Summary International day of Forests observed today globally to raise awareness on the importance of forests
Dunya News Report (Madiha Fareed)
Chairman Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan today started Green Ribbon Movement with the slogan of “One Tree One Life”. He was joined by hundreds of students in Peshawar to mark the International day of Forests by planting 100,000 trees under the umbrella of the billion tree tsunami.
Addressing the occasion, Imran Khan congratulated the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa government for their perseverance in carrying out the billion tree campaign and turning the vision into a reality, “These efforts are being recognized by the global community including international forestry organizations; it was all the result of government and citizens cooperation that even in remote mountain areas locals are being engaged to nurture tree nurseries, and in return providing a boost to the local economy as well”, he said.
“These trees would forever be a part of KP s natural capital, with quantifiable value in the form of carbon credits, and the passion of Peshawar s youth in taking part in this tree plantation drive is commendable”, said PTI chief.
International Day of Forests is observed annually on March 21 to raise awareness of the importance of forests to people. Forests cover one third of the Earth s land mass, performing vital functions around the world.
Around 1.6 billion people - including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihood and yet global deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The theme for this year is “Forests and Water”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led Khyber Pakhtunkawa province is the first in Pakistan to start a massive afforestation campaign. It is pertinent to note that in 70 years of country’s history only 60 crores tress have been planted in totality across the country. Soon after PTI formed the government in 2013, it was announced that 1 billion trees will be planted in the province over the next five years. The project was initially mocked by the opposition parties but its steady success and international acclaim has managed to silence the critics.
The “Billion Tree Tsunami Project” has garnered praise from organizations like World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for having a staggering success rate of 85 percent against an international success rate of 50 percent.
Over 250 million saplings have been planted thus far in pursuance of Imran Khan’s passion project. The KPK government plans to plant 1.2 billion trees by 2018. One million trees are being planted everyday to achieve the target. Forests Guards, locally known as “Nigehbaan” are being hired to ensure that the saplings are protected and grown into mature plants.
KPK government officials claim that the government has so far recovered 2000 acres of land belonging to forest department from illegal occupation. The land will be used for plantation purposes.
Lately, Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif approved the launch of “Green Pakistan Programme” which is inspired by China’s “Green Wall Programme”. The project targets to plant 100 million trees in the country over the next five years with the aim to improve and promote forestry and wildlife sectors of the country.
United Nations has declared “Climate Change” as one of top three threats this planet faces. The temperature of the planet is constantly on the rise as 2015 was the hottest year on record according to a United States science agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In this regard United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 was held in Paris from November 30 to December 12 last year to forge an international consensus to tackle the effects of global warming and climate change.
The international criterion requires that 33 percent of a country’s total area should be covered with forests for sustainable environment whereas Pakistan has less than five percent area covered in forests. Pakistan has the highest deforestation rate in Asia and is also among the top ten countries that are heavily affected by global warming. Pakistan suffered losses amounting to $6 billion in 2012 as a result of heavy floods. Climate Change is an inescapable reality and to ensure a safer and healthier future for next generations, it is absolutely essential to invest in saving the environment, as Secretary General United Nation Ban-Ki Moon said “Investing in forests in an insurance policy for the planet”.
