SDPI (2010) Pakistan Forest Digest

Quarterly
SDPI
Sustainable Development Policy Institute
English-Urdu
ISSN: 2218-8045 Vol. 01, No. 01, April - June 2010

SDPI
Quarterly
Pakistan Forest
Digest
Vol. 01, No. 01 ISBN: 2218-8045 April – June 2010
A selection of clippings on Forest issues

SDPI
Quarterly
Pakistan Forest
Digest
Vol. 01, No. 01 ISBN: 2218-8045 April – June 2010
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Sulehri
Executive Director
Sustainable Development Policy
Contents
Institute, Islamabad
Managing Editor P.
Dr. Babar Shahbaz No
University of Agriculture,
Faislabad
Introductions:
Sustainable Development Policy Pakistan Forest Digest v
About SDPI vi
Editorial Board About NCCR (North South) vii
Dr. Urs Geiser
Zurich University, Switzerland Summary viii
Dr. Mamoona Wali Muhammad Contents of Newspaper Clippings xi
Pakistan Forest Institute,
Peshawar Chapters:
Mr. Riaz Ahmad 01- Timber Mafia: Illegal Cutting & Smuggling 01
SUNGI Development 02- Forest Department 20
Foundation, Islamabad
03- Forest Fire 30
Miss Afshan Ahmed
Sustainable Development Policy 04- Forest Protection & Awareness 34
Institute, Islamabad 05- Forest & Environment 39
Technical Advisor 06- Orchards 42
Mr. Ahmad Salim
07- Miscellaneous 46
Layout & Design

Ali Aamer
Technical Assistants
Afsheen Naz & Zeeshan Ali
Pakistan Forest Digest iii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPI
Disclaimer!
Contents of Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) are obtained from the English and Urdu
newspapers and SDPI may not agree with the contents; and that apart from
English news clippings, the Urdu news clippings are also translated in English
and errors and omissions are expected.
Pakistan Forest Digest iv Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPI
Quarterly
Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD)

The Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) is a quarterly series of digests focused on the forest
related issues, government and non-government endeavors, community concerns and
rights reported by the leading Pakistani newspapers and periodicals.
The Digest covers news and views on legislation, rights and disputes, conservation and
rehabilitation projects, conferences, workshops and all other events and endeavors related
to the forests. The digest also includes research articles by the experts and academia and
the voices of the general public and stakeholders.
It is a compilation of the selected news items and articles appearing in the local
newspapers & periodicals. The monthly PFD covers The English dailies, The News
Rawalpindi/Islamabad, The Nation Islamabad, Dawn Islamabad, Business Recorder
Islamabad, - Urdu dailies Jang Rawalpidi, Nawa-Waqt Islamabad, Newspapers from
Peshawar Aaj, Masharaq, Shamal from Abbot Abad and Aazadi from Swat.
The PFD is supported by Partnership Action for Mitigation Syndrome (PAMS) project of
Swiss NCCR (North-South).
Views and comments to improve the digest are appreciated.
Email: forestd@sdpi.org
Pakistan Forest Digest v Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPI
About SDPI
Brief History • To serve as a source of expertise and
advisory services
The Sustainable Development Policy Institute for the government, private sector,
(SDPI) was founded in August 1992 on the and non-governmental initiatives
recommendation of the Pakistan National supporting the implementation of
Conservation Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan's environment and
Pakistan’s Agenda 21. SDPI is a policy- development agenda.
oriented research institute established to • To conduct policy-oriented research
produce quality policy research and advocate on sustainable development from a
democratic governance and pro-people broad multi-disciplinary perspective.
initiatives. It is registered under the Societies • To provide policy advice on matters
Registration Act, XXI of 1860. relating to the mission of the Institute.
• To contribute to strengthening the
Mandate social and physical infrastructure for
research in Pakistan including the
• To conduct policy advice, policy construction and dissemination of
oriented research and advocacy from a databases and research indices and the
broad multi-disciplinary perspective. improvement of library systems.
• To promote the implementation of • To initiate, establish and participate in
policies, programs, laws and collaborative advocacy and other
regulations based on sustainable activities with like-minded
development. organisations in and outside the
• To strengthen civil society and country.
facilitate civil society-government
interaction through collaboration with SDPI defines sustainable development as the
other organizations and activist enhancement of peace, social justice and
networks. well-being within and across generations.
• To disseminate research findings and SDPI produces knowledge–knowledge that
public education through the media, can enhance the capacity of government to
conferences, seminars, lectures, make informed policy decisions and to
publications and curricula engage civil society on issues of public
development, including the Citizens interest.
Report and State of the Environment
Report. The Institute acts as both a generator of
• To contribute to building up national original research on sustainable development
research capacity and infrastructure. issues and as an information resource for
concerned individuals and institutions.
Goals SDPI’s function is thus two-fold: an advisory
role fulfilled through research, policy advice
• To catalyze the transition towards and advocacy; and an enabling role realised
sustainable and just development in through providing other individuals and
Pakistan. organisations with resource materials
(training) to undertake NCS related activities.
Pakistan Forest Digest vi Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010
SDPI
About NCCR (North South)

The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Pakistan Research Group is a partner of the Swiss
National Center of Competence in Research North-South (NCCR N-S), financially supported by Swiss National
Science Foundation (SNF), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Swiss universities.
NCCR North-South Objectives
1. Capacity-building: To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in the South and

the North. In Pakistan, focus is on establishing research partnerships between SDPI and universities for
Master and PhD students.
2. Research: To undertake theory-led, empirical research on issues relevant to development. In

Pakistan, research concentrates on the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and focuses on four
themes:
• From vulnerability to resilience: gender, migration and social capital

• Development disparities on natural resource management
• Development policies and livelihood realities
3. Policy dialogue: To interact with policy makers and involved stakeholders on researched
development issues. The Pakistan Research Group interacts with civil society, state agencies and donors.
Lead partner in Pakistan is the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad. Associated
organizations are Agricultural University Faisalabad, and Agricultural University Peshawar. Main partner
in Switzerland is the Development Study Group, Zurich University (DSGZ).
Research of NCCR on Forests of Pakistan
NCCR has commissioned various researches on Forest which are conducted by renowned researchers.
Most recent Research on Forests of Pakistan is "Donor-driven" forest governance in northwest Pakistan -
challenges and future outlook conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2010. In this particular research
Forests of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, a province of Pakistan, is matter of discussion.
Apart from this, following researches have been conducted by NCCR;
Social Network Analysis of Stakeholders in the Context of Forest Related Development Interventions
in NWFP conducted by Sadia Kiran, 2009
Trust restores trees conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2009
Impact of participatory forest management on financial assets of rural communities in Northwest
Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Munir Ahmad, Babar Shahbaz, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2007
Analysis of myths and realities of deforestation in Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Babar Shahbaz,
Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2006
Most of the publications focus on the challenges and problems faced by forest in Pakistan. For detail
please visit: www.nccr-pakistan.org
Pakistan Forest Digest vii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPI
Summery
The forest digest is a compilation of Urdu and English news items on state of forests in Pakistan is back
and an attempt is being made to provide the readers objective information. Various news reports have
been categorised in sub headings and sub topics so that readers can follow them up in subsequent issues
of Pakistan Forest Digest.
Current issue covers the news items from April to June 2010. News items such as Capital Development
Authority’s statement in the Senate of Pakistan that it removed 14228 trees in Islamabad over last five
years; or the report that sixty thousand hectare area under forest has been deforested since 1947 (almost
1000 hectare per year) reveal that forests are still being subjected to usual neglect and policy disconnect
in Pakistan. The news items also reflect that forest department officials, timber contractors (read timber
mafia), police, and ordinary citizens are all equally involved in illegal forest harvesting; no doubt many
analysts believe that Pakistan’s growing vulnerabilities to climate change is partly due to increased
deforestation.
It is evident from news items in “Forest Department” section of this digest that 18.5 percent of forest area
has been turned into non forest area so far. There are reports of pilferage of provincial forest department
funds; there are reports that forest department is under huge influence of timber contractors; there are
also reports that timber is being smuggled in connivance with forest department officials. On top of it
there are reports that people are pleading for reforestation drive to regain area under forests.
Illegal timber harvesting is not the only cause of deforestation. Every year many precious trees are
destroyed by incidental fire. During last quarter fire broke out in forests of Koh Sheikh Badin, Parrhana,
Konish Valley, Koh Tinghlai, and Marghala hills leading to deforestation in vast areas. Traditionally
human error was perceived to be the major cause of such fire. However, ongoing war on terror is also
playing its role here. During June 2010, fire broke out in forests of Zoba due to five marter shells that hit
this area.
Experts say that for environmental sustainability, a minimum of 25 percent area of a country should be
under forests. However for Pakistan only 5.1 percent area is under forests. No wonder that Urdu as well
as English media is univocal in warning that deforestation in Pakistan as slow Tsunami leading to rapid
climate change.
Media reports in the section titled “Forest Conservation” not only emphasise on importance of forest
conservation but also highlight the role that youth can play in environmental protection. In one of the
articles it is mentioned that forest conservation is not possible without bringing an amendment in Forest
Act of 1927. The loopholes in Forest Act 1927 are allegedly leading to increase in illegal timbre
harvesting at the rate of 30 percent per annum.
This is just a brief introduction of Pakistan Forest Digest and its contents. In the months to come we are
also planning to include key informant interviews and expert analysis in this digest. Please do provide
your feedback on how to improve its quality and contents. We look forward to your valued opinion.
Pakistan Forest Digest viii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPI
Contents of Newspaper Clippings

Chapter 01 Nawazabad forest check post has become a
Timber Mafia – Illegal Cutting & Smuggling gold mine for corrupt forest official
Page 08
CDA cut 14,428 trees in five years, Senate told
Page 01 Haripur Forest Department fails to protect Shisham
trees
Forest land retrieved from encroachers Page 08
Page 01
Galiat: Timber smuggling is taking place every day
Deforestation expands Page 08
Page 02
Smuggling of valuable timber out of Haripur and
‘Pakistan has highest annual deforestation rate in Asia’ adjoining areas at its peak
Page 03 Page 09
Over 60,000 hectares of forests lost since Timber smuggling at its peak as water flow from
independence: report Tarbela Lake increase
Page 04 Page 09
Illegal cutting of trees continues Sher Garh forests turn into empty lands
Page 05 Page 09
Killing of trees cuts deep into Islamabad’s green Closure of Timber Market in Chakdara will not be
character allowed at any cost, APC
Page 05 Page 10
Jabar, Commission mafia earns millions in

English Translations of Urdu Clippings construction of forest guest house
Protest in Oghi against reckless cutting of trees and Page 10
smuggling of timber
Page 06 Shinkiari: Reckless cutting of forests continues
Page 10
Stop cutting trees in Satellite Town: Residents
Page 06 Department’s collusion, deforestation continues
unabated in Mari
Bid to smuggle timber worth a huge amount of money Page 11
foiled; Accused arrested
Page 06 Raid by Forest officials in Madyan, precious timber
recovered
Dhadar: Locals unite against reckless cutting of forests Page 11
Page 07
Attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled in Oghi
Protection of forests, plan of Dural Dam should be Page 11
modified: Malik Didar
Page 07 Minister belonging to the other side of Attock struck a
deal of Hazara forests with big fish of timber mafia
Ahal: forest department remains oblivious; forests are Page 12
being cut like vegetables
Page 07 Pay attention to reckless cutting of forests: Tasleem
Khan
Shinkirai: Mohammad Iqbal should be appointed Page 12
SDFO
Page 08 Forests on hills in Galiyat should be protected
Page 12
Pakistan Forest Digest ix Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPI
Take action against timber smugglers in Haripur Thandiani: Connivance of timber smugglers
Page 12 and forest department; forests turning into
empty lands
Dhadar: Officials at check post have given free hand to Page 17
timber smugglers
Page 13 Saran Division: Precious forests handed
over to timber smugglers in the name of
Cutting of trees in Konish valley should be stopped departmental harvest
Page 13 Page 17
Sarai Naimat Khan: Truck loaded with timber slipped Illegal cutting of forests in Shergarh:
into gorge. 1 killed 4 seriously injured Page 18
Page 13
Influential timber mafia succeeded in smuggling out
Three arrested for cutting down trees illegally timber worth 2 million rupees
Page 14 Page 18
Increase in water level in Tarbela Lake, Timber Mafia Haripur: Police officials also involved in timber
gets active smuggling
Page 14 Page 18
Baldher: young man injured in a quarrel over cutting Timber smuggling across the lake: police officials start
wood making money
Page 14 Page 19
Cutting of trees is causing pollution, Mansoor Kundi Tarbela Lake timber smugglers:
Page 14 Page 19
Achhrian: Trees being cut recklessly under the pretext

of permits; forests turning into empty land Chapter 02
Page 15 Forest Department
Mansehra: Cutting of trees continues at Koh Tanglai Neem becomes Sindh’s official tree
Page 15 Page 20
Aijaz Qadir appointed DFO, Timber smugglers go in Annihilation of forests in Punjab (Letter to Editor)
hiding Page 20
Page 15
18.5% of forestland converted into non-forest uses
Saran valley: Forest management committees become Page 21
inactive, forests are being destroyed
Page 16 English Translations of Urdu Clippings
Domail: low quality material used in construction of
Awami Forestry Ittehad meeting: protection of forests forest guest house
and planting of trees discussed Page 22
Page 16
Millions of rupees are lost because of negligence in
Mansehra: Contractors find a novel way of smuggling protecting trees
timber Page 23
Page 16
One forest guard at every 200 acres of forest world
Battal: valuable trees are being cut recklessly: Forest over; one forest guard for every 3000 acres in Pakistan
owners threaten to start protest Page 23
Page 17
Government cannot protest national forests: Aijaz
Oghi: Forest department registers FIR against four Ahmed
timber smugglers Page 23
Page 17
Pakistan Forest Digest x Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

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Hazara Division: Forest being destroyed over vast area Thousands of feet of marked timber might
Page 23 be lost in Hazara forests
Page 28
Ruthless cutting of trees continues with the connivance
of officials of forest department Shergarh: Reckless cutting of forests;
Page 24 Inquiry launched against five officials
including forester
Battal: forest department adopts effective strategy; Page 28
timber smugglers go in hiding
Page 24 Rawalpindi Administration should take measures to
make the city green: Sanaullah Akhtar
Galiyat: forest department sets new record by planting Page 29
300,000 plants
Page 24 Ghazi, police allowed truck loaded with timber to pass
without informing forest department
Houses are being built in Khan Kalan forests Page 29
Page 25
Ghazi: Range officer taking bribe destroying forests, Chapter 03

DFO also gets his share Forest Fire
Page 25
English Translations of Urdu Clippings
Kand Bate: Performance of forest officials is Fire breaks out in Shiekh Badin Hills
satisfactory—popular circles Page 30
Page 25
Fire in Shiekh Badin forest under control after two
Forestry Ittehad demands increase in forest royalty to days
80 percent Page 30
Page 25
Fire engulfs Margalla hills; 16 firefighters fainted
FBR allows export of poplar trees to Afghanistan Page 30
Page 26
Darband: Police impounds two vehicles loaded with
Janglan: Two vehicles loaded with timber caught; five timber
people arrested Page 31
Page 26
Shinkiari: Forests on fire, Wildlife faces destruction
Writ petition filed by provincial forest department Page 31
dismissed; Forest Society Domail and Deolai restored
Page 27 Dhok Gakhhar: Fire in forests under control
Page 31
Up gradation of scale was a longstanding demand of
the employees of forest department Kundbait: Forest officials set forest on fire to hide their
Page 27 corruption
Page 32
Khairabad: Attempt to smuggle timber foiled
Page 27 Parhna: Fire in forests burning animals and birds
Page 32
Cutting of forests in Dir Bala will not be tolerated at
any cost Konish Valley: Forests on Tanglai hills catch fire
Page 27 Page 32
Timber smuggled via Tarbela Lake; FC carries out raid Forest catches fire as mortars fired by NATO troops
Page 28 fall on Pakistani territory
Page 33
Saran, DFO is playing important role for protection of
forests: people of the area
Page 28
Pakistan Forest Digest xi Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPI
Chapter 04 Provincial government given notice to make

Forest Protection & Awareness Peshawar city of gardens
Page 44
Forest protection programme (Letter to Editor)
Page 34 Orchards under threat of being washed away
Page 44
Students help in sprucing up park
Page 34 Chapter 07
Miscellaneous
Need to revamp forest resources
Page 35 ‘kachnar’ augments beauty of twin city
Page 46
Increase in forest area is not possible without Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal (Letter to Editor)
amending the Forest Act Page 47
Page 36
Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal (Letter to Editor)
Two killed in Salarzai on dispute over trees Page 47
Page 37
Woodland Carnival celebrated at City School
Mansehra: Forest guide injures labourer with an axe Page 47
Page 38
World's forest covers shrinking: report
Dir forest association meets; demands facilities Page 48
Page 38
Holy Trees
Chapter 05 Page 49
Forest & Environment
BB road to have pine trees
English Translations of Urdu Clippings Page 49
Deforestation in Chitral: An environmental tsunami
Page 39 Problematic palm trees
Page 49
Swat: do not cut more trees
Page 40 A walk through the jungle
Page 50
Mountains, Forests Glaciers and Rivers are valuable
assets of the province: Wajid Ali Khan English Translations of Urdu Clippings
Page 40 Haripur: Hundreds of trees cut down during strikes
Page 52
Seminar and declamation contest held at forest institute
Page 41 Entry of Afghan shepherds should be banned in Jabar,
Deolai area
Peach and plum orchard destroyed by mysterious Page 52
disease
Page 41 Baffa, eyewitness say fuel wood on roadside caused
accident
Chapter 06 Page 52
Orchards
Cultivation of Chinese fruit plant “Hep Haffe” should
‘No botanical survey ever done in country’ be promoted: Governor
Page 42 Page 53
English Translations of Urdu Clippings Trees, Taliban and the military

Unidentified persons cut 1000 loquat trees Page 53
Page 43
Pakistan Forest Digest xii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Save me for a good future
SDPI
Chapter 01
Timber Mafia –
Illegal Cutting & Smuggling
CDA cut 14,428 trees in five years, Senate told

Daily Times Islamabad, April 02, 2010
• Minister says 6,942 trees phased manner to avoid loss of accommodation will be got
in urban areas and 60,000 green cover in Islamabad abruptly. vacated and would be allotted to
in slums of the federal official requiring accommodation.
capital will be removed in Responding to supplementary
phases questions, he said these trees were Water supply: Responding to
• Water supply system gradually being replaced with another question, Gul said
being upgraded other environment-friendly trees Islamabad water supply system
so that the greenery of the Federal was being upgraded, reconstructed
ISLAMABD: Capital Capital could not affect. and rehabilitated.
Development Authority (CDA) cut
down as many 14,428 trees Houses: Replying to another He said in order to meet water
causing pollen allergy in question he said a total 1,791 demand of the Federal Capital,
Islamabad during the last five houses of different category stand CDA had made a proposal for
years, Minister in charge of the constructed by CDA for its execution of water supply from
Cabinet Division Nawabzada employees. Indus River System at Tarbela
Ghazanfer Gul told the Senate on Dam to the twin cities of
Thursday. He said 497 houses were Islamabad and Rawalpindi and
constructed in Sector G-6, 446 in upgrading water supply system.
Responding to a question during G-7, 93 in G-8, 417 in G-9, 130 in
the question hour session, he said G-10, 108 in F-6, 15 in F-7, 79 in Members from NWFP raised
despite the efforts of the I-8, six in I-9 and six in G-6 concerns over water supply from
Authority, still 6,942 trees in urban Doctor Colony. Tarbela Dam, however the Leader
areas and 60,000 in the slums of of the House Syed Nayyer Hussain
the federal capital existed. He said in deserving cases officers Bokhari said the government was
and officials were granted considering the proposal and no
He said such trees in urban areas extension under Rule 29-A of unjust would be done with any
of Islamabad would be removed AAR-2002. On completion of province. APP
gradually in next three years, in extension period the
Forest land retrieved from encroachers

Dawn Islamabad, May, 23, 2010
By Abid Fazil Abbasi, MURREE, demarcation being carried out by on the directives of Lahore High
May 22: The ongoing land the forest and revenue departments Court in Murree has led to
Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPI
retrieval of over 2,700 kanals of OGDC administration

forest land from the encroachers. Similarly, 373 kanals of had been proved fake as
‘developed’ land has been marked no such transfers were
Out of the retrieved land, about as encroached by Oil & Gas registered with the
2,300 kanals was under the alleged Development Corporation revenue department. He
occupation of Bahria Town. (OGDC) Housing Scheme, the said according to the
official added. official record, the total
Conservator Forest Department land in Khasra No 181 was 960
Rawalpindi Dr Rafiq confirmed The locals said about 800 kanals kanals against 3,400 kanals that is
that 61 kanals of land was still forest land was still under under illegal occupation.
under the illegal occupation of encroachment of OGDC Town.
Bahria Town on which it had The ongoing demarcation has also
carried out development work for According to the revenue detected 75 kanals as encroached
its Safari Bungalows at Golf City department record, the total land in by Sanam Garden Housing
adjacent to Murree Expressway. Khasra No 181 is 960 kanals out Scheme on Rawalpindi-Murree-
of which 550 kanals was Kashmir Road (RMK) near
He said two cases had already purchased by Judicial Town in Chattar.
been registered with the Murree 1986. But about 1,100 kanals from
police against the administration the same Khasra has been According to the DFO, about 20
of the housing society for ‘purchased’ by OGDC from the kanals land has been shown as
encroaching on the 61 kanals of local land mafia while 1,200 encroached by influential people at
forest land. kanals is under the occupation of Neer Goli village on Burbhan
the locals. The official said how it road.
He said the boundary pillars of the could be possible without
forest department were relocated encroachment on the land. He vowed to continue the drive
which, according to him, had been and vacate all the land encroached
removed by the encroachers in According to the divisional forest upon by the land mafia.
connivance with some forest officer Murree, the record
department officials. submitted to the High Court by the
Deforestation expands
Dawn Islamabad, June 14, 2010
By Zain Daudpoto as “vanished land” and recommended to the chief

UNDER the Millennium Development Goals minister to include it in lease schedule. The land was
(MDGs), Pakistan had agreed to raise forest cover to leased to the applicants for five years.
seven per cent of total land by 2015 from current less
than four per cent. Under the agro forestry policy, the maximum lease
But forests are depleting and their quality is also area eligible for a single applicant was 40 acres, but
deteriorating. Among all types, the riverine forests after signing on lease agreement, the lessee
are the hardest-hit in Sindh. deforested several times more area in adjacent forest
Agro Forest Policy 2004, implemented in 2005, or in the vicinity of his lease area. In some cases, the
proved counterproductive. Trees were cut down and farmers grabbed whole forest area. The agro forestry
the land was leased for agriculture purpose to the policy did not only destroy the forest cover but badly
influential people. This policy was intended to affected the ecosystem, environment and livelihood
improve forest cover on vanished forest land through of people in Riverine area of Sindh.
an incentive, allowing cultivation of 75 per cent of
agriculture crop area while planting trees on Riverine area of Sindh was producing milk, meat,
remaining 25 per cent area. In absence of an effective fish, local honey, herbals and other food items, but
monitoring system, the “reforestation policy” proved now many people lost their livelihood.
“deforestation policy”.
Lessees and land grabbers destroyed natural water
Just after policy notification in 2005, influential network which recharges thousands of natural small
landlords started cutting the forests. After lakes even in low flooding water in Riverine areas,
deforestation, the forest department declared the land which was the livelihood of local fish catchers.

SDPI
names and have submitted applications for

lease. The forest officials have identified
lands on these applications. These lands
are supposedly in the names of poor
people.
The Samas of Sekhat who are cultivating

crops on the forest land have also given applications
to the forest minister for leasing out land in Khebrani
Forest in the names of widows and poor people.
To ensure positive outcome, policy should be

prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders
including civil society and experts from environment,
forestry, agriculture, irrigation, fisheries, economics
etc. An autonomous board with representation of all
Wild life of Riverine area including Hog deer, stakeholders should review and discuss the proposed
vulture, peacock, and other precious animals and policy document for finalisation, approval and
birds has been badly hit. Riverine area of Indus implementation.
recharges the sweet water stores all over Sindh. After
installation of thousands of tube wells in Riverine Green courts or environmental tribunals should be set
area for agriculture purpose especially when Indus is up at district level to take up the cases regarding
getting less water the natural network system is not cutting of trees or deliberate fire in the forests.
recharging in required quantity.
Vigilance committees should be set up at district
The present government immediately imposed ban level headed by the session judge of the district to
on lease on forest lands. But it did not follow up its monitor the implementation of the leased out lands
decision with environment-friendly and pro-poor and provide support to the forest protection
forest policy. committees.
The newspaper advertisements in April 2010 by the All the remaining forest cover area should be
Sindh forests minister giving deadline for voluntarily declared as protected areas and should be recorded
vacating the forests lands did not bring any results. through GIS mapping system. The preservation of
Big landlords have started collecting CNICs from the forest should be ensured by continuous monitoring.
widows and helpless people to get lease in their
‘Pakistan has highest annual deforestation rate in Asia’

By Bhagwandas international commitments under a ban on forest land conversions,

Karachi, June 24: While forests the Millennium Development commercial harvesting and
currently cover only 2.5 per cent Goals to increase its forest cover allotments; spread of awareness
of the country’s land, Pakistan has from 2.5 per cent to six per cent by among lawmakers for proper
the highest annual deforestation 2015. legislation to restrict land
rate in Asia, according to the latest conversions; and recovery of
findings of the World Wide Fund The report says that more than forest land from encroachers and
for Nature. 61,000 hectares (approx. over its subsequent reforestation.
151,500 acres) of forest land have
The WWF report, which is being been converted to non-forest use in In extremely important cases
launched on Friday, warns that if the country since its inception. where conversion of forest lands
the current deforestation rate of becomes unavoidable, necessary
2.1 per cent and trend of land The urgent measures provisions in the law must be
conversion from forest to other recommended to the relevant made for compensatory forestation
uses is not checked, the country authorities to curb the negative on twice the land being converted /
will not be able to meet its trend are immediate placement of allotted, the report recommends.

SDPI
way the WWF tally of forest land College of Engineering

Mangroves depletion on the top conversion becomes 151,548 and Technology,
Over 4.242 million hectares in the acres. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali
country were forest land in 1992. Bhutto Institute of
However, it declined to 3.44 Beneficiaries Science and
million hectares by 2001, the While forest lands have been given Technology, Aga Khan
report says. to various government University, Sindh
departments, some civilians and Madressah, and Indus Valley
The highest rate of deforestation non-government/commercial School of Arts and Architecture.
has been found in the Indus delta organisations also have got the In Punjab, the people and
mangroves, which has depleted at forest land allotted in their name in organisations having obtained the
a rate of around 2.3 per cent, while an exchange. forest land include H. Syed
the coniferous forest depleted at Mohammad Ishaq, Malik Khalid
1.99 per cent and ravine forests at Some of the beneficiaries in Sindh for chairlift in Bansra Gali, Brig
0.23 per cent. include Pir Syed Shah Mardan Mohammad Aslam Khan for
Shah, Pir S. Sibghatullah Rashdi, Shangrila Hotel in Murree, Pearl
The WWF report says that over Pir Syed Nadir Ali Shah, Abdullah Continental Hotel in Bhurban,
99,711 acres of forest land in Fakir, Kamat Fakir, Syed Redco for hotel in Bhurban,
Punjab and 27,874-acre forests in Mohammad Qaim Shah, Ghulam Youths Hostel in Bhurban, Zafar
Sindh have been converted to non- Nabi, Ghluam Rasool and Iqbal for houses in Murree, for
forest uses. In this regard, it says, Abdullah Sanjarani, Chaudhry chairlift in Patriata, InstaPhone,
the beneficiaries remain some Mohammad Ashraf and Ghulam Journalists Housing Colony, and
government departments, Haider Ghalio. Punjab Government Servants
politicians and other influential Housing Foundation.
people having close contact with The government and private
respective governments. organisations having got the forest In Balochistan, a CNG company
A province-wise breakdown of land in and around Karachi include and SOS children’s village have
forest land converted to other uses the Defence Housing Authority, been given forest land in Quetta.
shows that Punjab tops the list which has been provided with the
with conversion of 99,711 acres, largest chunk of over 11,500 acres, In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
followed by Sindh with 27,874 the city district government of beneficiaries include Mohammad
acres, Balochistan with 13,693 Karachi for garbage dump, Sir Pervaiz Khan and PMA hut in
acres, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Syed University of Engineering Naran; Pakistan Youth Hostel in
9,692 acres, and Azad Jammu and and Technology, Barrette Hodgson Sharan, Hotel Pine Park Complex
Kashmir with only 577 acres. This Education Institution, Dawood in Shogran.
Over 60,000 hectares of forests lost

since independence: report
By A Reporter shocking to observe that Pakistan Committee of WWF-Pakistan Dr

ISLAMABAD, June 25: More has only 2.5 per cent area covered Kausar Abdullah Malik at the
than 61,000 hectares of forests with forest and the rate of National Press Club here on
have been converted into non- deforestation is alarming.” Friday.
forest land since independence of
the country and the decrease in The report titled, ‘Conversion of Dr Malik said Pakistan had the
forest area continues due to Forests to Non- Forest Uses in highest rate of deforestation in
various factors including weak Pakistan’ said Punjab took the lead Asia and the rapid deforestation
regulatory enforcements, the for conversion of forests into other continued at the rate of 2.1 per
WWF-Pakistan has said. uses compared to the remaining cent annually.
provinces in the country.
The recent report, launched by the Other panelists present on the
World Wide Fund for Nature – The report was presented by occasion were Inspector General
Pakistan chapter, said: “It was Chairman of the Scientific of Forests, Ministry of

SDPI
Environment, Syed Mehmood converted while 27,874 acres were greenhouse gases,
Nasir, former inspector general of converted to non-forest land in which were impacting
forests Dr Basher Ahmad Wani, Sindh. climate change.
WWF-Pakistan Director-General
Ali Hassan Habib and The speakers said the government Dr Malik said forests
environmental scientist Dr Abdul had set a target to cover six per absorbed water and the
Aleem Chaudhry. cent of the country’s land with filtered waters were
forests by 2015, however little made available for consumption in
Dr Wani said the largest progress had been made in this the water bodies and also
conversion of forest land into non- regard. They said forests were improved ground water level.
forest use had been done in Punjab important in fight against
where 99,711 acres had been
Illegal cutting of trees continues

The Nation Islamabad, June 28, 2010
ISLAMABAD (Online) The besides cutting trees, the trees trees is causing environmental
illegal cutting of trees continues in have been dried on Jinnah Avenue, pollution and causing
the Islamabad by different ways, Margalla Road and Agha Shai inconvenience to people. It is also
which has affected natural look of Avenue due to inattention of noted that the increasing number
the capital. authorities concerned. of vehicles and smoke emitting
factories have already increased
The citizens have underlined that They said that the less number of the ratio of pollution ill the capital.
Killing of trees cuts deep into Islamabad’s green character

Daily Times Islamabad, June 29, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The illegal cutting were planted in Margallah Hills which are mostly ignited because
of trees across the federal capital is National Park and 125,000 of some commercial or individual
spoiling its green character. It is saplings in Simly Dam’s gains.
also harming city’s natural catchments.
environment already facing threats Deputy Director General
owing to immense development Under three-year ‘Clean and Environment Malik Auliya told
activities. Green Islamabad Campaign’, this news agency that the
which started in Monsoon-2008, Authority has deployed sufficient
Individuals as well as the timber the CDA has so far planted workforce in hilly as well as urban
mafia are actively engaged in 1,164,000 plants in three seasons areas, including security guards
chopping of trees both from urban against a target of 2,400,000 and foresters who act against the
area of the federal capital or plants. choppers in the light of Landscape
Margalla Hills National Park. Ordinance.
According to environmentalists,
In this spring season, the Capital hundreds of saplings can never be He said the penalties are imposed
Development Authority (CDA) a substitute to a grown tree. The on the choppers according to the
has planted 400,000 saplings CDA has failed to develop any size of the wood carried by the
across the federal capital as part of mechanism to ensure the growth of person.
ongoing 50-year celebrations of these saplings and their protection
Islamabad. as most of them are either Malik Auliya said the Authority
uprooted or die due to extreme has also formed a special team to
Almost 275,000 saplings were weather conditions. conduct surprise raids and act on
planted in regional areas, including complaints registered by the
Margallah Hills and Simly In Maragalla Hills, hundreds of people. APP
Catchments. Around 150,000 trees trees are gutted in summer fires,

SDPI
Protest in Oghi against reckless cutting of trees and

smuggling of timber
• Officials of Forest Department are also involved in illegal cutting;
• Timber mafia has been given a free hand.
• Committees have been formed to protect forests. Action will be taken:
Speakers address the meeting
Daily Jang, Rawalpindi, April 15, 2010
Oghi – People of Upper Tanawal Mohammad Miskeen and other This will cause excess silting in
strongly protested against the participants. The speakers said Tarbela Dam reservoir. The
reckless cutting of trees and that the forests are being cut speakers said that this was a
unchecked smuggling of timber ruthlessly with the collusion of the question of future and survival of
from the government-owned officials of the Forest Department our coming generations.
forests of Doga Jampial, Karori, and timber is being smuggled out Committees for the protection of
and Jalo Gali. A protest rally was openly using Datsun trucks and forests were formed during the
held at Karori which was mules. The Forest Department has public meeting. Our foremost
addressed by former chairman given a free hand to the timber target would be the people who
Lala Qalandar Khan, President of mafia. If this amount of cutting of provide support to the timber
Forest Committee Malik Yunus, trees continues the forests will mafia at the local level, the
Mohammad Javed, Sirajuddin, very soon turn into bare lands. participants of the rally said.
Stop cutting trees in Satellite Town: Residents

Instead of cutting the trees new trees should be planted: residents demand
Rawalpindi (Lady Reporter) immediately be stopped and new occasion women residents of the
Office-bearers of social trees should be planted. On area Zenab Bibi, Samina Shaikh,
organizations and activists of the Tuesday the Tehsil Municipal Noreen Saeed and Noshaba Gul
civil society have condemned the Administration (TMA) cut condemned the cutting of trees by
cutting of trees along roadsides numerous trees in Chandni the TMA. Meanwhile, students
and in grounds in various areas of Chowk, Saidpur Road and other and teachers of the schools located
Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. They areas. The justification given by in these areas have also criticized
have demanded that mass the administration was that the the cutting of trees.
slaughter of trees should trees can cause accidents. On this
Bid to smuggle timber worth a huge amount of money foiled;

Accused arrested
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Islamabad, April 25, 2010
Kallar Saiydan (Our Correspondent) Punjab Highway smuggle timber worth a huge amount of money to
Patrolling Police during its patrol foiled an attempt to Bhakkar and arrested one of the accused. According to

SDPI
the details Umair Abbas the sub-inspector of Highway of Bhagsana area. The accused was trying to
Patrolling in Shah Khaki area was on routine patrol on smuggle this costly wood to Bhakkar. On
Chowa road. He stopped a suspicious pickup truck for the application from inspector Umair Abbas
search and recovered 17 logs of Chir Pine worth Kallar Saiydan Police has registered a case
45,000 rupees. He arrested the driver of the truck, and launched investigation.
Waheed son of Ayub resident of Changa Mira village
Dhadar: Locals unite against reckless cutting of forests

Committee formed for protection of forests;
Abrar Hussain nominated president; incompetence of officials criticized
Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 01, 2010
Dhadar (Shamal Correspondent) inefficiency of forest officials. forests and elected its members.
Residents of Dhadar held a Expressing concern over the Abrar Hussain was elected
meeting on the importance of situation notables of the area said president, Mian Ghulan Nabi vice
forests and reckless cutting of that all forests in the area will president, Mohammad Jan
trees. Residents of Dhadar vanish if cutting of forests secretary general, and Khalilur
enthusiastically attended the continues at the current pace. Rehman was elected treasure of
meeting which discussed issues Residents of Dhadar formed a the committee.
related with cutting of trees and committee for the protection of
Protection of forests, plan of Dural Dam should be

modified: Malik Didar
Forests will be destroyed if the dam is built according to the previous plan
Daily Azadi, Swat, May 05, 2010
Bahrain (Special Correspondent) destroyed if the dam is built handful of people want to build the
Addressing a Jirga (meeting of according to the previous plan. It dam according to the old plan.
tribal council) former provincial will also damage the irrigation This is their personal opinion. The
minister Malik Didar demanded system. If the dam is built under a community is of the view that the
that the plan of Dural Dam should new plan the environment will be dam should be built according to
be modified. Forests will be saved from being devastated. A the new plan and design.
Ahal: forest department remains oblivious;

forests are being cut like vegetables
Timber Mafia agents get a free hand; devastation of Green Gold at its peak
Konish Valley (Special barren lands. People of the area officials of the Forest Department
Correspondent) Due to criminal strongly protested against the are acting like silent spectators
neglect and corruption of the reckless cutting of trees. They after receiving bribes. These
Forest Department officials complained that the agents of views were expressed by Dr
valuable trees of Ahal Compart are timber mafia have gone out of Zaheer, a prominent social and
being cut like vegetables. Green control. Forest is depleting due to political activist of Ahal village.
Gold is being severely devastated. reckless cutting of trees in Ahal
Thick forests are turning into Compart of Tanglai Hill. The

SDPI
Shinkirai: Mohammad Iqbal should be

appointed SDFO
Mansehra (Special Correspondent) crowded press conference under person who can take the
senior forester Mohammad Iqbal the leadership of Nauroz Khan, responsibility of protecting the
should immediately be appointed Abdul Hameed Khan, Abdul Latif forests as he is the one who
SDFO Shinkiari if the department Khan. Water resources will also brought profit of hundreds of
wants to protect the Green Gold. increase if forests are protected. thousands of rupees from the
This was said by members of At the moment senior forester forests during his appointment in
forest protection committee in a Muhammad Iqbal is the only Saran Valley.
Nawazabad forest check post has become a gold mine

for corrupt forest official
Dhadar (Special Correspondent) the darkness of night. According timber pass during the night under
Nawazabad check post has to the details the forest check post their own protection. Community
become a gold mine for forest at Nawazabad-Domail has become circles have urged the DFO to
officials. The officials allow a gold mine for the forest officials. check the state of affairs so that
vehicles loaded with timber pass in They allow vehicles loaded with forests could be protected.
Haripur Forest Department fails to protect Shisham trees

Precious trees have been left at the mercy of timber mafia;
Silk route loses its beauty
Lora Chowk (Our Correspondent) Officials of Haripur Forest roadside but also prepared no
Forest Department has utterly Department have become a burden strategy to protect the trees already
failed to protect the shisham trees on the national exchequer. DCO planted. This gave the timber
planted along the Silk Route. Haripur should take disciplinary mafia an opportunity to cut trees
These precious trees have been left action against the forest officials fearlessly and make money. Even
at the mercy of timber mafia. so that the public discontent could at this moment precious wood is
Forest department officials have be eased. The Silk Road has lost lying at saw mills but the forest
closed their eyes. At the strike call its beauty due to the negligence of department is keeping silent after
given by Hazara Province the forest department officials. receiving bribe. Timber mafia is
Movement hundreds of big trees Cutting of trees along the roadside taking full advantage of the
were cut down from Jhari Kas to has caused severe pollution in the situation and is continuing its evil
Kholian Bala but the forest area. However, for unknown activities.
department failed to take action reason, the forest department not
against any of the violators. only did not plant trees along the
Galiat: Timber smuggling is taking place every day

Abbottabad (Special cubic feet of timber is being Abbottabad but the DFO and the
Correspondent) Thousands of smuggled out of Galiat area of forest officer are silent. Forests

SDPI
are a national asset and because of officials who are taking political wealth. Otherwise the
the forests tourists from all over advantage of their position. The people of Galiat will
the country visit Galiat. But high officials of the forest have no option but to
unfortunately these forests have department should adopt the right take to the streets.
been handed over to the forest ways and protect this national
Smuggling of valuable timber out of Haripur and

adjoining areas at its peak
Daily Aaj, Peshawar, May 11, 2010
Pind Kamal (Special disclosed that Precious timber is that it can pass through check
Correspondent) Timber smuggling being smuggled from Haripur and posts easily. This is severely
is at its peak. The officials of the adjoining areas. Timber is being damaging the scenic beauty of
Forest Department have failed in smuggled using different clever Maung.
curbing the smuggling. It has been methods of cutting it into pieces so
Timber smuggling at its peak as water flow

from Tarbela Lake increases
Dozens of launches smuggle timber every day in connivance with the forest
department. DFO is busy in collecting bribe
Gadwalian (Shamal Tarbela Lake increases the many folds ever since the present
Correspondent) Timber smuggling smuggling by timber mafia also DFO has been posted in Haripur.
via Tarbela Lake is at its peak. grows. Dozens of launches loaded The DFO counts his money earned
DFO Haripur has raised his with timber arrive at the bank of from timber smuggling sitting in
bribery rate as the smuggling has the lake near Bel Garan and Nara. an air conditioned room. People
increased. Precious forests of Timber is loaded in trucks and sent of the area have asked the
Hazara district are turning into to various cities of Punjab. commissioner to control
bare land. As the water flow in Timber smuggling has increased smuggling of timber.
Sher Garh forests turn into empty lands

Timber smuggling through vehicles and mules is continuing openly
Daily Shamal Abbottabad, May 16, 2010
Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) department sells standing trees. Aijaz, the president of reforms
Forests of Sher Garh range in Jalu Even at this moment there are committee and Haji Qalandar,
Gali, Chamial, Dogar, Bandi several chopped off trees in these former chairman and their
Shangli, are turning into empty areas. The forest officials set these supporters have urged the
lands. Forests are a gold mine for on fire. Loot sale of trees is secretary forest department and
timber mafia. Expensive timber is continuing in connivance with the other high officials to take
being smuggled out using Datsun forest officials. Degradation of immediate action against the
trucks and mules. The smuggling forests is a threat to Tarbela Dam people responsible for the
is going on openly and the range which is one of the largest dams in destruction of forests and also take
office and his staff is busy in the world. Yunus Khan president measures to save the remaining
making money. The forest of forest management committee, forests.

SDPI
Closure of Timber Market in Chakdara will not

be allowed at any cost, APC
Taking timber to another area for auction is economic murder of the
people of the area: Bedar Bakht
Chakdara (Aaj Correspondent) All president Mohammad Umar, market will not be shut down but
conspiracies to fail Chakdara Hussain Shah Yusufzai of ANP, the minister has gone back on his
timber market will be foiled. Saltanat Yar advocate of Jamaat e promise made during a meeting
Taking timber extracted from Dir Islami, Madad Khan, secretary with the representatives of the area
and Chitral forest areas to any general of JUI Adinzai, Zar Nasib saying that the issue discussed
other place for sale is an economic Khan, Maulana Gul Rahim, Ikram with him was not the closure of
slaughter of the local people. We Ghani Khan, Fakhruzzaman Chakdara market but shifting of
will make the lives of those people advocate, Ali Badshah of traders timber to Jahangira for auction.
miserable who try to snatch our association of Chakdara and others The minister did not clarify his
living. while addressing an all parties statement. The speakers said that
conference. The speakers said that timber was not being brought to
These views were expressed by provincial minister for forests Chakdara under a conspiracy to
Bedar Bakht the secretary general Wajid Ali Khan’s statement was close down the market there.
of People’s Party Sherpao, district encouraging that Chakdara timber
Jabar, Commission mafia earns millions in

construction of forest guest house
Jabar (Shamal Correspondent) Substandard material house in connivance with the NESPAK officials.
was used in construction of forest guest house in Surprisingly the department awarded the contract to a
Domail. Commission mafia has earned millions. Two little known company who had spoiled several
NESPAK engineers are also fully involved in this construction plans in the past by using substandard
corruption. The construction company is also material. People have urged the DFO Saran area to
notorious in this regard. take corrective measures in this regard otherwise they
will start protests against him.
According to the details commission mafia has earned
millions in the construction of Domail forest guest
Shinkiari: Reckless cutting of forests continues

Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, 17 May 2010
Dhudiyal (Correspondent) Cutting cut in connivance with the officials trees and then to hide the evidence
of forests continues in Saran of the forest department. Timber they set the markets on fire.
Division, particularly Shinkiari smugglers are using horses and Sources claim to have video
range and the green gold is mules to transport timber to illegal evidence of this activity.
depleting day by day. saw mills at night. Then this
Sources told Shamal expensive wood is transported to
correspondent that trees are being cities. The forest officials sell the

SDPI
Department’s collusion, deforestation continues

unabated in Mari
Smuggling of trees from the area is at its peak
Daily Shamal, May 20, 2010
Nagri Totial (Special Correspondent) Chinal and Mari But the forest officials and the timber mafia have again
forests are turning into empty lands. Officials of the joined hands for cutting trees. About two months ago
forest department have resorted to a new method of the police had caught timber worth hundreds of
loot and plunder. First the sale receipt of standing thousands of rupees after which timber smugglers had
trees is prepared and then the timber mafia smuggles stopped their activities. Sources have also disclosed
those trees. When the smugglers are questioned they that the forest officials have hired a guard who collects
show the receipt. According to the sources after the extortion money from those people who cut grass or
disclosure of the reports and MPA Barrister Javed graze their cattle in the forest.
Abbasi’s strong notice of it cutting of trees had halted.
Raid by Forest officials in Madyan, precious timber

recovered
Daily Azadi Swat, May 20, 2010
Madyan (Tehsil Reporter) Forest officials raided and forest guard Yar Mohammadzada, forest guard Abdul
recovered sleepers worth millions of rupees. The Wahab and Habib Ahmed to raid the area. Elders of
accused persons have gone in hiding. A case has been the area had formed a committee headed by Aqilzada
registered and investigation has been launched. Mian to join the raid. The committee seized 134
sleepers and has initiated investigations again the
According to the details forest officials got information accused Shabbir Ahmed son of Sikandar of Banda
yesterday that forests are being ruthlessly cut in Banda Chel, Hazrat Deedar resident of Chel, Khan Sher of
Dabar. Taking immediate action range officer Shinko, Abdul Baqi of Shinko, Pir Madar of Shinko,
Saramad Khan instructed forester Mohammad Aayz, Shah Zamin of Shinko, Bakht Gul of Kalagey.
Attempt to smuggle precious timber

foiled in Oghi
Workers of timber mafia were busy in cutting trees and started firing
gunshots upon seeing the police
Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, May 20, 2010
Oghi (Correspondent) Officials of of Elite Force that they gunfire. After a prolonged
forest department Elite Force, after encountered about 35 accomplices exchange of fire the timber mafia
an exchange of fire, foiled an of the timber mafia who were workers fled away leaving the
attempt to smuggle timber worth trying to smuggle timber. The timber behind. Police has
millions of rupees in Sher Garh. accomplices of timber mafia registered a case in Darband police
Forester Mohammad yusuf was on started firing gunshot upon seeing station against the accused persons
a patrol in compart no. 1 of Jalu the police and forest department Badri, Mana. Fazal, Hanif, and
Gali forest along with the member officials. Police retaliated with Gulzar.

SDPI
Minister belonging to the other side of Attock struck a

deal of Hazara forests with big fish of timber mafia
Mansehra (Courts Reporter) extracted timber from Kaghan, be protected from those who come
Provincial Minister Abdul Wajid Aalai and Kohistan forests. The from the other side of Attock and
Khan has struck a bargain with people of Hazara have demanded illegally sell Hazara’s timber.
timber thieves for illegally that the forests of the area should
Pay attention to reckless cutting of forests: Tasleem Khan

Daily Azadi, Swat. May 30, 2010
Mansehra (correspondent) In the while addressing a ceremony in play its role for achieving the
beautiful land of Hazara trees are Nisar Bagh in connection with the targets of plantation. Addressing
being cut down recklessly. There plantation campaign. He said that the ceremony EDO Mansehra
are different elements involved in the reason for low rainfall in Riyaz Ahmad Shah said that
this activity. If every one pledges Hazara is that trees have been cut forests are very important for
to plant ten saplings during the down and new plants have not sustaining human life. Trees help
plantation season and takes care of been planted. in keeping the environment clean,
those plants the target of 25 he said and added that trees
percent forest cover can easily be He said that according to the provide timber for construction of
achieved. Trees are covering of experts 25 percent of the total area buildings, save land and habitat for
the earth and a source of of a country should be under forest wild animals. Riyaz Shah said that
continuing virtue. Wild animals cover. Tasleem Khan said that in forests increase fertility of land
can survive only in thick forests. Mansehra district deforestation is and bring rains.
These views were expressed by turning the forests into bare lands.
ACO Mansehra Tasleem Khan He said the community should
Forests on hills in Galiyat should be protected

Editorial: Cutting down of forests in continuing unabatedly in Galiyat area. Forest officials are
conniving with the timber smugglers just to earn a meager amount of money and are destroying
forest in Galiyat. The forest officials are playing their role only for receiving bribes. Galiyat is a
beautiful area only because of its trees. Local and foreign tourists visit this area. But the enemies
of the area are clearing out the forests and causing loss to the national exchequer. At the same
time this is causing loss to the tourism to the area. The high officials of the department are
requested to take immediate action against the timber smugglers.
Take action against timber smugglers in Haripur

Editorial: Lush green forests of Haripur are turning into empty fields. With the connivance of
forest officials timber mafia is busy in timber smuggling via Tarbela Lake. Every day dozens of
vehicles loaded with timber leave Chhappar Road near Tarbela Lake and go towards Punjab. The
timber smugglers enjoy full support of the DFO. The reason is bribery. As the water level has

SDPI
risen in Tarbela Lake it has become an easy route for timber smugglers. The present DFO has
been transferred but through connection among high ups he has been able to avert his posting.
People of the area are angry over the timber smuggling. The high officials of the forest
department should take immediate action to stop waste of this national wealth and the routes
used for smuggling should be checked strictly. Action should be taken against the DFO and
other officials of the department.
Dhadar: Officials at check post have given free hand

to timber smugglers
Officials are busy in pocketing money; forests are turning into barren lands
Pakhal, (Shamal Correspondent) Dhadar check post is just there in timber smugglers are able to pass
Dhadar check post has turned into name. Timber smugglers have truckloads of timber. The staff
a gold mine for the officials of been given a free hand. The posted at the check post is filling
forest department. Reckless officials stop small amount of its own pocket. Officials must pay
cutting of forests is continuing in timber or items made of wood attention to this situation.
Dhadar and adjoining areas. carried by common people but
Cutting of trees in Konish valley should be stopped

Editorial: According to a report cutting of trees in Konish valley is continuing unabatedly.

Hundreds of trees are being cut every day in the presence of the forest guard. Secret sources have
revealed that forest guards give free hand to the smugglers for a small amount of money and the
owners are helpless in this situation. The political representatives appoint a new DFO every
month but the staff members who have been destroying the forests remain unchanged for years.
Political representatives give no importance to the staff but they appear to be most active in
destroying the forests. Forest guards even help the timber smugglers in cutting the trees. The
people of the area are of the view that protection of forests is not possible unless the lower staff of
the forest department is replaced and stringent action is taken against them. It is the forest guards
who protect the forests but on receiving bribe they report to the higher officials that everything
was fine. The high officials of the forest department must take immediate action against these
elements. Immediate action should be taken against those staff members who collaborate with
smugglers in cutting of trees. If the same activity continues then forests will soon turn into empty
fields. Waste of national wealth is continuing. Officials of the forest department must pay
attention to this situation immediately.
Sarai Naimat Khan: Truck loaded with timber slipped

into gorge. 1 killed 4 seriously injured
Daily Shamal, Abbottabad May 30, 2010
Sarai Naimat Khan (Special his ancestral village Manglor several feet away and suffered
Reporter) One person was killed Colony. serious injuries. He was taken to
and four others were seriously According to the details a truck the AMC Abbottabad but he could
injured as a truck loaded with carrying timber from Bhabsar to not survive. The truck driver and
timber tipped at Kakotari road. Haripur fell in a deep gorge. As a other three people have been
Mohammad Siddiq was buried in result Mohammad Siddiq who was admitted in the AMC Abbottabad.
sitting on the truck was thrown

SDPI
Mohammad Siddiq was buried in his village yesterday.
Three arrested for cutting down trees illegally

Daily Mashriq, May 30, 2010
Dera Ismail Khan (Mashriq trees illegally were caught by the patrol the police arrested three
Correspondent) Three people who police. In the jurisdiction of people illegally cutting trees along
were cutting government-owned Paharpur police station during a Awan nullah.
Increase in water level in Tarbela Lake,

Timber Mafia gets active
• Police is unable to catch the smuggler because political figures are involved
in this smuggling
Sawabi Mera (Shamal in this smuggling. That is why the raid the timber smugglers the
Correspondent) Timber mafia is police are avoiding any action police inform the smugglers.
very active as water level has risen against it. Police is bribed every People have appealed to the
in Tarbela Lake. Timber is being day so they enjoy sleep at night government to take action for
smuggled out every night by while the smugglers vow that no protecting the forests of the area
trucks. Police has become a silent one can touch them. Our hands and to appoint honest officers
spectator after receiving extortion are long, they claim. This shows there.
money. According to sources that the DFO is involved.
there are political figures involved Whenever forest officials come to
Baldher: young man injured in a quarrel over cutting wood

Police have registered a case and are searching for the accused
Sarai Naimat Khan (Special accused. According to the details from cutting wood from his land.
Reporter) In Baldher a youth was in Sadar police station area Wasif Infuriated over that Junaid
attacked with a knife on a quarrel son of Mohammad Taj stopped attacked Wasif with a knife
over cutting of wood. Police have Mohammad Naeem, Junaid, inflicting injuries on him.
registered a case against the Mohammad Bashir and Sarfraz
Cutting of trees is causing pollution, Mansoor Kundi

Providing clean environment to the coming generations is the responsibility of
each and every member of the society. Speech by VC Gomal University
Daily Aaj Peshawar June 08, 2010
Dera Ismail Khan (Aaj vice chancellor of the university, is causing pollution. He said we
Correspondent) On International Mansoor Akbar Kundi, addressing all have to play our role for
environment protection day the the seminar, said that protecting providing clean air for the coming
environment protection agency environment is the responsibility generations to breathe. He said
held a seminar in collaboration of every member of the society that the environmental pollution
with the Gomal University. The and that unabated cutting of trees has reached dangerous level.

SDPI
Toxic smoke from factories is we should pledge that we would detailed briefings on
polluting the air and the waste do something for improving the protecting the
disposed in the open is increasing environment. The director of environment.
the pollution level which is very environment protection agency
dangerous for our future Ashraf Khan, Abdul Haleem Khan
generations. He said on this day of Wildlife Department gave
Achhrian: Trees being cut recklessly under the

pretext of permits; forests turning into empty land
Hundreds of square feet of wood is being openly brought to saw mills in
connivance with the forest guards
Daily Shamal, Abbottabad June 10, 2010
Acharian (Our Correspondent) The local forest guard ago. When we asked the guard about the wood he
is bent upon turning the Achhrian Ziarat block forests responded that it was being cut under a permit. Later it
into empty lands. Though this is the season when all was said that the timber is for a mosque. Even later
kinds of permits are banned the guard is misguiding when the DFO was contacted he could not give a
the people in the name of permit and sending hundreds satisfactory answer. He said it is possible that the
of square feet of wood to saw mills every day. Shamal timber being unloaded was cut before 16 May when
correspondent took pictures of the wood dumped at the permits were valid.
Kund Tarla Bridge where it was brought only a day
Mansehra: Cutting of trees continues at Koh Tanglai

Thousands of square feet of timber is being smuggled every day.
Sakhi Sultan and Babu Iqbal are responsible for it.
Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 11, 2010
Mansehra (Courts Reporter) responsible for this smuggling. department with all the evidence if
Forests in Koh Tanglai are being Abid Hussain Shah the secretary DFO Aijaz Qadir fails to take
cut ruthlessly. Thousands of sq General of Green Konish Valley notice of the activity. He said that
feet of timber is smuggled out of Development Organization while forests are being destroyed in
Bara Ziarat using Datsun trucks. talking to media persons in Comparts and they have informed
Babu Iqbal of Saran Shinkiari and Mansehra Press Club said that he the conservator of Hazara Range
forest guard Sakhi Sultan are would go to the anti-corruption about it.
Aijaz Qadir appointed DFO, Timber smugglers

go in hiding
Dhudiyal (Our Correspondent) as DFO has led to halt in cutting of These views were expressed by the
Forest officials are tightening the forests. Timber smugglers have owners of guzara forests in Kund
noose around timber smugglers in launched baseless propaganda Sayyadan UC of Achhrian.
Kund area. Posting of Aijaz Qadir against the efficient officers.

SDPI
Saran valley: Forest management committees become

inactive, forests are being destroyed
Bhugar Mung (Special Owners suffer loss of millions of powers should be given to the
Correspondent) Due to rupees due to these committees. department. Otherwise we will be
inefficiency of joint forest Presidents and secretaries of these bankrupt. These views were
management committees in Saran committees enjoy all freedom to expressed by the owners of forests
Valley forests worth millions of cut trees. These committees in Saran valley while talking to the
rupees have been destroyed. should be dissolved and more journalists in a special meeting.
Awami Forestry Ittehad meeting: protection of forests

and planting of trees discussed
Protection of forests is necessary for restoration of natural beauty of Swat
Daily Azadi Swat, June 18, 2010
Swat (PR) Sarhad Awami Forestry Ittehad held an only played a role for restoration of peace but also for
emergency meeting in Bahrain chaired by secretary restoration of forests. SAFI paid tribute to the Pakistan
general Jamshed Khan. Present situation, protection of Army for protecting the forests and tightening the
forests and planting of trees were discussed as the noose around timber smugglers. SAFI will stand by
forests in Swat have been severely damaged during the the Army in this good deed as SAFI’s objective is to
past two years. A unanimous resolution was passed in protect forests, planting trees, protecting people’s
the meeting that immediate attention must be paid to rights, and ensuring a pollution free environment. The
the protection of forests to restore beauty of Swat. The meeting was also attended by Mohammad Khan
resolution said that the people of swat are thankful to president Malakand Division, secretary information
the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army for their Gul Nawab, and press secretary Irfanuddin.
role in restoration of peace in Swat. They have not
Mansehra:
Contractors find a novel way of smuggling timber
Some of the contractors pick timber brush it with mobil oil and then smuggle
it out. An inquiry has been launched
Mansehra (Bureau Report) A with mobil oil. Inquiry has been brushing it with burnt engine oil.
novel way of smuggling timber launched against the contractors. This is causing loss of millions of
has been adopted by some of the According to the details some of rupees to the government. Inquiry
contractors in Baffa and Mansehra. the contractors in Mansehra have has been started against three
The contractors who have signed adopted a novel way of smuggling contractors of Mansehra and Baffa
contracts for government buildings timber. These contractors get and cases are likely to be
instead of transporting used wood contracts for disposal of discarded registered against them very soon.
from the buildings are smuggling items from the offices but they
out fresh timber after brushing it smuggle out fresh wood after

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Battal: valuable trees are being cut recklessly:

Forest owners threaten to start protest
Battal: (General Reporter) pretext of construction of road compensation for the loss of trees
Hashim Ali Khan and other forest hundreds of trees have been cut and those who are destroying
owners came to Shamal office at down from Battal Dab to Jar Gali forests should be punished.
Battal Doraha and handed a area. These trees are being sold Otherwise the owners will start
written statement. It has been said immediately. The owners of protest.
in the statement that under the forests should be given
Oghi: Forest department registers FIR against four

timber smugglers
Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) loaded with timber reached there. department officials stopped them
Forest department in Oghi has The forester said that he signaled at the Darband barrier. The
registered FIR against four the trucks to stop but they sped smugglers dismantled the barrier
smugglers who tried to speed away away. The police have registered and took it away with them.
in three Datsun trucks loaded with a case against Tanvir, Israr and However Darband police chased
timber. In the report filed in Oghi Nadeem on a complaint by the them and caught two vehicles
police station forester Mohammad forester. Meanwhile, in Darband loaded with timber. The police
Sharif said that last night he was area members of timber mafia registered a case against six
on a routine patrol at Oghi check were trying to smuggle timber in persons. The court has given two
post when three Datsun trucks Datsun trucks but the forest days remand.
Thandiani: Connivance of timber smugglers and

forest department; forests turning into empty lands
Abbottabad (Crime Reporter) government vehicles. Timber If the investigative agencies probe
Forests in Thandiani range are smugglers and forest officials both into the assets of forest officials of
being cut like vegetables. Range have made under hand deals with Thandiani range they will find out
officers are equally involved in the police. Timber is easily that these officials have made
this activity. Wood is cut in the transported to saw mills from assets worth millions of rupees.
darkness of night and brought to where it is transported to other Serious action must be taken to
saw mills. Most of the timber is areas. Timber smugglers and protect forests in the area.
brought in the presence of forest forests officials are destroying the
officials and is brought in forests by bribing all the officials.
Saran Division: Precious forests handed over to timber

smugglers in the name of departmental harvest
Mansehra (City Reporter) Forest Honah reserve forests of Saran the pretext of departmental
department has handed over the valley to timber smugglers under harvest. The forest is being cut

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ruthlessly. Large amount of Basu also an illegal depot has been situation remains
timber is being smuggled using set up for sale of timber. The unchanged Honah
mules, horses and donkeys. A forest officials are taking full reserve forests will
large amount of Diyar wood is advantage of weak administration become empty land
lying at Bunil Sayyadan and of conservator of Hazara Division. very soon.
search for its buyers is on. At According to sources if the
Illegal cutting of forests in Shergarh:

Inquiry launched against the accused persons; statements of officials recorded
Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) DFO Oghi Range inquiry into losses will be made public. Evidence will
Manzoor Ahmed has been appointed inquiry officers be brought forth and action will be taken against the
for the investigation of corruption and damage to forest guard who was allegedly involved in reckless
forests in Shergarh range. Questioning of the accused cutting of forests in Shergarh range three years ago.
persons and forest officials continued yesterday. The
Influential timber mafia succeeded in smuggling out

timber worth 2 million rupees
Timber mafia concealed its container after bribing forest officials
Ghazi (Crime Reporter) Influential was allowed to go after taking station of Tarbela Cantt. As
timber mafia is flouting the law bribe, was caught again on the nothing illegal was found in the
and has brazenly smuggled timber instruction of DPO Haripur and container it is believed that the car
worth 2 million rupees to Lahore. impounded at the police station in that was said to be escorting the
The forest officials received bribe the presence of media container had already done its
and deprived the provincial representatives. work. It is worth mentioning here
government of the money that the timber mafia had obtained
collected in the form of fine. Last night the container was a permit for transporting timber.
According to the details two days unloaded in the presence of media Number of logs loaded on the
ago container number P 8884, that persons at the sensitive police container was 239.
Haripur: Police officials also involved in timber

smuggling
Timber smuggling should be curbed and stringent action should be taken
against the officials involved: public circles
Haripur (Special Correspondent) A involved in this business. police officials keep the timber
few of the police officials in According to the details, sources smuggled through Bair and
Haripur are also involved in timber say that a few of the police Tarbela Lake in their own houses.
smuggling. A few officials of the officials in Haripur are fully This wood is then sold at high
police stations, specially one involved in timber smuggling. rates. People of Haripur have
Moharrir (report writer) is Sources have informed that the lodged strong protest against this

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activity and have demanded that should take strict action against the police officials involved
SP and forest officer of Haripur in this business.
Timber smuggling across the lake: police officials

start making money
Police post Budhora and Gandaf is collecting 300 rupees from each Datsun
pickup
Khalabutt (Our Correspondent) lake are paying 300 rupees in bribe storage sites. The administrators
Timber smuggling across the lake to the police at Budhora and are silently watching these green
is at its peak. Police posts at Gandaf and reach Swabi Mera. A forests turning into empty grounds.
Budhora and Gandaf are collecting fill-fledged network works to Public circles have demanded the
300 rupees as bribe. According to bring the timber to launches and high officials to take immediate
the details, Datsun trucks coming transport it to Haripur. From there action against the timber mafia and
from the Lassan area across the it is smuggled to various secret the corrupt officials.
Tarbela Lake timber smugglers:

Confiscated vehicles charged 1.2 million rupees fine; five trucks and one
container loaded with timber were caught on Monday at 2.30 a.m.
Daily Shamal, Abbottabad 30 June 2010
Khalabutt (Shamal Correspondent)

Five trucks carrying smuggled
timber at the bank of Tarbela lake
were caught and fined 1.2 million
rupees. SHO of Khalabutt police
station, Babar Khan Tanoli, told
journalists that police team led by
ASP Haripur Najibur Rehman
caught five trucks loaded with
timber. The fine levied on the
wood was 1.2 million rupees, he
said.

SDPI
Chapter 02
Forest Department
Neem becomes Sindh’s official tree

Daily Times Islamabad, April 14, 2010
KARACHI: A long struggle by environmentalists and “The country has a national bird, animal and tree, but
nature conservationists paid dividends on Tuesday most of them belong to mountainous ranges, therefore,
when the Sindh government declared Neem, a tree we decided to start a struggle for giving official status
with medicinal properties, as the official tree of the to an indigenous tree, bird, animal and flower, so that
province. the province may also take interest in their
conservation,” said regional director of the WWF-
The decision was announced through a notification Pakistan’s Indus for All Programme, Dr Ghulam
issued by the Sindh chief secretary. Akbar.
Environmentalists have welcomed the decision and Nasir Ali Panhwar of the Indus for All Programme
urged the Sindh government to take steps for mass- welcomed the decision and said the initiative signifies
scale plantation of this tree in the province. the provincial government’s commitment towards the
conservation of the natural forests of Sindh. In
The officials of the Indus for All Programme of the Pakistan, Neem is found in Sindh and some parts of
WWF-Pakistan had selected four indigenous trees for southern Punjab. It is also found in India, Bangladesh
this status and submitted their names to different and some parts of China and Malaysia.
universities, government departments, independent
researchers and environmentalists. After long According to the official data of the Sindh Forest
discussions, Neem and Babool trees were selected for Department, the Neem trees in Umerkot, Hyderabad
the official status. and Karachi districts are the oldest in the province.
During the British rule, Neem was planted at railways
It was expected that the Sindh government would also stations and the embankments of canals to maintain a
select a bird, animal and flower for the official status. healthy environment. Amar Guriro
Letter to Editor
Annihilation of forests in Punjab
INSTEAD of preserving the fast- 30,000 acres” (June 2). The anti- livelihood to the unemployed
depleting forests, it is the forests’ decision has been taken by youth of the province.
Government of Punjab which is the cabinet notwithstanding
playing the part of a predator by serious reservations of the According to the plan, the
leasing out 30,000 acres of forest provincial forest department. provincial government will lease
land for agricultural purposes as out 25 acres of the forest land to
timely reported in Dawn, “Punjab The plan was envisaged by the each unemployed person holding a
government to axe forest area by chief minister to provide master’s degree in forestry or

SDPI
agriculture with a loan of nearly significance of trees for the agricultural land for
Rs900, 000 from the Punjab Rural survival and well-being of whatever reason, the
Support Programme with a 13-per- humanity. Trees not only keep the Punjab government
cent interest rate. atmosphere clean and healthy, but must protect its forests
old trees also add to the local to save the province in
The issue fundamentally is the humidity through transpiration. particular and the
scheme of converting forests into country in general from
agricultural land. Forests, therefore, play a vital role perilous loss of green cover.
in regulating regional climate by
In Punjab, the British government providing the base for continuity It is hoped that the Chief Minister
during colonisation established 50 of water cycles. They also play a Punjab in order to accommodate
to 100 acres of land near every critical role in climate regulation 1,200 unemployed youth should
village to establish forests. by absorbing carbon dioxide, a gas either lease them government
Needless to say that even after the believed to be partially responsible agricultural lands or offer them
introduction of local governments for global warming. Thus forests jobs in forestry or agro-forestry so
in 2001, in view of the importance are considered so vital for human as to protect the already-dwindling
of forests in the overall existence that the Holy Prophet forests from further destruction.
environment, the ecology created (PBUH) forbade cutting of a tree SYED SHAHNAWAZ SHAH
during the British era was not even during wars. Tando Adam
tampered with.
Trees do not grow overnight but
I would like to request the Chief take decades to mature. Thus,
Minister Punjab to promote the instead of converting forests into
WWF-PAKISTAN REPORT
18.5% of forestland converted into non-forest uses
The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, June 26, 2010
By Aftab Kaken governments for restricting

Islamabad -- The federal Dr Bashir Ahmed Wani, ex-IG provincial board of revenue to
government should not only block forest in his presentation also transfer land to any agency.
any future land transfers from shared that the last largest
forest department to any conversion of forestland has taken An advisory board will be
department but also take back the in Punjab, which is 66% of the constituted at the federal level with
previously transferred land back total deforestation while Sindh is representation from the provinces
into a protected forest, said a second and termed it distressing as and Board of Revenue (BoR) to
report launched by the WWF- government continues to convert lay down procedure for the award
Pakistan here on Friday. more forestland. of forestlands for non-forestry uses
in case such transfers are
The study has been commissioned In their recommendations, the unavoidable and alternate land is
by the scientific committee of WWF-Pakistan proposed the not available, it added.
WWF-Pakistan to identify all Ministry of Environment to move
forest areas in the country that a summary to the prime minister The recent FAO report on the state
were transferred from the various for imposing restrictions on the of World Forests 2009 mentions
provincial forest departments for transfer of forestlands for non- that the annual rate of
other land uses. forestry uses as done in the case of deforestation in Pakistan is 2.1%
ban on commercial harvesting of the highest among all the countries
It is shocking that an over 61,000 forests. in Asia.
hectares (151548 acres), which is
18.5% of the forestland, has been It also recommends the withdrawal It is hoped that this report will help
converted to non-forest uses, of powers of de-notification under block all future transfers of
revealed Dr Kauser Abdullah Forest Act 1927 and any other precious forestland for other uses,
Malik, chairman of the scientific provincial law under existing and that as much as possible, lands
committee of the WWF-Pakistan legislation is amended and issue that have been previously
at National Press Club. direction to the provincial

SDPI
transferred are also gradually Madrassa, Dawood College of However, the transfer of
restored as forestland. Engineering, SZABIST, SIUT, 4,111 acres to New
Agha Khan University and Sindh Murree Development
The Government of Pakistan has Police, 3,000 acres to KMC and Authority has been
given a commitment to global 300 acres to Sindh Police for stopped due to Supreme
community under Millennium central jail. Courts suo moto while
Development Goals to increase the in some cases,
forest cover in the country to 6% Similarly Punjab had made 106 forestland has been leased to
by the year 2015, but not enough land transfers covering an area of private people including a piece of
corresponding action has been 99,711 acres since 1947 to various forest to Royal Navy Oman.
taken to disaggregate this target government departments that
down to the provinces, districts include Parks & Horticulture Balochistan government has made
and tehsils. Authority, wildlife, tourism 18 land transfers covering an area
development cooperation, Pakistan of 13,693 acres forest land to other
As outlined in this report, the Army, construction of hospitals, departments that include 400 acres
largest conservations of forestland schools, fisheries dept, civil to agriculture dept, 10 acres to
have taken place in Punjab and aviation, universities, PTCL, Balochistan University, 24 acres to
Sindh corresponding to 99,711 Wapda, Highways, sericulture, labour dept, 1200 acres to PAF,
acres and 27,874 acres Great Thal Canal System, 1,200 acres for Industrial estates,
respectively. Microwave towers, Housing 54 acres for prison dept, 0.68 acres
scheme, Army dog centre, for CNG Company and 5 acres for
The Sindh government has made MMDA, police justice dept, CDA, SOS village.
140 land transfers covering an area district jail and specific purpose.
of 271,875 acres since 1947 to The KPK government has made 20
different users agencies. Of this, Some of the major forest land land transfers covering an area of
11,911 acres to Pak Army in transfers include 14000 acres to 9,692 acres to other departments
Sukkur, Ghotki, Thatta, and Pano PTCL in Kabirwala, 44,019 acres that include 20 acres to PTDC,
Akil, 177,122 acres to Port Qasim to Pak Army in Jallo Park, 0.76 acres to Muhammad Pervaiz
and Pakistan Steel Mills, 16,935 Pirowal, Miranpur, Muzaffargarh, Khan, 0.63 acres to FC, 0.38 acres
acres to Revenue Dept in Karachi, Kalla Chitta, Sambli and Jehlum, to PMA hut, 0.25 acres to fisheries
12,040 acres to Defence Housing 11,870 acres to CDA, 200 acres to dept, 0.5 acres to BHU, 0.13 acres
Authority, 5,924 acres was Journalist Housing Colony in Lohi to wildlife dept, 0.88 acres to
transferred for agriculture Bher, 572 acres to Punjab district council, Mansehra, 0.5
purposes in Ghotki and 1,090 Employee Housing Foundation acres to Pak Youth Hostel, 11.75
acres was also transferred in and 116 acres to Arid Zone acres for potato research centre, 2
Karachi to educational institutions, Research Institute in Bhakkar. acres for Hotel Pine Park, 9133
Sindh High Court, Sir Syed acres to Pak Army in D I Khan
University, BIZTEK, Sindh and 520 acres to PERRA in Siran.
Domail: low quality material used in construction of

forest guest house
Contractor is destroying the project to grab millions of rupees
Dhadar (Special Reporter) The house is being built in cooperation the forest department. People of
contractor building the forest guest with ERRA. The material being the area have protested against the
house in Domail is trying to used for the building is extremely use of low quality material.
embezzle millions of rupees and low quality. This activity is
destroying the plan. The guest continuing in collaboration with

SDPI
Millions of rupees are lost because of negligence

in protecting trees
Shinkiari (News reporter) Millions trees the money spent on department. Not only trees
of rupees are spent on planting of plantation goes waste. Particularly planted in forests but along the
trees during the plantation no positive results have been roadsides are also lost.
campaign every year but due to achieved by plantation of Chir and
negligence in protecting these other trees by the forest
One forest guard at every 200 acres of forest world over;

one forest guard for every 3000 acres in Pakistan
Peshawar (News Reporter) All forest guard for every 3000 acres forest department is facing acute
over the world one forest guard is of forest. Provincial minister for shortage of workforce yet the
deployed for every 200 acres of forests Wajid Ali Khan said this department is performing very
forest but in Pakistan there is one while talking to Aaj. He said the well.
Government cannot protest national forests:

Aijaz Ahmed
We will not desist from protesting in order to protect forests from timber mafia
Oghi (Our Correspondent) The Aijaz Ahmed, general secretary officials of the forest department
reform commit members in Khun Sher Mohammad, Dr Abdur time and again but nothing has
Tanawal area have strongly Rashid and others said that been corrected. If immediate
protested over the cutting of government forests are at the action is not taken the people of
forests in Doga Jalu Gali mercy of timber mafia. If the Khun will hold protest
Champiyal. They have urged government cannot protect demonstration in front of the
chief justice Iftikhar Chuadhry to national wealth it should hand it provincial assembly and the
take notice of cutting of forests. over to the people. They said that national parliament.
Talking to the media President they had informed the high
Hazara Division: Forest being destroyed over vast area

People of Hazara demand immediate transfer of conservator of Hazara and
appointment of responsible officers
Mansehra (Courts Reporter) silent spectator. Sources said that cover up the issue. Sources also
forests in Hazara Division are the forests in Hazara are being said that provincial minister for
being destroyed in vast areas. destroyed but instead of making forests is equally responsible for
Conservator of Hazara range efforts to stop this destruction this destruction along with the
Khurshid Anwar has become a DFOs are being transferred to conservator of Hazara range. In

SDPI
Saran valley in a period of 9 demanded immediate transfer of efficient officers should

months 16 DFOs have been the conservator saying that be appointed here.
transferred. Public circles have
Ruthless cutting of trees continues with the

connivance of officials of forest department
Corrupt officials should be removed to save precious forests
Jabori (Special Correspondent) In here since long and when we try to be transferred from here
Saran valley large number of trees talk to him he does not pay immediately and an inquiry must
are being cut every day. attention to us. No action has been be initiated if we have to save the
Particularly the guzara forests in taken against the corrupt officials. forests. They said if this is not
Todandi and government-owned Residents of Jabori expressed done the forest will soon become
forests in Sarbun are being cut these views while talking to an empty ground and the forest
ruthlessly. People of Jabori said Shamal correspondent. They said officials will be responsible for
that one official has been posted that these corrupt officials should this destruction.
Battal: forest department adopts effective strategy;

timber smugglers go in hiding
Timber smugglers are blackmailing forest officials using the newspapers
Shinkiari (News Reporter) Due to an effective strategy Tarpi. Around 60 elders attended this meeting.
adopted by the forest department the timber smugglers Addressing the meeting these people declared that the
have gone in hiding. However timber smugglers are reports being published in the newspapers against the
using their agents to blackmail dutiful officials of the Battal range offer and other staff are baseless. They
forest department through newspapers. Residents of also said that the timber smugglers used to roam
Konish valley have expressed full confidence in the around the forests carrying latest weapons. The forest
performance of the range officer and other staff in officials putting their lives in danger continue to
Battal. Elders of the area held an important meeting perform their duty of protecting the forests. Due to
chaired by former councilor Imtiaz Ahmed of Bai their action timber smugglers have gone in hiding.
Galiyat: forest department sets new record by

planting 300,000 plants
Changla Gali (Special house range officer Galiyat 53,000 Chir trees. He said this
Correspondent) Forest department Division Sardar Riyasat Nalotha was a joint project of ERRA and
has planted over 300,000 plants in said that during the current year the forest department for
Galiyat area during 2009-10 the forest department has planted plantation of trees in earthquake
plantation campaign. Briefing the 85,000 kikar trees, 130,500 biar affected areas. The target has been
journalists in Koza Gali forest trees, 10,000 Bankhor trees and achieved in the first phase.

SDPI
Houses are being built in Khan Kalan forests

Daily Shamal Abbottabad, June 01, 2010
Nathiagali (Special land while on the other trees are start building their
Correspondent) In Khan Kalan being cut down for the houses on government
Retri UC Bakot area houses are construction of buildings. People land. This will cause serious
being built under the patronage of of the area have appealed to the losses to the forest department.
Gul Zaman son of Abdur Rahman range officer and DFO Galiyat Therefore the high officials of the
on the land owned by the forest division that they should stop forest department should stop this
department. On one hand this is construction of houses in this area construction immediately.
an attempt to grab government otherwise the villagers will also
Ghazi: Range officer taking bribe destroying forests,

DFO also gets his share
Gadwalian (Shamal trees without a permit. He has DFO Haripur has been appointed
Correspondent) Range officer of fixed a per vehicle bribe amount the timber mafia is having a free
Ghazi is extorting money. Phalahi which is causing huge loss to the hand. All the staff is also
trees are being cut in Ghazi and government exchequer. Some receiving share in bribe money.
Barikot area. A permit from the people say that the range officer This is causing huge loss to the
department is required for this gives a share on this collected government and the forests are fast
cutting but the range officer of bribe money to the DFO of turning into empty fields.
Ghazi area has allowed cutting of Haripur. Ever since the present
Kand Bate: Performance of forest officials is

satisfactory—popular circles
Dhudial (Our Correspondent) Owners of guzara forests in officials are performing their
Forest owners say that the Achhrian Kund Saiyadan have duties efficiently. The timber
performance of forest officials is said in a joint statement that mafia is busy in negative
satisfactory. The timber mafia is timber smugglers have made their propaganda against the officials.
trying to blackmail the officials. lives miserable while the forest
Forestry Ittehad demands increase in forest royalty to 80 percent

Discretionary powers of forest officers should be withdrawn.
Press conference by Dost Muhammad
Daily Aaj, Peshawar, June 11, 2010
Peshawar (Staff Reporter) Sarhad Muhammad Khan in Peshawar violating the rights of the people.
Awami Forestry Ittehad (SAFI) Press Club. He said that the He said a new legislation is needed
has demanded that the government pollution can be controlled only by for keeping the environment clean
should increase forest royalty from growing more trees in the country. and protecting the rights of the
60 percent to 80 percent. This was He said that the forest owners, people over forests so that the
said in a press conference by the organizations for protection of people could also look after the
president of SAFI, Dost forests and also the civil society is forests. He asked the government

SDPI
to bring the forest ordinance in the also demanded that the ban on should be declared
provincial assembly for approval green marking should be lifted and mandatory at the time
and said that the controversial the period should be extended to of signing agreement
provisions of this ordinance should five years from the existing three with the FDC and
be removed and a notification years. Forest plantation should be royalty installments
should be issued to fix forest expedited. Discretionary powers should be paid
royalty as 80 percent in Swat of the forest officers should be regularly.
Kohistan and Dir Kohistan. He withdrawn and presence of JFMC
FBR allows export of poplar trees to Afghanistan

Taking notice of smuggling of trees to Afghanistan the FBR imposed
a nominal tax which has legalized the smuggling. NGOs in Kabul
are buying poplar trees at the rate of 1000 to 1400 rupees per tree
and giving it away to the Afghan people free of charge. Local
industrialists who purchase trees at the rate of 60 to 100 rupees per
tree express concern; ask government to cancel the notification
Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 12, 2010
Peshawar (News Reporter) Export the farmers for a hundred rupees is Match factory owners are holding
of poplar trees to Afghanistan has now being bought by certain meetings with the officials of CBR
increased after FBR’s notification Afghan NGOs for 1000 to 1400 and the provincial government to
permitting the export. This export rupees. These NGOs are get the notification allowing
has brought prosperity to the distributing this wood among export of poplar to Afghanistan
farmers. However the owners of Afghan people to build their cancelled. Meanwhile the leader of
match stick factories have homes. This has led to an increase poplar traders Haji Raheel and
expressed concern over the export. in export of poplar trees to other farmers are of the view that
Afghanistan but has also caused the match factory owners were
According to a survey the FBR concern among the match factory paying only 60 to 100 rupees for a
imposed a nominal tax and owners in the province. Match poplar tree. Now that they are
legalized the export of poplar trees factories in Hayatabad Industrial getting a better price the
to Afghanistan in view of the Estate are at the brink of industrialists are trying to harm
smuggling of the trees. According bankruptcy due to closure of the their interest.
to sources the tree which match industry.
factory owners did not buy from
Janglan: Two vehicles loaded with timber caught; five

people arrested
Police released the vehicles and the people on receiving a letter from the
government
Lohar Banda (Our Correspondent) jurisdiction. According to the Saddar police station received a
Police caught two vehicles loaded details police raided on two letter that the vehicles and the five
with smuggled timber and arrested vehicles carrying illegal timber accused people should be released.
five people in the area under and impounded them. However The alleged smugglers then drove
Saddar police station’s within 15 minutes of the raid the the vehicles to Havelian.

SDPI
Writ petition filed by provincial forest department

dismissed; Forest Society Domail and Deolai restored
Supreme Court restored forest society and permitted movement of
thousands of feet of timber
Mansehra (Court Reporter) Cooperative Forest Society. Justice Rabbani restored Domail
Supreme Court of Pakistan on According to sources Supreme Deolai Forest Cooperative Society
Friday dismissed the petition filed Court Bench consisting Chief and allowed harvest of thousands
by the provincial government and Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Justice of feet of timber.
restored Mansehra Domail Deolai Khalilur Rehman Ramday and
Up gradation of scale was a longstanding demand of

the employees of forest department
Approval of their demand brought a wave of joy among the employees; joint
statement
Daily Mashriq Peshawar, June 21, 2010
Dargai (Mashriq Crrespondent) rangers association and Haji Shah Pakhtunkhwa forest employee’s
Haji Mohammad Zeb Khan, Mohammad Khattak, president of pay scales a result of their honest
advocate, president of forest Malakand forest division has efforts.
guards, foresters and deputy termed the up gradation of Khyber
Khairabad: Attempt to smuggle timber foiled

Container loaded with timber worth millions of rupees handed over to forest
department
Nowshera (Mashriq Correspondent) A container two days ago. According to sources the documents
loaded with timber worth millions of rupees was that were presented to the forest department at the
confiscated at Khairabad and handed over to forest check post were doubtful. When Mashriq
department. The timber was being taken to Jacobabad correspondent contacted range officer Aqil Khan he
in Sindh province. Owners of the timber, driver and said that this was not his area but investigation is being
conductor of the vehicle fled the scene. The container made.
number LSB 638 owned by timber mafia was caught
Cutting of forests in Dir Bala will not be tolerated at any cost

Dir Bala (Mashriq Correspondent) views were expressed by Bakht empty fields. The officials of the
We will not allow cutting of Zaman Khan, Fain Mohammad, forest department have been
forests at any cost. The forest Khaista Mian, Umaruddin, and informed about it several times but
department should fulfill its Sultan Bakht in a statement. They their continuous silence is
responsibility of protecting forests said that some elements are bent meaningful. They said that they
and should play its role for upon turning the green forests of will be forced to take action if the
averting tension in the area. These Asheergai and Daragor Kohi into officials do not fulfill their duty.

SDPI
Timber smuggled via Tarbela Lake;

FC carries out raid
Police at Swabi Mera police station deceived FC
Swabi Mera (Shamal Correspondent) FC raided right night but all its efforts remained futile. The fact that
at the time when timber was being smuggled through the smugglers were able to transport timber in the
Tarbela Lake. However the police at Swabi Mera presence of FC personnel shows that the smugglers
police station deceived FC and the smugglers managed already had information about the cordon. The
to smuggle the timber. According to sources FC smugglers passed through the area under the
cordoned off the area near Tarbela Lake to catch jurisdiction of Swabi Mera police station. People of
timber smuggler gang and launched a raid but a few the area have demanded that a grand operation should
black sheep in the police informed the smugglers be launched against the timber mafia. They demanded
before time and the smugglers slipped out of FC’s that the police officials who collaborate with the
hands. The FC continued its operation in the area all smugglers should also be held accountable.
Saran, DFO is playing important role for protection of

forests: people of the area
Jabori (Shamal Correspondent) views were expressed by the Mohammad Aijaz Qadir forests
DFO Saran has proved his honesty people of Saran Valley while are being protected and timber
and efficiency by controlling speaking at the Press Club in smugglers have gone in hiding.
timber smugglers and collecting Jabori. They said that after the
750,000 rupees in fine. These appointment of DFO Saran
Thousands of feet of marked timber might be lost in

Hazara forests
Forests are suffering losses worth millions of rupees due to negligence of forest conservator
Gurmang Bala (Shamal the details thousands of feet of dry area have demanded that the
Correspondent) Due to negligence wood and windfall timber is lying present conservator should be
of the forest conservator in Hazara in Hazara forests. In a number of posted out and the senior-most
it is feared that millions of rupees forests it has already been marked. official Sardar Sultan Ahmad
will be lost. Thousands of feet of For example in Jabori documents should be appointed conservator in
dry wood and marked trees are are long awaiting approval from Hazara area.
likely to be wasted. According to the conservator. The people of the
Shergarh: Reckless cutting of forests;

Inquiry launched against five officials including forester
Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) officials including a forester in smuggling of wood. ADFO Range
Departmental inquiry has been Shergarh range on charges of in-charge Manzoor Ahmed has
initiated against five forest reckless cutting of forests and

SDPI
been made responsible for the cut due to negligence of the forest questioned and their
inquiry. officials. Manzoor Ahmed has statements have been
initiated inquiry against five recorded.
Three years ago forests were officials. Forest guard
recklessly cut in Sher Garh range. Mohammad Sher Bahadur and
It appeared that the forests were Riyaz Mohammad have been
Rawalpindi Administration should take measures to

make the city green: Sanaullah Akhtar
Daily Jang Rawalpindi, June 28, 2010
Rawalpindi (Jang News) President Mohammad Tariq Ali, Nisar along the highways like Murree
of Al-Akhuwwat, a welfare Chaudhry, T M Jan, Shafqat Rana, Road. They also said that trees
organization, Sanaullah Akhtar has Zafar Iqbal, Abu Aziz, Mahmood should be planted in government
said that the Rawalpindi Akhtar Malik, Arif Saeed Butt, buildings, schools, and hospitals.
administration should beautify the Tahir Pervez Khaksar and Dr
city and plant trees to make it Akmal Niaz attended the meeting.
green. He demanded this in a They demanded that the
meeting of his organization. administration should plant trees
Ghazi, police allowed truck loaded with timber to pass

without informing forest department
Ghazi (Mashriq Correspondent) worth millions of rupees. On a tip found in it which was being
The police allowed a container off from the media Police had smuggled to Punjab via Ghazi.
loaded with timber to go without impounded container number P884 Later the timber was shifted to
information to the forest in Ghazi and it was said that the other vehicles and the smugglers
department. The container was container was carrying illegal managed to smuggle it.
caught two days ago. The timber. When the container was
container was loaded with timber opened high value timber was

SDPI
Chapter 03
Forest Fire
Fire breaks out in Shiekh Badin Hills

Valuable trees burn to ashes, flames could be seen far and wide
Daily Aaj Peshawar, May 24, 2010
Paniala (Aaj Correspondent) rupees were burnt to ashes. around. The fire continued all
Forests spread over thousands of According to the details smoke night. The forest had olive, palosa
kanals area north of Shiekh Badin was seen rising from the northern and pine trees. No forest official
hills caught fire on Saturday and part of Shieklh Badin hills. By the was available for comment.
precious trees worth millions of sunset there were flames all
Fire in Shiekh Badin forest under control after two days

Cause of fire could not be ascertained, case registered in Yark police station
Daily Mashriq Peshawar, May 25, 2010
Lakki Marwat (Mashriq Correspondent) The fire at team of forest officials led by district forest officer
Shiekh Badin hills adjacent to Lakki Marwat and Dera wildlife, Abdul Halim Marwat inspected the area the
Ismail Khan has been put out. The fire has destroyed other day. Range officer Idrees Marwat said that the
the beautiful resort in the forest. According to the cause of fire could not be ascertained. However it
reports some unidentified miscreants set the forest on appears that the people visiting the forest for picnic
fire. According to sources the fire that continued for were cooking something and the forest caught fire. He
two days has destroyed forests spread over 4,000 to confirmed the reports that four forest officials have
5,000 acres of land. The wildlife department had to been injured and two fainted in this incident. The
cut down trees in Paniala area of Dera Ismail Khan to forest department has filed a report in Yark police
save other areas from fire. The sources said that a station.
Fire engulfs Margalla hills; 16 firefighters fainted

Islamabad (Online) Margalla Hills firefighters fainted due to extreme engulfed the whole valley in no
near Islamabad caught fire due to heat. Fire suddenly broke out in time. Deputy Director of
rise in temperature. During the Kashmir valley adjacent to E-9 environment wing of CDA, Malik
operation to put out fire 16 sector of Islamabad which Aulia, told Online that the report

SDPI
about fire was received at 11:30 on helicopters were not available equipment. However,
Wednesday and teams were because of the rescue operation CDA spokesman
immediately sent out to put out the continuing on Hunza Lake. It was Ramzan Sajid denied
fire. He said that 140 firemen took much easier to control fire using reports of any such
part in this operation. However helicopters. According to very incident with
the firefighters are facing reliable CDA sources 16 firefighters.
problems due to the difficult firefighters fainted due to extreme
access routes. He also said that heat and lack of modern
Darband: Police impounds two vehicles loaded with timber

Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) Meanwhile, two Datsun trucks management committee

Darband police got the coming from Oghi which were Mohammad Yunus and president
information that workers of timber loaded with timber were caught. of the reforms committee Lala
mafia were smuggling timber via The vehicles and drivers were Qalandar Khan lauded the
Darband. The police set up a locked up in Darband police Darband police for their timely
check point near Balwai. station. President of the forest action.
Shinkiari: Forests on fire,

Wildlife faces destruction
Shinkiari (General Reporter) The remove evidence of the trees cut these measures remain ineffective.
beautiful forests of Shinkiari are illegally. This destroys wildlife as On the contrary people set forests
on fire. It is said that every year well as newly planted trees. It also on fire to serve their personal
during summer season before the leads to high level of pollution in interest. If the forest department
onset of monsoon season two environment. It was also reported pays proper attention there is no
types of people set forests on fire. that the forest department hires a reason that the forests would not
One, the farmers who need grass number of people before monsoon be safe from fire.
for their cattle and secondly the for putting out fires but due to
forest officials who want to negligence of the department all
Dhok Gakhhar:
Fire in forests under control
Tarnawa (Special Correspondent) out immediately. This helped save safe. The timber from the forests
talking to journalists the notables the lives of birds. They said if the and the rare species of birds are
of Upper Khanpur have said that forest department takes such swift national assets. The forest
the fire that broke out in Dhok action against fire all forests of department should remain alert for
Gakhhar a few days ago was put Upper Khanpur area will remain saving these from fire.

SDPI
Kundbait: Forest officials set forest on fire to

hide their corruption
Legal action must be taken against the weak and corrupt officials:
Al-Falah Organization
Dhadar (Crime Report) Forest guard and forester in the forest department are requested to take legal action
Kundbait area set the forest of entire area on fire. The against the weak and the corrupt officials. Otherwise
fire severely damaged the saplings and the wildlife. the owners of guzara forests and residents of Kund
Members of the community-based organization Tarla will be forced to take direct action. These views
reached the site and managed to put out fire. Still there were expressed by the secretary Al-falah organization
are hundreds of logs and burnt wood lying in the area and owner of guzara forest Abid Ali Shah Kazmi in a
and sawing is also continuing here. High officials of written statement issued to the press.
Parhna:
Fire in forests burning animals and birds
Every year miscreants set forests on fire which burns thousands of trees
Parhna (Shamal Correspondent) burn trees over thousands of acres taking such actions in future.
Frequent fires in Parhna forests are of land. An inquiry should be These views were expressed by
causing damage to birds and launched against these miscreants. Master Sabir Tanoli , Malik
animals. Miscreants set forests in They should be given due Sarfraz, and Nadeem Tanoli while
Parhna on fire every year which punishment so that no one dares talking to Shamal.
Konish Valley:
Forests on Tanglai hills catch fire
Many factors might have caused the fire
Konish valley (Bureau Chief) Forests in Tanglai hills behind bars. He had given strict instruction that the
area are on fire. The view of these forests at night is forest officials should regularly patrol the forests.
beautiful but many factors could be responsible for this People were happy with him but a few influential
fire. According to a report the forest was being cut like people did not like his honesty and efficiency. So he
vegetable. Over that the owners of forests and the was posted out. Now the entire forest department is
media raised much hue and cry. But corrupt people keeping its eyes closed and smuggling of timber is at
were appointed for protection of these forests. Officers its peak. Now that the media and community
were replaced one after another but cutting of forests organizations have decided to take action for
continued. Officers followed the policy of pleasing the protection of forests the department is quite perturbed.
political influential. People kept lamenting but no such Media and community organizations decided to survey
official was appointed who could take action against the forests in Tanglai and invited the forest officials to
timber smugglers or corrupt officials of the forest join the survey. On hearing the news of a plan for
department. Whenever an honest official was posted survey the forest was set on fire to hide the evidence of
the political elements sent him back with much cutting of trees. At present the entire Tanglai forest is
disgrace. One such example is former DFO who took on fire and no forest official or political influential has
strict action against the timber smugglers and imposed ordered any inquiry of the fire. People miss former
heavy fines on them. A few of the smugglers were put DFO Sardar Sultan who was an honest officer.

SDPI
Forest catches fire as mortars fired by NATO

troops fall on Pakistani territory
Daily Mashriq Peshawar June 27, 2010
Wana (Mashriq Correspondent) tribesmen have said that mortars land in Pakistani area and the
Local militants attacked a NATO fired from Afghanistan side hit tribes face losses. They said that
post at Machadad kot in Birmal their area almost every day the United Nations has so far not
Shikin area of Paktika province of causing serious panic in the area. taken notice of this situation.
Afghanistan with rockets and The tribesmen said that local They said that Pakistan should
mortars. NATO retaliated the militants attack NATO troops take notice of these fires. Tribes
attack. Five mortars fell in Zoba every day and in response NATO living in the border area are
area in Pakistani territory leading forces fire mortars suffering heavy losses due to these
to a fire breakout in forest. The indiscriminately. These mortars firing incidents.

SDPI
Chapter 04
Forest Protection &

Awareness
Letter to Editor
Forest protection programme
Dawn Islamabad, April 01, 2010
This is apropos of a news report countries with a forest cover of Forest on either side of the Indus
(March 17) that the minister for less than 10 per cent. This is an have disappeared, riverine forests
environment and forestry has alarming situation and needs to be too are under threat as the police
launched a programme in stalled forthwith, warranting are burning them on the pretext of
collaboration with WWF-Pakistan efforts aimed at improving this flushing out robbers.
to check deforestation. forest cover.
Our total geographical cover of
The programme is a step in the If we sum up the government’s forest is much less than the
right direction to stall the rapid publicized planting targets and the international standard. Efforts are
elimination of forests we have survival of their transplants during under way to increase the forest
experienced during last 50 or so the last 60 years, the forest cover cover from the present claim of 5
years for want of a such area would have exceeded 10 per per cent to 6 per cent by 2015.
legislation. cent of the total geographical area
of Pakistan. For this, emphasis should laid on
This continued obliteration of reducing the alarming rate of
forests has reduced the forest Surprisingly, no one ever bothered mortality of tree saplings by taking
cover substantially, representing to check the veracity of these post-planting care and routine
2.5 per cent of the land area of claims, so much so that now we maintenance.
Pakistan under forests according to have a forest cover less than what
the latest UN statistics. we had in 1947, while hill forest Zafar Sheikh
are almost finished. Via email
This puts us in the category of
Students help in sprucing up park

The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, April 17, 2010
Rasheed Khalid National Library and Resource garden for three days to develop a
Islalmabad: - Students of normal Centre. lawn into a small garden.
and special education schools were
awarded certificates for Despite their small age, including The ceremony was organized by
participating in an exercise to those with relatively limited the Sustainable Development
improve the park adjacent to the ability, keenly worked in the Policy Institute in collaboration

SDPI
with the US Embassy at the Helen provide health food, water and 1995. He specifically
Keller Community Friendship clean environment and punish the mentioned books,
Centre here on Friday. polluters. computer lab and
electronic journals. He
Speaking on the occasion, Julia She said it is the responsibility of said that the centre is
Fend Rick, assistant cultural all of us to work for improving the fully functional for the
attaché at the US embassy, said the environment. She appreciated that special children,
Earth Day started when the dirty by implanting flowers and trees, visually impaired in particular. He
River Cuyahoga in Ohio caught the students converted the area lauded the services of the US
fire due to oily pollutants on June into beautiful place. She thanked embassy in this respect, which
22, 1969, and Senator Gaylord volunteers from schools to included books and furniture.
Nelson next year called all and universities for supporting this
sundry to observe Earth Day and innovation. She asked the students A slide show depicting the
also participate in cleaning the to repeat the exercise at some children working in the park was
river. Since then, April 22 is other place on the next Earth Day. also screened on the occasion.
celebrated as Earth Day in the
world. She said that environment Dr Arshad Ovais Qazi, director of Shakil Ramay, director of the
movement is a story of citizens the Directorate-General of Special SDPI’s Pakistan Youth Climate
coming together and demanding Education, apprised the audience Network, thanked the participants.
their respective governments to about his centre established in
Need to revamp forest resources

The Nation Islamabad, Money plus, April 26, 2010
By Babar Hussain in photosynthesis.

Forests are the blood of the ecosystem. The importance
of forest in the modern day world can not be Keeping in view the importance of forests, government
underestimated. The art and science of growing the declared the year 2009 as “national year of
forests is called forestry. Forestry plays a pivotal role Environment” to bring a visible improvement in the
in the economy of Pakistan. It is also essential to quality of air, water, land, and ecosystem through
improve the quality of life of citizens through mitigating the effects of environmental degradation
sustainable development maintaining sustained supply visible on biological diversity, agriculture productivity,
of wood and wood products. water availability, food security and human health. In
this regard, a series of activities have been planned for
Pakistan is a land of great diversity, which has yielded engaging all stakeholders for their participation in the
a variety of vegetation; however, only 5.3 percent of improvement of the Environment. But Government
the total land area is under forest ranking it under Low failed to meet the desired results due to certain reasons.
Forest Covered Countries. During the year 2008-2009 forests have contributed 83
thousand cubic meters of timber and 205 thousand
In Pakistan forests include State-owned forests, cubic meters of firewood as compared to 94 thousand
communal forests and privately owned forest. It is cubic meters timber and 267 thousand cubic meters
incredibly difficult to sum up the importance of forests firewood in 2007+08. Different types of forest grown
in few words. Forest products are used in our daily are: Tropical rainforests, Sub-tropical forests;
lives. All these and many more activities directly or Mediterranean forests, temperate forests, Coniferous
indirectly involve forest. Some are easy to figure out forests and Montane forests.
such as fruits, paper and wood from trees, and some
by-products that go into the manufacture of other The major threat to forest in Pakistan and in World is
everyday items like medicines, detergents, etc. generally deforestation. Deforestation is the process
whereby natural forests are cleared through logging
Forests also provide habitat for biodiversity and and/or burning, either to use the timber or to replace
livelihood for humans. the area for alternative uses. From temperate forests to
They offer watershed protection, timber and non- tropical rainforests, deforestation continues to be an
timber products, and various recreational options. They urgent environmental issue that jeopardizes people’s
prevent soil erosion, help in maintaining the water livelihoods, threatens animals, and intensifies global
cycle, check global warming by using carbon dioxide warming. It is very alarming that about 10-12 million

SDPI
hectares of forests are lost every year in the world. through electronic and print media should
There are many side effects of deforestation such as be created among the masses about the
the release of greenhouse gas emissions, reduced importance and safety of forests. Those who
biodiversity, disrupted water cycles increase soil are involved in tree cutting should be given
erosion and disrupted livelihoods. exemplary punishments to reduce
deforestation.
In order to enhance tree cover in the country, tree
planting campaigns, all the Government Departments, (The Author is lecturer at PMAS-Arid Agriculture
Private Organizations, Defense Organizations and University)
NGOs are involved in planting activities. Awareness
Increase in forest area is not possible

without amending the Forest Act
Shehzad Maqbool Maral – Multan officials inaugurating the campaign fail to recall that
Pakistan is located in such a region of the world which they plant a sapling at the same spot every year. They
has diverse seasons and land. This country is rich in never ask the officials what happened to the plant that
natural resources. Governments make plans for they had planted six months ago.
development of various sectors keeping the importance
of those sectors in view but desired results are not According to the forestry experts every country must
achieved as the plans are not implemented fully. This have at least 25 percent of its land covered with
is not only causing loss of resources but is also forests. At the moment 13062.90 billion hectare of
creating more problems. The government of Pakistan land is covered with forests. Total area of Asia is
has declared 2009 the year of environment. A record 3084.76 billion hectare. Out of this 547.79 billion
number of trees were planted all over the country. hectare is covered by forests, which is 17.8 percent of
Tree plantation was carried out in all four seasons with the total land in Asia. Pakistan’s total area is 77.09
the cooperation of the provincial governments. billion hectares and the area covered by forests is 3.93
Millions of saplings were planted. Besides the forest billion hectares. That means total forest covered area in
department several government and private institutions Pakistan is 5.1 percent of its total area. So as per
took part in this plantation campaign. The entire experts’ opinion Pakistan needs to grow forests on
nation planted more than 10 million plants throughout another 20 percent of its area.
the country. Had the plantation continued all year
round during 2009 we could have run out of room for In Azad Kashmir 27 percent of its total area, in
more plantation this year. But unfortunately proper Northern Areas 13.8 percent of its total area and in
care was not taken of the saplings that were planted so Sindh province only 4.8 percent of the total area is
most plants died. covered by forests. Punjab has a total area of 20.63
billion hectares but the area under forests is only 0.64
In Multan the spring 2010 plantation campaign was billion hectares which is only 3.1 percent of the total
inaugurated by Commissioner of Multan Mohammad area. In view of these figures Pakistan urgently needs
Ali Gardezi. On this occasion many other officials to grow more forests. The forest department provides
including the RPO, DCO, and CPO also planted large millions of saplings and plants to government and non-
number of trees in Circuit House Multan. Every year governmental organizations twice a year.
the plantation campaign is launched in the same
manner but the Circuit House in Multan is still without Trees are planted in Northern Areas in June and July,
any trees. Every year a plant is planted at the same in upper Punjab in August September, in southern
spot where a sapling was planted last year. The Punjab in October and November and from January to
April. In Sindh trees are planted from May to

SDPI
December and in Baluchistan from August to March. along the highways 1780 avenue kilometers
Besides the forest department the defense, education, forest was there but according to 2008
communications, health, police, canals, food, fisheries, record the forests along highways are 56000
and wildlife departments and several private avenue kilometers though the length of
organizations and farmers were also involved in the highways have increased considerably.
plantation campaign this year. On the advice of the Shortage of water along highways is the
provincial minister for agriculture departments of reason for loss of trees. Due to shortage of
forests and livestock and the Cooperative Punjab Bank canal water forests are dying. Water shortage is
are observing Farmers Day in every union council. affecting not only new plantation but also the old trees.
The officials of forest department raise awareness
among the farmers about these three sectors. This According to 1947 figures there were 3 trees on each
program was first launched in Punjab. Farmers are acre of agricultural land while in 2008 the number of
provided information about all three departments in trees per acre agricultural land was 8. The forest cover
one meeting. All the three departments are about has not increased significantly since the creation of
farmers and landowners. Pakistan. Only the number of trees on lands owned by
farmers has shown an increase. However, the increase
It is important to note that the forest department in number of trees in government forests is
provides thousands of plants to the defense, education disappointing.
and health departments free of cost. There would not
have been any shortage of forests in the country had According to the experts if one percent of area in
these plants been given to farmers. Trees worth Punjab has to be brought under forest cover it would
millions of rupees are wasted due to lack of care for require 200,000 hectare of land. This would require
trees in the government organizations. During the allocation of 7.22 billion rupees. It would need 6,000
current season farmers are being provided plants from cusecs water supply every day. Despite financial
the nurseries in Multan Division but each nursery has difficulties the forest department is being given 210
fixed its own rates for plants. Some are selling a plant million rupees annually but the department has failed
for 2 rupees while some others are selling the same to increase forest cover. Forest officials remain
plant at 1.50 rupees. Secondly, no record is being kept confined to their offices. The officials are still getting
as to how many plants have been sold so far and how 30 – 40 maunds (nearly 40 kilograms) of dry fuel
much revenue the department has earned so. Similarly wood annually as provided by the laws in effect in
large number of trees are being cut down and stolen 1947. This wood is then sold in timber market.
from the forests. That is why the forest cover is Similarly the fines and punishments for timber theft
depleting. are very low. Timber theft cases are processed under
Forest Act 1927. The rate of theft from forests is
Government forests are still there because of the increasing by 30 percent annually. In Multan Division
efforts of the forest department but the situation is not there are only two or three nurseries which can
encouraging. In 1947 canal-fed forest area was 39244 produce 200 to 300 thousand plants a year. Forest
avenue kilometers but according to 2008 figures this cover cannot be increased with only two nurseries in a
area is now 157355 avenue kilometers. The situation district with an area of 1.2 million acres.
is far better regarding forests along canals. In 1947
Two killed in Salarzai on dispute over trees

A woman among those killed, three injured
Daily Azadi Swat, May 16, 2010
Khar, Bajaur Agency (Special ablaze the house of the person who man while three others were
Correspondent) A gunfight erupted had resorted to shooting. For seriously injured. The injured
between two brothers in Salarzai further action a jirga will be held have been shifted to Agency
Tehsil of Bajaur Agency on a today. Headquarter Hospital in Khar.
dispute over trees. A woman and According to sources in Salarzai The quami lashkar of Salarzai set
a man were killed by gunshots tehsil of Bajaur agency two on fire the house of the person
while three people were seriously brothers resorted to gunfight on a involved in firing. Meanwhile the
injured. Salarzai qaumi lashkar dispute over ownership of trees. quami lashkar has called a grand
took immediate action and set The fight killed a woman and a jirga today for further action. The

SDPI
political administration has started tehsil. Three children died due to calamity-hit area and
investigating the incident. heavy rain. People of Khar have loans should be written
Meanwhile, heavy rains have demanded that the government off.
destroyed standing crops in Khar should declare Bajaur Agency a
Mansehra: Forest guide injures labourer with an axe

Report filed in Khaki police station, accused flees the area
Mansehra (Staff Reporter) Forest accused. The alleged attacker fled was attacked by forest guide
guide attacked a labourer with an the area. According to the report Dilbar Shah when Nawaz was
axe and smashed his teeth. A case registered in Khaki police station collecting wood from the forest.
has been registered against the Gul Nawaz resident of Tatar Bala
Dir forest association meets; demands facilities

Khal (Mashriq Correspondent) Dir provincial president Haji forest department in Khyber
Forest Association held its Mohammad Zeb and lauded his Pakhtunkhwa like the scales and
meeting. The meeting was chaired efforts which resulted in the up benefits given to the employees in
by Nisar Ahmed. A large number gradation of the employees. A Punjab.
of employees of the forest resolution was passed in the
department attended the meeting. meeting demanding that the
The participants expressed full government should give scales and
confidence in the leadership of other benefits to the employees of

SDPI
Chapter 05
Forest
&
Environment
Deforestation in Chitral: An environmental tsunami

Article by Sardar Ali Aman

Scientists say that trees are like lungs for human forests without the permission of Mehta of Chitral.
beings. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and provide However the cutting of trees increased manifolds in
oxygen which is necessary for humans and animals. 1969 when Chitral was merged into Khyber
Now it is a known fact that plants are also living Pakhtunkhwa province and declared a district. This
beings and like living beings they also breathe, acquire opened up an opportunity for the forest department.
food, grow and are affected by external factors. This Forests were being mindlessly cut down by timber
was first revealed in chapter Yasin in the Holy Quran. mafia with the collaboration of the forest department.
Trees affect the climate. Some trees provide food and Millions of sq feet timber was sold to timber
medicines. If trees are not there the climate will not be contractors. In 1984 Forest Development Corporation
cool. There will be nothing to clean the contamination joined this lucrative business. So from 1984 to 1993
of carbon dioxide. We get fuel and building material this “gang of three” further speeded up the cutting of
from trees. So tree is man’s best friend. forests.
The total area of Chitral is 14850 sq kilometers. Only In 1993 under Prime Minister Moin Qureshi’s
1.2 percent of the area is under agricultural use. The government a ban was imposed on cutting of forests.
rest is mountains. Out of this only 1.8 percent area is But the cutting and smuggling of timber continued as
under forests now. There are Chir, deodar, Partal trees usual. The remaining 1.8 per cent of forest will also be
growing in these forests. These forests are located in lost if cutting of forest continues. It is sad that the
the southern part of Chitral. In ancient times pine forest department does not believe in replacing plants
forests grew in the north of Chitral. These forests have and trees. Reckless cutting of trees has led to increased
become almost extinct due to reckless cutting of pollution in Chitral. This pollution is the result of
forests. Now pine trees can be seen only at some point increasing number of vehicles, use of chemical
on the mountain tops. fertilizers and pesticides, particularly spraying of low
quality and expired pesticides, presence of heaps of
According to an estimate in 1893 twenty percent of solid waste. Climatic changes have occurred due to
Citra’s area was under forests. It has decreased to 1.8 increased amount of carbon dioxide, carbon mono
percent now. The reason is reckless cutting of forests. oxide, nitrogen dioxide and other poisonous gases.
Cutting of forests for commercial purposes began in Chitral is now caught in a difficult climatic cycle.
1939. Timber was transported through Chitral River. Temperature is increasing, snowfall takes place at odd
This was a very small scale business. At that time times, rainfall is low so several streams have dried up.
timber was not allowed to be extracted from Chitral Heart diseases and cancer is becoming common due to

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air pollution. It is said that 60 percent of Pakistani

children fall ill due to water pollution. A few years ago heavy snowfall occurred in
the month of October which destroyed fruit
At present there are about 400 glaciers in Chitral which and trees and the paddy crop. People
provide clean water to 500 villages of Chitral for suffered from flu due to sudden decrease in
drinking, agriculture and farming. The glaciers in temperature. About 40 percent of Chitral is
Chitral are located at the altitude of 15,000 to 20,000 facing acute drought due to low rainfall.
feet. Due to rise in temperature the glaciers are There is a shortage of water for drinking and for
undergoing rapid changes. Due to quick melting of agriculture.
snow deep ponds have been formed at the base of
many of the glaciers. Scientists are of the view that if Due to air pollution and increase in temperature fruit,
melting continues at the current rate the ponds will vegetables and flowers have been adversely affected.
spill any time. This might lead to destruction of many Apricot and apples rot on the trees. Various pretty
villages. A few years ago a village called Sanoghar flowers do not grow. Polluted water from fields and
was hit by severe flood due to spilling over of a lake. orchards flows into canals. There is no proper
Large boulders came down towards the village and a sewerage system in villages.
large part of the village was destroyed. Because of big
boulders the land of the village was no more In Chitral water from glacier is very clean and is good
cultivable. More incidents of this kind may occur if for drinking. We should try to save water and air from
temperature continues to rise due to air pollution. Out pollution. Cutting of trees should be banned and new
of season snowfall has been observed these days. This trees should be planted so that Chitral could be saved
damages crops. from environmental disaster.
Swat: do not cut more trees

Editorial: Many trees have been cut down in Kabal, Matta and other areas due to security
reasons. Orchards and fields along roadsides are also being destroyed. This has caused concern
among the people. It is said that the security forces have now decided to cut down more trees in
these areas so that the militants cannot carry out their activities from behind these trees. Military
authorities might be aware of the pros and cons of this decision but the beauty of Swat valley is
dependent on its river and its lush green trees. It is because of these trees that Swat has such a
pleasant climate. During the recent militancy in Swat forests have been completely cut down. If
the remaining trees are cut in the name of security it will not only have an adverse effect on the
weather and climate of Swat but will destroy the beauty of the valley. Trees are part of natural
beauty. Some people consider cutting of trees a murder. We hope that the military authorities
will pay attention to this and more trees will not be cut down.
Mountains, Forests Glaciers and Rivers are valuable

assets of the province: Wajid Ali Khan
All citizens should be motivated to stop illegal cutting of trees
Daily Aaj, Abbottabad, June 06, 2010
Peshawar (Aaj News) Provincial resources. Other provinces should said that the present government
minister for environment Wajid also invest here and help us in has taken several measures for
Ali Khan has said that mountains, conserving these resources. He protection of the environment.
forests, rivers and glaciers are expressed these views in his These include establishment of
valuable assets of the province. address as the chief guest at a offices in three cities and setting
Life of all the countrymen is function organized to celebrate up of environmental tribunal in
dependent on these natural international environment day. He Abbottabad. He said that climatic

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changes world over are a challenge and grow more and more trees. given to Adil Saeed,
for the whole world. He said for The minister gave “green second to Mohammad
keeping the environment clean we journalist” awards to the Fayyaz, and the third to
need to stop illegal cutting of trees, journalists who wrote best articles Mohammad Ali.
arrange proper disposal of wastes on environment. First award was
Seminar and declamation contest held at forest institute

Students made speeches in Urdu and English on environment issues
Peshawar (Campus Reporter) Khattak was the chief guest. Urdu declamation contest student
Pakistan Forest Institute, Director of the institute Asif Jah, Sudhir Ahmed Mughal stood first,
University campus maintained its assistant professor Memoona and Awais Ahmed and Farrukh
tradition of holding seminar and many students attended the Nadeem from Azad Kashmir stood
declamation contest on the function. Senior forest officer second and third respectively. In
occasion of World Environment Tanvir Ahmed presided over the English declamation contest Sadaf
Day. Students of PFI institutes seminar. Students delivered Rafiq from Sindh stood first while
from all over the country speeches in Urdu and English Rizwan Khan and Gohar Rehman
participated in this seminar. while students of PFI Model from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stood
Conservator forest Dr Aayaz Schools presented a tableau. In second and third.
Peach and plum orchard destroyed by mysterious disease

Farmers suffer huge losses; Prime Minister’s package fails to provide relief to
farmers; During the MMA government loans were being given at low mark up
rate. Present government has stopped that scheme; Press conference by Khan
Sahib
Peshawar (correspondent) Haji Addressing a press conference in scheme. He demanded that relief
Khan Sahib a resident of Armar Peshawar Press Club he said that should be provided to small
area of Peshawar has said in a Malakand Division has suffered farmers under the prime minister’s
press conference that only big land serious losses due to the ongoing package. He also demanded that
owners are benefiting from the wave of terrorism and now the the cause of strange disease in
prime minister’s package. Small military operation has destroyed peach and plum fruit orchards
farmers did not get any relief. our agriculture. He said that the should be investigated. He
During the past two years peach MMA government has launched a threatened to launch a protest
and plum have been attacked by a scheme to give loans to farmers at movement if his demands were not
mysterious disease destroying fruit a very low mark up. But the new fulfilled.
worth millions of rupees. government has dumped the

SDPI
Chapter 06
Orchards
‘No botanical survey ever done in country’

By Faiza Ilyas scientific details of all the Referring to deforestation, he said

KARACHI, June 17: Pakistan is indigenous flowering plant species Pakistan had the second highest
losing its flora at an alarming rate. of the country is the first rate of deforestation after Brazil in
It has the second highest rate of comprehensive work on the the world and it was annually
deforestation in the world, and subject. losing four to six per cent of
studies suggest it would lose all woody biomass.
naturally grown trees within 15 Giving his presentation on floral
years if no mass-scale diversity of Pakistan, Dr Qaiser “It is claimed that 4.5 to 4.7 per
conservation efforts were put in said the country blessed with some cent of the total land mass in the
place. of the highest peaks in the world, country is covered by forests. But
glaciers and a 1,050-kilometre- there is no ground survey to
The awareness of plant long coastline was a land of support that claim. Studies,
significance in government circles contrasts in many respects. This however, suggest that Pakistan
may be gauged from the fact that diversity in geographical with this current rate of forest
there is no department in the conditions had given birth to a depletion would lose all its
country that works for plant huge variety in flora and fauna. naturally grown trees in 10 to 15
protection. Hence, no botanical years,” he said.
survey has ever been carried out in A numerical analysis of Pakistan’s
the country’s history. flora, he said, had shown that there Regarding strategies for plant
were 221 flowering families and conservation, he said there was a
An authentic red data book on 5,700 flowering species. Of them, dire need to carry out a botanical
plants has never been produced 65 per cent families were survey of the whole country to
and no importance has ever been represented by fewer than 10 per determine the actual status of all
attached to plant conservation cent species and about 405 species plant species.
while declaring an area protected. were endemic.
“Priority should be given to
These were some of the important “The country could be divided into endemic species in conservation.
points highlighted by noted four regions according to the Researches have shown that a
botanist Prof Dr Mohammad geographic distribution of plant majority of the over 50 endemic
Qaiser at a seminar on species of which the most rich in species found in the northern areas
conservation of biodiversity held terms of floral biodiversity is the and Sindh are critically
in the arts auditorium of Karachi Irano-Turanian region that include endangered. There is a dire need to
University on Thursday. Gilgit-Baltistan, parts of Kashmir, protect these plants and carry out
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and monitoring of vegetation,” he said.
Dr Qaiser is the vice-chancellor of Balochistan. It has the bulk of
the Federal Urdu University for floral species, that is, 45.6 per cent No conservation effort, however,
Arts, Science and Technology and of the total floral species,” he said. could be successful if local
also the co-editor of Flora of communities were not involved
Pakistan. The book carrying and a sustainable solution to their

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financial problems was not found, years in Sindh and farmers have three meals a day are
he added. been forced to change crop now surviving on two
pattern. About 5,670,000 hectares meals.”
Speaking on the impact of climate have been lost to sea. The 17
change, Dr Moazzam Ali Khan of major creeks have virtually turned Prof Pirzada Qasim
the Institute of Environmental into saline creeks as there has been Raza Siddiqui, the KU
Studies said the impact of the drastic decline in freshwater vice-chancellor; Prof
phenomenon would be severe in release over the years. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, pro-vice-
coming years on Pakistan, already chancellor; Dr Pirzada Jamal
facing a number of challenges. The freshwater flow downstream Siddiqui and Dr Anjum Perveen
the Kotri barrage has decreased also spoke.
Giving some statistics on Sindh, from 150 million acres feet in
he said: “The 1996-2000 data has 1955 to less than 2MAF.” The Centre for Plant Conservation,
shown that the average rainfall has the Centre of Excellence in Marine
declined 10 to 15 per cent and the These conditions, he said, would Biology, the Institute of
frequency of draught has get severe in coming years. Environmental Studies, the
increased. The underground and Institute of Marine Sciences and
surface water resources are “The poor are facing numerous the departments of marine
depleting fast with the increasing hardships, many of whom have sciences, microbiology and
pollution. been forced to migrate to urban zoology had jointly organised the
areas. Studies have shown that event.
There has been 50 per cent wheat consumption has gone down
reduction in crop yield over the in Pakistan as people earlier taking
Unidentified persons cut 1000 loquat trees

Takht Bhai (Special Correspondent) Unidentified Inamullah has registered a report in Mardan police
persons have cut down 1000 loquat trees from an station.
orchard. Owner of the orchard Sameenullah son of
Gardens are historical assets; action must be taken

again those destroying gardens: Aijaz Afzal;
There were 28 gardens in Peshawar but only 8 remain there; gardens have been
destroyed by land grabbers; petitioners; Chief justice Peshawar High Court
orders archeology department to present records
Peshawar (Courts Reporter) On a petition filed by Shakil Even these remaining gardens
writ petition filed against the Wahidullah it has been said that have been occupied by the land
destruction of historical gardens of out of 28 gardens in Peshawar mafia. Wazir Bagh and Shahi
Mughal period Peshawar High only 8 are still intact. Bagh are part of historical heritage
Court has sought pictures and but football grounds, schools,
records of the gardens. In the colleges and fun land have been

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built on that land. This has heritage and action should be directed the department
destroyed the gardens. The taken against those responsible for of archeology to present
historical gardens have been destroying the garden. The record of the gardens on
turned into housing colonies. Chief petitioner has been asked to the next hearing.
Justice Aijaz Afzal has said that present old and new pictures of
these gardens are part of national these gardens. The court has
Provincial government given notice to make Peshawar

city of gardens
Most of the gardens in Peshawar have been occupied by land mafia; petitioner
Daily Aaj, Abbottabad, May 13, 2010
Peshawar (News Reporter) Shah have given the opinion that ruined. Similarly the Shahi Bagh
Peshawar High Court has directed the petitioner is a resident of was spread over several acres of
the department of archeology, Peshawar and that Peshawar was land over which now Government
local government and culture to known as city of gardens but the College, Municipal Inter College,
present record. On a petition filed land mafia has ruined all that Niaz Stadium and football ground
by Shakil Waheedullah Chief gardens. Wazir Bagh used to be a have been built. Other gardens of
justice of High Court Aijaz Afzal vast garden spread over hundreds the city have also been ruined and
Khan and Justice Sajjad Hussain of acres of land but it has been buildings have been built on those.
Agriculture is the livelihood of residents of Hunza Valley

Orchards under threat of being washed away
Livelihood of the residents of Hunza valley depends on On 4 January 2010 an incident took place which killed
agriculture. Fruit like apricot, grapes, apples, peaches, 19 people. Bodies of 13 people were recovered
pear, pomegranate, and cherries grown in the pollution immediately while three others were found later.
free environment are perfect in quality. However, due Three bodies are still missing. This loss of life has
to the formation of an artificial lake at Attabad the activated the government institutions. Compensation
district administration of Hunza-Nagar has directed the was paid to the families of the dead within a week of
people to leave the area. The formation of lake at the incident and the survivors were shifted to safer
Attabad started in January 2010. Due to the sites. All government institutions came to work but
earthquakes in 2002 and 2005 cracks had appeared in the delay had already caused some irreparable damage.
mountains. Gradually these cracks grew wider. As the After talking to the people of the area the following
livelihood of the local people is dependent on issues came forth: 1. the government is giving figures
agriculture they continued their usual life without about the length, breadth and depth of the Attabad lake
paying much attention to these cracks. These cracks but is not saying how much damage will be inflicted if
kept growing so much so that an NGO working in area, the lake spills over. 2. majority of the people of
Karakoram Area Development Organization and the Hunza are not prepared for coping with any emergency
Geological Survey of Pakistan conducted a detailed because there is no civil defense system in place. The
survey of the area. The Geological Survey of Pakistan common people are unaware of basic needs from
conducted the survey on the request of National storing grain and fuel to first aid. 3. the media is not
Disaster Management Authority so that the playing its role properly. People are skeptic about the
government organizations could prepare themselves possible devastation due to the lake. Reporting is not
for coping with disaster. Unfortunately the based on factual conditions but on sentiments. Most of
recommendations of this report have not been the people who are covering Attabad lake issue are not
implemented. from Gilgit-Baltistan. They are unaware of the local
language and culture. They are also unaware of the

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development process in the area. This is the reason to handle any emergency. 8. political
that they are unable to present a realistic picture. It parties are not happy with the government
seems as if the truth has been buried underneath the policy about Attabad lake. Officials of the
rubble that has blocked water of Hunza River and it NGOs criticize the government policy off
will be revealed only when all standing crops get the record while the political leaders keep
submerged and all cattle is swept away. The lake saying openly that the government should
formed on 4 January submerged three villages prepare for the emergency situation.
Aainabad, Shashkat and Gulmat. Government Disaster management should be taught in educational
department had not made any forecast about the institutions. Newspapers and other media sources
inundation of these villages. Government departments should be used for dissemination of information.
are claiming that dam break will not cause any Establishing FM radio stations can be of help in these
damage. Common people are not ready to trust that. areas. 9. Member of Gilgit-Baltistan assembly
Fear is quite obvious not only among the people living Maulana Shahab has said that the lake has taken the
in the low lying areas of Hunza valley but also among shape of a water bomb and the government is ill-
those who are living on the hills. People are asking prepared to meet this challenge. Muslim League-Q has
many questions while those answering the questions said that the government has failed to release water
give weak arguments and advise people to trust in from the lake in a timely manner. Local organization
God. 5. No arrangements were made to move out the of the MQM has also expressed dissatisfaction over the
cattle from the low lying villages of Hunza valley rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the government.
which the government had forced the people to Imam of Jamia Masjid Gilgit Syed Rahat Hussaini has
evacuate. If these areas are inundated then the loss of said that political parties should stop criticizing each
cattle would be much higher than any other losses. 6. other and should chalk out a strategy to meet this
Attabad lake is a clear example inefficiency and challenge. 10. The local government has started
negligence of government departments. We should removing wooden bridges. This will cut off
have learned lessons from the past. 7. In a statement communication between various villages. Majority of
on 14 May China has offered all possible help to the people living in the localities on hills have moved out
affected people. The government should appeal to the of the area and youth organizations have been
international community for support. The entire organized for the look after of cattle.
Hunza valley should be declared a calamity-hit area.
Volunteers all over the country should be put on alert

SDPI
Chapter 07
Miscellaneous
Springtime
‘kachnar’ augments beauty of twin city
The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, April 02, 2010
By Ishrat Hayatt plants are easily recognized by

Rawalpindi: - These days the their leaves, each constituting of
‘kachnar’ tree is in full bloom all two identical halves, folded in the
over the sister cities and what a middle and when opened they
pretty sight it is, but you might assume a kind of heart shaped
have missed it because there are look. It bears pod like fruit during
many trees in bloom these days, early summer and these becomes
with flowers in similar hues red on ripening by the beginning
catching the eye. But remember, of autumn, when seed can be
the ‘Kachnar’ is recognizable collected for planting. The
because it towers above other trees ‘kachnar’ tree has nearly half an
growing by its side. inch thick bark, dark brown in
color with vertical cracks. When
‘Kachnar’ is the local name for a given a cut it dispels a gum having
variety of medium size deciduous limited medicinal value, rich in
trees of the Bauhinieae plant proteins, but it has not been
family and its natural habitat is exploited commercially.
from Burma across the
subcontinent almost up to And did I say ‘ornamental?’ yes, economically and systematically
Afghanistan. It is an ornamental but the ‘Kachnar’ is actually a for milch cattle. ‘Kachnar’ wood is
tree with drooping branches and in very useful tree to have around. red in colour, with red and or
spring it produces a rich harvest of Besides its beautiful flowering black streaks near the core and is
pink/mauve and white blossoms- period when no leaves are visible, fairly hard in texture so it is
there are also pure white the young flower buds can be generally used for agricultural
‘Kachnar’-which, if examined picked for a variety of tasty food implements, in addition to
from up close, you will see they items by serving as a vegetable on firewood. The ‘Kachnar’ is a good
resemble orchids-in fact it is its own or with meat and mince, species for planting in open wastes
sometimes called the ‘Orchid tree.’ while some people also make as well as around agricultural land,
While orchids are considered pickles from the buds. Try it out so people interested in covering
‘exotic’ these flowers are not as but don’t forget to lightly fry them their fallow land, having rich
appreciated as much as they first so they do not become soggy fodder for their dairy cattle;
should be because they are and break up. beautifying their drive-ways and
‘common.’ (Does this sound landscape or otherwise enriching
familiar in context to other such Other information available says the environment, should grow this
anomalies of how we perceive the leaves from a very potent species.
things around us?) Anyway, these fodder after being chopped, Photo by Naveed Akram.

SDPI
Letter to Editor
Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal
PLANTS were planted on both sides of Sharea Faisal, There are also a number of signals such as at
as well as on the separating portion between the one- Nursery, Mehran Hotel and Awami Markaz which are
way traffic, about two years ago. This was a good hidden by tree branches and are not visible from a
move. distance.
But these required proper trimming of the branches. I would like to draw the attention of authorities
This will create a good effect on trees and will also concerned to take up the matter seriously and arrange
improve the beautification of roadsides. them in such a way that these plants should be helpful
instead of being a hindrance.
NAVEED KAMRAN, Karachi
Letter to Editor
Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal
THIS is apropos of a letter by for the area residents as they keep South Karachi have not been
Naveed Kamran (April 9) who has growing and growing. spared. It is apprehended that with
appreciated the efforts of the City the passage of time these plants
District Government Karachi for The capital’s city officials also are going to become a bigger
making the environment of the opted for its quick growing feature nuisance in terms of hurting the
metropolis greener. alone against the professional environment, making it unfriendly
advice of botanists, horticulturists at the cost of public health.
However, he has suggested that it and ecologists of national repute
ensure proper trimming of the who had clearly outlined its They need to be trimmed regularly
densely growing trees on the nuisance value. as they grow real fast, which will
median strip and on both sides of consume valuable time and energy
Sharea Faisal which obstructs Likewise Conocarpus erectus is a and cost heavily to the Civic
drivers’ view. toxic alien invasive species which Agency concerned. In other words,
causes asthma and respiratory it will be a waste of time, money
It may be relevant to point out here disorders. It has been excessively and energy.
that the massive planting of toxic used all along major arteries, road
mangrove trees (Conocarpus) like islands, green belts and parks and SARA ZAFAR
paper mulberry used for greening gardens all across the city. Karachi
Islamabad in the early sixties has
turned into a permanent nuisance Even the vicinity by the sea shore
and coastal areas of East and
Woodland Carnival celebrated at City School

The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, May 02, 2010
By Afshan S. Khan different themes with the help of

Rawalpindi: - A spectacular The parents were spellbound to see recycled material, fancy gears and
display of talent and creativity was the creativity and projects made by costumes and usable items.
witnessed at the Woodland young students. All projects based Talking to ‘The News.’ Head
Carnival 2010 held at The City on designated themes were mistress Sumaira Shafiq said that
School, Nursery Branch, Harley displayed outside whereas the children prepared things with
Street. classrooms were transformed into their own imagination of course

SDPI
with the guidance of their teachers. created the right ambiance of dinosaurs in which they
“The students love to indulge in underwater. Children had prepared had prepared various
creative activities, which is good stuffed animals and their faces on kinds of dinosaurs.
for them,” she added. paper plates and photo frames.
Octopuses, fish, sea horses, The Junior II-C
The chief guests on the occasion dolphins, sharks and many others presented insects and
were MNA Anjum Aqeel and Air were painted on the walls. The the whole class was
Commodore (r) Skindar Shah, who children in this class were 2 ½ to 3 filled with creepy crawlers.
were quite impressed by the years old. Spiders, bee and ants were
performance of students. They also everywhere, which admired the
praised the hard work and The nursery class was given the parents.
dedication of teachers. theme of farm animals. Horses,
cows and goat were made with The junior I-C presented
When parents entered each hand stuffed with wool. The carnivore, omnivore and herbivore
classroom the children greeted children were wearing headgears animals whereas junior I-T
them with a loud ‘good morning’ and costumes of farm animals. The presented wildlife. The students
and then introduced their work, village scene was also created in greeted the parents with the typical
which they had done in the class. the classroom. ‘hoo haa’ as the jungle people do
“The confidance with which the in the wild.
children are presenting their work The KG class displayed pet
is remarkable,” one of the parents animals and made various things The junior II-C presented birds in
remarked. like coin boxes, various animal which students had prepared
faces with used balls. A big ostriches and beautiful penguins.
The first class was play group, dollhouse was also placed in the
which was given the theme of sea centre of the class that housed The Nursery-T presented garden
animals. The sea animals were various pet animals. The KG animals in which butterflies,
hanged from the ceiling and students also presented world of parrots and ladybirds were shown.
World's forest cover shrinking: report

Business Recorder Islamabad, May 03, 2010
WASHINGTON: The world's greenhouse gases, and to set Tropical humid forests, which
forest cover shrunk by 3.1 percent parameters for "global-scale cover 11.5 million square
between 2000 and 2005, according biogeochemical, hydrological, kilometers and represent the
to satellite observations detailed in biodiversity and climate models," world's largest forested surface,
a study. Hardest-hit were boreal read the report. lost 2.4 percent of their cover
forests - the world's far northern during the research period, or 27
sub-arctic forests - which account The total forest loss between 2000 percent of the overall loss.
for about one-third of this loss, and 2005 was estimated to be Tropical forests in dry regions -
said the report, published in the 1,011,000 square kilometers, the 7.13 million square kilometers, or
April 26-30 issue of the Annals of researchers said. Boreal forests, 21.8 percent of the world's forest
the National Academy of Sciences which account for 26.7 percent of surface - shrunk 2.9 percent
(PNAS). the world's forest cover, showed between 2000 and 2005,
the greatest shrinkage over this representing 20.2 percent of total
There are several causes of forest period, losing 4 percent, or 34.7 forest loss.
destruction, including human percent of the total forest loss
cutting and natural phenomena during the study period. The Geographically, North America,
such as fires ignited by lighting, report's authors, from South which had a 5.8 million square
the report said. Dakota State University and the kilometer forest cover in 2000,
State University of New York, suffered the biggest loss during the
Data on changes in the world's attributed two-thirds of the loss in study period, losing 5.1 percent or
forest cover are needed to estimate boreal forest cover to fires. 295,000 square kilometers,
the impact of carbon dioxide representing 29.2 percent of the
emissions, one of the main overall loss. – AFP

SDPI
Holy Trees
Dawn Islamabad, May 14, 2010
ONE has heard of holy men, holy few days. When they die they are Pine trees or the
places and even holy cows but of replaced by a new consignment ‘chinar’ would have
‘holy cows’. However, we have and this process has been repeated been much more appropriate but
these in Pakistan now. a number of times at considerable these do not grow in the ‘holy
cost. land’
The government has brought palm
trees from Saudi Arabia and The palm tree is not indigenous to M. Asghar Khan
planted these on the motorways. this part of the country, nor is it Islamabad
They did not survive for than a particularly attractive to look at.
BB road to have pine trees

The Nation Islamabad, June 16, 2010
By Israr Ahmed horticulture Agency (PHA) He said that another project has
Rawalpidi: - Hundreds of pine Assistant Director (AD) Sheikh been started to keep the jewelers
trees are being planted from Teri while talking to The Nation market beautiful saying plantation
Chandni Chowk to 6th Road in a here on Tuesday. pottery would be placed in front of
bid to give a beautiful green look the jeweler shops with the
to city’s busiest Benazir Bhutto He said that in first phase more cooperation of Jewellery
Road (BBR). In the next phase, than two hundred pine trees would Association. It would be the first
pine trees would be planted from be planted from Chandni Chowk joint venture project of PHA and
6th Road to Faizabad. to 6th Road. At least 120 pine trees Jewellers Association, Murree
have been planted so far while Road, Rawalpidi. Jewellers
“Rawalpindi Development remaining work would be Association is taking keen interest
Authority (RDA) is making all out completed soon, he added. He said in beautifying the city, he added
efforts for giving a beautiful and that RDA and PHA were also .
green look to the city and also contemplating to expand this
trying to change the micro climate project till Faizabad
of Rawalpindi,” said Parks and
Nature talk:
Problematic palm trees
Text & Photographs By Zahrah Nasir

Q: There are three palm trees, planted about five years
ago in our garden and they have grown to an average
height of nine feet. For the last 3-4 weeks one of the
trees looks like it is dying. All the leaves have turned
pale brown except for one shoot of new leaves which
is green but still to open up. What can we do?
According to one mali this happened due to the long
foggy spell we had in Lahore last December and
January. Someone else said that it is due to the termite
we have in our lawn. If this is so, then why is only one
palm affected?

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A: Unfortunately, you omitted to tell me the species of

palm tree you are having problems with but I will still A: Patience my gardening friend! Orange
do the best I can. The fog is unlikely to be the culprit trees don’t begin fruiting until they are at
as very dry air/wind affects palm trees far more than least four to five years old, some take even
foggy conditions. Is this one tree perhaps more longer. Feed and irrigate your tree regularly
exposed to a cold wind than the others? If so, then this to keep it in tip-top health. As for the larvae,
could be the problem and you will need to provide these are probably moths not butterflies and
some kind of shelter from the prevailing breeze. If not, can badly damage your tree. If there are not too many
then yes, termite could be responsible seeing that you pick them off by hand, otherwise spray them with a
already have them in your lawn. Termite is more liable mixture of one tablespoon liquid soap, two tablespoons
to attack one tree at a time than go for them all at once. cooking oil, one tablespoon baking soda made up to
I suggest that you take care of the termite problem on one gallon with warm water. This should suffocate
an emergency basis before you lose any more trees. them nicely! Repeat at two week intervals if the bugs
Give your sick palm tree a heavy feed of liquid do not disappear at first try.
seaweed-based organic fertiliser with a high potash
content, do this once a month and pray that it recovers Q: My four date palms are now one year old but they
in time. The fact that it is trying to make new growth is only have four leaves. How can I speed up their
a good sign. growth?
Q: I live near the sea in Karachi and planted four A: You can’t! Date palms grow very slowly indeed.
coconut palms about 18 months ago. They were doing Ensuring that they have adequate, organic nourishment
fine but suddenly one of them has started to die. Its in the form of old, well rotted manure, will help them
leaves have turned brown and brittle and the tree is to retain their strength but will not speed up their
becoming thinner. Someone mentioned that the root natural growing process.
may have termite so I put termite medicine but it
hasn’t helped. What should I do now? Q: I reside in Sukkur and would like to know if citrus
fruit can be grown in large pots.
A: Please refer to the previous answer.
A: Yes. Citrus fruits can be cultivated, very
Q: I have a coconut palm in my garden in PECHS, successfully, in large clay pots and other suitable
Karachi, and it used to bear big coconuts through the containers. Lemons, particularly Chinese ones, do well
year. Recently though, the size of the nuts has reduced in pots as do both grapefruit and small to medium size
and some of the buds dry up without blossoming. What orange trees. If you can find kumquat trees then these
should I do to resolve both these problems? thrive exceptionally well in pots. Good luck!
A: Sounds like your tree needs feeding. You haven’t Please continue sending your gardening queries to
mentioned any visible pests and I am presuming that zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your
you irrigate on a reasonably regular basis. Use the location. Answers to selected questions will appear in
liquid organic fertiliser mentioned in the answer to the a future issue of the magazine. This takes time. The
first question. If this doesn’t solve the problems, please writer will not respond directly by e-mail. E-mails with
get back to me and I will make alternative suggestions. attachments will not be opened.
Q: I have a two year old orange tree but it doesn’t fruit. The writer’s garden is private property; no trespassing
What shall I do about this? Also, there are lots of please.
butterfly larvae on it. How can I get rid of them?
A walk through the jungle

For those who have a flair for a serene walk through woods, Thandiani-Nathia
Gali track is an attractive option in the summers
The News on Sunday, June 20, 2010
By Irfan Ahmad error in time management and we ended up in the dark

IT had become very dark in the Dagri jungle, said to be forest, still an hour's walk from our destination -- the
the home of leopards. The three of us were quite tired, Dagri Forest Rest House. We cursed our guide who
having started rather late from Thandiani. A slight

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left us and perhaps had already reached the camping a shabby condition since 2005 earthquake.
site with his dumb pack mule. However, it offers good opportunity for
camping with a beautiful and vast view of
We should have pitched our camps by now. But there Abbottabad towards its lawns. Apart from a
we were, lost in the dark, quiet forest without any idea couple of water springs between Bairan Gali
as to how far we were from our destination. A and Dagri, water is not available on this
flashlight in the daypack carried by one of us became track; hence at least drinking water should
our saviour in that thickening darkness. We kept be carried along.
moving on the uneven and twisted track with light
focused just around our feet for another hour when we Starting this track from Nathia Gali is not advisable, as
it starts with a steep hike in the very beginning towards
Miranjani. This could be demoralising as it had been
for a group of trekkers whom we met at Dagri. We
pitched camp, took our meal and sat around a big fire
in the cold and windy night; we had a magically
beautiful view of flickering flames, twinkling stars and
distant constellation of electricity-lit Abbottabad as the
night became deeper, colder and more mysterious.
Cold and bright morning greeted us as we packed up

and moved on towards Nathia Gali via Miranjani top.
Sunshine penetrating through the tall pine, juniper and
deodar trees was adding to the beauty of the track
mostly covered with colours of fallen leaves. Ladybugs
and butterflies were frolicking around the colourful
flowers along the track. Air was full of peculiar jungle
aroma and carried pleasant vibration originating from
saw signs of a passage on our right with a tiny board fresh breeze passing through woods creating a
affixed on a log that read 'Dagri Forest Rest House'; a beautiful ambiance of a captivating spring holiday. We
heartening relief to the rundown trekkers. were amused and were absorbing the cherished
sensation of that atmosphere.
It was a star-studded night as we reached the open
lawns of the rest house. It had taken us 8 hours from It had been a largely straight way up till the point from
Thandiani but we were relaxed, looking at the where trekkers have two options of reaching Nathia
widespread illumination of Abbottabad far away in the Gali; a shorter way through Miranjani top with a
depth, knowing that we shall have a fresh start in the conveniently steep way up along its expanded ridge; or
morning for Nathia Gali via Miranjani, the highest a longer way evading the hike to the top. It was a
peak in Galiat region. bright day with clear sky so we opted for the hike to
have a scenic view of the entire Galiat vales and snow-
Thandiani-Nathia Gali track, with a length of 26 capped northern Himalayas. Soon after the start of
kilometres, passes along Bairan Gali and Dagri ascent along the mountain ridge, we came above the
villages while winding through the pine jungle on tree line. It was nice to see the clear sky with its
slopes of Galiat Mountains. It was an old dream to peculiar blue tinge which is seen only at the
walk on this much heard of and treaded on passage mountains. Bright afternoon offered a beautiful view
said to have enchanting vistas with scenic view of of the entire surrounding but took its toll. We were
snow-capped Himalayas, whispering sound of wind sweating and had to stop now and then to sooth our
passing through pines, flower-studded meadows, breath but it was nice to have a gradually more
fluttering butterflies, luring melody of twittering birds encompassing and wider view of Galiat Mountains.
and few singing springs of water. Mukshpuri Top, which has a convenient hike of around
90 minutes from Dunga Gali, was appearing starkly
It was late sunny morning as we started from attractive with its cluster of trees cantered in the vast
Thandiani, a scenic hill station around 34 kilometres meadows.
away from Abbottabad with a panoramic view of
sprawling towns of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Guides Top of Miranjani offered a fascinating view of the
with luggage carrying mule are conveniently available cities of Abbottabad and Mansehra, a river snaking
for up to Rs7000 for Nathia Gali with one night stay at through the valley, misty and blurred view of Tarbella
Dagri where the Forest Department's rest house sits in Dam's lake and snow covered tops of upper Himalayas
from Kashmir in the East to Karakorum Highway on

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the West. We could also see Thandiani Mountains, before the monsoon period, for those who
where we had started our track from last morning, at a have a flair for a good, long and serene walk
fairly long distance across the green thickness of through woods. It provides an opportunity to
jungle in the valleys beneath. As we were enjoying the be in the wilderness even with availability
scenery and taking some rest at the top, an infuriated of communication through cellular phone,
swarm of bees attacked us, making us rush downhill. while not being away from the urban area.
Luckily, they did not find us interesting enough to
pursue. We had reached Nathia Gali in 5 hours, since The writer is a banker by profession.
our start from Dagri, and descended on the road near He can be reached at:
Governor's House where our driver was waiting for us. erfanehmed@hotmail.com
With a two days weekend, this fabulous and easy track

is an attractive option in the summers, preferably
Haripur: Hundreds of trees cut down during strikes

Panian (Shamal Correspondent) confiscated timber worth millions cut down from Dingi tubewell to
During the recurring strikes in of rupees. During the movement Darwesh area.
Haripur hundreds of trees were cut rejecting the new name of Khyber
down. Forest department has Pakhtunkhwa numerous trees were
Entry of Afghan shepherds should be

banned in Jabar, Deolai area
Cattle owned by Afghans finish seasonal pastures which causes starvation
among local cattle.
Jabar (Shamal Correspondent) own large number of sheep and We will not tolerate presence of
Entry of Afghans should be horses. These animals eat all the Afghans in the area, the local
banned in Jabar Deolai. Their seasonal pastures. When local residents said.
entry is creating many problems people go there with their animals
for the local people. The Afghans the animals find nothing to eat.
Baffa, eyewitness say fuel wood on roadside caused accident

Baffa (Crime Reporter) caused the accident near Eidgah on the administration several time but
Eyewitnesses said that the fuel Khawajgan road. The residents the negligence of the
wood lying along the roadside had brought this to the notice of administration led to the accident.

SDPI
Cultivation of Chinese fruit plant “Hep Haffe”

should be promoted: Governor
Awais Ghani briefed about Chinese fruit; Hep Heffe is used for juice
and as remedy for jaundice
Peshawar (Aaj News) Chairman Pakhtunkhwa agriculture jaundice and high blood pressure.
Pakistan Agricultural Research university Dr Khan Bahadur The governor agreed to the
Council Dr Zafar Altaf met Marwat was also present in the proposal that cultivation of this
governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa meeting. The plant has already plant can bring improvement in the
in Peshawar and briefed him about been introduced in the Malakand climate and life of the people. He
the cultivation of Chinese fruit tree University. lauded the agricultural university
“hep heffe” He asked the for its plan to cultivate this fruit on
governor to support the cultivation This plant has medicinal 40 acres of land.
of the tree on commercial level. properties. It is not only used for
Vice Chancellor of Khyber juices but is also a remedy for
Trees, Taliban and the military

Daily Azadi Swat 27 May 2010
Dr Sultan-e-Rome (Swat) trees within the boundaries of their forests of the valley were also
Trees are a blessing and a gift of houses or orchards. The owners affected by the situation.
God. Life of humans and animals have a right to cut down fruit trees
depends on trees. Whether it is but shady trees cannot be cut down Swat and the people of Swat bore
food or shelter, whether it is small unless a replacement trees is the brunt of this dangerous game.
huts or huge mansions, whether it planted on the side two or three It was in the presence of the
is fuel for cooking meals or for years ahead of cutting a tree. military that the humans and trees
keeping the homes warm in winter of Swat were being slaughtered by
somehow or the other we need Besides that there were certain the Taliban. The hardship
trees. Trees are beauty of the earth rules and limitations on pruning of continued for these elements even
and also ensure survival of living trees and anyone violating those after the removal of the Taliban
beings. Swat valley which is rules was fined. Anyone who from the scene because the
famous for its natural beauty since happened to cut the trees which military officials ordered cutting
ancient times has a variety of trees. were not allowed by the authorities down of trees off and on. Either
had to pay the fine and also return the residents of the area were
Though trees were being cut down the wood to the government. The asked to cut the trees or the
mercilessly at one time but the situation totally changed after the soldiers used to cut those
ruler of Swat Mian decision by the government of mercilessly. The military officials
\ Pakistan to merge Swat into its were taking these steps in violation
Abdul Wadood aka Bacha Sahib province. Laws were not followed of the Islamic rules of war and also
and Miangul Jahanzeb known as and due to the violation of laws in violation of the protection of
wali sahib took such measures that forests vanished in Swat very environment act 1997.
new trees were planted in the area rapidly. However the people of
and cutting of trees was stopped. Swat started planting more trees The trees which were planted and
There was a time when no one on their lands. That is why while grown by the people of Swat are
could prune the trees in his house the mountains in Swat are without not only an asset but contribute a
without the official permission. trees the plains are full of trees. great deal to the environment. It is
Anyone doing this without hard to understand why this
permission had to pay heavy fines. Unfortunately such activities were valuable asset is disliked by the
Later this law was slightly relaxed started in Swat during the past few military authorities. Why trees are
and in 1960 an order was issued years that the people of the area being slaughtered. This was being
that the owners can cut down the faced many hardships. Trees and done by the Taliban but now it has

SDPI
spread even wider. However there military officials do whatever they If the military is present
is clear difference between the want. They simply issue verbal in Swat not for the
two. The Taliban used to cut down orders without thinking about its safety of the people and
those trees and orchards whose effects and results. The their assets but to
owners were their enemies or were announcements of cutting down or protect themselves only
supporters of the government in pruning of trees under the pretext and everything else is
their view. Later when they of security are made with the security risk for them
realized their insensitivity to the approval of the high military then this attitude is giving rise to
trees they made announcements officials or the military official at many questions and doubts.
about ban on cutting trees through post uses his own discretion.
their broadcasts. On the other hand

SDPI (2010) Pakistan Forest Digest

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Quarterly

Sustainable Development Policy Institute

Vol. 01, No. 01 ISBN: 2218-8045 April – June 2010

A selection of clippings on Forest issues

Layout & Design

Pakistan Forest Digest iii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

Pakistan Forest Digest iv Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD)

Views and comments to improve the digest are appreciated.

Pakistan Forest Digest v Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

About NCCR (North South)

NCCR North-South Objectives

1. Capacity-building: To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in the South and

2. Research: To undertake theory-led, empirical research on issues relevant to development. In

• From vulnerability to resilience: gender, migration and social capital

Research of NCCR on Forests of Pakistan

Apart from this, following researches have been conducted by NCCR;

Pakistan Forest Digest vii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

Pakistan Forest Digest viii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

Contents of Newspaper Clippings

Jabar, Commission mafia earns millions in

Pakistan Forest Digest ix Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Achhrian: Trees being cut recklessly under the pretext

Pakistan Forest Digest x Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Ghazi: Range officer taking bribe destroying forests, Chapter 03

Pakistan Forest Digest xi Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Chapter 04 Provincial government given notice to make

English Translations of Urdu Clippings Trees, Taliban and the military

Pakistan Forest Digest xii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

CDA cut 14,428 trees in five years, Senate told

Forest land retrieved from encroachers

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

retrieval of over 2,700 kanals of OGDC administration

By Zain Daudpoto as “vanished land” and recommended to the chief

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

names and have submitted applications for

The Samas of Sekhat who are cultivating

To ensure positive outcome, policy should be

‘Pakistan has highest annual deforestation rate in Asia’

By Bhagwandas international commitments under a ban on forest land conversions,

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

way the WWF tally of forest land College of Engineering

Over 60,000 hectares of forests lost

By A Reporter shocking to observe that Pakistan Committee of WWF-Pakistan Dr

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Illegal cutting of trees continues

Killing of trees cuts deep into Islamabad’s green character

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

English Translations of Urdu Clippings

Protest in Oghi against reckless cutting of trees and

Stop cutting trees in Satellite Town: Residents

Bid to smuggle timber worth a huge amount of money foiled;

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Dhadar: Locals unite against reckless cutting of forests

Protection of forests, plan of Dural Dam should be

Ahal: forest department remains oblivious;

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Shinkirai: Mohammad Iqbal should be

Nawazabad forest check post has become a gold mine

Haripur Forest Department fails to protect Shisham trees

Galiat: Timber smuggling is taking place every day

Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

Smuggling of valuable timber out of Haripur and