KARACHI: Pakistan lost an average of approximately 43,000 hectares of forests - equivalent to half the size of Islamabad - every year between 2000 and 2010, WWF-Pakistan said on Friday. With only 5.7 percent of land (or around 4.54 million hectares) under forest cover, the country's deforestation rate is the second highest in Asia (after Afghanistan) and is well below the recommended cover of 25 percent.
The recent flash floods in parts of Balochistan, Kachho in Sindh and widespread rains in Karachi, Lahore and other cities call for a joint effort to mitigate the destructive impacts of climate change and plan effective strategy to deal with such situations.
On Pakistan Independence Day, WWF-Pakistan emphasizes adopting nature-based solutions, reviving natural waterways, halting deforestation, promoting environment-friendly tourism and conserving rainwater through effective and innovative storage systems in place at different scales.
WWF-Pakistan also appreciates Prime Minister Imran Khan's initiative to increase green cover and plant more trees across Pakistan. These plantation drives will help mitigate climate change impacts, protect wildlife and promote livelihoods coupled with creating more green jobs.
In the past year, from July 2019 to June 2020, WWF-Pakistan with support from relevant government departments, local communities and students planted approximately 670,000 saplings of various native trees including mangroves and fruit trees in different cities and rural areas in the country.
Estimates suggest that a single mature tree will sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide at an average of 50 pounds per year. It is expected that 670,000 trees planted on 600 hectares will sequester 15,195.36 metric tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
These plantations will also improve the groundwater table, mitigate sea intrusion and soil erosion, and enhance income generation opportunities for local communities including women.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan said that the organization is making efforts to protect Pakistan's threatened forests, incredible wildlife, precious freshwater and other natural resources. He said that no single organization can do this alone but this can be achieved by working together with Pakistanis. He appealed to the public to support conservation organizations in such campaigns, which help increase forest cover, conserve wildlife and protect the environment in the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020