ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a conference on Wednesday warned of economic losses if forest cover was not increased and water not utilised efficiently.

They were speaking at an event organised by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Serena Hotel, to observe World Water Day and the International Day of Forests on Wednesday.

Climate Change Secretary Khizar Hayat Khan said due to loss of forest cover in the watersheds, the flow and quality of water has been reducing, giving rise to trans-boundary and riparian issues.

“Being an agri-based country, the economic loss is imminent due to reduction in water flow,” he said.

The themes for the day this year were ‘Water and Nature’ and ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’.

Representatives of the Ministry of Climate Change, international organisations, government agencies, academia, the private sector, students from six educational institutions besides experts on environment attended the event.

Khizar Hayat Khan said the situation was so dire that government alone could not tackle it, and required external assistance.

“The role of every citizen is important, as well as that of NGOs, which are already contributing to increasing the forest cover in the country,” the senior official said.

Parliamentary Secretary and Member of National Assembly Romina Khurshid Alam in her remarks emphasised the importance of forests in human life, threats from disappearing forests, issues and suggestions to mitigate pressures to the national forest cover.

In the address of welcome, Country Representative IUCN Pakistan Mahmood Akhtar Cheema quoted a recent study of drinking water quality conducted by IUCN in Fata region where 97pc samples were found unsafe due to high microbiological contaminations. Only 3pc sources were found safe for drinking purpose, he said.

Inspector General Forest, Syed Mahmood Nasir said: “Pakistan needs to design urban forests that may result in a temperature reduction of 8-10 degree centigrade.”

Chairman Federal Flood Commission, Ahmed Kamal, reflected on floodplains management and national water policy.

UN Resident Coordinator Pakistan Neil Buhne said Pakistan was focusing on UN Agenda 2030 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 11, 13 and 15. Word of caution came from Country Head, Asian Development Bank Pakistan Xiaohong Yang who mentioned in her remarks that Pakistan was in the list of top countries affected by extreme weather conditions. The Green House Gas Emissions will double in two years and by year 2050 it will increase up to 14 times.

FAO Country Representative Pakistan, Mina Dowlatchahi said: “Ensuring food security and sustainable development in Pakistan, it is important to take note of the nexus between food security, forests and water. There is a need for concerted and coordinated action to help conserve natural resources and protect our eco-systems.”

The audience was also briefed about the possible solutions to overcome issues of water usage and water scarcity.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2018