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Shocking conversion of Forest land to non forest uses: Report launched by the Scientific Committee, WWF – Pakistan25 June, 2010Islamabad: A shocking over 61,000 hectares of forest land has been converted to non forest uses since 1947 which is 18.5% of the forest land, it was revealed by the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of WWF – Pakistan, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik. He was launching a report based on the findings of the study commissioned by the Scientific Committee to compile data on the conversion of forest to other uses. Pakistan has only 2.5% of forest cover with an alarming rate of deforestation. The annual rate of deforestation in Pakistan is - 2.1 per cent, no Asian country has a forest degradation rate higher than this. Dr. Bashir Ahmad Wani, Former Inspector General of Forest provided further details and added that the largest conversions of forest land have taken place in Punjab and Sindh, corresponding to 99,711 acres and 27,874 acres respectively and this is distressing as the Government continues to convert more forest land. Other panellists included Dr. Bashir Ahmed Wani, Former Inspector General of Forest, Ministry of Environment, Syed Mehmood Nasir, Inspector General of Forest, MoE, Ali Hassan Habib, Director General, WWF – Pakistan, Dr. Abdul Aleem Chaudhry and many other eminent scientists of Pakistan. It was highlighted that this conversion negates the Government of Pakistan’s commitments under the Millennium Development Goals to increase the forest cover in the country to 6% by the year 2015 Forests are important in the fight against greenhouse gasses which are impacting climate change. Forests absorb water and ensure it is filtered, sustained, and gradually available for consumption. Forest degradation does not only impact forest cover ratio of a country, it leads to real life problems such as soil erosion, damaged watershed areas leading to pollution in water bodies and endangering water availability in the long term. Previously, WWF – Pakistan also prepared a Pakistan Forest Programme document which was launched earlier in 2010, with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the provincial forest department. It provides an outline of initiatives needed to conserve and enhance the forest ecosystems in the country. The newly launched report by the Scientific Committee follows up the document with new facts, figures and studies.
About WWF – Pakistan: World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan was formed in 1970 to address the growing environmental and conservation issues in Pakistan that not only affected the flora and fauna, but were also affecting the human population. WWF – Pakistan is a non-profit organisation, working to preserve, conserve and save our environment and natural resources. Today, WWF - Pakistan works through 31 offices with a team of approximately 340 dedicated staff members. We have our Head Office in Lahore, regional offices in Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gilgit, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Quetta, and project offices wherever there is need and the potential to make a difference. The Scientific Committee is an independent body comprising of eminent scientists of diverse backgrounds. The Chairman of the Scientific Committee is also a Board Member of WWF – Pakistan. The Scientific Committee disperses Rs. 3 Million annually to support smaller, local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and researchers to enhance nature conservation in Pakistan.
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