Actor Tipu Sharif urged Karachiites to plant more trees as rapid urban development continues to reduce the city’s green cover, claiming that many graveyards are greener than the city’s living spaces.
Sharif shared an Instagram video distributing plantation supplies while encouraging residents to take part in tree-planting efforts across the city. “Graveyards are greener than many of our living spaces. Let’s make our living spaces as green as — or even greener than — our graveyards,” he captioned the post. The actor added, “Karachi is losing its green cover at an alarming pace. Every tree cut down means less shade, hotter streets, poorer air quality, fewer birds, and a city that’s becoming increasingly difficult to live in.”
Referring to the monsoon season, Sharif said it presented the ideal opportunity to increase the city’s greenery. “The monsoon season is starting in Karachi. There’s no better time to start planting trees. I request you guys to fill Karachi’s roads, footpaths, and alleys. Please plant trees everywhere and increase greenery,” he said.
Highlighting the city’s rapid construction and property developments, the actor warned that continued deforestation could lead to serious environmental and health concerns. “In Karachi, there is not even two per cent of trees left and there’s construction and development happening. After a few years, we won’t even be able to breathe,” he stated.
Regarding his own efforts to combat the issue, Sharif shared that he had been distributing agricultural material across different parts of the city. “Today I am at the forestry nursery, taking 200 peepal trees to be planted in different areas, cemeteries, and places where greenery is lacking,” he said.
“Just think, people who have already passed away have greener surroundings in these cemeteries, while people living today don’t have clean air to breathe. Why is this?” the actor questioned.
Concluding his message, Sharif wrote, “Our one simple goal is to leave behind shade for people we’ll probably never meet. A tree planted today is a gift to future generations. Let’s stop turning Karachi into a concrete jungle and start bringing life back, one tree at a time.”
Sharif is known for his performances in dramas including Tapish, Humrahi, and Sitaron Se Agay. Along with advocating for environmental conservation, the actor also runs an advocacy page on Instagram addressing issues regarding animal abuse and sharing content about distributing food among the homeless.