Cover Story
Restoring
the Hold of Nature
“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” ~David
Orr
Trees, providing nature's hold on the mountains and lands,
are our true hope for reviving what was one of the most beautiful landscapes
in the world. Forming the foremost barrier against earthquakes, local
trees are the most important protectors – absorbing jolts and preventing
landslides, while mitigating the overall effects of global warming. Reforestation
of our denuded lands should therefore form the core of all reconstructive
efforts if we truly want protection against any natural calamity.
Important for our Forest Ecosystems?
The study of relationships between living organisms and their surroundings is termed as ecology. Ecosystems consist of living organisms, the environment and all the relevant exchanges that take between them. In this regard, the dynamic nature of an ecosystem is both rich and complex.
Trees are not only natural buffers which efficiently dissipate the energetic impact of high speed coastal waves and winds, but also prevent topsoil erosion, thus lessening the impact of earthquakes as well as minimizing landslides. They additionally act as carbon dioxide sinks, forming the first line of defense against global warming.
Onions
A Healthy & Versatile Vegetable
Considered one of the oldest and traditional vegetables, onions belong
to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is thought that 5,000 years ago, Egyptians
cultivated the first harvest, however, it is also claimed that the onions
originated from Asia, more specifically from regions of Iran and Pakistan.
Litter, garbage, waste or rubbish! Call it what you may, but it just won't go away by itself. We need to wake up to its destructive nature to bring about a change.
Alternate
Energy
a safer and sustainable route to existence
Natural,
renewable and alternate are the names given practically given to any
source of energy not coming from the oil and gas sector. Alternate Energy
is a safe way out of the energy crisis as they have the potential to
replace fossil fuels – the main culprit behind the unnatural rise
in temperature across the globe.
Biodiversity
Ramsar
Convention helpful
The Ramsar Convention was launched to
protect wetlands, water birds and their future in Asia. Since the signatories
were several Asian countries, there has been a salutary result in many.
The central office of this convention helps in coordination in keeping
participating countries aware of the latest situation for taking suitable
steps to do their best in helping the dwindling population, the habitats
and their wellbeing.
Long forgotten diseases such as the plague may return claiming precious lives as the earth becomes a warmer friendlier place for their occurrence. Global Warming is not only making the weather on the planet unpredictable, it is feared to spread diseases across the plant.
About 172 km west of Islamabad lies the ancient and legendary city of proud Pathans. Peshawar, the capital city of North-West Frontier Province, is a frontier town and the meeting place of the sub-continent and Central Asia. It is a place where ancient traditions jostle with those of today, where the bazaars in the old city have changed very little in the past hundred years except to become the neighbor of a modern university, some modern hotels, several international banks and one of the best museums in Pakistan.
Federal and provincial health authorities in Pakistan have been put on high alert following reports of suspected Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases from Lahore, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad and Dengue fever cases and deaths in Karachi.
The world must change its energy habits or struggle with choking fumes, runaway oil demand and a growing dependence on the volatile Middle East for fuel, according to a recent publication by International Energy Agency (IEA). Oil and gas imports from the Middle East and North Africa will rise, creating greater dependence for countries and large importers like China and India.
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