Steps urged to conserve Chitral's meagre 4pc forest cover

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saidul Islam, Coordinator Conservator WWF-Pakistan Chitral, said: “Forest plays a dynamic role in the ecosystem and increase in forest cover is vital for healthy environment especially for the people living in uplands mountain ecosystem.” He said the total forest cover of District Chitral is only 4 per cent which was supporting the biologically important flora and fauna and participatory approach is needed to conserve these resources for the survival of the inhabitants. Special lectures on forest conservation and biodiversity were also organized for the students and a special quiz competition was also organized to encourage the students to participate more in the event. Speaking to the event the participants said that forest is necessary for the survival human and wildlife and being a Muslim it’s our responsibility to protect our forest and to plant more trees. At the end of the event mass plantation was also conducted and 20,000 saplings of multipurpose trees species were distributed among the local people for further plantation in the vicinity. Officials from Forest and Wildlife Departments, members of Village Conservation Committees, local people and students participated in the celebration of world forest day. Meanwhile, the Chitral Heritage and Environment Protection society (CHEPS) as a part of “Clean and Green Pakistan” campaign celebrated International Forest Day 2017 at The City School Rawalpindi. Students, teachers and parents attended this event, focused on the survival of “Juniper tree” which is endangered because of uncontrolled deforestation. The members of CHEPS interacted with the participants to take theirview about environmental problems and the possible solutions to them. The session was also integrated with a drawing competition and outdoor activities for the children to aware them about the importance of the environment. Mr. Rehmat Ali Jaffar, Chairman CHEPS, in his speech elaborated the importance of personal approach in enhancing sustainability and protection of the environment. He urged that parents and teachers must educate the children about environment as they are foundation fabricator of the nation’s next generation. Arfaa Sabah, a member of CHEPS talked about the technical issues raised because of deforestation and environmental degradation. She explained the phenomenon of Climate Change to the participants and enlightened the possible measures to combat this global issue. She said that forests provide one of the most cost-effective and efficient natural carbon capture and storage systems. Reducing deforestation and forest degradation lowers greenhouse gas emissions and increases carbon sequestration. Conserving and enhancing healthy forests also helps adapt to climate change and strengthens climate resilience of communities. At the conclusion of the session, CHEPS and City School Rawalpindi decided to partner in such activities in future that will be under the manifesto of “Clean and Green Pakistan”. The winners of the drawing competition were offered free membership of CHEPS by Mr. Rehmat Ali Jaffar. The management staff of the school also promised to educate the students about the environmental problems. As a symbol of partnership and International Forest day celebration a plantation ceremony was also done at the school.–Salimullah Khan Ayubi]]>