The conocarpus threat

Over the last few years, Karachi has witnessed exceedingly high temperatures, with the mercury touching 44 degrees Celsius in the summer months. However, it is important that we realise that human-triggered climate change is one of the causes of rising temperatures. The unjustified cutting of the trees across the city has mostly gone unnoticed. In addition, planting alien species like the conocarpus is considered to be one of the gravest environmental crimes by many nature conservationists.

Conocarpus is planted at a mass level in Karachi. Almost all the parks, roadside species and major arteries are dotted with conocarpus, which, according to experts, will bring an environmental disaster in the city in the near future. The recent change in the weather pattern is also one of the negative effects of the plant. The Sindh government should take steps to cut down these harmful trees.

Muhammad Arsalan Babar

Karachi