World environment day: ‘Pak forest cover to rise to 6% by 2015’

UNDP is working with Pakistan’s environment ministry to help the country achieve the environment related MDGs

ISLAMABAD: Under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Pakistan has committed to increasing its forest cover from an existing 5.2% to six per cent till 2015, Abid Mehmood, deputy secretary of the environment ministry, told participants at an event held in Islamabad to mark World Environment Day. Resident representative of the UN Development Programme Timo Pakkala said that this year’s theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service” highlights the critical importance of forest ecosystems in people’s lives, including providing a source of livelihood, reducing risks from natural disasters, refuge for many species and clean water and air for all. He said the UNDP was working with Pakistan’s environment ministry to help the country achieve the MDGs with respect to environmental issues, including deforestation and forest degradation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2011.