Smog has tightened its grip on Lahore, which now ranks first among the world’s most polluted cities. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has exceeded 1,000. The worsening air pollution index has also raised alarms in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Meanwhile, smoke from the burning of crop stubble and waste in India has reached Lahore.
This is not the first time such an event has occurred; Lahore and other cities have faced this situation every year for over a decade. The governments of Punjab and the federal administration often make grand claims, allocate funds for smog prevention annually, and launch tree-planting campaigns emphasizing the importance of trees.
Commissioners, deputy commissioners, ministers, and department heads participate in ceremonial tree-planting events that are heavily publicized, giving the illusion of a genuine campaign. However, these efforts seem more focused on promoting ministers and officials rather than inspiring large-scale reforestation. If one were to compile a record of all the trees supposedly planted annually by political figures and district officers, every city would resemble the lush landscapes of Jinnah Garden or Shalimar Bagh, with no space left for further planting. It raises questions about where the government funds allocated for tree-planting actually go.
People are also to blame. They build new homes and plant decorative trees in housing societies but avoid local species that could mitigate heat and withstand climate change. This is because tall trees obscure the view of the expensive bungalows, detracting from their grandeur.
While laws are present in every district and municipal department, the failure to recognize the importance of trees has led to the neglect of their enforcement. As a result, millions of trees along rivers, canals, streams, and major highways have been cut down with little concern. In 2010, when Pakistan faced severe rainfall and flooding, representatives from a UN delegation assessing the damage noted that Pakistan is among the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Unseasonal rains and rising summer temperatures could adversely affect human populations, vegetation, and livestock. Despite recognizing the gravity of the problem, neither the public nor the government has taken sufficient action. In cities like Karachi, waste piles up everywhere, containing large amounts of plastic and bags. Due to poor waste management, these piles are set on fire, filling entire areas with thick, polluted smoke.
In rural areas, brick kilns and factory chimneys release large amounts of smoke, contributing significantly to air pollution. Developed countries have established regulations to reduce smog, including prohibitions on hazardous, untimely emissions from factories. Some places have designated areas for waste disposal, where smoke is safely released into the atmosphere.
Historically, our region’s heat was combated with the shade of local trees like Arjun, Banyan, Neem, Shisham, and Peepal. The British, during their rule, could have imported non-native, less-shady trees, but they chose to prioritize local species suited to the climate. To this day, areas within old military cantonments are filled with native tree clusters. After Pakistan’s independence, local tree planting continued, with older trees protected and new ones added seasonally. In fact, tree records are still maintained in cantonments, and cutting trees is considered an offense.
Air pollution is the second most significant health risk in Pakistan, following heart disease. Increased pollution can also lead to various mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. Over 240 million people in Pakistan live in regions where annual air pollution levels exceed WHO’s safety limits. The recommended annual average particulate matter level should remain below 5 micrograms per cubic meter, with a 24-hour average exposure not exceeding 15 micrograms per cubic meter.
Approximately 98.3% of Pakistan’s population resides in areas where the annual average air pollution exceeds both national and WHO standards. If current pollution levels persist, residents of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could see a reduction in life expectancy of about 3.7 to 4.6 years. Air pollution results from chemical, physical, or biological agents contaminating the environment, altering its natural properties. Concerning pollutants include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Both outdoor and indoor air pollution can lead to respiratory and other health issues and are major contributors to illness and mortality. Pollution has also led to a significant decline in the population of green turtles along Pakistan’s coast, and has affected the growth and population of dolphins, monk seals, and other marine life like loggerhead sea turtles. In reality, pollution has created widespread negative environmental effects. Observations reveal that air pollution from ships alters clouds, contributing to global temperature increases, which in turn result in unseasonal rains and sudden weather changes, causing numerous problems.
Globally, many measures have been taken to control various types of pollution and mitigate its negative impacts. New environmental agencies have become active in these efforts. In 1987, the use of ozone-depleting chemicals was banned, yielding positive results. This leads to the question: what regional or national measures can be taken to adequately combat air pollution?
Energy conservation should be prioritized. Mature trees are vital sources of oxygen, essential for breathing and capable of neutralizing various environmental pollutants. Therefore, their cutting should be avoided as much as possible. Achieving a greener Pakistan must be pursued. The whole society shares responsibility for past neglect, but now is the time to halt the annual farce of tree-planting campaigns and instead recognize reforestation as a national necessity. Genuine tree-planting efforts, taken seriously and implemented with urgency, are essential for a visible impact.