Barren land turned into willow forest
CHITRAL: Residents of Noghpheli in Dizg village of Upper Chitral have converted a large tract of arid land into a rambling willow forest where community members worked relentlessly to make the plantation drive a success.
The over 30 acres of totally parched and dry plain near the village on Khruzg side along the Yarkhun River was unutilized for want of water till three years ago when it came to be irrigated by solar powered system lifting the water from the river.
Shafiquddin, Amir Nasir, Sher Faraz and others said three years ago the villagers resolved to launch block forestation but the major hurdles were the availability of water and supply of saplings for plantation.
They said an NGO included the plantation plan in its project and provided funds for supply of water as well as saplings of willow, the local species plant with highest survival rate, to the residents.
The landowners made desperate efforts to take care of the plants, thereby making the arid and dry land into a green patch, consisting of willow plants and fodder crop during the very first two years.