FORESTS are crucial for our economy and environment. They protect the upland watersheds against erosion and landslides and maintain ecological balance, production and ecotourism.

It is a sad fact that only five per cent area of the country is under forest cover which is a matter of grave concern. Thus forest resources are extremely important for the nation due to their invaluable services, particularly, sustaining water supply in the river system in the country.

Global warming and climate change are the greatest challenges of the modern era, posing serious threats to the survival of mankind. Therefore, conserving and enhancing carbon stocks in the forests is the most economical and viable option to overcome this problem. Forests also play important role in climate change mitigation and thus reduce global warming.

It is heartening to note that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has embarked upon an ambitious programme of planting one billion trees under “Billion Trees Tsunami Project”. The project will be completed by December 2017. According to reports, 180 million saplings have been sown under this initiative in the province.

In view of the above, we should put all our endeavours to achieve the dream of green Pakistan and a green Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the joint responsibility of the government, civil society, NGOs, farmers, students and public at large to protect and promote trees to enhance the nation’s forests resources.

Khan Faraz

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2016