International Day of Forests: ‘Country’s forest net reduces by 50% in three decades’

Experts call for taking steps to counter issues of climate changes

FAISALABAD: It is a matter of concern that forest net has reduced by 50% in the country in three decades due to urbanisation, increasing population, and deforestation.  It stands at 1.9% while it was 4.5% in 1990.

This was revealed by experts during a panel discussion on International Day of Forests 2018. The event was arranged by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Southern Punjab Forest Company (SPFC), and Hashoo Foundation at Centre for Advanced Studies Auditorium, a press release issued on Wednesday stated.

The panel discussion was chaired by UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar, while SPFC Chief Executive Officer Tahir Rasheed, Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Muhammad Amjad,   Hashoo Foundation Senior Programme Manager Arif Rahman and other notables also spoke.

UAF Vice-Chancellor Iqbal Zafar said that low forest net was causing different challenges including climate change, pollution, drought, heavy floods, and the outbreak of new diseases.

He added the international standard of forests was 25%. He said that due to ever-increasing population, fertile agricultural land was being covered into residential colonies. “Trees reduce 50% carbon dioxide emission. It is chopped down or burnt which aggravates the issue of climate changes.”



He called for taking tangible steps to fight the situation with enhanced awareness and collective efforts on the part of the all stakeholders.

The VC said that increasing population was causing different problems for the people. “If population growth is controlled, it will help address different challenges.”

SPFC CEO Tahir Rasheed said the strategic placement of trees in urban areas could cool the air by eight degrees Celsius, thus protecting cities from the impacts of heat waves and increasing temperatures.

He added that the initiative of Punjab government to control deforestation will lead to afforestation of 130 million trees in South Punjab, reduce carbon emissions up to 25 million tonnes, create 15,000 green jobs, circulation of Rs240 billion in the economy etc.

Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Muhammad Amjad said, “Instead of increase in our forest net, it is decreasing.”

He said, “Trees are essential part of healthy environment. The society should play its role in plantation.”  He called for taking measures to improve urban forest cover for a sustainable future.

He said that the theme for this year’s International Day is ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’ as cities account for heavy global carbon emissions.

Similarly, UAF Professor Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha said that environmental degradation was posing a serious threat to life on earth. “The deforestation, industrialisation and urbanisation are among the major challenges of ecosystem degradation and deterioration.”

He said with deforestation, increasing pollution, and smoke emitting from the chunk of factories,   the issue of climate changes was aggravating with each passing day.

He elaborated that the world temperature could rise by 2 Celsius by the end of this century if tangible measures were not adopted.

Chattha said, “Our environment is witnessing new agro diseases and agriculture challenges due to climate changes.” He called for creating awareness among the people about the issue.

Hashoo Foundation Senior Program Manager Arif Rehman said amid the challenges of climate changes, it was essential to increase urban forests to tackle the issue of heat islands.

He called for importance of public-private partnerships to help raise awareness and introduce solutions towards creating urban forests.

Later, an awareness walk, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqbal Zafar, was held at UAF campus.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2018.