OVERPOPULATION has turned Karachi into a jungle where the strong and influential try to grab as much land and pelf as possible, There was a time when Karachi was a beautiful place and, I remember, going to Malir used to be a heartening experience of suburban life. There was nothing but a few villages, mainly fishermen, at Gizri and beyond. Rehri Goth and Ibrahim Hyderi were small fishermen villages where I would specially go for their delicious tea and exotic paan. People there knew everyone by their name and face, and the villagers would demonstrate hospitality to guests. People there used to live in peace and harmony until illegal ‘invaders’ ruined the splendour of these places and grabbed most of the land in the area. While this was going on, the strong ones from the villages couldn’t stay behind and they too grabbed whatever they could from the coastal belt by hook or by crook, to satiate their lust and greed for land and assets, destroying not only the environment, but also devastating the main source of developing marine resources in the wetlands. Mangroves are quickly vanishing as they are turned into housing schemes and lands for personal gain; without acknowledging the fact that in doing so they are playing with the destiny and welfare of the beauty and wealth of the sea which can account for a very substantial source of revenue if allowed to survive and flourish. All this and more is not possible without the collusion of the local administrative authorities, but who is to be blamed for all this when everyone is involved in corruption and monkey business? MAZHAR BUTT Karachi