Expansion of the forest cover to mitigate the impact of climate change and flood damage require he active participation of communities, the private sector and the use of modern technology, Punjab’s Senior Minister Mariyyum Aurangzeb has stressed.
Speaking at the opening session of a workshop organised by the Punjab Forest Department and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), she said that despite the previous ‘Billion Tree’ initiative, the forest cover had not increased significantly.
She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s priority is to restructure forest management based on authentic data and technology.
She said some areas were unsuitable for plantation, but the government was committed to removing encroachments and safeguarding the existing forest land. A wildlife survey is being conducted in the province for the first time, while every development project has been made bound to allocate one per cent of its land for green cover.
The senior minister said local communities would directly oversee forest management in Murree.
She said the forest department’s budget had been increased from the previous Rs500 million to Rs50 billion.
IUCN Pakistan Country Head Mehmood Akhtar Cheema said protection and expansion of the forests was imperative.
IUCN Projects Director Asim Jamal said government land should be used for afforestation along roads, canals and riverbanks with community participation.
Punjab Secretary for Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Mudasar Riaz Malik said a dedicated Wildlife Force had been established. He also said shrimp exports worth $1.2 billion would commence in three years.
IUCN Technical Advisor Dr Javed Ahmed emphasised the need of a ‘forest vision’ for Punjab.
