TAXILA: Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said that the government is planning to establish six national protected parks in various parts of the country, for which the Ministry of Climate Change will provide Rs2.4 billion. He was talking to press in Attock on Thursday.

He disclosed that a new department titled, National Parks Service for Pakistan will be created and all six parks will be a launching pad for this service, which is aimed at employing youth for nature protection. Mr Aslam said: “These parks will be established under the ‘Green Stimulus programme’, launched by the government across Pakistan, aimed at nature conservation and provision of jobs.

“These parks will be established in Kheri Murat Attock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK. Prime Minister Imran Khan has already approved the programme, to promote the 10 billion Tree Tsunami Project, which will help in providing employment to 65,000 youth, including daily-wagers affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.”

Giving further details, the adviser said that the project will increase production of plants, nurseries, revival of forests, honey generation, fruits and olive production, besides ensuring employment, through the Green Guard Scheme. “According to the Millennium Development Goals 2015, the size of protected areas should be at least 12pc of the total area of any state; with the declaration of these new national parks, the size of protected areas in the country will be increased,” he added.

Responding to a question, Mr Amin said that these parks will be properly managed to preserve the ecological habitats and wildlife while focusing on eco tourism and nature conservation. “The park, planned to be established in Attock at Kheri Murat, Tehsil Fatehjang will stretch over an area of 8,740 acres and its northern boundary will touch nine villages.

“Its southern boundary will touch eight villages and towards the East, its boundary will touch Kheri Murat Village and Rawalpindi; thepark’s western boundary will touch the hills close to Gali Jageer Village. Hunting, shooting, trapping, killing, or capturing of any wild animals, inside this park and within a three-mile radius of its boundaries will be punishable as per law,” he added.

This area will be protected to revive wildlife, in its natural habitat and conserve the rich biodiversity of the unique ecosystem, in Kala Chitta mountain range, about 50 miles from Islamabad, located on both sides of the motorway.

He said that this natural park will provide excellent recreational activities to enjoy nature including hikes and ecotourism while providing employment to the local communities.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2020