
Whale dung mainly helps in survival of marine life. When they dung, they drop a load of crucial nutrients which are taken by ocean life and are fundamental to global nutrient cycle and carbon cycle. Whales display a high level of intelligence and self-recognition (a characteristic found in only few animal species). Their lifespan generally ranges from 20 to 100 years.
Whales are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment. Whales play a significant role in capturing carbon from atmosphere; each great whale sequesters an estimated 33 tons of CO2 on average, thus playing their part in the fight against climate. Stable food chain feeding other marine animals and growing economy increase whales awareness and profitability through tourism.
Without whale specie’s existence, the entire world’s economy and marine survival would see a huge negative shift. Whales belong to order cetacean group, which means that they are mammals fully adapted to aquatic life with longer lifespan and one of these species can live for 200 years.
NIMRA SHAFQAT
Islamabad
