Govt targets ‘zero deforestation’ in Pakistan

Islamabad : With the government trying hard to increase forest cover in Pakistan, the trees are still being removed from land measuring 8,000 hectares every year at a deforestation rate that is the second-highest in Asia, after Afghanistan.

The reports compiled by various independent sources pointed out that the trees in North and South Waziristan are being fast removed by the timber mafia that uses them for charcoal that is in great demand in neighbouring Afghanistan. Charcoal is the only cooking fuel available in some provinces of Afghanistan close to Pakistan.

The increasing number of housing societies in the country is also one of the main reasons for the removal of trees. The provision of residential units to the people and protection of forests are two issues that are inter-related with each other and must be addressed at the earliest.

These reports have raised eyebrows of the concerned officials who think that high deforestation rate can adversely affect the consistent efforts being made by the government to increase tree cover in the country.

An official told this correspondent that the Prime Minister House has directed the climate change ministry to set the target of ‘zero deforestation and work in coordination with the provincial departments in this respect.

He said the role of local communities is vital as their livelihood is directly related to the forests that provide them with food and financial resources as well.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said that a comprehensive policy involving all stakeholders is being made to stop deforestation in the country.

He confirmed that they would set a target of zero deforestation and it would be achieved with the help of the local communities and provincial authorities.