Environmental experts believe climate change has taken its toll on the city of Karachi in Pakistan. Over the last decade, abnormal high temperatures have been recorded there. But one Karachi man has taken it upon himself to go to war against the rising temperatures. Our correspondent Danial Khan takes a closer look at his initiative.

Karachi is the largest and most populous city of Pakistan. Over the years, the city planners have been unable to cope with the unregulated and unplanned development, that has now transformed the city into a concrete jungle. Forests were cut down to make way for urbanization, and with the arrival of industrialization, the air quality depleted. And temperatures began to rise. Shahzad Qureshi, a resident of Karachi, is known by the locals as the "forest man"! Two years ago he began an initiative called "urban forest", with an aim to fight the ever-growing air pollution.

SHAHZAD QURESHI URBAN FOREST "It will bring the temperatures down considerably around the city, the air pollution will be better."

He adopted a public park from the local government for 5 years, with an intention to transform it into a small forest. Shahzad believes the project is a success, and it is evident in the growth of his plants. But he is already facing backlash from the local government. Only recently, the park was closed down and the gates were locked and the 5-year agreement was cancelled by the orders of Karachi metropolitan corporation.

SHAHZAD QURESHI URBAN FOREST "Initially they were supportive while we were creating the pilot, but once we took over, I don't know there has been resistance within the department. A couple of elements have been trying to get us out of this place, for I don't know what reason, we are trying to create something which will last forever, that probably not going down well with them."

With his project now at the mercy of harsh summer spell, Shahzad is worried the plants and saplings may not be able to survive without care. Though the decision of the local government has stunned him, the forest man has not lost hope and he now looks towards his role model, the prime minister of Pakistan to rescue him and his project before it's too late. Danial Khan, CGTN, Karachi.