KARACHI: The first urban forest of the province will be built in Karachi as part of the Green Karachi Project by planting eco-friendly trees near the Malir rivulet and railway line to counter the adverse effects of climate change and pollution.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Works and Services, Forest and Wildlife Syed Nasir Hussain Shah while presiding over a meeting held at his office to discuss the sustainable forest management policy 2019, annual development programme, and implementation of the orders of the Supreme and High Courts.

The minister said that a green Sindh is the aim of the provincial government and for this purpose a transparent and comprehensive policy would be devised for the development and expansion of forests in the province which would be based on merit and proper check and balance. He said that owing to climate change, increase in temperature and air pollution, the first urban forest of the province will be built in Karachi which will be expanded gradually to other parts of the province.

Mr Nasir Shah said in coordination with public-private partnership, eco-friendly trees will be planted to combat climate change and pollution. He directed the department to gear up before the upcoming spring season and also asked the officers to contact the relevant NGOs in this regard.

He said that short- and long-term planning should be devised for the enhancement and protection of forests of the province. The minister also directed the officers of the forest department to follow the orders of the Supreme and High Courts in this regard.

The minister also directed them to initiate urban forestry at divisional and district levels.

He recalled that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah are also quite interested in the development of forests and tree plantation in the province, and had issued directives in this regard.

Earlier secretary forest briefed the meeting about the sustainable forest management policy 2019 saying that after various consultative workshops, seminars, meetings and consulting with all the relevant stakeholders a draft in this regard will be presented next week.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2019