BATTAGRAM: Forests in Battagram mountainous areas need urgent steps for their conservation to protect greenery and environment of the area, which has been badly harmed during the last two decades.

During a visit to Jam Beg, Sekai, Reemdaey, Kas Khwar, Oach Khwar and side areas of Gangwal, it was noted that people of these areas, especially the underprivileged section of the society, cut trees from local forests and considered it as chief source of their livelihood.

Zakirullah, a resident of Rashang, said that the billion tree tsunami plantation was losing its worth. He said that the provincial government was spending a huge amount of money on the plantation campaign and distributing saplings among people, but it had no policy for protecting forests.

Suleman, a resident of Roop Kanai, said that protection of forests was a continuous process and both the government and people should play their due role in growing more trees in the region and protecting them.

Azizullah, a resident of Nallah, said that they had not seen any efforts to improve and protect forests over last several decades, while people had been cutting trees for fuel and using its timber in construction.

“There are tigers and other wild animals in these natural forests and the ruthless deforestation will affect them badly,” he said.

Umer Rashad said that without realising the hazards of deforestation the people had virtually destroyed forests in Allai region. The residents said that if the government failed to take steps for protection of these forests their lives would also be affected.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016