Pakistan has started implementation on the National Forest Policy approved by Council of Common Interests (CCI) to contain deforestation and enhance forest cover in the country to meet the challenge of climate change and global warming.
The four provinces, who are members of the CCI, have unanimously approved the National Forest Policy. Under the policy, a Federal Forestry Board has been constituted to oversee the implementation of the policy.
The first meeting of the Federal Forestry Board (FFB) was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Adviser to PM on Climate change.
Federal Secretary Climate Change Shah Rukh Nusrat, representatives from all provinces including Forest Ministers from Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan attended the FFB meeting.
The participants appreciated the Prime Minister’s initiative to upscale the success of Billon Trees Tsunami all over the country and committed to allocating at least 50 per cent share of provinces. The advisor emphasized the growing menace of urban heat waves accentuated by the concrete structure in urban areas.
Latest research carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that urban temperature can be decreased from 6-9oC through planting trees in such a way that concrete structures like buildings and roads including rooftops are brought under shade.
All the provincial representatives apprised the Minister regarding forest conditions and plantation plans in their respective provinces and reiterated their commitments to make ten billion tsunami tree plantation drive a success.
The Advisor assured them all possible support and thanked for their dedication to this national cause. It is also pertinent to mention that the Federal Forest Board (FFB) was constituted under Pakistan’s first National Forest Policy (NFP), and was approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI).
It was previously abolished after 18th amendment and the present government has again reactivated it. The meeting also discussed various inter-provincial issues regarding implementation of National Forest Policy. This policy also provides a platform to the provinces for better and greener Pakistan, Minister added.
National Forest must be needed in all cities specially in HOT / Low Rain Area