Environment-friendly measures: FATA Secretariat’s quest to make Khyber Agency greener

Forest Department says it plans to cover 1,150 acres with forest


Asad Zia April 06, 2013
Rs750 million has been reserved to carry out plantation and protect natural forests. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR:


The Fata Secretariat’s series of drives to plant saplings in Khyber Agency aims to help cope with environmental issues and increasing timber prices in the region.


Khyber Agency Forestry Officer Hayat Khan told The Express Tribune that in 2009-2010, the department initiated schemes for accelerated tree plantation, barren lands and biodiversity in the agency, during which 1,820 acres of land was forested up till 2012.

Talking about the plantation campaign of 2012-2013, Khan said they intended to cover 1,150 acres, for which work began in January. So far, 850 acres of land in Jamrud and Mullagori has been covered, he added.



“The forestation will positively impact the environment and will also help reduce timber prices in the area,” Khan said. A total of Rs750 million has been reserved to carry out plantation and protect natural forests from 2007 till 2015, informed the forestry officer.

Khan explained that during 2012-2013, 12,400 acres have been covered with forest in Khyber Agency, with 435 saplings planted on each acre. In tehsil Landikotal, 1,300 acres have been planted with saplings, 250 acres in Maichani check post, 100 acres in Torkham, while 600 acres have been reserved in Landikotal for further forestation.



Shahid Khan, a resident of Landikotal, said currently they had to purchase timber at high prices because of non-availability in local markets. “Once the area has enough forest cover, the problem will be solved,” he said, adding the saplings planted should be properly maintained.

Another resident, Jameel Afridi said the mountains were once full of trees, but now bear a rugged look due to the various explosions and terrorism acts in the region.

A majority of people in the tribal areas depend on agriculture for their household needs, in addition to acquiring timber for firewood, vegetables for cooking and pasture for their livestock.

According to the Fata Secretariat’s Forest Department, 7% of the total area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) is covered by forests, 312,400 acres of which is natural forest, while 218,500 acres have been planted by Fata’s Forest Department.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

AzadPashtun | 10 years ago | Reply

Forest cover in FATA is 19.5% according to 2012 Land Survey by KP government. See this link http://dawn.com/2012/12/12/study-shows-3-3pc-increase-in-kp-forest-cover-2/

Nadeem | 10 years ago | Reply

For weather impact the best area of forestation in Khyber Agency the hills starting from Besai Ghar upto Michni Post. FC and Khasadars are posted there and the hills are in their control, no one can harm the newly planted forest. Volunteers from colleges and university can assist in plantation if approached and security cover provided.

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