To curb the rising temperature and melting glaciers maximizing Green cover is the need of the day

A seminar was organized to commemorate the International Day of Forests by IUCN, International Union for Conservation Nature and the Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, the Capital Development Authority, Bahria University at Bahria University, Islamabad Campus with an objective to highlight the importance of the International Day of Forest. The theme of the year 2016 is: “Forest and Water”.

While elaborating the significance of forests Abdul Munaf Qaimkhani, Deputy Inspector General Forests, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan said that in order to reduce the rising temperature and melting glaciers it is imperative that we should devote our energies towards bringing maximum area under green cover. He further said that the vision of the Prime Minister for our Green Pakistan Programme is to green the country on the lines of the Great Green Wall of China; and the Ministry of Climate Change has already started working on his directives.  He expressed his shock that the main species used by the Chinese is Ubhaan (Populus Euphratica) that is a native of Pakistan that once used to be aplenty in our riverine ecosystems and now it is on the verge of extinction in Pakistan.

He also informed that some of the provinces have already started planting this specie in the current spring tree plantation campaign. Similarly, many forgotten local trees are in the focus of the Ministry of Climate Change, one of them is Sohnajna (Moringa), which is also called the Miracle tree.

Zill-e-Huma, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Climate Change made a presentation. She said that despite of all these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate. The rate of destruction is 13 million hectares of forest per annum. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Zill-e-Huma further informed that the theme of the International Day of Forests today is very important and relevant to Pakistan at a time when we are in the final round to approve the National Forest Policy that has practical recommendations on wise use of our wetlands and flood waters sustainably. Floods in fact have the potential to recharge and bring along a large amount of freshwater for storage.

Sanaullah Aman, Member Capital Development Authority (CDA) made a detailed presentation on the Green Islamabad Programme of Capital Development Authority. Moreover, he informed about the practical steps being taken by CDA to reduce environmental degradation and make Islamabad greener and beautiful.

Sofia Khalid, Assistant Professor, Environmental Science Department, Representative Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi made a presentation on the role of academia in research collaboration on Forest and Water.

Fauzia Bilqis Malik, a Forestry Expert at IUCN Islamabad Office highlighted the global and local achievements and work of IUCN in the conservation of forests. Fauzia Bilqis Malik also informed that every year on the International Day of Forests we celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect us. This year we are raising awareness on how forests are essential for the biodiversity conservation and improved water resource management.

Representatives of Ministry of Climate Change, Capital Development Authority and other organizations appreciated the efforts of IUCN in climate change. Moreover, students of Bahria University and Fatima Jinnah University displayed posters with meaningful messages of forest and climate change.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Rear Admiral, Saleem Akhtar, Pro-Rector/ Director General, Bahria University, Islamabad in which he emphasized on the role of educated youth in promoting forestation.