MARKHOOR in English as known as Screw Horn or Screw-horned goat. Markhoor is the National animal of Pakistan.The word markhoor comes from both the Pushto and classical Persian languages. Markhoor is the largest of the goat family, found in Northern areas of Pakistan largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. These animals are extremely skilled in hard climbing. May 24 is proclaimed by the UN as the International day of Markhoor, where Pakistan has sponsored a resolution, supported by 8 other countries. The current existing population of Markhoor ranges from 3500 to 5000 in Pakistan, mostly found in KP along with Balochistan and Gilgit Biltistan. Continued...
Pakistan is facing drastic changes due to climate severity in recent years, in spite that we do not contribute in carbon emission largely, compared to other developed nations. We are getting unbearable punishment for climate change every year in shape of fire on forests, floods, heatwave, increased temperature etc. Although we are responsible for deforestation, construction on river sides and our negligence as a whole. Recent floods in this decade exposed our real administrative, governance structure as well as our social psyche. Since march 2022 we experienced intensive heat wave in the country. We also observed massive fire on forests at different locations. The heat wave in Asia largely affected the people in the beginning of summer. The wheat crop badly affected in the season. According to Global Climate Risk Index by German Watch reported that Pakistan, Haiti, Philippines are largely and continuously affected by climate change. Another report by Journal Communications Earth and Environment has researched that possibly the people may confront with severe heat, likely it may take long period of the year.
Recent floods in the country completely washed each and everything. Nearby buildings, houses, lands, bridges all drowned. It may be a lesson for the nation that, constructing a building across the river in case of swat, may not be safe. So this practice may be stopped in the future. River's land is no man's land. In view of different sources it is reported that approximately, 72 districts are severely affected, 157 bridges, 9 lacs 92 thousands of buildings are completely destroyed , 7 lacs 27 thousands cattles are died in the recent floods across the country. Other sources have find out that 151 cities are badly affected, 55 lacs houses are completely destroyed, 20 lacs cattles are died, more than forty million people are deprived of shelter.
In context of recent flood scenario, this is high time for more plantation, more dams construction. As it is pledged by the earlier govt that billion tree tsunami initiative may be carried out and executed, but it is not confirmed what happened to that project. Our government should heed to environmental hazards, which are likely to be continued in the years ahead. Sufficient amount of budget should be allocated to the protection of forests, plantation, and construction of new dams on priority basis. The present govt is advised to devise a long term strategy for the resident of swat, who live near swat river; how to protect their lands. Because, it is extremely gruesome that, people have started constructing buildings on fertile and cultivated land; decreasing the crops land, exponentially multiplying building population. Even it is possible that Swat Motorway Phase II project may be designed on the river swat edge; it may also enable tourism promotion on one side, while on the other hand it may protect the valuable and fertile land of Swat valley from future flood hazards.
In the last i would repeat that, River's Land is no Man's Land. Please avoid construction on river side.
By Painda Mand
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