Title Pakistan Forest Digest Issue 01- A4 - Pakistan Research Group

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteQuarterlyPakistan ForestDigestVol. 01, No. 01 ISBN: 2218-8045 April – June 2010Editor-in-ChiefDr. Abid Qaiyum SulehriExecutive DirectorSustainable Development PolicyInstitute, IslamabadManaging EditorDr. Babar ShahbazUniversity of Agriculture,FaislabadSustainable Development PolicyInstitute, IslamabadEditorial BoardDr. Urs GeiserZurich University, SwitzerlandDr. Mamoona Wali MuhammadPakistan Forest Institute,PeshawarMr. Riaz AhmadSUNGI DevelopmentFoundation, IslamabadMiss Afshan AhmedSustainable Development PolicyInstitute, IslamabadTechnical AdvisorMr. Ahmad SalimSustainable Development PolicyInstitute, IslamabadContentsP.NoIntroductions:Pakistan Forest DigestvAbout SDPIviAbout NCCR (North South)viiSummaryviiiContents of Newspaper ClippingsxiChapters:01- Timber Mafia: Illegal Cutting & Smuggling 0102- Forest Department 2003- Forest Fire 3004- Forest Protection & Awareness 3405- Forest & Environment 3906- Orchards 4207- Miscellaneous 46Layout & DesignAli AamerTechnical AssistantsAfsheen Naz & Zeeshan AliSustainable Development PolicyInstitute, IslamabadPakistan Forest Digest iii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDisclaimer!Contents of Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) are obtained from the English and Urdunewspapers and SDPI may not agree with the contents; and that apart fromEnglish news clippings, the Urdu news clippings are also translated in Englishand errors and omissions are expected.Pakistan Forest Digest iv Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePakistan Forest Digest (PFD)QuarterlyThe Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) is a quarterly series of digests focused on the forestrelated issues, government and non-government endeavors, community concerns andrights reported by the leading Pakistani newspapers and periodicals.The Digest covers news and views on legislation, rights and disputes, conservation andrehabilitation projects, conferences, workshops and all other events and endeavors relatedto the forests. The digest also includes research articles by the experts and academia andthe voices of the general public and stakeholders.It is a compilation of the selected news items and articles appearing in the localnewspapers & periodicals. The monthly PFD covers The English dailies, The NewsRawalpindi/Islamabad, The Nation Islamabad, Dawn Islamabad, Business RecorderIslamabad, - Urdu dailies Jang Rawalpidi, Nawa-Waqt Islamabad, Newspapers fromPeshawar Aaj, Masharaq, Shamal from Abbot Abad and Aazadi from Swat.The PFD is supported by Partnership Action for Mitigation Syndrome (PAMS) project ofSwiss NCCR (North-South).Views and comments to improve the digest are appreciated.Email: forestd@sdpi.orgPakistan Forest Digest v Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAbout SDPIBrief HistoryThe Sustainable Development Policy Institute(SDPI) was founded in August 1992 on therecommendation of the Pakistan NationalConservation Strategy (NCS), also calledPakistan’s Agenda 21. SDPI is a policyorientedresearch institute established toproduce quality policy research and advocatedemocratic governance and pro-peopleinitiatives. It is registered under the SocietiesRegistration Act, XXI of 1860.MandateGoals• To conduct policy advice, policyoriented research and advocacy from abroad multi-disciplinary perspective.• To promote the implementation ofpolicies, programs, laws andregulations based on sustainabledevelopment.• To strengthen civil society andfacilitate civil society-governmentinteraction through collaboration withother organizations and activistnetworks.• To disseminate research findings andpublic education through the media,conferences, seminars, lectures,publications and curriculadevelopment, including the CitizensReport and State of the EnvironmentReport.• To contribute to building up nationalresearch capacity and infrastructure.• To catalyze the transition towardssustainable and just development inPakistan.• To serve as a source of expertise andadvisory servicesfor the government, private sector,and non-governmental initiativessupporting the implementation ofPakistan's environment anddevelopment agenda.• To conduct policy-oriented researchon sustainable development from abroad multi-disciplinary perspective.• To provide policy advice on mattersrelating to the mission of the Institute.• To contribute to strengthening thesocial and physical infrastructure forresearch in Pakistan including theconstruction and dissemination ofdatabases and research indices and theimprovement of library systems.• To initiate, establish and participate incollaborative advocacy and otheractivities with like-mindedorganisations in and outside thecountry.SDPI defines sustainable development as theenhancement of peace, social justice andwell-being within and across generations.SDPI produces knowledge–knowledge thatcan enhance the capacity of government tomake informed policy decisions and toengage civil society on issues of publicinterest.The Institute acts as both a generator oforiginal research on sustainable developmentissues and as an information resource forconcerned individuals and institutions.SDPI’s function is thus two-fold: an advisoryrole fulfilled through research, policy adviceand advocacy; and an enabling role realisedthrough providing other individuals andorganisations with resource materials(training) to undertake NCS related activities.Pakistan Forest Digest vi Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAbout NCCR (North South)The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Pakistan Research Group is a partner of the SwissNational Center of Competence in Research North-South (NCCR N-S), financially supported by Swiss NationalScience Foundation (SNF), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Swiss universities.NCCR North-South Objectives1. Capacity-building: To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in the South andthe North. In Pakistan, focus is on establishing research partnerships between SDPI and universities forMaster and PhD students.2. Research: To undertake theory-led, empirical research on issues relevant to development. InPakistan, research concentrates on the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and focuses on fourthemes:• From vulnerability to resilience: gender, migration and social capital• Development disparities on natural resource management• Development policies and livelihood realities3. Policy dialogue: To interact with policy makers and involved stakeholders on researcheddevelopment issues. The Pakistan Research Group interacts with civil society, state agencies and donors.Lead partner in Pakistan is the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad. Associatedorganizations are Agricultural University Faisalabad, and Agricultural University Peshawar. Main partnerin Switzerland is the Development Study Group, Zurich University (DSGZ).Research of NCCR on Forests of PakistanNCCR has commissioned various researches on Forest which are conducted by renowned researchers.Most recent Research on Forests of Pakistan is "Donor-driven" forest governance in northwest Pakistan -challenges and future outlook conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2010. In this particular researchForests of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, a province of Pakistan, is matter of discussion.Apart from this, following researches have been conducted by NCCR;Social Network Analysis of Stakeholders in the Context of Forest Related Development Interventionsin NWFP conducted by Sadia Kiran, 2009Trust restores trees conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2009Impact of participatory forest management on financial assets of rural communities in NorthwestPakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Munir Ahmad, Babar Shahbaz, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2007Analysis of myths and realities of deforestation in Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Babar Shahbaz,Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2006Most of the publications focus on the challenges and problems faced by forest in Pakistan. For detailplease visit: www.nccr-pakistan.orgPakistan Forest Digest vii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSummeryThe forest digest is a compilation of Urdu and English news items on state of forests in Pakistan is backand an attempt is being made to provide the readers objective information. Various news reports havebeen categorised in sub headings and sub topics so that readers can follow them up in subsequent issuesof Pakistan Forest Digest.Current issue covers the news items from April to June 2010. News items such as Capital DevelopmentAuthority’s statement in the Senate of Pakistan that it removed 14228 trees in Islamabad over last fiveyears; or the report that sixty thousand hectare area under forest has been deforested since 1947 (almost1000 hectare per year) reveal that forests are still being subjected to usual neglect and policy disconnectin Pakistan. The news items also reflect that forest department officials, timber contractors (read timbermafia), police, and ordinary citizens are all equally involved in illegal forest harvesting; no doubt manyanalysts believe that Pakistan’s growing vulnerabilities to climate change is partly due to increaseddeforestation.It is evident from news items in “Forest Department” section of this digest that 18.5 percent of forest areahas been turned into non forest area so far. There are reports of pilferage of provincial forest departmentfunds; there are reports that forest department is under huge influence of timber contractors; there arealso reports that timber is being smuggled in connivance with forest department officials. On top of itthere are reports that people are pleading for reforestation drive to regain area under forests.Illegal timber harvesting is not the only cause of deforestation. Every year many precious trees aredestroyed by incidental fire. During last quarter fire broke out in forests of Koh Sheikh Badin, Parrhana,Konish Valley, Koh Tinghlai, and Marghala hills leading to deforestation in vast areas. Traditionallyhuman error was perceived to be the major cause of such fire. However, ongoing war on terror is alsoplaying its role here. During June 2010, fire broke out in forests of Zoba due to five marter shells that hitthis area.Experts say that for environmental sustainability, a minimum of 25 percent area of a country should beunder forests. However for Pakistan only 5.1 percent area is under forests. No wonder that Urdu as wellas English media is univocal in warning that deforestation in Pakistan as slow Tsunami leading to rapidclimate change.Media reports in the section titled “Forest Conservation” not only emphasise on importance of forestconservation but also highlight the role that youth can play in environmental protection. In one of thearticles it is mentioned that forest conservation is not possible without bringing an amendment in ForestAct of 1927. The loopholes in Forest Act 1927 are allegedly leading to increase in illegal timbreharvesting at the rate of 30 percent per annum.This is just a brief introduction of Pakistan Forest Digest and its contents. In the months to come we arealso planning to include key informant interviews and expert analysis in this digest. Please do provideyour feedback on how to improve its quality and contents. We look forward to your valued opinion.Pakistan Forest Digest viii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteContents of Newspaper ClippingsChapter 01Timber Mafia – Illegal Cutting & SmugglingCDA cut 14,428 trees in five years, Senate toldPage 01Forest land retrieved from encroachersPage 01Deforestation expandsPage 02‘Pakistan has highest annual deforestation rate in Asia’Page 03Nawazabad forest check post has become agold mine for corrupt forest officialPage 08Haripur Forest Department fails to protect ShishamtreesPage 08Galiat: Timber smuggling is taking place every dayPage 08Smuggling of valuable timber out of Haripur andadjoining areas at its peakPage 09Over 60,000 hectares of forests lost sinceindependence: reportPage 04Illegal cutting of trees continuesPage 05Killing of trees cuts deep into Islamabad’s greencharacterPage 05English Translations of Urdu ClippingsProtest in Oghi against reckless cutting of trees andsmuggling of timberPage 06Stop cutting trees in Satellite Town: ResidentsPage 06Bid to smuggle timber worth a huge amount of moneyfoiled; Accused arrestedPage 06Dhadar: Locals unite against reckless cutting of forestsPage 07Protection of forests, plan of Dural Dam should bemodified: Malik DidarPage 07Ahal: forest department remains oblivious; forests arebeing cut like vegetablesPage 07Shinkirai: Mohammad Iqbal should be appointedSDFOPage 08Timber smuggling at its peak as water flow fromTarbela Lake increasePage 09Sher Garh forests turn into empty landsPage 09Closure of Timber Market in Chakdara will not beallowed at any cost, APCPage 10Jabar, Commission mafia earns millions inconstruction of forest guest housePage 10Shinkiari: Reckless cutting of forests continuesPage 10Department’s collusion, deforestation continuesunabated in MariPage 11Raid by Forest officials in Madyan, precious timberrecoveredPage 11Attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled in OghiPage 11Minister belonging to the other side of Attock struck adeal of Hazara forests with big fish of timber mafiaPage 12Pay attention to reckless cutting of forests: TasleemKhanPage 12Forests on hills in Galiyat should be protectedPage 12Pakistan Forest Digest ix Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteHazara Division: Forest being destroyed over vast areaPage 23Ruthless cutting of trees continues with the connivanceof officials of forest departmentPage 24Battal: forest department adopts effective strategy;timber smugglers go in hidingPage 24Galiyat: forest department sets new record by planting300,000 plantsPage 24Houses are being built in Khan Kalan forestsPage 25Ghazi: Range officer taking bribe destroying forests,DFO also gets his sharePage 25Kand Bate: Performance of forest officials issatisfactory—popular circlesPage 25Forestry Ittehad demands increase in forest royalty to80 percentPage 25FBR allows export of poplar trees to AfghanistanPage 26Janglan: Two vehicles loaded with timber caught; fivepeople arrestedPage 26Writ petition filed by provincial forest departmentdismissed; Forest Society Domail and Deolai restoredPage 27Up gradation of scale was a longstanding demand ofthe employees of forest departmentPage 27Khairabad: Attempt to smuggle timber foiledPage 27Cutting of forests in Dir Bala will not be tolerated atany costPage 27Timber smuggled via Tarbela Lake; FC carries out raidPage 28Saran, DFO is playing important role for protection offorests: people of the areaPage 28Thousands of feet of marked timber mightbe lost in Hazara forestsPage 28Shergarh: Reckless cutting of forests;Inquiry launched against five officialsincluding foresterPage 28Rawalpindi Administration should take measures tomake the city green: Sanaullah AkhtarPage 29Ghazi, police allowed truck loaded with timber to passwithout informing forest departmentPage 29Chapter 03Forest FireEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsFire breaks out in Shiekh Badin HillsPage 30Fire in Shiekh Badin forest under control after twodaysPage 30Fire engulfs Margalla hills; 16 firefighters faintedPage 30Darband: Police impounds two vehicles loaded withtimberPage 31Shinkiari: Forests on fire, Wildlife faces destructionPage 31Dhok Gakhhar: Fire in forests under controlPage 31Kundbait: Forest officials set forest on fire to hide theircorruptionPage 32Parhna: Fire in forests burning animals and birdsPage 32Konish Valley: Forests on Tanglai hills catch firePage 32Forest catches fire as mortars fired by NATO troopsfall on Pakistani territoryPage 33Pakistan Forest Digest xi Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 04Forest Protection & AwarenessForest protection programme (Letter to Editor)Page 34Students help in sprucing up parkPage 34Need to revamp forest resourcesPage 35English Translations of Urdu ClippingsIncrease in forest area is not possible withoutamending the Forest ActPage 36Two killed in Salarzai on dispute over treesPage 37Mansehra: Forest guide injures labourer with an axePage 38Dir forest association meets; demands facilitiesPage 38Chapter 05Forest & EnvironmentEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsDeforestation in Chitral: An environmental tsunamiPage 39Swat: do not cut more treesPage 40Mountains, Forests Glaciers and Rivers are valuableassets of the province: Wajid Ali KhanPage 40Seminar and declamation contest held at forest institutePage 41Peach and plum orchard destroyed by mysteriousdiseasePage 41Chapter 06Orchards‘No botanical survey ever done in country’Page 42English Translations of Urdu ClippingsUnidentified persons cut 1000 loquat treesPage 43Provincial government given notice to makePeshawar city of gardensPage 44Orchards under threat of being washed awayPage 44Chapter 07Miscellaneous‘kachnar’ augments beauty of twin cityPage 46Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal (Letter to Editor)Page 47Trimming plants along Sharea Faisal (Letter to Editor)Page 47Woodland Carnival celebrated at City SchoolPage 47World's forest covers shrinking: reportPage 48Holy TreesPage 49BB road to have pine treesPage 49Problematic palm treesPage 49A walk through the junglePage 50English Translations of Urdu ClippingsHaripur: Hundreds of trees cut down during strikesPage 52Entry of Afghan shepherds should be banned in Jabar,Deolai areaPage 52Baffa, eyewitness say fuel wood on roadside causedaccidentPage 52Cultivation of Chinese fruit plant “Hep Haffe” shouldbe promoted: GovernorPage 53Trees, Taliban and the militaryPage 53Pakistan Forest Digest xii Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 01Timber Mafia –Illegal Cutting & SmugglingCDA cut 14,428 trees in five years, Senate toldDaily Times Islamabad, April 02, 2010• Minister says 6,942 treesin urban areas and 60,000in slums of the federalcapital will be removed inphases• Water supply systembeing upgradedISLAMABD:CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA) cutdown as many 14,428 treescausing pollen allergy inIslamabad during the last fiveyears, Minister in charge of theCabinet Division NawabzadaGhazanfer Gul told the Senate onThursday.Responding to a question duringthe question hour session, he saiddespite the efforts of theAuthority, still 6,942 trees in urbanareas and 60,000 in the slums ofthe federal capital existed.He said such trees in urban areasof Islamabad would be removedgradually in next three years, inphased manner to avoid loss ofgreen cover in Islamabad abruptly.Responding to supplementaryquestions, he said these trees weregradually being replaced withother environment-friendly treesso that the greenery of the FederalCapital could not affect.Houses: Replying to anotherquestion he said a total 1,791houses of different category standconstructed by CDA for itsemployees.He said 497 houses wereconstructed in Sector G-6, 446 inG-7, 93 in G-8, 417 in G-9, 130 inG-10, 108 in F-6, 15 in F-7, 79 inI-8, six in I-9 and six in G-6Doctor Colony.He said in deserving cases officersand officials were grantedextension under Rule 29-A ofAAR-2002. On completion ofextension period theaccommodation will be gotvacated and would be allotted toofficial requiring accommodation.Water supply: Responding toanother question, Gul saidIslamabad water supply systemwas being upgraded, reconstructedand rehabilitated.He said in order to meet waterdemand of the Federal Capital,CDA had made a proposal forexecution of water supply fromIndus River System at TarbelaDam to the twin cities ofIslamabad and Rawalpindi andupgrading water supply system.Members from NWFP raisedconcerns over water supply fromTarbela Dam, however the Leaderof the House Syed Nayyer HussainBokhari said the government wasconsidering the proposal and nounjust would be done with anyprovince. APPForest land retrieved from encroachersDawn Islamabad, May, 23, 2010By Abid Fazil Abbasi, MURREE,May 22: The ongoing landdemarcation being carried out bythe forest and revenue departmentson the directives of Lahore HighCourt in Murree has led toPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutenames and have submitted applications forlease. The forest officials have identifiedlands on these applications. These landsare supposedly in the names of poorpeople.The Samas of Sekhat who are cultivatingcrops on the forest land have also given applicationsto the forest minister for leasing out land in KhebraniForest in the names of widows and poor people.Wild life of Riverine area including Hog deer,vulture, peacock, and other precious animals andbirds has been badly hit. Riverine area of Indusrecharges the sweet water stores all over Sindh. Afterinstallation of thousands of tube wells in Riverinearea for agriculture purpose especially when Indus isgetting less water the natural network system is notrecharging in required quantity.The present government immediately imposed banon lease on forest lands. But it did not follow up itsdecision with environment-friendly and pro-poorforest policy.The newspaper advertisements in April 2010 by theSindh forests minister giving deadline for voluntarilyvacating the forests lands did not bring any results.Big landlords have started collecting CNICs from thewidows and helpless people to get lease in theirTo ensure positive outcome, policy should beprepared in consultation with all the stakeholdersincluding civil society and experts from environment,forestry, agriculture, irrigation, fisheries, economicsetc. An autonomous board with representation of allstakeholders should review and discuss the proposedpolicy document for finalisation, approval andimplementation.Green courts or environmental tribunals should be setup at district level to take up the cases regardingcutting of trees or deliberate fire in the forests.Vigilance committees should be set up at districtlevel headed by the session judge of the district tomonitor the implementation of the leased out landsand provide support to the forest protectioncommittees.All the remaining forest cover area should bedeclared as protected areas and should be recordedthrough GIS mapping system. The preservation offorest should be ensured by continuous monitoring.‘Pakistan has highest annual deforestation rate in Asia’Dawn Islamabad, June 25, 2010By BhagwandasKarachi, June 24: While forestscurrently cover only 2.5 per centof the country’s land, Pakistan hasthe highest annual deforestationrate in Asia, according to the latestfindings of the World Wide Fundfor Nature.The WWF report, which is beinglaunched on Friday, warns that ifthe current deforestation rate of2.1 per cent and trend of landconversion from forest to otheruses is not checked, the countrywill not be able to meet itsinternational commitments underthe Millennium DevelopmentGoals to increase its forest coverfrom 2.5 per cent to six per cent by2015.The report says that more than61,000 hectares (approx. over151,500 acres) of forest land havebeen converted to non-forest use inthe country since its inception.The urgent measuresrecommended to the relevantauthorities to curb the negativetrend are immediate placement ofa ban on forest land conversions,commercial harvesting andallotments; spread of awarenessamong lawmakers for properlegislation to restrict landconversions; and recovery offorest land from encroachers andits subsequent reforestation.In extremely important caseswhere conversion of forest landsbecomes unavoidable, necessaryprovisions in the law must bemade for compensatory forestationon twice the land being converted /allotted, the report recommends.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteMangroves depletion on the topOver 4.242 million hectares in thecountry were forest land in 1992.However, it declined to 3.44million hectares by 2001, thereport says.The highest rate of deforestationhas been found in the Indus deltamangroves, which has depleted ata rate of around 2.3 per cent, whilethe coniferous forest depleted at1.99 per cent and ravine forests at0.23 per cent.The WWF report says that over99,711 acres of forest land inPunjab and 27,874-acre forests inSindh have been converted to nonforestuses. In this regard, it says,the beneficiaries remain somegovernment departments,politicians and other influentialpeople having close contact withrespective governments.A province-wise breakdown offorest land converted to other usesshows that Punjab tops the listwith conversion of 99,711 acres,followed by Sindh with 27,874acres, Balochistan with 13,693acres, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with9,692 acres, and Azad Jammu andKashmir with only 577 acres. Thisway the WWF tally of forest landconversion becomes 151,548acres.BeneficiariesWhile forest lands have been givento various governmentdepartments, some civilians andnon-government/commercialorganisations also have got theforest land allotted in their name inan exchange.Some of the beneficiaries in Sindhinclude Pir Syed Shah MardanShah, Pir S. Sibghatullah Rashdi,Pir Syed Nadir Ali Shah, AbdullahFakir, Kamat Fakir, SyedMohammad Qaim Shah, GhulamNabi, Ghluam Rasool andAbdullah Sanjarani, ChaudhryMohammad Ashraf and GhulamHaider Ghalio.The government and privateorganisations having got the forestland in and around Karachi includethe Defence Housing Authority,which has been provided with thelargest chunk of over 11,500 acres,the city district government ofKarachi for garbage dump, SirSyed University of Engineeringand Technology, Barrette HodgsonEducation Institution, DawoodCollege of Engineeringand Technology,Shaheed Zulfikar AliBhutto Institute ofScienceandTechnology, Aga KhanUniversity, SindhMadressah, and Indus ValleySchool of Arts and Architecture.In Punjab, the people andorganisations having obtained theforest land include H. SyedMohammad Ishaq, Malik Khalidfor chairlift in Bansra Gali, BrigMohammad Aslam Khan forShangrila Hotel in Murree, PearlContinental Hotel in Bhurban,Redco for hotel in Bhurban,Youths Hostel in Bhurban, ZafarIqbal for houses in Murree, forchairlift in Patriata, InstaPhone,Journalists Housing Colony, andPunjab Government ServantsHousing Foundation.In Balochistan, a CNG companyand SOS children’s village havebeen given forest land in Quetta.In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,beneficiaries include MohammadPervaiz Khan and PMA hut inNaran; Pakistan Youth Hostel inSharan, Hotel Pine Park ComplexinShogran.Over 60,000 hectares of forests lostsince independence: reportDawn Islamabad, June 26, 2010By A ReporterISLAMABAD, June 25: Morethan 61,000 hectares of forestshave been converted into nonforestland since independence ofthe country and the decrease inforest area continues due tovarious factors including weakregulatory enforcements, theWWF-Pakistan has said.The recent report, launched by theWorld Wide Fund for Nature –Pakistan chapter, said: “It wasshocking to observe that Pakistanhas only 2.5 per cent area coveredwith forest and the rate ofdeforestation is alarming.”The report titled, ‘Conversion ofForests to Non- Forest Uses inPakistan’ said Punjab took the leadfor conversion of forests into otheruses compared to the remainingprovinces in the country.The report was presented byChairman of the ScientificCommittee of WWF-Pakistan DrKausar Abdullah Malik at theNational Press Club here onFriday.Dr Malik said Pakistan had thehighest rate of deforestation inAsia and the rapid deforestationcontinued at the rate of 2.1 percent annually.Other panelists present on theoccasion were Inspector Generalof Forests, Ministry ofPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnvironment, Syed MehmoodNasir, former inspector general offorests Dr Basher Ahmad Wani,WWF-Pakistan Director-GeneralAli Hassan Habib andenvironmental scientist Dr AbdulAleem Chaudhry.Dr Wani said the largestconversion of forest land into nonforestuse had been done in Punjabwhere 99,711 acres had beenconverted while 27,874 acres wereconverted to non-forest land inSindh.The speakers said the governmenthad set a target to cover six percent of the country’s land withforests by 2015, however littleprogress had been made in thisregard. They said forests wereimportant in fight againstgreenhouse gases,which were impactingclimate change.Dr Malik said forestsabsorbed water and thefiltered waters weremade available for consumption inthe water bodies and alsoimproved ground water level.Illegal cutting of trees continuesThe Nation Islamabad, June 28, 2010ISLAMABAD (Online) Theillegal cutting of trees continues inthe Islamabad by different ways,which has affected natural look ofthe capital.The citizens have underlined thatbesides cutting trees, the treeshave been dried on Jinnah Avenue,Margalla Road and Agha ShaiAvenue due to inattention ofauthorities concerned.They said that the less number oftrees is causing environmentalpollution and causinginconvenience to people. It is alsonoted that the increasing numberof vehicles and smoke emittingfactories have already increasedthe ratio of pollution ill the capital.Killing of trees cuts deep into Islamabad’s green characterDaily Times Islamabad, June 29, 2010ISLAMABAD: The illegal cuttingof trees across the federal capital isspoiling its green character. It isalso harming city’s naturalenvironment already facing threatsowing to immense developmentactivities.Individuals as well as the timbermafia are actively engaged inchopping of trees both from urbanarea of the federal capital orMargalla Hills National Park.In this spring season, the CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA)has planted 400,000 saplingsacross the federal capital as part ofongoing 50-year celebrations ofIslamabad.Almost 275,000 saplings wereplanted in regional areas, includingMargallah Hills and SimlyCatchments. Around 150,000 treeswere planted in Margallah HillsNational Park and 125,000saplings in Simly Dam’scatchments.Under three-year ‘Clean andGreen Islamabad Campaign’,which started in Monsoon-2008,the CDA has so far planted1,164,000 plants in three seasonsagainst a target of 2,400,000plants.According to environmentalists,hundreds of saplings can never bea substitute to a grown tree. TheCDA has failed to develop anymechanism to ensure the growth ofthese saplings and their protectionas most of them are eitheruprooted or die due to extremeweather conditions.In Maragalla Hills, hundreds oftrees are gutted in summer fires,which are mostly ignited becauseof some commercial or individualgains.Deputy Director GeneralEnvironment Malik Auliya toldthis news agency that theAuthority has deployed sufficientworkforce in hilly as well as urbanareas, including security guardsand foresters who act against thechoppers in the light of LandscapeOrdinance.He said the penalties are imposedon the choppers according to thesize of the wood carried by theperson.Malik Auliya said the Authorityhas also formed a special team toconduct surprise raids and act oncomplaints registered by thepeople. APPPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsProtest in Oghi against reckless cutting of trees andsmuggling of timber• Officials of Forest Department are also involved in illegal cutting;• Timber mafia has been given a free hand.• Committees have been formed to protect forests. Action will be taken:Speakers address the meetingDaily Jang, Rawalpindi, April 15, 2010Oghi – People of Upper Tanawalstrongly protested against thereckless cutting of trees andunchecked smuggling of timberfrom the government-ownedforests of Doga Jampial, Karori,and Jalo Gali. A protest rally washeld at Karori which wasaddressed by former chairmanLala Qalandar Khan, President ofForest Committee Malik Yunus,Mohammad Javed, Sirajuddin,Mohammad Miskeen and otherparticipants. The speakers saidthat the forests are being cutruthlessly with the collusion of theofficials of the Forest Departmentand timber is being smuggled outopenly using Datsun trucks andmules. The Forest Department hasgiven a free hand to the timbermafia. If this amount of cutting oftrees continues the forests willvery soon turn into bare lands.This will cause excess silting inTarbela Dam reservoir. Thespeakers said that this was aquestion of future and survival ofour coming generations.Committees for the protection offorests were formed during thepublic meeting. Our foremosttarget would be the people whoprovide support to the timbermafia at the local level, theparticipants of the rally said.Stop cutting trees in Satellite Town: ResidentsInstead of cutting the trees new trees should be planted: residents demandDaily Jang, Rawalpindi, April 24, 2010Rawalpindi (Lady Reporter)Office-bearers of socialorganizations and activists of thecivil society have condemned thecutting of trees along roadsidesand in grounds in various areas ofSatellite Town, Rawalpindi. Theyhave demanded that massslaughter of trees shouldimmediately be stopped and newtrees should be planted. OnTuesday the Tehsil MunicipalAdministration (TMA) cutnumerous trees in ChandniChowk, Saidpur Road and otherareas. The justification given bythe administration was that thetrees can cause accidents. On thisoccasion women residents of thearea Zenab Bibi, Samina Shaikh,Noreen Saeed and Noshaba Gulcondemned the cutting of trees bythe TMA. Meanwhile, studentsand teachers of the schools locatedin these areas have also criticizedthe cutting of trees.Bid to smuggle timber worth a huge amount of money foiled;Accused arrestedDaily Nawa-i-Waqt, Islamabad, April 25, 2010Kallar Saiydan (Our Correspondent) Punjab HighwayPatrolling Police during its patrol foiled an attempt tosmuggle timber worth a huge amount of money toBhakkar and arrested one of the accused. According toPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethe details Umair Abbas the sub-inspector of HighwayPatrolling in Shah Khaki area was on routine patrol onChowa road. He stopped a suspicious pickup truck forsearch and recovered 17 logs of Chir Pine worth45,000 rupees. He arrested the driver of the truck,Waheed son of Ayub resident of Changa Mira villageof Bhagsana area. The accused was trying tosmuggle this costly wood to Bhakkar. Onthe application from inspector Umair AbbasKallar Saiydan Police has registered a caseand launched investigation.Dhadar: Locals unite against reckless cutting of forestsCommittee formed for protection of forests;Abrar Hussain nominated president; incompetence of officials criticizedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 01, 2010Dhadar (Shamal Correspondent)Residents of Dhadar held ameeting on the importance offorests and reckless cutting oftrees. Residents of Dhadarenthusiastically attended themeeting which discussed issuesrelated with cutting of trees andinefficiency of forest officials.Expressing concern over thesituation notables of the area saidthat all forests in the area willvanish if cutting of forestscontinues at the current pace.Residents of Dhadar formed acommittee for the protection offorests and elected its members.Abrar Hussain was electedpresident, Mian Ghulan Nabi vicepresident, Mohammad Jansecretary general, and KhalilurRehman was elected treasure ofthe committee.Protection of forests, plan of Dural Dam should bemodified: Malik DidarForests will be destroyed if the dam is built according to the previous planDaily Azadi, Swat, May 05, 2010Bahrain (Special Correspondent)Addressing a Jirga (meeting oftribal council) former provincialminister Malik Didar demandedthat the plan of Dural Dam shouldbe modified. Forests will bedestroyed if the dam is builtaccording to the previous plan. Itwill also damage the irrigationsystem. If the dam is built under anew plan the environment will besaved from being devastated. Ahandful of people want to build thedam according to the old plan.This is their personal opinion. Thecommunity is of the view that thedam should be built according tothe new plan and design.Ahal: forest department remains oblivious;forests are being cut like vegetablesTimber Mafia agents get a free hand; devastation of Green Gold at its peakDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 09, 2010Konish Valley (SpecialCorrespondent) Due to criminalneglect and corruption of theForest Department officialsvaluable trees of Ahal Compart arebeing cut like vegetables. GreenGold is being severely devastated.Thick forests are turning intobarren lands. People of the areastrongly protested against thereckless cutting of trees. Theycomplained that the agents oftimber mafia have gone out ofcontrol. Forest is depleting due toreckless cutting of trees in AhalCompart of Tanglai Hill. Theofficials of the Forest Departmentare acting like silent spectatorsafter receiving bribes. Theseviews were expressed by DrZaheer, a prominent social andpolitical activist of Ahal village.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteShinkirai: Mohammad Iqbal should beappointed SDFODaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 06, 2010Mansehra (Special Correspondent)senior forester Mohammad Iqbalshould immediately be appointedSDFO Shinkiari if the departmentwants to protect the Green Gold.This was said by members offorest protection committee in acrowded press conference underthe leadership of Nauroz Khan,Abdul Hameed Khan, Abdul LatifKhan. Water resources will alsoincrease if forests are protected.At the moment senior foresterMuhammad Iqbal is the onlyperson who can take theresponsibility of protecting theforests as he is the one whobrought profit of hundreds ofthousands of rupees from theforests during his appointment inSaran Valley.Nawazabad forest check post has become a gold minefor corrupt forest officialDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 07, 2010Dhadar (Special Correspondent)Nawazabad check post hasbecome a gold mine for forestofficials. The officials allowvehicles loaded with timber pass inthe darkness of night. Accordingto the details the forest check postat Nawazabad-Domail has becomea gold mine for the forest officials.They allow vehicles loaded withtimber pass during the night undertheir own protection. Communitycircles have urged the DFO tocheck the state of affairs so thatforests could be protected.Haripur Forest Department fails to protect Shisham treesPrecious trees have been left at the mercy of timber mafia;Silk route loses its beautyDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 11, 2010Lora Chowk (Our Correspondent)Forest Department has utterlyfailed to protect the shisham treesplanted along the Silk Route.These precious trees have been leftat the mercy of timber mafia.Forest department officials haveclosed their eyes. At the strike callgiven by Hazara ProvinceMovement hundreds of big treeswere cut down from Jhari Kas toKholian Bala but the forestdepartment failed to take actionagainst any of the violators.Officials of Haripur ForestDepartment have become a burdenon the national exchequer. DCOHaripur should take disciplinaryaction against the forest officialsso that the public discontent couldbe eased. The Silk Road has lostits beauty due to the negligence ofthe forest department officials.Cutting of trees along the roadsidehas caused severe pollution in thearea. However, for unknownreason, the forest department notonly did not plant trees along theroadside but also prepared nostrategy to protect the trees alreadyplanted. This gave the timbermafia an opportunity to cut treesfearlessly and make money. Evenat this moment precious wood islying at saw mills but the forestdepartment is keeping silent afterreceiving bribe. Timber mafia istaking full advantage of thesituation and is continuing its evilactivities.Galiat: Timber smuggling is taking place every dayDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 11, 2010Abbottabad(SpecialCorrespondent) Thousands ofcubic feet of timber is beingsmuggled out of Galiat area ofAbbottabad but the DFO and theforest officer are silent. ForestsPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteare a national asset and because ofthe forests tourists from all overthe country visit Galiat. Butunfortunately these forests havebeen handed over to the forestofficials who are taking politicaladvantage of their position. Thehigh officials of the forestdepartment should adopt the rightways and protect this nationalwealth. Otherwise thepeople of Galiat willhave no option but totake to the streets.Smuggling of valuable timber out of Haripur andadjoining areas at its peakDaily Aaj, Peshawar, May 11, 2010Pind Kamal (SpecialCorrespondent) Timber smugglingis at its peak. The officials of theForest Department have failed incurbing the smuggling. It has beendisclosed that Precious timber isbeing smuggled from Haripur andadjoining areas. Timber is beingsmuggled using different clevermethods of cutting it into pieces sothat it can pass through checkposts easily. This is severelydamaging the scenic beauty ofMaung.Timber smuggling at its peak as water flowfrom Tarbela Lake increasesDozens of launches smuggle timber every day in connivance with the forestdepartment. DFO is busy in collecting bribeDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 15, 2010Gadwalian(ShamalCorrespondent) Timber smugglingvia Tarbela Lake is at its peak.DFO Haripur has raised hisbribery rate as the smuggling hasincreased. Precious forests ofHazara district are turning intobare land. As the water flow inTarbela Lake increases thesmuggling by timber mafia alsogrows. Dozens of launches loadedwith timber arrive at the bank ofthe lake near Bel Garan and Nara.Timber is loaded in trucks and sentto various cities of Punjab.Timber smuggling has increasedmany folds ever since the presentDFO has been posted in Haripur.The DFO counts his money earnedfrom timber smuggling sitting inan air conditioned room. Peopleof the area have asked thecommissioner to controlsmuggling of timber.Sher Garh forests turn into empty landsTimber smuggling through vehicles and mules is continuing openlyDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 16, 2010Oghi (Shamal Correspondent)Forests of Sher Garh range in JaluGali, Chamial, Dogar, BandiShangli, are turning into emptylands. Forests are a gold mine fortimber mafia. Expensive timber isbeing smuggled out using Datsuntrucks and mules. The smugglingis going on openly and the rangeoffice and his staff is busy inmaking money. The forestdepartment sells standing trees.Even at this moment there areseveral chopped off trees in theseareas. The forest officials set theseon fire. Loot sale of trees iscontinuing in connivance with theforest officials. Degradation offorests is a threat to Tarbela Damwhich is one of the largest dams inthe world. Yunus Khan presidentof forest management committee,Aijaz, the president of reformscommittee and Haji Qalandar,former chairman and theirsupporters have urged thesecretary forest department andother high officials to takeimmediate action against thepeople responsible for thedestruction of forests and also takemeasures to save the remainingforests.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteClosure of Timber Market in Chakdara will notbe allowed at any cost, APCTaking timber to another area for auction is economic murder of thepeople of the area: Bedar BakhtDaily Aaj, Peshawar, May 17, 2010Chakdara (Aaj Correspondent) Allconspiracies to fail Chakdaratimber market will be foiled.Taking timber extracted from Dirand Chitral forest areas to anyother place for sale is an economicslaughter of the local people. Wewill make the lives of those peoplemiserable who try to snatch ourliving.These views were expressed byBedar Bakht the secretary generalof People’s Party Sherpao, districtpresident Mohammad Umar,Hussain Shah Yusufzai of ANP,Saltanat Yar advocate of Jamaat eIslami, Madad Khan, secretarygeneral of JUI Adinzai, Zar NasibKhan, Maulana Gul Rahim, IkramGhani Khan, Fakhruzzamanadvocate, Ali Badshah of tradersassociation of Chakdara and otherswhile addressing an all partiesconference. The speakers said thatprovincial minister for forestsWajid Ali Khan’s statement wasencouraging that Chakdara timbermarket will not be shut down butthe minister has gone back on hispromise made during a meetingwith the representatives of the areasaying that the issue discussedwith him was not the closure ofChakdara market but shifting oftimber to Jahangira for auction.The minister did not clarify hisstatement. The speakers said thattimber was not being brought toChakdara under a conspiracy toclose down the market there.Jabar, Commission mafia earns millions inconstruction of forest guest houseDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 20, 2010Jabar (Shamal Correspondent) Substandard materialwas used in construction of forest guest house inDomail. Commission mafia has earned millions. TwoNESPAK engineers are also fully involved in thiscorruption. The construction company is alsonotorious in this regard.According to the details commission mafia has earnedmillions in the construction of Domail forest guesthouse in connivance with the NESPAK officials.Surprisingly the department awarded the contract to alittle known company who had spoiled severalconstruction plans in the past by using substandardmaterial. People have urged the DFO Saran area totake corrective measures in this regard otherwise theywill start protests against him.Shinkiari: Reckless cutting of forests continuesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, 17 May 2010Dhudiyal (Correspondent) Cuttingof forests continues in SaranDivision, particularly Shinkiarirange and the green gold isdepleting day by day.Sources told Shamalcorrespondent that trees are beingcut in connivance with the officialsof the forest department. Timbersmugglers are using horses andmules to transport timber to illegalsaw mills at night. Then thisexpensive wood is transported tocities. The forest officials sell thetrees and then to hide the evidencethey set the markets on fire.Sources claim to have videoevidence of this activity.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDepartment’s collusion, deforestation continuesunabated in MariSmuggling of trees from the area is at its peakDaily Shamal, May 20, 2010Nagri Totial (Special Correspondent) Chinal and Mariforests are turning into empty lands. Officials of theforest department have resorted to a new method ofloot and plunder. First the sale receipt of standingtrees is prepared and then the timber mafia smugglesthose trees. When the smugglers are questioned theyshow the receipt. According to the sources after thedisclosure of the reports and MPA Barrister JavedAbbasi’s strong notice of it cutting of trees had halted.But the forest officials and the timber mafia have againjoined hands for cutting trees. About two months agothe police had caught timber worth hundreds ofthousands of rupees after which timber smugglers hadstopped their activities. Sources have also disclosedthat the forest officials have hired a guard who collectsextortion money from those people who cut grass orgraze their cattle in the forest.Raid by Forest officials in Madyan, precious timberrecoveredDaily Azadi Swat, May 20, 2010Madyan (Tehsil Reporter) Forest officials raided andrecovered sleepers worth millions of rupees. Theaccused persons have gone in hiding. A case has beenregistered and investigation has been launched.According to the details forest officials got informationyesterday that forests are being ruthlessly cut in BandaDabar. Taking immediate action range officerSaramad Khan instructed forester Mohammad Aayz,forest guard Yar Mohammadzada, forest guard AbdulWahab and Habib Ahmed to raid the area. Elders ofthe area had formed a committee headed by AqilzadaMian to join the raid. The committee seized 134sleepers and has initiated investigations again theaccused Shabbir Ahmed son of Sikandar of BandaChel, Hazrat Deedar resident of Chel, Khan Sher ofShinko, Abdul Baqi of Shinko, Pir Madar of Shinko,Shah Zamin of Shinko, Bakht Gul of Kalagey.Attempt to smuggle precious timberfoiled in OghiWorkers of timber mafia were busy in cutting trees and started firinggunshots upon seeing the policeDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, May 20, 2010Oghi (Correspondent) Officials offorest department Elite Force, afteran exchange of fire, foiled anattempt to smuggle timber worthmillions of rupees in Sher Garh.Forester Mohammad yusuf was ona patrol in compart no. 1 of JaluGali forest along with the memberof Elite Force that theyencountered about 35 accomplicesof the timber mafia who weretrying to smuggle timber. Theaccomplices of timber mafiastarted firing gunshot upon seeingthe police and forest departmentofficials. Police retaliated withgunfire. After a prolongedexchange of fire the timber mafiaworkers fled away leaving thetimber behind. Police hasregistered a case in Darband policestation against the accused personsBadri, Mana. Fazal, Hanif, andGulzar.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteMinister belonging to the other side of Attock struck adeal of Hazara forests with big fish of timber mafiaDaily Shamal, May 21, 2010Mansehra (Courts Reporter)Provincial Minister Abdul WajidKhan has struck a bargain withtimber thieves for illegallyextracted timber from Kaghan,Aalai and Kohistan forests. Thepeople of Hazara have demandedthat the forests of the area shouldbe protected from those who comefrom the other side of Attock andillegally sell Hazara’s timber.Pay attention to reckless cutting of forests: Tasleem KhanDaily Azadi, Swat. May 30, 2010Mansehra (correspondent) In thebeautiful land of Hazara trees arebeing cut down recklessly. Thereare different elements involved inthis activity. If every one pledgesto plant ten saplings during theplantation season and takes care ofthose plants the target of 25percent forest cover can easily beachieved. Trees are covering ofthe earth and a source ofcontinuing virtue. Wild animalscan survive only in thick forests.These views were expressed byACO Mansehra Tasleem Khanwhile addressing a ceremony inNisar Bagh in connection with theplantation campaign. He said thatthe reason for low rainfall inHazara is that trees have been cutdown and new plants have notbeen planted.He said that according to theexperts 25 percent of the total areaof a country should be under forestcover. Tasleem Khan said that inMansehra district deforestation isturning the forests into bare lands.He said the community shouldplay its role for achieving thetargets of plantation. Addressingthe ceremony EDO MansehraRiyaz Ahmad Shah said thatforests are very important forsustaining human life. Trees helpin keeping the environment clean,he said and added that treesprovide timber for construction ofbuildings, save land and habitat forwild animals. Riyaz Shah said thatforests increase fertility of landand bring rains.Forests on hills in Galiyat should be protectedDaily Shamal, May 21, 2010Editorial: Cutting down of forests in continuing unabatedly in Galiyat area. Forest officials areconniving with the timber smugglers just to earn a meager amount of money and are destroyingforest in Galiyat. The forest officials are playing their role only for receiving bribes. Galiyat is abeautiful area only because of its trees. Local and foreign tourists visit this area. But the enemiesof the area are clearing out the forests and causing loss to the national exchequer. At the sametime this is causing loss to the tourism to the area. The high officials of the department arerequested to take immediate action against the timber smugglers.Take action against timber smugglers in HaripurDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 23, 2010Editorial: Lush green forests of Haripur are turning into empty fields. With the connivance offorest officials timber mafia is busy in timber smuggling via Tarbela Lake. Every day dozens ofvehicles loaded with timber leave Chhappar Road near Tarbela Lake and go towards Punjab. Thetimber smugglers enjoy full support of the DFO. The reason is bribery. As the water level hasPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituterisen in Tarbela Lake it has become an easy route for timber smugglers. The present DFO hasbeen transferred but through connection among high ups he has been able to avert his posting.People of the area are angry over the timber smuggling. The high officials of the forestdepartment should take immediate action to stop waste of this national wealth and the routesused for smuggling should be checked strictly. Action should be taken against the DFO andother officials of the department.Dhadar: Officials at check post have given free handto timber smugglersOfficials are busy in pocketing money; forests are turning into barren landsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 23, 2010Pakhal, (Shamal Correspondent)Dhadar check post has turned intoa gold mine for the officials offorest department. Recklesscutting of forests is continuing inDhadar and adjoining areas.Dhadar check post is just there inname. Timber smugglers havebeen given a free hand. Theofficials stop small amount oftimber or items made of woodcarried by common people buttimber smugglers are able to passtruckloads of timber. The staffposted at the check post is fillingits own pocket. Officials must payattention to this situation.Cutting of trees in Konish valley should be stoppedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 26, 2010Editorial: According to a report cutting of trees in Konish valley is continuing unabatedly.Hundreds of trees are being cut every day in the presence of the forest guard. Secret sources haverevealed that forest guards give free hand to the smugglers for a small amount of money and theowners are helpless in this situation. The political representatives appoint a new DFO everymonth but the staff members who have been destroying the forests remain unchanged for years.Political representatives give no importance to the staff but they appear to be most active indestroying the forests. Forest guards even help the timber smugglers in cutting the trees. Thepeople of the area are of the view that protection of forests is not possible unless the lower staff ofthe forest department is replaced and stringent action is taken against them. It is the forest guardswho protect the forests but on receiving bribe they report to the higher officials that everythingwas fine. The high officials of the forest department must take immediate action against theseelements. Immediate action should be taken against those staff members who collaborate withsmugglers in cutting of trees. If the same activity continues then forests will soon turn into emptyfields. Waste of national wealth is continuing. Officials of the forest department must payattention to this situation immediately.Sarai Naimat Khan: Truck loaded with timber slippedinto gorge. 1 killed 4 seriously injuredDaily Shamal, Abbottabad May 30, 2010Sarai Naimat Khan (SpecialReporter) One person was killedand four others were seriouslyinjured as a truck loaded withtimber tipped at Kakotari road.Mohammad Siddiq was buried inhis ancestral village ManglorColony.According to the details a truckcarrying timber from Bhabsar toHaripur fell in a deep gorge. As aresult Mohammad Siddiq who wassitting on the truck was thrownseveral feet away and sufferedserious injuries. He was taken tothe AMC Abbottabad but he couldnot survive. The truck driver andother three people have beenadmitted in the AMC Abbottabad.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteMohammad Siddiq was buried in his village yesterday.Three arrested for cutting down trees illegallyDaily Mashriq, May 30, 2010Dera Ismail Khan (MashriqCorrespondent) Three people whowere cutting government-ownedtrees illegally were caught by thepolice. In the jurisdiction ofPaharpur police station during apatrol the police arrested threepeople illegally cutting trees alongAwan nullah.Increase in water level in Tarbela Lake,Timber Mafia gets active• Police is unable to catch the smuggler because political figures are involvedin this smugglingDaily Shamal, Abbottabad May 31, 2010Sawabi Mera (ShamalCorrespondent) Timber mafia isvery active as water level has risenin Tarbela Lake. Timber is beingsmuggled out every night bytrucks. Police has become a silentspectator after receiving extortionmoney. According to sourcesthere are political figures involvedin this smuggling. That is why thepolice are avoiding any actionagainst it. Police is bribed everyday so they enjoy sleep at nightwhile the smugglers vow that noone can touch them. Our handsare long, they claim. This showsthat the DFO is involved.Whenever forest officials come toraid the timber smugglers thepolice inform the smugglers.People have appealed to thegovernment to take action forprotecting the forests of the areaand to appoint honest officersthere.Baldher: young man injured in a quarrel over cutting woodPolice have registered a case and are searching for the accusedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad May 31, 2010Sarai Naimat Khan (SpecialReporter) In Baldher a youth wasattacked with a knife on a quarrelover cutting of wood. Police haveregistered a case against theaccused. According to the detailsin Sadar police station area Wasifson of Mohammad Taj stoppedMohammad Naeem, Junaid,Mohammad Bashir and Sarfrazfrom cutting wood from his land.Infuriated over that Junaidattacked Wasif with a knifeinflicting injuries on him.Cutting of trees is causing pollution, Mansoor KundiProviding clean environment to the coming generations is the responsibility ofeach and every member of the society. Speech by VC Gomal UniversityDaily Aaj Peshawar June 08, 2010Dera Ismail Khan (AajCorrespondent) On Internationalenvironment protection day theenvironment protection agencyheld a seminar in collaborationwith the Gomal University. Thevice chancellor of the university,Mansoor Akbar Kundi, addressingthe seminar, said that protectingenvironment is the responsibilityof every member of the societyand that unabated cutting of treesis causing pollution. He said weall have to play our role forproviding clean air for the cominggenerations to breathe. He saidthat the environmental pollutionhas reached dangerous level.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteToxic smoke from factories ispolluting the air and the wastedisposed in the open is increasingthe pollution level which is verydangerous for our futuregenerations. He said on this daywe should pledge that we woulddo something for improving theenvironment. The director ofenvironment protection agencyAshraf Khan, Abdul Haleem Khanof Wildlife Department gavedetailed briefings onprotecting theenvironment.Achhrian: Trees being cut recklessly under thepretext of permits; forests turning into empty landHundreds of square feet of wood is being openly brought to saw mills inconnivance with the forest guardsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad June 10, 2010Acharian (Our Correspondent) The local forest guardis bent upon turning the Achhrian Ziarat block forestsinto empty lands. Though this is the season when allkinds of permits are banned the guard is misguidingthe people in the name of permit and sending hundredsof square feet of wood to saw mills every day. Shamalcorrespondent took pictures of the wood dumped atKund Tarla Bridge where it was brought only a dayago. When we asked the guard about the wood heresponded that it was being cut under a permit. Later itwas said that the timber is for a mosque. Even laterwhen the DFO was contacted he could not give asatisfactory answer. He said it is possible that thetimber being unloaded was cut before 16 May whenthe permits were valid.Mansehra: Cutting of trees continues at Koh TanglaiThousands of square feet of timber is being smuggled every day.Sakhi Sultan and Babu Iqbal are responsible for it.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 11, 2010Mansehra (Courts Reporter)Forests in Koh Tanglai are beingcut ruthlessly. Thousands of sqfeet of timber is smuggled out ofBara Ziarat using Datsun trucks.Babu Iqbal of Saran Shinkiari andforest guard Sakhi Sultan areresponsible for this smuggling.Abid Hussain Shah the secretaryGeneral of Green Konish ValleyDevelopment Organization whiletalking to media persons inMansehra Press Club said that hewould go to the anti-corruptiondepartment with all the evidence ifDFO Aijaz Qadir fails to takenotice of the activity. He said thatforests are being destroyed inComparts and they have informedthe conservator of Hazara Rangeabout it.Aijaz Qadir appointed DFO, Timber smugglersgo in hidingDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 11, 2010Dhudiyal (Our Correspondent)Forest officials are tightening thenoose around timber smugglers inKund area. Posting of Aijaz Qadiras DFO has led to halt in cutting offorests. Timber smugglers havelaunched baseless propagandaagainst the efficient officers.These views were expressed by theowners of guzara forests in KundSayyadan UC of Achhrian.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSaran valley: Forest management committees becomeinactive, forests are being destroyedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 12, 2010Bhugar Mung (SpecialCorrespondent) Due toinefficiency of joint forestmanagement committees in SaranValley forests worth millions ofrupees have been destroyed.Owners suffer loss of millions ofrupees due to these committees.Presidents and secretaries of thesecommittees enjoy all freedom tocut trees. These committeesshould be dissolved and morepowers should be given to thedepartment. Otherwise we will bebankrupt. These views wereexpressed by the owners of forestsin Saran valley while talking to thejournalists in a special meeting.Awami Forestry Ittehad meeting: protection of forestsand planting of trees discussedProtection of forests is necessary for restoration of natural beauty of SwatDaily Azadi Swat, June 18, 2010Swat (PR) Sarhad Awami Forestry Ittehad held anemergency meeting in Bahrain chaired by secretarygeneral Jamshed Khan. Present situation, protection offorests and planting of trees were discussed as theforests in Swat have been severely damaged during thepast two years. A unanimous resolution was passed inthe meeting that immediate attention must be paid tothe protection of forests to restore beauty of Swat. Theresolution said that the people of swat are thankful tothe officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army for theirrole in restoration of peace in Swat. They have notonly played a role for restoration of peace but also forrestoration of forests. SAFI paid tribute to the PakistanArmy for protecting the forests and tightening thenoose around timber smugglers. SAFI will stand bythe Army in this good deed as SAFI’s objective is toprotect forests, planting trees, protecting people’srights, and ensuring a pollution free environment. Themeeting was also attended by Mohammad Khanpresident Malakand Division, secretary informationGul Nawab, and press secretary Irfanuddin.Mansehra:Contractors find a novel way of smuggling timberSome of the contractors pick timber brush it with mobil oil and then smuggleit out. An inquiry has been launchedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 19, 2010Mansehra (Bureau Report) Anovel way of smuggling timberhas been adopted by some of thecontractors in Baffa and Mansehra.The contractors who have signedcontracts for government buildingsinstead of transporting used woodfrom the buildings are smugglingout fresh timber after brushing itwith mobil oil. Inquiry has beenlaunched against the contractors.According to the details some ofthe contractors in Mansehra haveadopted a novel way of smugglingtimber. These contractors getcontracts for disposal of discardeditems from the offices but theysmuggle out fresh wood afterbrushing it with burnt engine oil.This is causing loss of millions ofrupees to the government. Inquiryhas been started against threecontractors of Mansehra and Baffaand cases are likely to beregistered against them very soon.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteBattal: valuable trees are being cut recklessly:Forest owners threaten to start protestDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 13, 2010Battal: (General Reporter)Hashim Ali Khan and other forestowners came to Shamal office atBattal Doraha and handed awritten statement. It has been saidin the statement that under thepretext of construction of roadhundreds of trees have been cutdown from Battal Dab to Jar Galiarea. These trees are being soldimmediately. The owners offorests should be givencompensation for the loss of treesand those who are destroyingforests should be punished.Otherwise the owners will startprotest.Oghi: Forest department registers FIR against fourtimber smugglersDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 19, 2010Oghi (Shamal Correspondent)Forest department in Oghi hasregistered FIR against foursmugglers who tried to speed awayin three Datsun trucks loaded withtimber. In the report filed in Oghipolice station forester MohammadSharif said that last night he wason a routine patrol at Oghi checkpost when three Datsun trucksloaded with timber reached there.The forester said that he signaledthe trucks to stop but they spedaway. The police have registereda case against Tanvir, Israr andNadeem on a complaint by theforester. Meanwhile, in Darbandarea members of timber mafiawere trying to smuggle timber inDatsun trucks but the forestdepartment officials stopped themat the Darband barrier. Thesmugglers dismantled the barrierand took it away with them.However Darband police chasedthem and caught two vehiclesloaded with timber. The policeregistered a case against sixpersons. The court has given twodaysremand.Thandiani: Connivance of timber smugglers andforest department; forests turning into empty landsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 19, 2010Abbottabad (Crime Reporter)Forests in Thandiani range arebeing cut like vegetables. Rangeofficers are equally involved inthis activity. Wood is cut in thedarkness of night and brought tosaw mills. Most of the timber isbrought in the presence of forestofficials and is brought ingovernment vehicles. Timbersmugglers and forest officials bothhave made under hand deals withthe police. Timber is easilytransported to saw mills fromwhere it is transported to otherareas. Timber smugglers andforests officials are destroying theforests by bribing all the officials.If the investigative agencies probeinto the assets of forest officials ofThandiani range they will find outthat these officials have madeassets worth millions of rupees.Serious action must be taken toprotect forests in the area.Saran Division: Precious forests handed over to timbersmugglers in the name of departmental harvestDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 28, 2010Mansehra (City Reporter) Forestdepartment has handed over theHonah reserve forests of Saranvalley to timber smugglers underthe pretext of departmentalharvest. The forest is being cutPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteruthlessly. Large amount oftimber is being smuggled usingmules, horses and donkeys. Alarge amount of Diyar wood islying at Bunil Sayyadan andsearch for its buyers is on. AtBasu also an illegal depot has beenset up for sale of timber. Theforest officials are taking fulladvantage of weak administrationof conservator of Hazara Division.According to sources if thesituation remainsunchanged Honahreserve forests willbecome empty landverysoon.Illegal cutting of forests in Shergarh:Inquiry launched against the accused persons; statements of officials recordedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 27, 2010Oghi (Shamal Correspondent) DFO Oghi RangeManzoor Ahmed has been appointed inquiry officersfor the investigation of corruption and damage toforests in Shergarh range. Questioning of the accusedpersons and forest officials continued yesterday. Theinquiry into losses will be made public. Evidence willbe brought forth and action will be taken against theforest guard who was allegedly involved in recklesscutting of forests in Shergarh range three years ago.Influential timber mafia succeeded in smuggling outtimber worth 2 million rupeesTimber mafia concealed its container after bribing forest officialsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 29, 2010Ghazi (Crime Reporter) Influentialtimber mafia is flouting the lawand has brazenly smuggled timberworth 2 million rupees to Lahore.The forest officials received bribeand deprived the provincialgovernment of the moneycollected in the form of fine.According to the details two daysago container number P 8884, thatwas allowed to go after takingbribe, was caught again on theinstruction of DPO Haripur andimpounded at the police station inthe presence of mediarepresentatives.Last night the container wasunloaded in the presence of mediapersons at the sensitive policestation of Tarbela Cantt. Asnothing illegal was found in thecontainer it is believed that the carthat was said to be escorting thecontainer had already done itswork. It is worth mentioning herethat the timber mafia had obtaineda permit for transporting timber.Number of logs loaded on thecontainer was 239.Haripur: Police officials also involved in timbersmugglingTimber smuggling should be curbed and stringent action should be takenagainst the officials involved: public circlesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 29, 2010Haripur (Special Correspondent) Afew of the police officials inHaripur are also involved in timbersmuggling. A few officials of thepolice stations, specially oneMoharrir (report writer) isinvolved in this business.According to the details, sourcessay that a few of the policeofficials in Haripur are fullyinvolved in timber smuggling.Sources have informed that thepolice officials keep the timbersmuggled through Bair andTarbela Lake in their own houses.This wood is then sold at highrates. People of Haripur havelodged strong protest against thisPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteactivity and have demanded thatSP and forest officer of Haripurshould take strict action against thepolice officials involvedin this business.Timber smuggling across the lake: police officialsstart making moneyPolice post Budhora and Gandaf is collecting 300 rupees from each DatsunpickupDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 30, 2010Khalabutt (Our Correspondent)Timber smuggling across the lakeis at its peak. Police posts atBudhora and Gandaf are collecting300 rupees as bribe. According tothe details, Datsun trucks comingfrom the Lassan area across thelake are paying 300 rupees in bribeto the police at Budhora andGandaf and reach Swabi Mera. Afill-fledged network works tobring the timber to launches andtransport it to Haripur. From thereit is smuggled to various secretstorage sites. The administratorsare silently watching these greenforests turning into empty grounds.Public circles have demanded thehigh officials to take immediateaction against the timber mafia andthe corrupt officials.Tarbela Lake timber smugglers:Confiscated vehicles charged 1.2 million rupees fine; five trucks and onecontainer loaded with timber were caught on Monday at 2.30 a.m.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad 30 June 2010Khalabutt (Shamal Correspondent)Five trucks carrying smuggledtimber at the bank of Tarbela lakewere caught and fined 1.2 millionrupees. SHO of Khalabutt policestation, Babar Khan Tanoli, toldjournalists that police team led byASP Haripur Najibur Rehmancaught five trucks loaded withtimber. The fine levied on thewood was 1.2 million rupees, hesaid.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 02Forest DepartmentNeem becomes Sindh’s official treeDaily Times Islamabad, April 14, 2010KARACHI: A long struggle by environmentalists andnature conservationists paid dividends on Tuesdaywhen the Sindh government declared Neem, a treewith medicinal properties, as the official tree of theprovince.The decision was announced through a notificationissued by the Sindh chief secretary.Environmentalists have welcomed the decision andurged the Sindh government to take steps for massscaleplantation of this tree in the province.The officials of the Indus for All Programme of theWWF-Pakistan had selected four indigenous trees forthis status and submitted their names to differentuniversities, government departments, independentresearchers and environmentalists. After longdiscussions, Neem and Babool trees were selected forthe official status.It was expected that the Sindh government would alsoselect a bird, animal and flower for the official status.“The country has a national bird, animal and tree, butmost of them belong to mountainous ranges, therefore,we decided to start a struggle for giving official statusto an indigenous tree, bird, animal and flower, so thatthe province may also take interest in theirconservation,” said regional director of the WWF-Pakistan’s Indus for All Programme, Dr GhulamAkbar.Nasir Ali Panhwar of the Indus for All Programmewelcomed the decision and said the initiative signifiesthe provincial government’s commitment towards theconservation of the natural forests of Sindh. InPakistan, Neem is found in Sindh and some parts ofsouthern Punjab. It is also found in India, Bangladeshand some parts of China and Malaysia.According to the official data of the Sindh ForestDepartment, the Neem trees in Umerkot, Hyderabadand Karachi districts are the oldest in the province.During the British rule, Neem was planted at railwaysstations and the embankments of canals to maintain ahealthy environment. Amar GuriroLetter to EditorAnnihilation of forests in PunjabDawn Islamabad, June 09, 2010INSTEAD of preserving the fastdepletingforests, it is theGovernment of Punjab which isplaying the part of a predator byleasing out 30,000 acres of forestland for agricultural purposes astimely reported in Dawn, “Punjabgovernment to axe forest area by30,000 acres” (June 2). The antiforests’decision has been taken bythe cabinet notwithstandingserious reservations of theprovincial forest department.The plan was envisaged by thechief minister to providelivelihood to the unemployedyouth of the province.According to the plan, theprovincial government will leaseout 25 acres of the forest land toeach unemployed person holding amaster’s degree in forestry orPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteagriculture with a loan of nearlyRs900, 000 from the Punjab RuralSupport Programme with a 13-percentinterest rate.The issue fundamentally is thescheme of converting forests intoagricultural land.In Punjab, the British governmentduring colonisation established 50to 100 acres of land near everyvillage to establish forests.Needless to say that even after theintroduction of local governmentsin 2001, in view of the importanceof forests in the overallenvironment, the ecology createdduring the British era was nottampered with.I would like to request the ChiefMinister Punjab to promote thesignificance of trees for thesurvival and well-being ofhumanity. Trees not only keep theatmosphere clean and healthy, butold trees also add to the localhumidity through transpiration.Forests, therefore, play a vital rolein regulating regional climate byproviding the base for continuityof water cycles. They also play acritical role in climate regulationby absorbing carbon dioxide, a gasbelieved to be partially responsiblefor global warming. Thus forestsare considered so vital for humanexistence that the Holy Prophet(PBUH) forbade cutting of a treeeven during wars.Trees do not grow overnight buttake decades to mature. Thus,instead of converting forests intoagricultural land forwhatever reason, thePunjab governmentmust protect its foreststo save the province inparticular and thecountry in general fromperilous loss of green cover.It is hoped that the Chief MinisterPunjab in order to accommodate1,200 unemployed youth shouldeither lease them governmentagricultural lands or offer themjobs in forestry or agro-forestry soas to protect the already-dwindlingforests from further destruction.SYED SHAHNAWAZ SHAHTando AdamWWF-PAKISTAN REPORT18.5% of forestland converted into non-forest usesThe News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, June 26, 2010By Aftab KakenIslamabad -- The federalgovernment should not only blockany future land transfers fromforest department to anydepartment but also take back thepreviously transferred land backinto a protected forest, said areport launched by the WWF-Pakistan here on Friday.The study has been commissionedby the scientific committee ofWWF-Pakistan to identify allforest areas in the country thatwere transferred from the variousprovincial forest departments forother land uses.It is shocking that an over 61,000hectares (151548 acres), which is18.5% of the forestland, has beenconverted to non-forest uses,revealed Dr Kauser AbdullahMalik, chairman of the scientificcommittee of the WWF-Pakistanat National Press Club.Dr Bashir Ahmed Wani, ex-IGforest in his presentation alsoshared that the last largestconversion of forestland has takenin Punjab, which is 66% of thetotal deforestation while Sindh issecond and termed it distressing asgovernment continues to convertmore forestland.In their recommendations, theWWF-Pakistan proposed theMinistry of Environment to movea summary to the prime ministerfor imposing restrictions on thetransfer of forestlands for nonforestryuses as done in the case ofban on commercial harvesting offorests.It also recommends the withdrawalof powers of de-notification underForest Act 1927 and any otherprovincial law under existinglegislation is amended and issuedirection to the provincialgovernments for restrictingprovincial board of revenue totransfer land to any agency.An advisory board will beconstituted at the federal level withrepresentation from the provincesand Board of Revenue (BoR) tolay down procedure for the awardof forestlands for non-forestry usesin case such transfers areunavoidable and alternate land isnot available, it added.The recent FAO report on the stateof World Forests 2009 mentionsthat the annual rate ofdeforestation in Pakistan is 2.1%the highest among all the countriesin Asia.It is hoped that this report will helpblock all future transfers ofprecious forestland for other uses,and that as much as possible, landsthat have been previouslyPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutetransferred are also graduallyrestored as forestland.The Government of Pakistan hasgiven a commitment to globalcommunity under MillenniumDevelopment Goals to increase theforest cover in the country to 6%by the year 2015, but not enoughcorresponding action has beentaken to disaggregate this targetdown to the provinces, districtsand tehsils.As outlined in this report, thelargest conservations of forestlandhave taken place in Punjab andSindh corresponding to 99,711acres and 27,874 acresrespectively.The Sindh government has made140 land transfers covering an areaof 271,875 acres since 1947 todifferent users agencies. Of this,11,911 acres to Pak Army inSukkur, Ghotki, Thatta, and PanoAkil, 177,122 acres to Port Qasimand Pakistan Steel Mills, 16,935acres to Revenue Dept in Karachi,12,040 acres to Defence HousingAuthority, 5,924 acres wastransferred for agriculturepurposes in Ghotki and 1,090acres was also transferred inKarachi to educational institutions,Sindh High Court, Sir SyedUniversity, BIZTEK, SindhMadrassa, Dawood College ofEngineering, SZABIST, SIUT,Agha Khan University and SindhPolice, 3,000 acres to KMC and300 acres to Sindh Police forcentral jail.Similarly Punjab had made 106land transfers covering an area of99,711 acres since 1947 to variousgovernment departments thatinclude Parks & HorticultureAuthority, wildlife, tourismdevelopment cooperation, PakistanArmy, construction of hospitals,schools, fisheries dept, civilaviation, universities, PTCL,Wapda, Highways, sericulture,Great Thal Canal System,Microwave towers, Housingscheme, Army dog centre,MMDA, police justice dept, CDA,district jail and specific purpose.Some of the major forest landtransfers include 14000 acres toPTCL in Kabirwala, 44,019 acresto Pak Army in Jallo Park,Pirowal, Miranpur, Muzaffargarh,Kalla Chitta, Sambli and Jehlum,11,870 acres to CDA, 200 acres toJournalist Housing Colony in LohiBher, 572 acres to PunjabEmployee Housing Foundationand 116 acres to Arid ZoneResearch Institute in Bhakkar.However, the transfer of4,111 acres to NewMurree DevelopmentAuthority has beenstopped due to SupremeCourts suo moto whilein some cases,forestland has been leased toprivate people including a piece offorest to Royal Navy Oman.Balochistan government has made18 land transfers covering an areaof 13,693 acres forest land to otherdepartments that include 400 acresto agriculture dept, 10 acres toBalochistan University, 24 acres tolabour dept, 1200 acres to PAF,1,200 acres for Industrial estates,54 acres for prison dept, 0.68 acresfor CNG Company and 5 acres forSOS village.The KPK government has made 20land transfers covering an area of9,692 acres to other departmentsthat include 20 acres to PTDC,0.76 acres to Muhammad PervaizKhan, 0.63 acres to FC, 0.38 acresto PMA hut, 0.25 acres to fisheriesdept, 0.5 acres to BHU, 0.13 acresto wildlife dept, 0.88 acres todistrict council, Mansehra, 0.5acres to Pak Youth Hostel, 11.75acres for potato research centre, 2acres for Hotel Pine Park, 9133acres to Pak Army in D I Khanand 520 acres to PERRA in Siran.English Translations of Urdu ClippingsDomail: low quality material used in construction offorest guest houseContractor is destroying the project to grab millions of rupeesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 07, 2010Dhadar (Special Reporter) Thecontractor building the forest guesthouse in Domail is trying toembezzle millions of rupees anddestroying the plan. The guesthouse is being built in cooperationwith ERRA. The material beingused for the building is extremelylow quality. This activity iscontinuing in collaboration withthe forest department. People ofthe area have protested against theuse of low quality material.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteMillions of rupees are lost because of negligencein protecting treesDaily Aaj, Peshawar, May 11, 2010Shinkiari (News reporter) Millionsof rupees are spent on planting oftrees during the plantationcampaign every year but due tonegligence in protecting thesetrees the money spent onplantation goes waste. Particularlyno positive results have beenachieved by plantation of Chir andother trees by the forestdepartment. Not only treesplanted in forests but along theroadsides are also lost.One forest guard at every 200 acres of forest world over;one forest guard for every 3000 acres in PakistanDaily Aaj, Peshawar, May 13, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter) Allover the world one forest guard isdeployed for every 200 acres offorest but in Pakistan there is oneforest guard for every 3000 acresof forest. Provincial minister forforests Wajid Ali Khan said thiswhile talking to Aaj. He said theforest department is facing acuteshortage of workforce yet thedepartment is performing verywell.Government cannot protest national forests:Aijaz AhmedWe will not desist from protesting in order to protect forests from timber mafiaDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, May 17, 2010Oghi (Our Correspondent) Thereform commit members in KhunTanawal area have stronglyprotested over the cutting offorests in Doga Jalu GaliChampiyal. They have urgedchief justice Iftikhar Chuadhry totake notice of cutting of forests.Talking to the media PresidentAijaz Ahmed, general secretarySher Mohammad, Dr AbdurRashid and others said thatgovernment forests are at themercy of timber mafia. If thegovernment cannot protectnational wealth it should hand itover to the people. They said thatthey had informed the highofficials of the forest departmenttime and again but nothing hasbeen corrected. If immediateaction is not taken the people ofKhun will hold protestdemonstration in front of theprovincial assembly and thenational parliament.Hazara Division: Forest being destroyed over vast areaPeople of Hazara demand immediate transfer of conservator of Hazara andappointment of responsible officersDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 18, 2010Mansehra (Courts Reporter)forests in Hazara Division arebeing destroyed in vast areas.Conservator of Hazara rangeKhurshid Anwar has become asilent spectator. Sources said thatthe forests in Hazara are beingdestroyed but instead of makingefforts to stop this destructionDFOs are being transferred tocover up the issue. Sources alsosaid that provincial minister forforests is equally responsible forthis destruction along with theconservator of Hazara range. InPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSaran valley in a period of 9months 16 DFOs have beentransferred. Public circles havedemanded immediate transfer ofthe conservator saying thatefficient officers shouldbe appointed here.Ruthless cutting of trees continues with theconnivance of officials of forest departmentCorrupt officials should be removed to save precious forestsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 27, 2010Jabori (Special Correspondent) InSaran valley large number of treesare being cut every day.Particularly the guzara forests inTodandi and government-ownedforests in Sarbun are being cutruthlessly. People of Jabori saidthat one official has been postedhere since long and when we try totalk to him he does not payattention to us. No action has beentaken against the corrupt officials.Residents of Jabori expressedthese views while talking toShamal correspondent. They saidthat these corrupt officials shouldbe transferred from hereimmediately and an inquiry mustbe initiated if we have to save theforests. They said if this is notdone the forest will soon becomean empty ground and the forestofficials will be responsible forthisdestruction.Battal: forest department adopts effective strategy;timber smugglers go in hidingTimber smugglers are blackmailing forest officials using the newspapersDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 29, 2010Shinkiari (News Reporter) Due to an effective strategyadopted by the forest department the timber smugglershave gone in hiding. However timber smugglers areusing their agents to blackmail dutiful officials of theforest department through newspapers. Residents ofKonish valley have expressed full confidence in theperformance of the range officer and other staff inBattal. Elders of the area held an important meetingchaired by former councilor Imtiaz Ahmed of BaiTarpi. Around 60 elders attended this meeting.Addressing the meeting these people declared that thereports being published in the newspapers against theBattal range offer and other staff are baseless. Theyalso said that the timber smugglers used to roamaround the forests carrying latest weapons. The forestofficials putting their lives in danger continue toperform their duty of protecting the forests. Due totheir action timber smugglers have gone in hiding.Galiyat: forest department sets new record byplanting 300,000 plantsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 17, 2010Changla Gali (SpecialCorrespondent) Forest departmenthas planted over 300,000 plants inGaliyat area during 2009-10plantation campaign. Briefing thejournalists in Koza Gali foresthouse range officer GaliyatDivision Sardar Riyasat Nalothasaid that during the current yearthe forest department has planted85,000 kikar trees, 130,500 biartrees, 10,000 Bankhor trees and53,000 Chir trees. He said thiswas a joint project of ERRA andthe forest department forplantation of trees in earthquakeaffected areas. The target has beenachieved in the first phase.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteHouses are being built in Khan Kalan forestsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 01, 2010Nathiagali(SpecialCorrespondent) In Khan KalanRetri UC Bakot area houses arebeing built under the patronage ofGul Zaman son of Abdur Rahmanon the land owned by the forestdepartment. On one hand this isan attempt to grab governmentland while on the other trees arebeing cut down for theconstruction of buildings. Peopleof the area have appealed to therange officer and DFO Galiyatdivision that they should stopconstruction of houses in this areaotherwise the villagers will alsostart building theirhouses on governmentland. This will cause seriouslosses to the forest department.Therefore the high officials of theforest department should stop thisconstruction immediately.Ghazi: Range officer taking bribe destroying forests,DFO also gets his shareDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 02, 2010Gadwalian(ShamalCorrespondent) Range officer ofGhazi is extorting money. Phalahitrees are being cut in Ghazi andBarikot area. A permit from thedepartment is required for thiscutting but the range officer ofGhazi area has allowed cutting oftrees without a permit. He hasfixed a per vehicle bribe amountwhich is causing huge loss to thegovernment exchequer. Somepeople say that the range officergives a share on this collectedbribe money to the DFO ofHaripur. Ever since the presentDFO Haripur has been appointedthe timber mafia is having a freehand. All the staff is alsoreceiving share in bribe money.This is causing huge loss to thegovernment and the forests are fastturning into empty fields.Kand Bate: Performance of forest officials issatisfactory—popular circlesDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 13, 2010Dhudial (Our Correspondent)Forest owners say that theperformance of forest officials issatisfactory. The timber mafia istrying to blackmail the officials.Owners of guzara forests inAchhrian Kund Saiyadan havesaid in a joint statement thattimber smugglers have made theirlives miserable while the forestofficials are performing theirduties efficiently. The timbermafia is busy in negativepropaganda against the officials.Forestry Ittehad demands increase in forest royalty to 80 percentDiscretionary powers of forest officers should be withdrawn.Press conference by Dost MuhammadDaily Aaj, Peshawar, June 11, 2010Peshawar (Staff Reporter) SarhadAwami Forestry Ittehad (SAFI)has demanded that the governmentshould increase forest royalty from60 percent to 80 percent. This wassaid in a press conference by thepresident of SAFI, DostMuhammad Khan in PeshawarPress Club. He said that thepollution can be controlled only bygrowing more trees in the country.He said that the forest owners,organizations for protection offorests and also the civil society isviolating the rights of the people.He said a new legislation is neededfor keeping the environment cleanand protecting the rights of thepeople over forests so that thepeople could also look after theforests. He asked the governmentPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteto bring the forest ordinance in theprovincial assembly for approvaland said that the controversialprovisions of this ordinance shouldbe removed and a notificationshould be issued to fix forestroyalty as 80 percent in SwatKohistan and Dir Kohistan. Healso demanded that the ban ongreen marking should be lifted andthe period should be extended tofive years from the existing threeyears. Forest plantation should beexpedited. Discretionary powersof the forest officers should bewithdrawn and presence of JFMCshould be declaredmandatory at the timeof signing agreementwith the FDC androyalty installmentsshould be paidregularly.FBR allows export of poplar trees to AfghanistanTaking notice of smuggling of trees to Afghanistan the FBR imposeda nominal tax which has legalized the smuggling. NGOs in Kabulare buying poplar trees at the rate of 1000 to 1400 rupees per treeand giving it away to the Afghan people free of charge. Localindustrialists who purchase trees at the rate of 60 to 100 rupees pertree express concern; ask government to cancel the notificationDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 12, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter) Exportof poplar trees to Afghanistan hasincreased after FBR’s notificationpermitting the export. This exporthas brought prosperity to thefarmers. However the owners ofmatch stick factories haveexpressed concern over the export.According to a survey the FBRimposed a nominal tax andlegalized the export of poplar treesto Afghanistan in view of thesmuggling of the trees. Accordingto sources the tree which matchfactory owners did not buy fromthe farmers for a hundred rupees isnow being bought by certainAfghan NGOs for 1000 to 1400rupees. These NGOs aredistributing this wood amongAfghan people to build theirhomes. This has led to an increasein export of poplar trees toAfghanistan but has also causedconcern among the match factoryowners in the province. Matchfactories in Hayatabad IndustrialEstate are at the brink ofbankruptcy due to closure of theindustry.Match factory owners are holdingmeetings with the officials of CBRand the provincial government toget the notification allowingexport of poplar to Afghanistancancelled. Meanwhile the leader ofpoplar traders Haji Raheel andother farmers are of the view thatthe match factory owners werepaying only 60 to 100 rupees for apoplar tree. Now that they aregetting a better price theindustrialists are trying to harmtheirinterest.Janglan: Two vehicles loaded with timber caught; fivepeople arrestedPolice released the vehicles and the people on receiving a letter from thegovernmentDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 15, 2010Lohar Banda (Our Correspondent)Police caught two vehicles loadedwith smuggled timber and arrestedfive people in the area underSaddar police station’sjurisdiction. According to thedetails police raided on twovehicles carrying illegal timberand impounded them. Howeverwithin 15 minutes of the raid theSaddar police station received aletter that the vehicles and the fiveaccused people should be released.The alleged smugglers then drovethe vehicles to Havelian.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteWrit petition filed by provincial forest departmentdismissed; Forest Society Domail and Deolai restoredSupreme Court restored forest society and permitted movement ofthousands of feet of timberDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 19, 2010Mansehra (Court Reporter)Supreme Court of Pakistan onFriday dismissed the petition filedby the provincial government andrestored Mansehra Domail DeolaiCooperative Forest Society.According to sources SupremeCourt Bench consisting ChiefJustice Iftikhar Chaudhry, JusticeKhalilur Rehman Ramday andJustice Rabbani restored DomailDeolai Forest Cooperative Societyand allowed harvest of thousandsof feet of timber.Up gradation of scale was a longstanding demand ofthe employees of forest departmentApproval of their demand brought a wave of joy among the employees; jointstatementDaily Mashriq Peshawar, June 21, 2010Dargai (Mashriq Crrespondent)Haji Mohammad Zeb Khan,advocate, president of forestguards, foresters and deputyrangers association and Haji ShahMohammad Khattak, president ofMalakand forest division hastermed the up gradation of KhyberPakhtunkhwa forest employee’spay scales a result of their honestefforts.Khairabad: Attempt to smuggle timber foiledContainer loaded with timber worth millions of rupees handed over to forestdepartmentDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 21, 2010Nowshera (Mashriq Correspondent) A containerloaded with timber worth millions of rupees wasconfiscated at Khairabad and handed over to forestdepartment. The timber was being taken to Jacobabadin Sindh province. Owners of the timber, driver andconductor of the vehicle fled the scene. The containernumber LSB 638 owned by timber mafia was caughttwo days ago. According to sources the documentsthat were presented to the forest department at thecheck post were doubtful. When Mashriqcorrespondent contacted range officer Aqil Khan hesaid that this was not his area but investigation is beingmade.Cutting of forests in Dir Bala will not be tolerated at any costDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 22, 2010Dir Bala (Mashriq Correspondent)We will not allow cutting offorests at any cost. The forestdepartment should fulfill itsresponsibility of protecting forestsand should play its role foraverting tension in the area. Theseviews were expressed by BakhtZaman Khan, Fain Mohammad,Khaista Mian, Umaruddin, andSultan Bakht in a statement. Theysaid that some elements are bentupon turning the green forests ofAsheergai and Daragor Kohi intoempty fields. The officials of theforest department have beeninformed about it several times buttheir continuous silence ismeaningful. They said that theywill be forced to take action if theofficials do not fulfill their duty.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTimber smuggled via Tarbela Lake;FC carries out raidPolice at Swabi Mera police station deceived FCDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 22, 2010Swabi Mera (Shamal Correspondent) FC raided rightat the time when timber was being smuggled throughTarbela Lake. However the police at Swabi Merapolice station deceived FC and the smugglers managedto smuggle the timber. According to sources FCcordoned off the area near Tarbela Lake to catchtimber smuggler gang and launched a raid but a fewblack sheep in the police informed the smugglersbefore time and the smugglers slipped out of FC’shands. The FC continued its operation in the area allnight but all its efforts remained futile. The fact thatthe smugglers were able to transport timber in thepresence of FC personnel shows that the smugglersalready had information about the cordon. Thesmugglers passed through the area under thejurisdiction of Swabi Mera police station. People ofthe area have demanded that a grand operation shouldbe launched against the timber mafia. They demandedthat the police officials who collaborate with thesmugglers should also be held accountable.Saran, DFO is playing important role for protection offorests: people of the areaDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 24, 2010Jabori (Shamal Correspondent)DFO Saran has proved his honestyand efficiency by controllingtimber smugglers and collecting750,000 rupees in fine. Theseviews were expressed by thepeople of Saran Valley whilespeaking at the Press Club inJabori. They said that after theappointment of DFO SaranMohammad Aijaz Qadir forestsare being protected and timbersmugglers have gone in hiding.Thousands of feet of marked timber might be lost inHazara forestsForests are suffering losses worth millions of rupees due to negligence of forest conservatorDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 28, 2010Gurmang Bala (ShamalCorrespondent) Due to negligenceof the forest conservator in Hazarait is feared that millions of rupeeswill be lost. Thousands of feet ofdry wood and marked trees arelikely to be wasted. According tothe details thousands of feet of drywood and windfall timber is lyingin Hazara forests. In a number offorests it has already been marked.For example in Jabori documentsare long awaiting approval fromthe conservator. The people of thearea have demanded that thepresent conservator should beposted out and the senior-mostofficial Sardar Sultan Ahmadshould be appointed conservator inHazara area.Shergarh: Reckless cutting of forests;Inquiry launched against five officials including foresterDaily Shamal Abbottabad, June 28, 2010Oghi (Shamal Correspondent)Departmental inquiry has beeninitiated against five forestofficials including a forester inShergarh range on charges ofreckless cutting of forests andsmuggling of wood. ADFO Rangein-charge Manzoor Ahmed hasPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutebeen made responsible for theinquiry.Three years ago forests wererecklessly cut in Sher Garh range.It appeared that the forests werecut due to negligence of the forestofficials. Manzoor Ahmed hasinitiated inquiry against fiveofficials. Forest guardMohammad Sher Bahadur andRiyaz Mohammad have beenquestioned and theirstatements have beenrecorded.Rawalpindi Administration should take measures tomake the city green: Sanaullah AkhtarDaily Jang Rawalpindi, June 28, 2010Rawalpindi (Jang News) Presidentof Al-Akhuwwat, a welfareorganization, Sanaullah Akhtar hassaid that the Rawalpindiadministration should beautify thecity and plant trees to make itgreen. He demanded this in ameeting of his organization.Mohammad Tariq Ali, NisarChaudhry, T M Jan, Shafqat Rana,Zafar Iqbal, Abu Aziz, MahmoodAkhtar Malik, Arif Saeed Butt,Tahir Pervez Khaksar and DrAkmal Niaz attended the meeting.They demanded that theadministration should plant treesalong the highways like MurreeRoad. They also said that treesshould be planted in governmentbuildings, schools, and hospitals.Ghazi, police allowed truck loaded with timber to passwithout informing forest departmentDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 28, 2010Ghazi (Mashriq Correspondent)The police allowed a containerloaded with timber to go withoutinformation to the forestdepartment. The container wascaught two days ago. Thecontainer was loaded with timberworth millions of rupees. On a tipoff from the media Police hadimpounded container number P884in Ghazi and it was said that thecontainer was carrying illegaltimber. When the container wasopened high value timber wasfound in it which was beingsmuggled to Punjab via Ghazi.Later the timber was shifted toother vehicles and the smugglersmanaged to smuggle it.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 03Forest FireEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsFire breaks out in Shiekh Badin HillsValuable trees burn to ashes, flames could be seen far and wideDaily Aaj Peshawar, May 24, 2010Paniala (Aaj Correspondent)Forests spread over thousands ofkanals area north of Shiekh Badinhills caught fire on Saturday andprecious trees worth millions ofrupees were burnt to ashes.According to the details smokewas seen rising from the northernpart of Shieklh Badin hills. By thesunset there were flames allaround. The fire continued allnight. The forest had olive, palosaand pine trees. No forest officialwas available for comment.Fire in Shiekh Badin forest under control after two daysCause of fire could not be ascertained, case registered in Yark police stationDaily Mashriq Peshawar, May 25, 2010Lakki Marwat (Mashriq Correspondent) The fire atShiekh Badin hills adjacent to Lakki Marwat and DeraIsmail Khan has been put out. The fire has destroyedthe beautiful resort in the forest. According to thereports some unidentified miscreants set the forest onfire. According to sources the fire that continued fortwo days has destroyed forests spread over 4,000 to5,000 acres of land. The wildlife department had tocut down trees in Paniala area of Dera Ismail Khan tosave other areas from fire. The sources said that ateam of forest officials led by district forest officerwildlife, Abdul Halim Marwat inspected the area theother day. Range officer Idrees Marwat said that thecause of fire could not be ascertained. However itappears that the people visiting the forest for picnicwere cooking something and the forest caught fire. Heconfirmed the reports that four forest officials havebeen injured and two fainted in this incident. Theforest department has filed a report in Yark policestation.Fire engulfs Margalla hills; 16 firefighters faintedDaily Mashriq Peshawar, May 27, 2010Islamabad (Online) Margalla Hillsnear Islamabad caught fire due torise in temperature. During theoperation to put out fire 16firefighters fainted due to extremeheat. Fire suddenly broke out inKashmir valley adjacent to E-9sector of Islamabad whichengulfed the whole valley in notime. Deputy Director ofenvironment wing of CDA, MalikAulia, told Online that the reportPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteabout fire was received at 11:30 onWednesday and teams wereimmediately sent out to put out thefire. He said that 140 firemen tookpart in this operation. Howeverthe firefighters are facingproblems due to the difficultaccess routes. He also said thathelicopters were not availablebecause of the rescue operationcontinuing on Hunza Lake. It wasmuch easier to control fire usinghelicopters. According to veryreliable CDA sources 16firefighters fainted due to extremeheat and lack of modernequipment. However,CDA spokesmanRamzan Sajid deniedreports of any suchincident withfirefighters.Darband: Police impounds two vehicles loaded with timberDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 27, 2010Oghi (Shamal Correspondent)Darband police got theinformation that workers of timbermafia were smuggling timber viaDarband. The police set up acheck point near Balwai.Meanwhile, two Datsun truckscoming from Oghi which wereloaded with timber were caught.The vehicles and drivers werelocked up in Darband policestation. President of the forestmanagement committeeMohammad Yunus and presidentof the reforms committee LalaQalandar Khan lauded theDarband police for their timelyaction.Shinkiari: Forests on fire,Wildlife faces destructionDaily Mashriq Peshawar, May 27, 2010Shinkiari (General Reporter) Thebeautiful forests of Shinkiari areon fire. It is said that every yearduring summer season before theonset of monsoon season twotypes of people set forests on fire.One, the farmers who need grassfor their cattle and secondly theforest officials who want toremove evidence of the trees cutillegally. This destroys wildlife aswell as newly planted trees. It alsoleads to high level of pollution inenvironment. It was also reportedthat the forest department hires anumber of people before monsoonfor putting out fires but due tonegligence of the department allthese measures remain ineffective.On the contrary people set forestson fire to serve their personalinterest. If the forest departmentpays proper attention there is noreason that the forests would notbe safe from fire.Dhok Gakhhar:Fire in forests under controlDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 09, 2010Tarnawa (Special Correspondent)talking to journalists the notablesof Upper Khanpur have said thatthe fire that broke out in DhokGakhhar a few days ago was putout immediately. This helped savethe lives of birds. They said if theforest department takes such swiftaction against fire all forests ofUpper Khanpur area will remainsafe. The timber from the forestsand the rare species of birds arenational assets. The forestdepartment should remain alert forsaving these from fire.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteKundbait: Forest officials set forest on fire tohide their corruptionLegal action must be taken against the weak and corrupt officials:Al-Falah OrganizationDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 10, 2010Dhadar (Crime Report) Forest guard and forester inKundbait area set the forest of entire area on fire. Thefire severely damaged the saplings and the wildlife.Members of the community-based organizationreached the site and managed to put out fire. Still thereare hundreds of logs and burnt wood lying in the areaand sawing is also continuing here. High officials ofthe forest department are requested to take legal actionagainst the weak and the corrupt officials. Otherwisethe owners of guzara forests and residents of KundTarla will be forced to take direct action. These viewswere expressed by the secretary Al-falah organizationand owner of guzara forest Abid Ali Shah Kazmi in awritten statement issued to the press.Parhna:Fire in forests burning animals and birdsEvery year miscreants set forests on fire which burns thousands of treesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 13, 2010Parhna (Shamal Correspondent)Frequent fires in Parhna forests arecausing damage to birds andanimals. Miscreants set forests inParhna on fire every year whichburn trees over thousands of acresof land. An inquiry should belaunched against these miscreants.They should be given duepunishment so that no one darestaking such actions in future.These views were expressed byMaster Sabir Tanoli , MalikSarfraz, and Nadeem Tanoli whiletalking to Shamal.Konish Valley:Forests on Tanglai hills catch fireMany factors might have caused the fireDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, June 23, 2010Konish valley (Bureau Chief) Forests in Tanglai hillsarea are on fire. The view of these forests at night isbeautiful but many factors could be responsible for thisfire. According to a report the forest was being cut likevegetable. Over that the owners of forests and themedia raised much hue and cry. But corrupt peoplewere appointed for protection of these forests. Officerswere replaced one after another but cutting of forestscontinued. Officers followed the policy of pleasing thepolitical influential. People kept lamenting but no suchofficial was appointed who could take action againsttimber smugglers or corrupt officials of the forestdepartment. Whenever an honest official was postedthe political elements sent him back with muchdisgrace. One such example is former DFO who tookstrict action against the timber smugglers and imposedheavy fines on them. A few of the smugglers were putbehind bars. He had given strict instruction that theforest officials should regularly patrol the forests.People were happy with him but a few influentialpeople did not like his honesty and efficiency. So hewas posted out. Now the entire forest department iskeeping its eyes closed and smuggling of timber is atits peak. Now that the media and communityorganizations have decided to take action forprotection of forests the department is quite perturbed.Media and community organizations decided to surveythe forests in Tanglai and invited the forest officials tojoin the survey. On hearing the news of a plan forsurvey the forest was set on fire to hide the evidence ofcutting of trees. At present the entire Tanglai forest ison fire and no forest official or political influential hasordered any inquiry of the fire. People miss formerDFO Sardar Sultan who was an honest officer.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteForest catches fire as mortars fired by NATOtroops fall on Pakistani territoryDaily Mashriq Peshawar June 27, 2010Wana (Mashriq Correspondent)Local militants attacked a NATOpost at Machadad kot in BirmalShikin area of Paktika province ofAfghanistan with rockets andmortars. NATO retaliated theattack. Five mortars fell in Zobaarea in Pakistani territory leadingto a fire breakout in forest. Thetribesmen have said that mortarsfired from Afghanistan side hittheir area almost every daycausing serious panic in the area.The tribesmen said that localmilitants attack NATO troopsevery day and in response NATOforces fire mortarsindiscriminately. These mortarsland in Pakistani area and thetribes face losses. They said thatthe United Nations has so far nottaken notice of this situation.They said that Pakistan shouldtake notice of these fires. Tribesliving in the border area aresuffering heavy losses due to thesefiring incidents.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 04Forest Protection &AwarenessLetter to EditorForest protection programmeDawn Islamabad, April 01, 2010This is apropos of a news report(March 17) that the minister forenvironment and forestry haslaunched a programme incollaboration with WWF-Pakistanto check deforestation.The programme is a step in theright direction to stall the rapidelimination of forests we haveexperienced during last 50 or soyears for want of a suchlegislation.This continued obliteration offorests has reduced the forestcover substantially, representing2.5 per cent of the land area ofPakistan under forests according tothe latest UN statistics.This puts us in the category ofcountries with a forest cover ofless than 10 per cent. This is analarming situation and needs to bestalled forthwith, warrantingefforts aimed at improving thisforest cover.If we sum up the government’spublicized planting targets and thesurvival of their transplants duringthe last 60 years, the forest coverarea would have exceeded 10 percent of the total geographical areaof Pakistan.Surprisingly, no one ever botheredto check the veracity of theseclaims, so much so that now wehave a forest cover less than whatwe had in 1947, while hill forestare almost finished.Forest on either side of the Indushave disappeared, riverine foreststoo are under threat as the policeare burning them on the pretext offlushing out robbers.Our total geographical cover offorest is much less than theinternational standard. Efforts areunder way to increase the forestcover from the present claim of 5per cent to 6 per cent by 2015.For this, emphasis should laid onreducing the alarming rate ofmortality of tree saplings by takingpost-planting care and routinemaintenance.Zafar SheikhVia emailStudents help in sprucing up parkThe News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, April 17, 2010Rasheed KhalidIslalmabad: - Students of normaland special education schools wereawarded certificates forparticipating in an exercise toimprove the park adjacent to theNational Library and ResourceCentre.Despite their small age, includingthose with relatively limitedability, keenly worked in thegarden for three days to develop alawn into a small garden.The ceremony was organized bythe Sustainable DevelopmentPolicy Institute in collaborationPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutewith the US Embassy at the HelenKeller Community FriendshipCentre here on Friday.Speaking on the occasion, JuliaFend Rick, assistant culturalattaché at the US embassy, said theEarth Day started when the dirtyRiver Cuyahoga in Ohio caughtfire due to oily pollutants on June22, 1969, and Senator GaylordNelson next year called all andsundry to observe Earth Day andalso participate in cleaning theriver. Since then, April 22 iscelebrated as Earth Day in theworld. She said that environmentmovement is a story of citizenscoming together and demandingtheir respective governments toprovide health food, water andclean environment and punish thepolluters.She said it is the responsibility ofall of us to work for improving theenvironment. She appreciated thatby implanting flowers and trees,the students converted the areainto beautiful place. She thankedvolunteers from schools touniversities for supporting thisinnovation. She asked the studentsto repeat the exercise at someother place on the next Earth Day.Dr Arshad Ovais Qazi, director ofthe Directorate-General of SpecialEducation, apprised the audienceabout his centre established in1995. He specificallymentioned books,computer lab andelectronic journals. Hesaid that the centre isfully functional for thespecial children,visually impaired in particular. Helauded the services of the USembassy in this respect, whichincluded books and furniture.A slide show depicting thechildren working in the park wasalso screened on the occasion.Shakil Ramay, director of theSDPI’s Pakistan Youth ClimateNetwork, thanked the participants.Need to revamp forest resourcesThe Nation Islamabad, Money plus, April 26, 2010By Babar HussainForests are the blood of the ecosystem. The importanceof forest in the modern day world can not beunderestimated. The art and science of growing theforests is called forestry. Forestry plays a pivotal rolein the economy of Pakistan. It is also essential toimprove the quality of life of citizens throughsustainable development maintaining sustained supplyof wood and wood products.Pakistan is a land of great diversity, which has yieldeda variety of vegetation; however, only 5.3 percent ofthe total land area is under forest ranking it under LowForest Covered Countries.In Pakistan forests include State-owned forests,communal forests and privately owned forest. It isincredibly difficult to sum up the importance of forestsin few words. Forest products are used in our dailylives. All these and many more activities directly orindirectly involve forest. Some are easy to figure outsuch as fruits, paper and wood from trees, and someby-products that go into the manufacture of othereveryday items like medicines, detergents, etc.Forests also provide habitat for biodiversity andlivelihood for humans.They offer watershed protection, timber and nontimberproducts, and various recreational options. Theyprevent soil erosion, help in maintaining the watercycle, check global warming by using carbon dioxidein photosynthesis.Keeping in view the importance of forests, governmentdeclared the year 2009 as “national year ofEnvironment” to bring a visible improvement in thequality of air, water, land, and ecosystem throughmitigating the effects of environmental degradationvisible on biological diversity, agriculture productivity,water availability, food security and human health. Inthis regard, a series of activities have been planned forengaging all stakeholders for their participation in theimprovement of the Environment. But Governmentfailed to meet the desired results due to certain reasons.During the year 2008-2009 forests have contributed 83thousand cubic meters of timber and 205 thousandcubic meters of firewood as compared to 94 thousandcubic meters timber and 267 thousand cubic metersfirewood in 2007+08. Different types of forest grownare: Tropical rainforests, Sub-tropical forests;Mediterranean forests, temperate forests, Coniferousforests and Montane forests.The major threat to forest in Pakistan and in World isgenerally deforestation. Deforestation is the processwhereby natural forests are cleared through loggingand/or burning, either to use the timber or to replacethe area for alternative uses. From temperate forests totropical rainforests, deforestation continues to be anurgent environmental issue that jeopardizes people’slivelihoods, threatens animals, and intensifies globalwarming. It is very alarming that about 10-12 millionPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutehectares of forests are lost every year in the world.There are many side effects of deforestation such asthe release of greenhouse gas emissions, reducedbiodiversity, disrupted water cycles increase soilerosion and disrupted livelihoods.In order to enhance tree cover in the country, treeplanting campaigns, all the Government Departments,Private Organizations, Defense Organizations andNGOs are involved in planting activities. Awarenessthrough electronic and print media shouldbe created among the masses about theimportance and safety of forests. Those whoare involved in tree cutting should be givenexemplary punishments to reducedeforestation.(The Author is lecturer at PMAS-Arid AgricultureUniversity)English Translations of Urdu ClippingsIncrease in forest area is not possiblewithout amending the Forest ActDaily Jang, Rawalpindi, April 01, 2010Shehzad Maqbool Maral – MultanPakistan is located in such a region of the world whichhas diverse seasons and land. This country is rich innatural resources. Governments make plans fordevelopment of various sectors keeping the importanceof those sectors in view but desired results are notachieved as the plans are not implemented fully. Thisis not only causing loss of resources but is alsocreating more problems. The government of Pakistanhas declared 2009 the year of environment. A recordnumber of trees were planted all over the country.Tree plantation was carried out in all four seasons withthe cooperation of the provincial governments.Millions of saplings were planted. Besides the forestdepartment several government and private institutionstook part in this plantation campaign. The entirenation planted more than 10 million plants throughoutthe country. Had the plantation continued all yearround during 2009 we could have run out of room formore plantation this year. But unfortunately propercare was not taken of the saplings that were planted somost plants died.In Multan the spring 2010 plantation campaign wasinaugurated by Commissioner of Multan MohammadAli Gardezi. On this occasion many other officialsincluding the RPO, DCO, and CPO also planted largenumber of trees in Circuit House Multan. Every yearthe plantation campaign is launched in the samemanner but the Circuit House in Multan is still withoutany trees. Every year a plant is planted at the samespot where a sapling was planted last year. Theofficials inaugurating the campaign fail to recall thatthey plant a sapling at the same spot every year. Theynever ask the officials what happened to the plant thatthey had planted six months ago.According to the forestry experts every country musthave at least 25 percent of its land covered withforests. At the moment 13062.90 billion hectare ofland is covered with forests. Total area of Asia is3084.76 billion hectare. Out of this 547.79 billionhectare is covered by forests, which is 17.8 percent ofthe total land in Asia. Pakistan’s total area is 77.09billion hectares and the area covered by forests is 3.93billion hectares. That means total forest covered area inPakistan is 5.1 percent of its total area. So as perexperts’ opinion Pakistan needs to grow forests onanother 20 percent of its area.In Azad Kashmir 27 percent of its total area, inNorthern Areas 13.8 percent of its total area and inSindh province only 4.8 percent of the total area iscovered by forests. Punjab has a total area of 20.63billion hectares but the area under forests is only 0.64billion hectares which is only 3.1 percent of the totalarea. In view of these figures Pakistan urgently needsto grow more forests. The forest department providesmillions of saplings and plants to government and nongovernmentalorganizations twice a year.Trees are planted in Northern Areas in June and July,in upper Punjab in August September, in southernPunjab in October and November and from January toApril. In Sindh trees are planted from May toPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDecember and in Baluchistan from August to March.Besides the forest department the defense, education,communications, health, police, canals, food, fisheries,and wildlife departments and several privateorganizations and farmers were also involved in theplantation campaign this year. On the advice of theprovincial minister for agriculture departments offorests and livestock and the Cooperative Punjab Bankare observing Farmers Day in every union council.The officials of forest department raise awarenessamong the farmers about these three sectors. Thisprogram was first launched in Punjab. Farmers areprovided information about all three departments inone meeting. All the three departments are aboutfarmers and landowners.It is important to note that the forest departmentprovides thousands of plants to the defense, educationand health departments free of cost. There would nothave been any shortage of forests in the country hadthese plants been given to farmers. Trees worthmillions of rupees are wasted due to lack of care fortrees in the government organizations. During thecurrent season farmers are being provided plants fromthe nurseries in Multan Division but each nursery hasfixed its own rates for plants. Some are selling a plantfor 2 rupees while some others are selling the sameplant at 1.50 rupees. Secondly, no record is being keptas to how many plants have been sold so far and howmuch revenue the department has earned so. Similarlylarge number of trees are being cut down and stolenfrom the forests. That is why the forest cover isdepleting.Government forests are still there because of theefforts of the forest department but the situation is notencouraging. In 1947 canal-fed forest area was 39244avenue kilometers but according to 2008 figures thisarea is now 157355 avenue kilometers. The situationis far better regarding forests along canals. In 1947along the highways 1780 avenue kilometersforest was there but according to 2008record the forests along highways are 56000avenue kilometers though the length ofhighways have increased considerably.Shortage of water along highways is thereason for loss of trees. Due to shortage ofcanal water forests are dying. Water shortage isaffecting not only new plantation but also the old trees.According to 1947 figures there were 3 trees on eachacre of agricultural land while in 2008 the number oftrees per acre agricultural land was 8. The forest coverhas not increased significantly since the creation ofPakistan. Only the number of trees on lands owned byfarmers has shown an increase. However, the increasein number of trees in government forests isdisappointing.According to the experts if one percent of area inPunjab has to be brought under forest cover it wouldrequire 200,000 hectare of land. This would requireallocation of 7.22 billion rupees. It would need 6,000cusecs water supply every day. Despite financialdifficulties the forest department is being given 210million rupees annually but the department has failedto increase forest cover. Forest officials remainconfined to their offices. The officials are still getting30 – 40 maunds (nearly 40 kilograms) of dry fuelwood annually as provided by the laws in effect in1947. This wood is then sold in timber market.Similarly the fines and punishments for timber theftare very low. Timber theft cases are processed underForest Act 1927. The rate of theft from forests isincreasing by 30 percent annually. In Multan Divisionthere are only two or three nurseries which canproduce 200 to 300 thousand plants a year. Forestcover cannot be increased with only two nurseries in adistrict with an area of 1.2 million acres.Two killed in Salarzai on dispute over treesA woman among those killed, three injuredDaily Azadi Swat, May 16, 2010Khar, Bajaur Agency (SpecialCorrespondent) A gunfight eruptedbetween two brothers in SalarzaiTehsil of Bajaur Agency on adispute over trees. A woman anda man were killed by gunshotswhile three people were seriouslyinjured. Salarzai qaumi lashkartook immediate action and setablaze the house of the person whohad resorted to shooting. Forfurther action a jirga will be heldtoday.According to sources in Salarzaitehsil of Bajaur agency twobrothers resorted to gunfight on adispute over ownership of trees.The fight killed a woman and aman while three others wereseriously injured. The injuredhave been shifted to AgencyHeadquarter Hospital in Khar.The quami lashkar of Salarzai seton fire the house of the personinvolved in firing. Meanwhile thequami lashkar has called a grandjirga today for further action. ThePakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutepolitical administration has startedinvestigating the incident.Meanwhile, heavy rains havedestroyed standing crops in Khartehsil. Three children died due toheavy rain. People of Khar havedemanded that the governmentshould declare Bajaur Agency acalamity-hit area andloans should be writtenoff.Mansehra: Forest guide injures labourer with an axeReport filed in Khaki police station, accused flees the areaDaily Shamal Abbottabad, May 23, 2010Mansehra (Staff Reporter) Forestguide attacked a labourer with anaxe and smashed his teeth. A casehas been registered against theaccused. The alleged attacker fledthe area. According to the reportregistered in Khaki police stationGul Nawaz resident of Tatar Balawas attacked by forest guideDilbar Shah when Nawaz wascollecting wood from the forest.Dir forest association meets; demands facilitiesDaily Mashriq Peshawar, June 28, 2010Khal (Mashriq Correspondent) DirForest Association held itsmeeting. The meeting was chairedby Nisar Ahmed. A large numberof employees of the forestdepartment attended the meeting.The participants expressed fullconfidence in the leadership ofprovincial president HajiMohammad Zeb and lauded hisefforts which resulted in the upgradation of the employees. Aresolution was passed in themeeting demanding that thegovernment should give scales andother benefits to the employees offorest department in KhyberPakhtunkhwa like the scales andbenefits given to the employees inPunjab.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 05Forest&EnvironmentEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsDeforestation in Chitral: An environmental tsunamiDaily Mashriq Peshawar, May 03, 2010Article by Sardar Ali AmanScientists say that trees are like lungs for humanbeings. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and provideoxygen which is necessary for humans and animals.Now it is a known fact that plants are also livingbeings and like living beings they also breathe, acquirefood, grow and are affected by external factors. Thiswas first revealed in chapter Yasin in the Holy Quran.Trees affect the climate. Some trees provide food andmedicines. If trees are not there the climate will not becool. There will be nothing to clean the contaminationof carbon dioxide. We get fuel and building materialfrom trees. So tree is man’s best friend.The total area of Chitral is 14850 sq kilometers. Only1.2 percent of the area is under agricultural use. Therest is mountains. Out of this only 1.8 percent area isunder forests now. There are Chir, deodar, Partal treesgrowing in these forests. These forests are located inthe southern part of Chitral. In ancient times pineforests grew in the north of Chitral. These forests havebecome almost extinct due to reckless cutting offorests. Now pine trees can be seen only at some pointon the mountain tops.According to an estimate in 1893 twenty percent ofCitra’s area was under forests. It has decreased to 1.8percent now. The reason is reckless cutting of forests.Cutting of forests for commercial purposes began in1939. Timber was transported through Chitral River.This was a very small scale business. At that timetimber was not allowed to be extracted from Chitralforests without the permission of Mehta of Chitral.However the cutting of trees increased manifolds in1969 when Chitral was merged into KhyberPakhtunkhwa province and declared a district. Thisopened up an opportunity for the forest department.Forests were being mindlessly cut down by timbermafia with the collaboration of the forest department.Millions of sq feet timber was sold to timbercontractors. In 1984 Forest Development Corporationjoined this lucrative business. So from 1984 to 1993this “gang of three” further speeded up the cutting offorests.In 1993 under Prime Minister Moin Qureshi’sgovernment a ban was imposed on cutting of forests.But the cutting and smuggling of timber continued asusual. The remaining 1.8 per cent of forest will also belost if cutting of forest continues. It is sad that theforest department does not believe in replacing plantsand trees. Reckless cutting of trees has led to increasedpollution in Chitral. This pollution is the result ofincreasing number of vehicles, use of chemicalfertilizers and pesticides, particularly spraying of lowquality and expired pesticides, presence of heaps ofsolid waste. Climatic changes have occurred due toincreased amount of carbon dioxide, carbon monooxide, nitrogen dioxide and other poisonous gases.Chitral is now caught in a difficult climatic cycle.Temperature is increasing, snowfall takes place at oddtimes, rainfall is low so several streams have dried up.Heart diseases and cancer is becoming common due toPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteair pollution. It is said that 60 percent of Pakistanichildren fall ill due to water pollution.At present there are about 400 glaciers in Chitral whichprovide clean water to 500 villages of Chitral fordrinking, agriculture and farming. The glaciers inChitral are located at the altitude of 15,000 to 20,000feet. Due to rise in temperature the glaciers areundergoing rapid changes. Due to quick melting ofsnow deep ponds have been formed at the base ofmany of the glaciers. Scientists are of the view that ifmelting continues at the current rate the ponds willspill any time. This might lead to destruction of manyvillages. A few years ago a village called Sanogharwas hit by severe flood due to spilling over of a lake.Large boulders came down towards the village and alarge part of the village was destroyed. Because of bigboulders the land of the village was no morecultivable. More incidents of this kind may occur iftemperature continues to rise due to air pollution. Outof season snowfall has been observed these days. Thisdamages crops.A few years ago heavy snowfall occurred inthe month of October which destroyed fruitand trees and the paddy crop. Peoplesuffered from flu due to sudden decrease intemperature. About 40 percent of Chitral isfacing acute drought due to low rainfall.There is a shortage of water for drinking and foragriculture.Due to air pollution and increase in temperature fruit,vegetables and flowers have been adversely affected.Apricot and apples rot on the trees. Various prettyflowers do not grow. Polluted water from fields andorchards flows into canals. There is no propersewerage system in villages.In Chitral water from glacier is very clean and is goodfor drinking. We should try to save water and air frompollution. Cutting of trees should be banned and newtrees should be planted so that Chitral could be savedfrom environmental disaster.Swat: do not cut more treesDaily Azadi, Swat, May 08, 2010Editorial: Many trees have been cut down in Kabal, Matta and other areas due to securityreasons. Orchards and fields along roadsides are also being destroyed. This has caused concernamong the people. It is said that the security forces have now decided to cut down more trees inthese areas so that the militants cannot carry out their activities from behind these trees. Militaryauthorities might be aware of the pros and cons of this decision but the beauty of Swat valley isdependent on its river and its lush green trees. It is because of these trees that Swat has such apleasant climate. During the recent militancy in Swat forests have been completely cut down. Ifthe remaining trees are cut in the name of security it will not only have an adverse effect on theweather and climate of Swat but will destroy the beauty of the valley. Trees are part of naturalbeauty. Some people consider cutting of trees a murder. We hope that the military authoritieswill pay attention to this and more trees will not be cut down.Mountains, Forests Glaciers and Rivers are valuableassets of the province: Wajid Ali KhanAll citizens should be motivated to stop illegal cutting of treesDaily Aaj, Abbottabad, June 06, 2010Peshawar (Aaj News) Provincialminister for environment WajidAli Khan has said that mountains,forests, rivers and glaciers arevaluable assets of the province.Life of all the countrymen isdependent on these naturalresources. Other provinces shouldalso invest here and help us inconserving these resources. Heexpressed these views in hisaddress as the chief guest at afunction organized to celebrateinternational environment day. Hesaid that the present governmenthas taken several measures forprotection of the environment.These include establishment ofoffices in three cities and settingup of environmental tribunal inAbbottabad. He said that climaticPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutechanges world over are a challengefor the whole world. He said forkeeping the environment clean weneed to stop illegal cutting of trees,arrange proper disposal of wastesand grow more and more trees.The minister gave “greenjournalist” awards to thejournalists who wrote best articleson environment. First award wasgiven to Adil Saeed,second to MohammadFayyaz, and the third toMohammad Ali.Seminar and declamation contest held at forest instituteStudents made speeches in Urdu and English on environment issuesDaily Mashriq Peshawar, June 06, 2010Peshawar (Campus Reporter)Pakistan Forest Institute,University campus maintained itstradition of holding seminar anddeclamation contest on theoccasion of World EnvironmentDay. Students of PFI institutesfrom all over the countryparticipated in this seminar.Conservator forest Dr AayazKhattak was the chief guest.Director of the institute Asif Jah,assistant professor Memoona andmany students attended thefunction. Senior forest officerTanvir Ahmed presided over theseminar. Students deliveredspeeches in Urdu and Englishwhile students of PFI ModelSchools presented a tableau. InUrdu declamation contest studentSudhir Ahmed Mughal stood first,Awais Ahmed and FarrukhNadeem from Azad Kashmir stoodsecond and third respectively. InEnglish declamation contest SadafRafiq from Sindh stood first whileRizwan Khan and Gohar Rehmanfrom Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stoodsecond and third.Peach and plum orchard destroyed by mysterious diseaseFarmers suffer huge losses; Prime Minister’s package fails to provide relief tofarmers; During the MMA government loans were being given at low mark uprate. Present government has stopped that scheme; Press conference by KhanSahibDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, June 09, 2010Peshawar (correspondent) HajiKhan Sahib a resident of Armararea of Peshawar has said in apress conference that only big landowners are benefiting from theprime minister’s package. Smallfarmers did not get any relief.During the past two years peachand plum have been attacked by amysterious disease destroying fruitworth millions of rupees.Addressing a press conference inPeshawar Press Club he said thatMalakand Division has sufferedserious losses due to the ongoingwave of terrorism and now themilitary operation has destroyedour agriculture. He said that theMMA government has launched ascheme to give loans to farmers ata very low mark up. But the newgovernment has dumped thescheme. He demanded that reliefshould be provided to smallfarmers under the prime minister’spackage. He also demanded thatthe cause of strange disease inpeach and plum fruit orchardsshould be investigated. Hethreatened to launch a protestmovement if his demands were notfulfilled.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 06Orchards‘No botanical survey ever done in country’Dawn Islamabad, June 18, 2010By Faiza IlyasKARACHI, June 17: Pakistan islosing its flora at an alarming rate.It has the second highest rate ofdeforestation in the world, andstudies suggest it would lose allnaturally grown trees within 15years if no mass-scaleconservation efforts were put inplace.The awareness of plantsignificance in government circlesmay be gauged from the fact thatthere is no department in thecountry that works for plantprotection. Hence, no botanicalsurvey has ever been carried out inthe country’s history.An authentic red data book onplants has never been producedand no importance has ever beenattached to plant conservationwhile declaring an area protected.These were some of the importantpoints highlighted by notedbotanist Prof Dr MohammadQaiser at a seminar onconservation of biodiversity heldin the arts auditorium of KarachiUniversity on Thursday.Dr Qaiser is the vice-chancellor ofthe Federal Urdu University forArts, Science and Technology andalso the co-editor of Flora ofPakistan. The book carryingscientific details of all theindigenous flowering plant speciesof the country is the firstcomprehensive work on thesubject.Giving his presentation on floraldiversity of Pakistan, Dr Qaisersaid the country blessed with someof the highest peaks in the world,glaciers and a 1,050-kilometrelongcoastline was a land ofcontrasts in many respects. Thisdiversity in geographicalconditions had given birth to ahuge variety in flora and fauna.A numerical analysis of Pakistan’sflora, he said, had shown that therewere 221 flowering families and5,700 flowering species. Of them,65 per cent families wererepresented by fewer than 10 percent species and about 405 specieswere endemic.“The country could be divided intofour regions according to thegeographic distribution of plantspecies of which the most rich interms of floral biodiversity is theIrano-Turanian region that includeGilgit-Baltistan, parts of Kashmir,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa andBalochistan. It has the bulk offloral species, that is, 45.6 per centof the total floral species,” he said.Referring to deforestation, he saidPakistan had the second highestrate of deforestation after Brazil inthe world and it was annuallylosing four to six per cent ofwoody biomass.“It is claimed that 4.5 to 4.7 percent of the total land mass in thecountry is covered by forests. Butthere is no ground survey tosupport that claim. Studies,however, suggest that Pakistanwith this current rate of forestdepletion would lose all itsnaturally grown trees in 10 to 15years,” he said.Regarding strategies for plantconservation, he said there was adire need to carry out a botanicalsurvey of the whole country todetermine the actual status of allplant species.“Priority should be given toendemic species in conservation.Researches have shown that amajority of the over 50 endemicspecies found in the northern areasand Sindh are criticallyendangered. There is a dire need toprotect these plants and carry outmonitoring of vegetation,” he said.No conservation effort, however,could be successful if localcommunities were not involvedand a sustainable solution to theirPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutefinancial problems was not found,he added.Speaking on the impact of climatechange, Dr Moazzam Ali Khan ofthe Institute of EnvironmentalStudies said the impact of thephenomenon would be severe incoming years on Pakistan, alreadyfacing a number of challenges.Giving some statistics on Sindh,he said: “The 1996-2000 data hasshown that the average rainfall hasdeclined 10 to 15 per cent and thefrequency of draught hasincreased. The underground andsurface water resources aredepleting fast with the increasingpollution.There has been 50 per centreduction in crop yield over theyears in Sindh and farmers havebeen forced to change croppattern. About 5,670,000 hectareshave been lost to sea. The 17major creeks have virtually turnedinto saline creeks as there has beendrastic decline in freshwaterrelease over the years.The freshwater flow downstreamthe Kotri barrage has decreasedfrom 150 million acres feet in1955 to less than 2MAF.”These conditions, he said, wouldget severe in coming years.“The poor are facing numeroushardships, many of whom havebeen forced to migrate to urbanareas. Studies have shown thatwheat consumption has gone downin Pakistan as people earlier takingthree meals a day arenow surviving on twomeals.”Prof Pirzada QasimRaza Siddiqui, the KUvice-chancellor; ProfShahana Urooj Kazmi, pro-vicechancellor;Dr Pirzada JamalSiddiqui and Dr Anjum Perveenalso spoke.The Centre for Plant Conservation,the Centre of Excellence in MarineBiology, the Institute ofEnvironmental Studies, theInstitute of Marine Sciences andthe departments of marinesciences, microbiology andzoology had jointly organised theevent.English Translations of Urdu ClippingsUnidentified persons cut 1000 loquat treesDaily Azadi, Swat, May 07, 2010Takht Bhai (Special Correspondent) Unidentifiedpersons have cut down 1000 loquat trees from anorchard. Owner of the orchard Sameenullah son ofInamullah has registered a report in Mardan policestation.Gardens are historical assets; action must be takenagain those destroying gardens: Aijaz Afzal;There were 28 gardens in Peshawar but only 8 remain there; gardens have beendestroyed by land grabbers; petitioners; Chief justice Peshawar High Courtorders archeology department to present recordsDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, May 13, 2010Peshawar (Courts Reporter) On awrit petition filed against thedestruction of historical gardens ofMughal period Peshawar HighCourt has sought pictures andrecords of the gardens. In thepetition filed by ShakilWahidullah it has been said thatout of 28 gardens in Peshawaronly 8 are still intact.Even these remaining gardenshave been occupied by the landmafia. Wazir Bagh and ShahiBagh are part of historical heritagebut football grounds, schools,colleges and fun land have beenPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutebuilt on that land. This hasdestroyed the gardens. Thehistorical gardens have beenturned into housing colonies. ChiefJustice Aijaz Afzal has said thatthese gardens are part of nationalheritage and action should betaken against those responsible fordestroying the garden. Thepetitioner has been asked topresent old and new pictures ofthese gardens. The court hasdirected the departmentof archeology to presentrecord of the gardens onthe next hearing.Provincial government given notice to make Peshawarcity of gardensMost of the gardens in Peshawar have been occupied by land mafia; petitionerDaily Aaj, Abbottabad, May 13, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter)Peshawar High Court has directedthe department of archeology,local government and culture topresent record. On a petition filedby Shakil Waheedullah Chiefjustice of High Court Aijaz AfzalKhan and Justice Sajjad HussainShah have given the opinion thatthe petitioner is a resident ofPeshawar and that Peshawar wasknown as city of gardens but theland mafia has ruined all thatgardens. Wazir Bagh used to be avast garden spread over hundredsof acres of land but it has beenruined. Similarly the Shahi Baghwas spread over several acres ofland over which now GovernmentCollege, Municipal Inter College,Niaz Stadium and football groundhave been built. Other gardens ofthe city have also been ruined andbuildings have been built on those.Agriculture is the livelihood of residents of Hunza ValleyOrchards under threat of being washed awayDaily Aaj, Abbottabad, May 20, 2010Livelihood of the residents of Hunza valley depends onagriculture. Fruit like apricot, grapes, apples, peaches,pear, pomegranate, and cherries grown in the pollutionfree environment are perfect in quality. However, dueto the formation of an artificial lake at Attabad thedistrict administration of Hunza-Nagar has directed thepeople to leave the area. The formation of lake atAttabad started in January 2010. Due to theearthquakes in 2002 and 2005 cracks had appeared inmountains. Gradually these cracks grew wider. As thelivelihood of the local people is dependent onagriculture they continued their usual life withoutpaying much attention to these cracks. These crackskept growing so much so that an NGO working in area,Karakoram Area Development Organization and theGeological Survey of Pakistan conducted a detailedsurvey of the area. The Geological Survey of Pakistanconducted the survey on the request of NationalDisaster Management Authority so that thegovernment organizations could prepare themselvesfor coping with disaster. Unfortunately therecommendations of this report have not beenimplemented.On 4 January 2010 an incident took place which killed19 people. Bodies of 13 people were recoveredimmediately while three others were found later.Three bodies are still missing. This loss of life hasactivated the government institutions. Compensationwas paid to the families of the dead within a week ofthe incident and the survivors were shifted to safersites. All government institutions came to work butthe delay had already caused some irreparable damage.After talking to the people of the area the followingissues came forth: 1. the government is giving figuresabout the length, breadth and depth of the Attabad lakebut is not saying how much damage will be inflicted ifthe lake spills over. 2. majority of the people ofHunza are not prepared for coping with any emergencybecause there is no civil defense system in place. Thecommon people are unaware of basic needs fromstoring grain and fuel to first aid. 3. the media is notplaying its role properly. People are skeptic about thepossible devastation due to the lake. Reporting is notbased on factual conditions but on sentiments. Most ofthe people who are covering Attabad lake issue are notfrom Gilgit-Baltistan. They are unaware of the locallanguage and culture. They are also unaware of thePakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutedevelopment process in the area. This is the reasonthat they are unable to present a realistic picture. Itseems as if the truth has been buried underneath therubble that has blocked water of Hunza River and itwill be revealed only when all standing crops getsubmerged and all cattle is swept away. The lakeformed on 4 January submerged three villagesAainabad, Shashkat and Gulmat. Governmentdepartment had not made any forecast about theinundation of these villages. Government departmentsare claiming that dam break will not cause anydamage. Common people are not ready to trust that.Fear is quite obvious not only among the people livingin the low lying areas of Hunza valley but also amongthose who are living on the hills. People are askingmany questions while those answering the questionsgive weak arguments and advise people to trust inGod. 5. No arrangements were made to move out thecattle from the low lying villages of Hunza valleywhich the government had forced the people toevacuate. If these areas are inundated then the loss ofcattle would be much higher than any other losses. 6.Attabad lake is a clear example inefficiency andnegligence of government departments. We shouldhave learned lessons from the past. 7. In a statementon 14 May China has offered all possible help to theaffected people. The government should appeal to theinternational community for support. The entireHunza valley should be declared a calamity-hit area.Volunteers all over the country should be put on alertto handle any emergency. 8. politicalparties are not happy with the governmentpolicy about Attabad lake. Officials of theNGOs criticize the government policy offthe record while the political leaders keepsaying openly that the government shouldprepare for the emergency situation.Disaster management should be taught in educationalinstitutions. Newspapers and other media sourcesshould be used for dissemination of information.Establishing FM radio stations can be of help in theseareas. 9. Member of Gilgit-Baltistan assemblyMaulana Shahab has said that the lake has taken theshape of a water bomb and the government is illpreparedto meet this challenge. Muslim League-Q hassaid that the government has failed to release waterfrom the lake in a timely manner. Local organizationof the MQM has also expressed dissatisfaction over therescue and rehabilitation efforts of the government.Imam of Jamia Masjid Gilgit Syed Rahat Hussaini hassaid that political parties should stop criticizing eachother and should chalk out a strategy to meet thischallenge. 10. The local government has startedremoving wooden bridges. This will cut offcommunication between various villages. Majority ofpeople living in the localities on hills have moved outof the area and youth organizations have beenorganized for the look after of cattle.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 07MiscellaneousSpringtime‘kachnar’ augments beauty of twin cityThe News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, April 02, 2010By Ishrat HayattRawalpindi: - These days the‘kachnar’ tree is in full bloom allover the sister cities and what apretty sight it is, but you mighthave missed it because there aremany trees in bloom these days,with flowers in similar huescatching the eye. But remember,the ‘Kachnar’ is recognizablebecause it towers above other treesgrowing by its side.‘Kachnar’ is the local name for avariety of medium size deciduoustrees of the Bauhinieae plantfamily and its natural habitat isfrom Burma across thesubcontinent almost up toAfghanistan. It is an ornamentaltree with drooping branches and inspring it produces a rich harvest ofpink/mauve and white blossomsthereare also pure white‘Kachnar’-which, if examinedfrom up close, you will see theyresemble orchids-in fact it issometimes called the ‘Orchid tree.’While orchids are considered‘exotic’ these flowers are not asappreciated as much as theyshould be because they are‘common.’ (Does this soundfamiliar in context to other suchanomalies of how we perceivethings around us?) Anyway, theseplants are easily recognized bytheir leaves, each constituting oftwo identical halves, folded in themiddle and when opened theyassume a kind of heart shapedlook. It bears pod like fruit duringearly summer and these becomesred on ripening by the beginningof autumn, when seed can becollected for planting. The‘kachnar’ tree has nearly half aninch thick bark, dark brown incolor with vertical cracks. Whengiven a cut it dispels a gum havinglimited medicinal value, rich inproteins, but it has not beenexploited commercially.And did I say ‘ornamental?’ yes,but the ‘Kachnar’ is actually avery useful tree to have around.Besides its beautiful floweringperiod when no leaves are visible,the young flower buds can bepicked for a variety of tasty fooditems by serving as a vegetable onits own or with meat and mince,while some people also makepickles from the buds. Try it outbut don’t forget to lightly fry themfirst so they do not become soggyand break up.Other information available saysthe leaves from a very potentfodder after being chopped,economically and systematicallyfor milch cattle. ‘Kachnar’ wood isred in colour, with red and orblack streaks near the core and isfairly hard in texture so it isgenerally used for agriculturalimplements, in addition tofirewood. The ‘Kachnar’ is a goodspecies for planting in open wastesas well as around agricultural land,so people interested in coveringtheir fallow land, having richfodder for their dairy cattle;beautifying their drive-ways andlandscape or otherwise enrichingthe environment, should grow thisspecies.Photo by Naveed Akram.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteLetter to EditorTrimming plants along Sharea FaisalDawn Islamabad, April 09, 2010PLANTS were planted on both sides of Sharea Faisal,as well as on the separating portion between the onewaytraffic, about two years ago. This was a goodmove.But these required proper trimming of the branches.This will create a good effect on trees and will alsoimprove the beautification of roadsides.There are also a number of signals such as atNursery, Mehran Hotel and Awami Markaz which arehidden by tree branches and are not visible from adistance.I would like to draw the attention of authoritiesconcerned to take up the matter seriously and arrangethem in such a way that these plants should be helpfulinstead of being a hindrance.NAVEED KAMRAN, KarachiLetter to EditorTrimming plants along Sharea FaisalDawn Islamabad, April 21, 2010THIS is apropos of a letter byNaveed Kamran (April 9) who hasappreciated the efforts of the CityDistrict Government Karachi formaking the environment of themetropolis greener.However, he has suggested that itensure proper trimming of thedensely growing trees on themedian strip and on both sides ofSharea Faisal which obstructsdrivers’ view.It may be relevant to point out herethat the massive planting of toxicmangrove trees (Conocarpus) likepaper mulberry used for greeningIslamabad in the early sixties hasturned into a permanent nuisancefor the area residents as they keepgrowing and growing.The capital’s city officials alsoopted for its quick growing featurealone against the professionaladvice of botanists, horticulturistsand ecologists of national reputewho had clearly outlined itsnuisance value.Likewise Conocarpus erectus is atoxic alien invasive species whichcauses asthma and respiratorydisorders. It has been excessivelyused all along major arteries, roadislands, green belts and parks andgardens all across the city.Even the vicinity by the sea shoreand coastal areas of East andSouth Karachi have not beenspared. It is apprehended that withthe passage of time these plantsare going to become a biggernuisance in terms of hurting theenvironment, making it unfriendlyat the cost of public health.They need to be trimmed regularlyas they grow real fast, which willconsume valuable time and energyand cost heavily to the CivicAgency concerned. In other words,it will be a waste of time, moneyand energy.SARA ZAFARKarachiWoodland Carnival celebrated at City SchoolThe News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, May 02, 2010By Afshan S. KhanRawalpindi: - A spectaculardisplay of talent and creativity waswitnessed at the WoodlandCarnival 2010 held at The CitySchool, Nursery Branch, HarleyStreet.The parents were spellbound to seethe creativity and projects made byyoung students. All projects basedon designated themes weredisplayed outside whereasclassrooms were transformed intodifferent themes with the help ofrecycled material, fancy gears andcostumes and usable items.Talking to ‘The News.’ Headmistress Sumaira Shafiq said thatthe children prepared things withtheir own imagination of coursePakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutewith the guidance of their teachers.“The students love to indulge increative activities, which is goodfor them,” she added.The chief guests on the occasionwere MNA Anjum Aqeel and AirCommodore (r) Skindar Shah, whowere quite impressed by theperformance of students. They alsopraised the hard work anddedication of teachers.When parents entered eachclassroom the children greetedthem with a loud ‘good morning’and then introduced their work,which they had done in the class.“The confidance with which thechildren are presenting their workis remarkable,” one of the parentsremarked.The first class was play group,which was given the theme of seaanimals. The sea animals werehanged from the ceiling andcreated the right ambiance ofunderwater. Children had preparedstuffed animals and their faces onpaper plates and photo frames.Octopuses, fish, sea horses,dolphins, sharks and many otherswere painted on the walls. Thechildren in this class were 2 ½ to 3years old.The nursery class was given thetheme of farm animals. Horses,cows and goat were made withhand stuffed with wool. Thechildren were wearing headgearsand costumes of farm animals. Thevillage scene was also created inthe classroom.The KG class displayed petanimals and made various thingslike coin boxes, various animalfaces with used balls. A bigdollhouse was also placed in thecentre of the class that housedvarious pet animals. The KGstudents also presented world ofdinosaurs in which theyhad prepared variouskinds of dinosaurs.The Junior II-Cpresented insects andthe whole class wasfilled with creepy crawlers.Spiders, bee and ants wereeverywhere, which admired theparents.The junior I-C presentedcarnivore, omnivore and herbivoreanimals whereas junior I-Tpresented wildlife. The studentsgreeted the parents with the typical‘hoo haa’ as the jungle people doin the wild.The junior II-C presented birds inwhich students had preparedostriches and beautiful penguins.The Nursery-T presented gardenanimals in which butterflies,parrots and ladybirds were shown.World's forest cover shrinking: reportBusiness Recorder Islamabad, May 03, 2010WASHINGTON: The world'sforest cover shrunk by 3.1 percentbetween 2000 and 2005, accordingto satellite observations detailed ina study. Hardest-hit were borealforests - the world's far northernsub-arctic forests - which accountfor about one-third of this loss,said the report, published in theApril 26-30 issue of the Annals ofthe National Academy of Sciences(PNAS).There are several causes of forestdestruction, including humancutting and natural phenomenasuch as fires ignited by lighting,the report said.Data on changes in the world'sforest cover are needed to estimatethe impact of carbon dioxideemissions, one of the maingreenhouse gases, and to setparameters for "global-scalebiogeochemical, hydrological,biodiversity and climate models,"read the report.The total forest loss between 2000and 2005 was estimated to be1,011,000 square kilometers, theresearchers said. Boreal forests,which account for 26.7 percent ofthe world's forest cover, showedthe greatest shrinkage over thisperiod, losing 4 percent, or 34.7percent of the total forest lossduring the study period. Thereport's authors, from SouthDakota State University and theState University of New York,attributed two-thirds of the loss inboreal forest cover to fires.Tropical humid forests, whichcover 11.5 million squarekilometers and represent theworld's largest forested surface,lost 2.4 percent of their coverduring the research period, or 27percent of the overall loss.Tropical forests in dry regions -7.13 million square kilometers, or21.8 percent of the world's forestsurface - shrunk 2.9 percentbetween 2000 and 2005,representing 20.2 percent of totalforest loss.Geographically, North America,which had a 5.8 million squarekilometer forest cover in 2000,suffered the biggest loss during thestudy period, losing 5.1 percent or295,000 square kilometers,representing 29.2 percent of theoverall loss. – AFPPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteHoly TreesDawn Islamabad, May 14, 2010ONE has heard of holy men, holyplaces and even holy cows but of‘holy cows’. However, we havethese in Pakistan now.The government has brought palmtrees from Saudi Arabia andplanted these on the motorways.They did not survive for than afew days. When they die they arereplaced by a new consignmentand this process has been repeateda number of times at considerablecost.The palm tree is not indigenous tothis part of the country, nor is itparticularly attractive to look at.Pine trees or the‘chinar’ would havebeen much more appropriate butthese do not grow in the ‘holyland’M. Asghar KhanIslamabadBB road to have pine treesThe Nation Islamabad, June 16, 2010By Israr AhmedRawalpidi: - Hundreds of pinetrees are being planted fromChandni Chowk to 6 th Road in abid to give a beautiful green lookto city’s busiest Benazir BhuttoRoad (BBR). In the next phase,pine trees would be planted from6 th Road to Faizabad.“Rawalpindi DevelopmentAuthority (RDA) is making all outefforts for giving a beautiful andgreen look to the city and alsotrying to change the micro climateof Rawalpindi,” said Parks andhorticulture Agency (PHA)Assistant Director (AD) SheikhTeri while talking to The Nationhere on Tuesday.He said that in first phase morethan two hundred pine trees wouldbe planted from Chandni Chowkto 6 th Road. At least 120 pine treeshave been planted so far whileremaining work would becompleted soon, he added. He saidthat RDA and PHA were alsocontemplating to expand thisproject till FaizabadHe said that another project hasbeen started to keep the jewelersmarket beautiful saying plantationpottery would be placed in front ofthe jeweler shops with thecooperation of JewelleryAssociation. It would be the firstjoint venture project of PHA andJewellers Association, MurreeRoad, Rawalpidi. JewellersAssociation is taking keen interestin beautifying the city, he added.Nature talk:Problematic palm treesDawn Islamabad, June 20, 2010Text & Photographs By Zahrah NasirQ: There are three palm trees, planted about five yearsago in our garden and they have grown to an averageheight of nine feet. For the last 3-4 weeks one of thetrees looks like it is dying. All the leaves have turnedpale brown except for one shoot of new leaves whichis green but still to open up. What can we do?According to one mali this happened due to the longfoggy spell we had in Lahore last December andJanuary. Someone else said that it is due to the termitewe have in our lawn. If this is so, then why is only onepalm affected?Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteA: Unfortunately, you omitted to tell me the species ofpalm tree you are having problems with but I will stilldo the best I can. The fog is unlikely to be the culpritas very dry air/wind affects palm trees far more thanfoggy conditions. Is this one tree perhaps moreexposed to a cold wind than the others? If so, then thiscould be the problem and you will need to providesome kind of shelter from the prevailing breeze. If not,then yes, termite could be responsible seeing that youalready have them in your lawn. Termite is more liableto attack one tree at a time than go for them all at once.I suggest that you take care of the termite problem onan emergency basis before you lose any more trees.Give your sick palm tree a heavy feed of liquidseaweed-based organic fertiliser with a high potashcontent, do this once a month and pray that it recoversin time. The fact that it is trying to make new growth isa good sign.Q: I live near the sea in Karachi and planted fourcoconut palms about 18 months ago. They were doingfine but suddenly one of them has started to die. Itsleaves have turned brown and brittle and the tree isbecoming thinner. Someone mentioned that the rootmay have termite so I put termite medicine but ithasn’t helped. What should I do now?A: Please refer to the previous answer.Q: I have a coconut palm in my garden in PECHS,Karachi, and it used to bear big coconuts through theyear. Recently though, the size of the nuts has reducedand some of the buds dry up without blossoming. Whatshould I do to resolve both these problems?A: Sounds like your tree needs feeding. You haven’tmentioned any visible pests and I am presuming thatyou irrigate on a reasonably regular basis. Use theliquid organic fertiliser mentioned in the answer to thefirst question. If this doesn’t solve the problems, pleaseget back to me and I will make alternative suggestions.Q: I have a two year old orange tree but it doesn’t fruit.What shall I do about this? Also, there are lots ofbutterfly larvae on it. How can I get rid of them?A: Patience my gardening friend! Orangetrees don’t begin fruiting until they are atleast four to five years old, some take evenlonger. Feed and irrigate your tree regularlyto keep it in tip-top health. As for the larvae,these are probably moths not butterflies andcan badly damage your tree. If there are not too manypick them off by hand, otherwise spray them with amixture of one tablespoon liquid soap, two tablespoonscooking oil, one tablespoon baking soda made up toone gallon with warm water. This should suffocatethem nicely! Repeat at two week intervals if the bugsdo not disappear at first try.Q: My four date palms are now one year old but theyonly have four leaves. How can I speed up theirgrowth?A: You can’t! Date palms grow very slowly indeed.Ensuring that they have adequate, organic nourishmentin the form of old, well rotted manure, will help themto retain their strength but will not speed up theirnatural growing process.Q: I reside in Sukkur and would like to know if citrusfruit can be grown in large pots.A: Yes. Citrus fruits can be cultivated, verysuccessfully, in large clay pots and other suitablecontainers. Lemons, particularly Chinese ones, do wellin pots as do both grapefruit and small to medium sizeorange trees. If you can find kumquat trees then thesethrive exceptionally well in pots. Good luck!Please continue sending your gardening queries tozahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include yourlocation. Answers to selected questions will appear ina future issue of the magazine. This takes time. Thewriter will not respond directly by e-mail. E-mails withattachments will not be opened.The writer’s garden is private property; no trespassingplease.A walk through the jungleFor those who have a flair for a serene walk through woods, Thandiani-NathiaGali track is an attractive option in the summersThe News on Sunday, June 20, 2010By Irfan AhmadIT had become very dark in the Dagri jungle, said to bethe home of leopards. The three of us were quite tired,having started rather late from Thandiani. A slighterror in time management and we ended up in the darkforest, still an hour's walk from our destination -- theDagri Forest Rest House. We cursed our guide whoPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteleft us and perhaps had already reached the campingsite with his dumb pack mule.We should have pitched our camps by now. But therewe were, lost in the dark, quiet forest without any ideaas to how far we were from our destination. Aflashlight in the daypack carried by one of us becameour saviour in that thickening darkness. We keptmoving on the uneven and twisted track with lightfocused just around our feet for another hour when wesaw signs of a passage on our right with a tiny boardaffixed on a log that read 'Dagri Forest Rest House'; aheartening relief to the rundown trekkers.It was a star-studded night as we reached the openlawns of the rest house. It had taken us 8 hours fromThandiani but we were relaxed, looking at thewidespread illumination of Abbottabad far away in thedepth, knowing that we shall have a fresh start in themorning for Nathia Gali via Miranjani, the highestpeak in Galiat region.Thandiani-Nathia Gali track, with a length of 26kilometres, passes along Bairan Gali and Dagrivillages while winding through the pine jungle onslopes of Galiat Mountains. It was an old dream towalk on this much heard of and treaded on passagesaid to have enchanting vistas with scenic view ofsnow-capped Himalayas, whispering sound of windpassing through pines, flower-studded meadows,fluttering butterflies, luring melody of twittering birdsand few singing springs of water.It was late sunny morning as we started fromThandiani, a scenic hill station around 34 kilometresaway from Abbottabad with a panoramic view ofsprawling towns of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Guideswith luggage carrying mule are conveniently availablefor up to Rs7000 for Nathia Gali with one night stay atDagri where the Forest Department's rest house sits ina shabby condition since 2005 earthquake.However, it offers good opportunity forcamping with a beautiful and vast view ofAbbottabad towards its lawns. Apart from acouple of water springs between Bairan Galiand Dagri, water is not available on thistrack; hence at least drinking water shouldbe carried along.Starting this track from Nathia Gali is not advisable, asit starts with a steep hike in the very beginning towardsMiranjani. This could be demoralising as it had beenfor a group of trekkers whom we met at Dagri. Wepitched camp, took our meal and sat around a big firein the cold and windy night; we had a magicallybeautiful view of flickering flames, twinkling stars anddistant constellation of electricity-lit Abbottabad as thenight became deeper, colder and more mysterious.Cold and bright morning greeted us as we packed upand moved on towards Nathia Gali via Miranjani top.Sunshine penetrating through the tall pine, juniper anddeodar trees was adding to the beauty of the trackmostly covered with colours of fallen leaves. Ladybugsand butterflies were frolicking around the colourfulflowers along the track. Air was full of peculiar junglearoma and carried pleasant vibration originating fromfresh breeze passing through woods creating abeautiful ambiance of a captivating spring holiday. Wewere amused and were absorbing the cherishedsensation of that atmosphere.It had been a largely straight way up till the point fromwhere trekkers have two options of reaching NathiaGali; a shorter way through Miranjani top with aconveniently steep way up along its expanded ridge; ora longer way evading the hike to the top. It was abright day with clear sky so we opted for the hike tohave a scenic view of the entire Galiat vales and snowcappednorthern Himalayas. Soon after the start ofascent along the mountain ridge, we came above thetree line. It was nice to see the clear sky with itspeculiar blue tinge which is seen only at themountains. Bright afternoon offered a beautiful viewof the entire surrounding but took its toll. We weresweating and had to stop now and then to sooth ourbreath but it was nice to have a gradually moreencompassing and wider view of Galiat Mountains.Mukshpuri Top, which has a convenient hike of around90 minutes from Dunga Gali, was appearing starklyattractive with its cluster of trees cantered in the vastmeadows.Top of Miranjani offered a fascinating view of thecities of Abbottabad and Mansehra, a river snakingthrough the valley, misty and blurred view of TarbellaDam's lake and snow covered tops of upper Himalayasfrom Kashmir in the East to Karakorum Highway onPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethe West. We could also see Thandiani Mountains,where we had started our track from last morning, at afairly long distance across the green thickness ofjungle in the valleys beneath. As we were enjoying thescenery and taking some rest at the top, an infuriatedswarm of bees attacked us, making us rush downhill.Luckily, they did not find us interesting enough topursue. We had reached Nathia Gali in 5 hours, sinceour start from Dagri, and descended on the road nearGovernor's House where our driver was waiting for us.before the monsoon period, for those whohave a flair for a good, long and serene walkthrough woods. It provides an opportunity tobe in the wilderness even with availabilityof communication through cellular phone,while not being away from the urban area.The writer is a banker by profession.He can be reached at:erfanehmed@hotmail.comWith a two days weekend, this fabulous and easy trackis an attractive option in the summers, preferablyEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsHaripur: Hundreds of trees cut down during strikesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 03, 2010Panian (Shamal Correspondent)During the recurring strikes inHaripur hundreds of trees were cutdown. Forest department hasconfiscated timber worth millionsof rupees. During the movementrejecting the new name of KhyberPakhtunkhwa numerous trees werecut down from Dingi tubewell toDarwesh area.Entry of Afghan shepherds should bebanned in Jabar, Deolai areaCattle owned by Afghans finish seasonal pastures which causes starvationamong local cattle.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, May 10, 2010Jabar (Shamal Correspondent)Entry of Afghans should bebanned in Jabar Deolai. Theirentry is creating many problemsfor the local people. The Afghansown large number of sheep andhorses. These animals eat all theseasonal pastures. When localpeople go there with their animalsthe animals find nothing to eat.We will not tolerate presence ofAfghans in the area, the localresidents said.Baffa, eyewitness say fuel wood on roadside caused accidentDaily Aaj, Abbottabad, May 11, 2010Baffa (Crime Reporter)Eyewitnesses said that the fuelwood lying along the roadsidecaused the accident near Eidgah onKhawajgan road. The residentshad brought this to the notice ofthe administration several time butthe negligence of theadministration led to the accident.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteCultivation of Chinese fruit plant “Hep Haffe”should be promoted: GovernorAwais Ghani briefed about Chinese fruit; Hep Heffe is used for juiceand as remedy for jaundiceDaily Aaj, Abbottabad, May 12, 2010Peshawar (Aaj News) ChairmanPakistan Agricultural ResearchCouncil Dr Zafar Altaf metgovernor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwain Peshawar and briefed him aboutthe cultivation of Chinese fruit tree“hep heffe” He asked thegovernor to support the cultivationof the tree on commercial level.Vice Chancellor of KhyberPakhtunkhwa agricultureuniversity Dr Khan BahadurMarwat was also present in themeeting. The plant has alreadybeen introduced in the MalakandUniversity.This plant has medicinalproperties. It is not only used forjuices but is also a remedy forjaundice and high blood pressure.The governor agreed to theproposal that cultivation of thisplant can bring improvement in theclimate and life of the people. Helauded the agricultural universityfor its plan to cultivate this fruit on40 acres of land.Trees, Taliban and the militaryDaily Azadi Swat 27 May 2010Dr Sultan-e-Rome (Swat)Trees are a blessing and a gift ofGod. Life of humans and animalsdepends on trees. Whether it isfood or shelter, whether it is smallhuts or huge mansions, whether itis fuel for cooking meals or forkeeping the homes warm in wintersomehow or the other we needtrees. Trees are beauty of the earthand also ensure survival of livingbeings. Swat valley which isfamous for its natural beauty sinceancient times has a variety of trees.Though trees were being cut downmercilessly at one time but theruler of Swat Mian\Abdul Wadood aka Bacha Sahiband Miangul Jahanzeb known aswali sahib took such measures thatnew trees were planted in the areaand cutting of trees was stopped.There was a time when no onecould prune the trees in his housewithout the official permission.Anyone doing this withoutpermission had to pay heavy fines.Later this law was slightly relaxedand in 1960 an order was issuedthat the owners can cut down thetrees within the boundaries of theirhouses or orchards. The ownershave a right to cut down fruit treesbut shady trees cannot be cut downunless a replacement trees isplanted on the side two or threeyears ahead of cutting a tree.Besides that there were certainrules and limitations on pruning oftrees and anyone violating thoserules was fined. Anyone whohappened to cut the trees whichwere not allowed by the authoritieshad to pay the fine and also returnthe wood to the government. Thesituation totally changed after thedecision by the government ofPakistan to merge Swat into itsprovince. Laws were not followedand due to the violation of lawsforests vanished in Swat veryrapidly. However the people ofSwat started planting more treeson their lands. That is why whilethe mountains in Swat are withouttrees the plains are full of trees.Unfortunately such activities werestarted in Swat during the past fewyears that the people of the areafaced many hardships. Trees andforests of the valley were alsoaffected by the situation.Swat and the people of Swat borethe brunt of this dangerous game.It was in the presence of themilitary that the humans and treesof Swat were being slaughtered bythe Taliban. The hardshipcontinued for these elements evenafter the removal of the Talibanfrom the scene because themilitary officials ordered cuttingdown of trees off and on. Eitherthe residents of the area wereasked to cut the trees or thesoldiers used to cut thosemercilessly. The military officialswere taking these steps in violationof the Islamic rules of war and alsoin violation of the protection ofenvironment act 1997.The trees which were planted andgrown by the people of Swat arenot only an asset but contribute agreat deal to the environment. It ishard to understand why thisvaluable asset is disliked by themilitary authorities. Why trees arebeing slaughtered. This was beingdone by the Taliban but now it hasPakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutespread even wider. However thereis clear difference between thetwo. The Taliban used to cut downthose trees and orchards whoseowners were their enemies or weresupporters of the government intheir view. Later when theyrealized their insensitivity to thetrees they made announcementsabout ban on cutting trees throughtheir broadcasts. On the other handmilitary officials do whatever theywant. They simply issue verbalorders without thinking about itseffects and results. Theannouncements of cutting down orpruning of trees under the pretextof security are made with theapproval of the high militaryofficials or the military official atpost uses his own discretion.If the military is presentin Swat not for thesafety of the people andtheir assets but toprotect themselves onlyand everything else issecurity risk for themthen this attitude is giving rise tomany questions and doubts.Pakistan Forest Digest Vol. 1, No. 1, April – June, 2010