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Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
South Punjab losing native vegetation
Once the silent guardians of South Punjab's rural and urban landscapes, native trees that stood tall for decades are now vanishing, falling victim to rapid urbanisation, agricultural expansion and environmental neglect. About three decades ago, the region's villages and towns were dotted with indigenous species like Kikar, Shisham, Ber, Toot, Neem and Bohar. These trees, not only provided shade, shelter and sustenance but also formed an essential part of the region's cultural, spiritual and ecological identity. Today, their presence has drastically declined, and with them, a vital chapter of South Punjab's environmental and cultural heritage is fading. The decline of these trees is not just about biodiversity loss, it represents a cultural erosion. In many rural areas, the banyan tree was seen as a gathering place as its vast shade provided refuge from the desert sun. Children played on its hanging roots, and elders held community meetings beneath its branches. Neem, known for its medicinal value, was often planted near homes and mosques, while Shisham and Kikar were central to the furniture craft that once thrived in cities like Multan and Bahawalpur. The aggression expansion of agriculture has led to the clearance of native trees for cultivation. Environmental experts suggest that reintroducing native tree plantations along canals, roadsides, schools and government offices can help restore the ecological balance. Creating awareness among schoolchildren about the cultural and medicinal importance of indigenous trees can foster a sense of ownership in the younger generation. Community-based tree adoption programmes and incentives for farmers to maintain old trees on their land can also make a difference. According to forest department sources, tree plantations are under way on government land under the Plant for Pakistan project.
The Guardian
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Sean Baker matches 70-year-old Oscars record held by Walt Disney
Sean Baker's four Oscar wins for Anora has seen the director match a 70-year old record held by one of Hollywood's biggest names: Walt Disney. In winning for best picture, best director, best editing and best original screenplay, Baker has become only the second person to claim four individual Oscars on a single night, a feat last completed by Disney in 1954, when he won best documentary for The Living Desert, best documentary short for The Alaskan Eskimo, best short cartoon Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom; and best short subject for Bear Country. Unlike Disney though, Baker has won all of his awards for a single film, and where Disney failed to claim two awards on his record-breaking night, for films also nominated in short cartoon and short subject, Baker managed to win for all the awards that he was nominated in. Anora also received a fifth Oscar, for best actress, which went to its star, Mikey Madison. The haul completes a remarkable rise for Baker, a director who had previously been considered something of an arthouse film outsider and who, before Anora, had never received a single Oscar nomination. Despite Baker's impressive haul at this year's Oscars, he still has some way to go to match Disney's total Oscar haul, which stands at a record 22 wins. Read more about the 2025 Oscars: Anora takes home best picture Oscar Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison win best acting prizes Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña win supporting awards Anora's Sean Baker wins for directing, editing and screenplay
