Quarterly
SustainableD DevelopmenPt Policy InstiItute
English-Urdu ISSN: 2218-8045 Vol. 01, No. 02, July - September 2010
Sustainable Development Policy Institute SDPI
Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Quarterly Pakistan Forest Digest
Vol. 01, No. 02 ISSN: 2218-8045 July – September, 2010
A selection of clippings on Forest issues
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Quarterly
Pakistan Forest Digest
Vol. 01, No. 02 ISSN: 2218-8045 July – September 2010
Editor-in-Chief Dr. Abid Qaiyum Sulehri Executive Director Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad
Managing Editor Dr. Babar Shahbaz University of Agriculture, Faislabad Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad
Editorial Board Dr. Urs Geiser Zurich University, Switzerland
Dr. Mamoona Wali Muhammad Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar
Mr. Riaz Ahmad SUNGI Development Foundation, Islamabad
Miss Afshan Ahmed Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad
Technical Advisor Mr. Ahmad Salim Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad
Layout & Design Ali Aamer
Technical Assistants Afsheen Naz & Sakina Muhammad Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad
Pakistan Forest Digest ii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010 SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Contents
P. No Introductions: Pakistan Forest Digest v About SDPI vi About NCCR (North South) vii Summary ix Contents of Newspaper Clippings xi Chapters: 01- Forest Policy \ Institute 01 02- Forest Departments 05 03- Forest & Floods 15 04- Timber Mafia: Illegal Cutting & Smuggling 21 05- Forest Fire 57 06- Forest & Environment 59 07- Forest Conservation & Preservation 65 08- Tree Plantation 77 09- Parks \ Orchards 87 10- Miscellaneous 99
Pakistan Forest Digest iii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010 SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Disclaimer!
Contents of Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) are obtained from the English and Urdu newspapers and SDPI may not agree with the contents; and that apart from English news clippings, the Urdu news clippings are also translated in English and errors and omissions are expected.
Pakistan Forest Digest iv Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010 SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Quarterly
Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD)
The Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) is a quarterly series of digests focused on the forest related issues, government and non-government endeavors, community concerns and rights reported by the leading Pakistani newspapers and periodicals.
The Digest covers news and views on legislation, rights and disputes, conservation and rehabilitation projects, conferences, workshops and all other events and endeavors related to the forests. The digest also includes research articles by the experts and academia and the voices of the general public and stakeholders.
It is a compilation of the selected news items and articles appearing in the local newspapers & periodicals. The monthly PFD covers The English dailies, The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, The Nation Islamabad, Dawn Islamabad, Business Recorder Islamabad, - Urdu dailies Jang Rawalpidi, Nawa-Waqt Islamabad, Newspapers from Peshawar Ajar, Masharaq, Shamal from Abbot Abad and Aazadi from Swat.
The PFD is supported by Partnership Action for Mitigation Syndrome (PAMS) project of Swiss NCCR (North-South).
Views and comments to improve the digest are appreciated.
Email: [email protected]
Pakistan Forest Digest v Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010
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About SDPI
Brief History ! To serve as a source of expertise and advisory services The Sustainable Development Policy Institute for the government, private sector, (SDPI) was founded in August 1992 on the and non-governmental initiatives recommendation of the Pakistan National supporting the implementation of Conservation Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan's environment and Pakistan’s Agenda 21. SDPI is a policy- development agenda. oriented research institute established to ! To conduct policy-oriented research produce quality policy research and advocate on sustainable development from a democratic governance and pro-people broad multi-disciplinary perspective. initiatives. It is registered under the Societies ! To provide policy advice on matters Registration Act, XXI of 1860. relating to the mission of the Institute. ! To contribute to strengthening the Mandate social and physical infrastructure for research in Pakistan including the ! To conduct policy advice, policy construction and dissemination of oriented research and advocacy from a databases and research indices and the broad multi-disciplinary perspective. improvement of library systems. ! To promote the implementation of ! To initiate, establish and participate in policies, programs, laws and collaborative advocacy and other regulations based on sustainable activities with like-minded development. organisations in and outside the ! To strengthen civil society and country. facilitate civil society-government interaction through collaboration with SDPI defines sustainable development as the other organizations and activist enhancement of peace, social justice and networks. well-being within and across generations. ! To disseminate research findings and SDPI produces knowledge–knowledge that public education through the media, can enhance the capacity of government to conferences, seminars, lectures, make informed policy decisions and to publications and curricula engage civil society on issues of public development, including the Citizens interest. Report and State of the Environment Report. The Institute acts as both a generator of ! To contribute to building up national original research on sustainable development research capacity and infrastructure. issues and as an information resource for concerned individuals and institutions. Goals SDPI’s function is thus two-fold: an advisory role fulfilled through research, policy advice ! To catalyze the transition towards and advocacy; and an enabling role realised sustainable and just development in through providing other individuals and Pakistan. organisations with resource materials (training) to undertake NCS related activities. Pakistan Forest Digest vi Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010
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About NCCR (North South)
The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Pakistan Research Group is a partner of the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research North-South (NCCR N-S), financially supported by Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Swiss universities.
NCCR North-South Objectives
1. Capacity-building: To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in the South and the North. In Pakistan, focus is on establishing research partnerships between SDPI and universities for Master and PhD students.
2. Research: To undertake theory-led, empirical research on issues relevant to development. In Pakistan, research concentrates on the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and focuses on four themes:
! From vulnerability to resilience: gender, migration and social capital ! Development disparities on natural resource management ! Development policies and livelihood realities
3. Policy dialogue: To interact with policy makers and involved stakeholders on researched development 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. Associated organizations are Agricultural University Faisalabad, and Agricultural University Peshawar. Main partner in Switzerland is the Development Study Group, Zurich University (DSGZ).
Research of NCCR on Forests of Pakistan
NCCR 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 research Forests of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, a province of Pakistan, is matter of discussion.
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Apart from this, following researches have been conducted by NCCR;
Social Network Analysis of Stakeholders in the Context of Forest Related Development Interventions in NWFP conducted by Sadia Kiran, 2009 Trust restores trees conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2009 Impact of participatory forest management on financial assets of rural communities in Northwest Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Munir Ahmad, Babar Shahbaz, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2007 Analysis of myths and realities of deforestation in Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Babar Shahbaz, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2006
Most of the publications focus on the challenges and problems faced by forest in Pakistan. For detail please visit: www.nccr-pakistan.org
Pakistan Forest Digest viii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010
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Summary
Note from Editorial Board
Divided into 10 chapters Forest Digest’s recent issue, as usual, covers diverse range of forest issues covered by print media of Pakistan during July to September 2010. While vernacular press covers the news items about forest and people living in and around these forests, major policy issues are covered in national press and that is the reason that forest digest is based on news items from both vernacular as well as national press. We have been compiling news items from Dailies Ajar and Mashriq from Peshawar; Daily Shamal from Abbotabad; Daily Azadi from Swat. Moreover news items published in national dailies Business recorded; Dawn; The News; The Nation; Jang; and Nawa-i-Waqat are also compiled to present a comprehensive state of forest affairs to our readers.
First chapter of this digest contains news items on Pakistan Forestry Institute (PFI) as well as forest policy. It is heartening to note that PFI is still contributing towards cause of forestry in Pakistan. Officials of Provincial Forest Department keep on getting accused for their alleged role in forest destruction by over sighting the activities of timber mafia. How much of that is true cannot be established through news reports, however Chapter 2 covers the news items with reported linkages between forest department and timber mafia. Pakistan was hit by one of the worst floods from July to September 2010. While many believe deforestation as one of the causes of floods, press also reported the impact of floods on forest degradation. Some of those news items are presented in Third chapter of this digest. Fourth chapter reports the activities of timber mafia and its involvement in unauthorized cutting and smuggling of wood. Our forests continue to get degraded due to spontaneous fire mainly due to human negligence. The events of such fire also get reported in print media. Fifth chapter of this digest informs about the fire breaking out in forests. It is a good omen that policy analysts in Pakistan have started writing on forest issues. Sixth chapter of this digest includes opinion pieces of Dr. Fouzia Chaudhry, Imran Rashid Imran and Yousaf Naz on forest degradation. Print media is also creating awareness on forest conservation and news items pertaining to forestation are compiled in Seventh chapter of this digest. Eighth chapter presents news items about tree planting campaigns and caring of plantlets. Ninth chapter covers the news, reports and articles about state of park and gardens. It also carries feature reports of Dr. Inayatullah Faizi, Imran Rashid Imran and Asif Dawood. Tenth and last chapter carries miscellaneous reports on forests as well as an interesting essay by noted writer Mustansir Hussain Tarar.
These news, essays and reports along with providing essential information are also packed with useful analysis and insights. The decision of establishment of National Forest University, selling of forest lands at low-cost price, flash floods causing destruction in Malakand due to deforestation, prohibition of sale of firewood flowing in flood water, turning of Hazara forests into steep plain areas due to unchecked deforestation carried out by timber mafia in connivance of forest officials, callously cutting down of forests at Shinkiari, kidnap of ten forest workers in
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Chitral’s Kalash Valley, demolition of forests due to firing of ten mortar shells in Angwarda, tree plantation campaign countrywide, deteriorated state of Wazir Bagh of Peshawar, Kund National Park, and Peshawar’s first woman leisure park “Pardah Bagh” are reported in current issue of forest digest.
On top of news items, opinion pieces around state of forestry are also included in this issue. For One such article about Peshawar mentions that famous Chinese tourist Huen Tsang in 630 saw a 100ft tall pine tree in Peepalmandi which is present till date. Another article narrates how a soda manufacturing factory’s acerbic affluent in Khwera is polluting the environment of the area. Trees play an important role in combating environmental pollution.
Various newspapers have been highlighting forest issues in their editorials, for instance Daily Ajar Peshawar in its editorial dated 28th September 2010 took up the plight of forest department official who were not remunerated salary for past five months. Daily Mashriq Peshawar in its issue of 22nd August 2010 condemning the unauthorized cutting of forests wrote that forests worth millions were ruined and demanded an immediate halt to illegal timber harvest. Likewise, Daily Shamaal in its issue of 23rd September 2010 disputed the ban on (legal) timber harvesting. Along with the news items, these editorials are also compiled in relevant sections of this digest.
This digest is also uploaded on SDPI website and your comments to improve the contents and format of the digest would be welcome. Please send your feedback on [email protected]
Pakistan Forest Digest x Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010
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Contents of Newspaper Clippings
Chapter 01 English Translations of Urdu Forest Policy \ Institutes Clippings
Forest policy finalised, submitted to Cabinet: minister The employees of the department have sold out the Page 01 land of Darwaza Jungle at dirt-cheap rates. Page 09
English Translations of Urdu Clippings The 2470 kanal property of Darwaza forest department has been encroached upon by the people The news about the destruction of Iter Sheesha of the area. forests is baseless Page 09 Page 02 The officials of forest department, Garrhi Habibullah The decision to establish a National Forest are getting rupees 1,000 per Datsun-pickup-load University from the “timber mafia”. Page 02 Page 09
The demonstration of non-gazetted employees of Durgai timber merchants association shows concern Forest Institute about governments’ lack of interest Page 02 Page 10
Any conspiracy against Forest Institute will be The performance of forest department, Derpain is crushed: The spokesman exemplary: Wajid Ali Page 03 Page 10
Pakistan Forest Institute is serving excellently in this River Sern of Mansehra exposes the nefarious intent field of education of corrupt officials Page 03 Page 11
Forestry graduates are the national assets: Badshah Police, Forest Department and the local elite have Bukhari become accomplices of timber mafia Page 04 Page 11
Chapter 02 The vehicle full of Tajwal wood was captured by the Forest Department police and the locals, but forest department officials got the vehicle released Is Angori far from Punjab forest department? Page 11 Page 05 Timber mafia’s malicious activities continue with the PARC denied forest land for research site abetment of Tajwal Forest department Page 06 Page 12
Regenerating forests Haripur refugee camp number 15 is converted into Page 07 timber market Page 12 Desertification, deforestation are severe challenges: Minister Forest Department’s vicious alliance; forests of Page 07 Shankiary and its suburbs are near disappearance Page 13 Forest Dept employees demand early payment of royalty amount Timber worth millions of rupees transferred to Page 08 markets. Page 13
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Torghar Levi’s officials have handed over timber Illegal sale of timber floated through worth millions of rupees to the forest department floods, GM Tarbela Dam made hay of the Page 13 opportunity and earned millions Page 20
Public should cooperate with the forest department Chapter 04 Page 14 Timber Mafia – Illegal Cutting & Smuggling Forest department’s drive against timber mafia is commendable: Ibrar Khan Murree forest land thieves dare the law Page 14 Page 21
Corrupt practices in Haripur forest department Massive timber smuggling on the rise Page 14 Page 22
Chapter 03 English Translations of Urdu Clippings Forest & Floods Shankiari: Smuggling of expensive timber thrives; Aftermath of the flood ‘Green Gold’ is on the brink of disaster Page 15 Page 24
Deforestation responsible for floods’ ferocity: Hazara forest are being converted into treeless plains experts with the collusion of forest department personnel Page 16 Page 24
English Translations of Urdu Clippings Ban on the transportation of timber in Jandol Page 24 A resident of Batgram, Kiargali swept away by flooded river while trying to collect wood Timber smugglers in Shankiari be prosecuted Page 17 Page 25
Thousand cubic feet timber of forest department I will uproot smuggling if government allows me: swept away by Swat River. Sikandar Page 17 Page 25
The cutting down the forests is the cause of flash An attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled in floods in Malakand Timorgrah, hundreds of thousands rupees received Page 18 through fines Page 25 Torrential rains inundated Junglekhel, Kohat Page 18 Derbala: Action against the illegal encroachers of family owned forests Extraction of floodwood from Tarbela Dam has been Page 26 started Page 18 Million rupees worth illegal timber recovered from Akora, 3 sumugglers apprehended Ban on the sale/purchase of timber floated by floods Page 26 Page 19 Government should authorize the forest owners, Ibrar Ban on the export of timber from Charsadda Ahmed Khan Page 19 Page 26
Scarcity of forests is a big challenge for us: Afridi Asheeri Dara: Two forest department officials got Page 19 hurt in an encounter with smugglers Page 27
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Phalera Police’s operation against timber smugglers, An urgent meeting of forest owners of illegal timber recovered Konish Valley Page 27 Page 34
An unsuccessful attempt of timber smuggling in Timber mafia’s business flourishes in Samarbagh, driver arrested. Khanpur with the help of Forest Page 27 department and the police The unrelenting cutting down of Shankiari forests Page 34 continues, Department is indifferent Page 28 We shall take this issue in the Assembly: Saleem Khan A dangerous encounter between timber smugglers Page 34 and the local population is on the cards Page 28 A grand tree sale in Baren Gali, free hand to wipe out the forest against heavy kickback Operation against timber smugglers in Mansehra, Page 35 Forest officer injured in exchange of firing Page 29 Changla Gali forests are becoming treeless plains with the collusion of forest department officials Notorious timber smuggler of Konish valley wanted Page 35 by police got arrested Page 29 Timber smugglers across Attock have bent upon wiping out Hazara forests Poplar theft case: Four accused set free due to lack of Page 36 evidence Page 30 A boom to illegal cutting of forest, forest department is involved Cutting down of forest continue by timber mafia with Page 36 the abetment of Kahuta Forest department Page 31 Number of people clashed in a race to collect timber from River Kunhar The rigorous imprisonment of the accused in timber Page 37 smuggling case suspended Page 31 3 persons drowned in Indus River while collecting timber in Kohistan Dasu area The unabated cutting of forests of Koh Bhangeera Page 37 continues, Administration is helpless Page 31 People continue to protest against transfer of Malakand Division timber to Jahangeera A raid on Phalera timber smugglers, timber Page 37 recovered Page 32 DCO has banned the collection of timber from the river, police is directed to arrest the violators We shall protest the addition of other areas in the Page 38 forest areas of Sharkol: Twakkul Khan Alias Tooty Page 32 DFO has handed over the forests of Galiat and Ayubia to official timber mafia The forest owners will not allow the destruction of Page 38 the forests: President, save the forests committee Page 32 Two month ban has been imposed on collecting wood and extracting sand from Swat River Timber mafia and forest department jointly vanishing Page 39 the forests in Koh Bhangeera Page 33 Timber mafia is active again to grab timber coming into Darband lake An unsuccessful attempt of expensive timber in Page 39 Samarbagh, smuggler held Page 33
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Uncontrolled cutting down of Betair forests Mansehra: Murder accused becomes continues, mountains are changing into plains timber smuggler, police unable to arrest Page 40 Page 46
Poor beggars have no power to destroy the forests: Ten woodcutters abducted from Kalash Ibrar Ahmed Valley, Chitral forests Page 40 Page 46
Phalera: Elite Force chases absconders in the forest, Kotli Bala forest are undergoing illegal cutting, the many timber smugglers held residents are apprehensive Page 40 Page 47
Scandal of government officers’ green gold Trees have been hidden in underground godowns, smuggling racket of Galiat and Ayubia exposed preparation for smuggling on Eid Page 41 Page 47 Unabated cutting of Takhat Pari forests Page 41 Department’s vicious cooperation, cutting down of forests at high pace continues Robbers looted the smugglers’ vehicle in Tanawal Page 48 Page 41 Two trucks loaded with expensive timber held in Khanpur, head clerk declined to give details Timber smugglers attacked forest guards with axes in Page 48 Terhary, 2 guards were seriously injured, case was filed against 16 attackers Eight vehicles loaded with illegal timber held, heavy Page 42 fine imposed Page 48 Demand to end the ban on leag cutting forest range Page 42 Illegal cutting in Gulair division, Elimination of timber mafia is a big success Timber smugglers will be dealt with iron hands: DSP Page 49 Ougi Page 43 Shankiari: Firewood is confiscated and loaded vehicles of smugglers are given green signal The illegal practice of forest cutting Page 49 Page 43 The machine which destroy the forests should be Cutting down of forests continues in Konish Valley, immediately stopped smuggling going on in broad daylight Page 50 Page 44 Mansehra: Timber worth millions of rupees Cutting down of Shankiari forest going on, the surreptitiously transported on Eid day concerned officials are silent Page 50 Page 44 Dicision to appoint FC and Elite Force to stop illegal The illegal cutting of Jaboory forests, inquiry ordered cutting of Tanawal Forests against range officers and forest guards Page 50 Page 44 Timber smugglers have camped in Batal, PTDC Police officers in Batgram joined hands with timber Motel Chatter Plain mafia Page 51 Page 45 Illegal cutting of forest going on in the presence of Illegal cutting of Ghanol forests under the Sern Valley officials supervision of forest guard Page 51 Page 45 No claimant of confiscated timber has appeared in Chater Plain, important personalities coming forward Page 52
Pakistan Forest Digest xiv Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010
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Cutting down of forests in Batgram, Officials posted Forest fire in Colorado, 136 houses at check posts get the ‘share’ destroyed Page 52 Page 58
DFO’s action against timber smugglers is Chapter 06 commendable Forest & Environment Page 53 Asphalt plant polluting city’s air Large scale cutting of forests, Commissioner Hazara Page 59 has taken notice Page 53 Trees — the natural air-conditioners for the poor Page 60 Akazai Forest undergoing illegal cutting, Commissioner is requested to take notice It is not a green world any more Page 53 Page 61
The decision of action against illegal cutting of English Translations of Urdu Clippings forest, the decision should materialize Page 54 Land of white roses Page 62 The onslaught of timber mafia in Sern Valley forests, commissioner Hazara is demanded to take notice Dwindling number of trees has spoiled the beautiful Page 54 face of Peshawar Page 64 DFO’s secret deal: Timber worth millions of rupees floated into River Kunhar reached underground Chapter 07 godowns Forest Conservation & Protection Page 55 Steps urged to preserve forests Buttel: The captured timber is in possession of forest Page 65 department Page 55 Need stressed for conservation of forests Page 66 Nobody can steal even foot of the captured timber: DFO Sern Deforestation dilemma Page 55 Page 67
The forest department, Shergarh range fully involved Forever greens die in illegal timber smuggling Page 68 clash is expected Page 56 Matter of trees Page 68 The Case of Hassa bridge repair: DFO asked the locals for donation in cash and kind Forests wiped out in Kohistan Page 56 Page 70
Chapter 05 'Forests on 27 hectares disappear annually' Forest Fire Page 71
English Translations of Urdu Clippings English Translations of Urdu Clippings
The forest fire on Chhoi mountains, sky-high flames Ban on cutting down the forests and Transportation were seen of timber in Jagam Dara Page 57 Page 72
Ten mortars fired in Angor Adda, forests affected Page 57
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Appointment of Babu Muhammad Iqbal, timber 6m saplings to be planted in Fata mafia is snubbed Page 78 Page 72 Plant trees, get awards The forest owners of Battel and Chatter hold meeting Page 79 to save the forests Page 73 CDA observes National Tree Plantation Day A forester must be appointed in Changla Gali forests: Page 80 Raja Manzoor Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 31, 2010 Are tree plantation drives worth their cost? Page 73 Page 80 Students urged to play role in tree plantation Upper Tanawal: The forests will be protected under Page 82 any circumstances Page 73 Green aliens Page 82 The provincial forest minister has ordered for inquiry of the incident of firing at forest department officials. English Translations of Urdu Clippings Page 74
45 million plants will be planted in the country Kotli Bala: We shall take every possible step to during plantation drive: Hameed Jan Afridi protect the forests: Waqar Muhammad Khan Page 83 Page 74 During Plantation Drive, CDA will plant1.4 million Forests are valuable assets; Effective steps are plants needed to protect the forests. Page 84 Page 74 Paltation drive of monsoon begins in Islamic Forests ac be protected if the machine saws are University dismentaled Page 84 Page 75 People should actively take part in the plantation Manda Kachha forest are in safe hands, illegal drive: Hameed Jan afridi activities are being discouraged Page 85 Page 75 The required target of forests can be achieved with Necessary arrangements are being made two protect the help of masses. Gulzair division forests: Sirdar Ryaset Page 85 Page 76 The Chairman CDA inaugurated the platation drive Pathetic condion of employees of forest department by planting on e plant Ougi Page 86 Page 76 Tree plantation is sign of welfare for ever Situation in flux due to appointment of corrupt Page 86 officers in the forest department Page 76 An effective system for the protection of plants should be devised in Fata: Awais Ghani Chapter 08 Page 86 Tree Plantation Chapter 09 Tree plantation targets to be achieved Parks \ Orchards Page 77
Jehangir Park and its ‘dismal state’ CDA to plant 400,000 saplings Page 87 Page 77
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The dying mango orchards of Sindh Page 88 Chapter 10 Miscellaneous Margallah Hills National Park needs information centre Deforestation plays havoc with Murree Page 90 Page 99
Pindi park renovation work stalled Ozone depleting inhalers Page 91 Page 100
English Translations of Urdu Clippings Moringa as green fodder Page 100 Peshawar gardens are ruined, chief secretary should note: High Court English Translations of Urdu Clippings Page 92 Forest Home, a magical experience Save the Apple trees in Chitral Page 102 Page 93 Sangi Foundation personnel are ready to embezzle Kund National Park has been ruined millions of rupees Page 94 Page 103
Great Historical Park of Peshawar, Wazeer Bagh is Haji Wakeel Khan elected as President Dargai in state of ruins Timber Market Page 95 Page 103
The first recreational spot for the women in Domel Forest rest House broke down before Peshawar, Purdagah completion Page 97 Page 104
The new swings will be installed in Ayub Park with the amount of 3.4 million rupees Page 98
Pakistan Forest Digest xvii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010
Chapter 1
Forest policy \ Institutes ! ! SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 01
Forest Policy\ Institute
Forest policy finalised, submitted to Cabinet: minister Business Recorder Islamabad, September 28, 2010
By Tahir Amin forest cover. The ministry of addressing the ceremony, Islamabad (September 28, environment is providing federal minister said Dr G M 2010): the ministry of maximum assistance to the khattak is the only scientist in environment has finalised the provincial governments for the discipline of forestry who first-ever forest policy and promotion of mega forestry has been admitted as a fellow submitted it to the cabinet. The project. he said global warming of the Pakistan academy of policy envisages enhancement and climate change are threats sciences. of forest cover, which is vital in for all and the ministry is meeting the challenges of committed to face this "The book reflects the selfless climate change. challenge. effort in developing environmental, educational and This was stated by environment "Forest management is specially forestry institutions in minister Hameed ullah Jan community-based sector and Pakistan," Afridi added. Afridi while addressing a book enhancement of this sector is launching ceremony of eminent need of time for sustainable The minister said this book is scientist and environmentalist development," said minister, the reflection of the writer's Dr G M Khattak titled "In adding that the government is broad vision for hope of better Pursuit of Excellence," here on providing all possible funds for future, which will guide Monday. mega project of forests and towards professional, promotion of social forestry. prosperous and meaningful life. "Previously there was no forest addressing on this occasion, Dr policy and the ministry has Environment minister further G M Khattak said keeping in formulated forest policy in said that climate change and view the modern world, there is consultation with all the environmental degradation are need to improve forestry sector. stakeholders and submitted to major threats for whole world he urged social workers, civil the cabinet for approval," said and Pakistan is playing its due society and other stakeholders Afridi. Afridi said forestry role to face this challenge. to play pivotal role for healthy sector has its due importance Behavioral change is important environment. and government is utilising all to over-come environmental possible resources to enhance issues, Afridi added. while
Pakistan Forest Digest 1 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
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English Translations of Urdu Clippings
The news about the destruction of Iter Sheesha forests is baseless Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 4, 2010
Mansehra (Court Reporter) The news about is printed for vested interest; and so to hurt devastation of forests and cutting of wood by someone is not journalism”, said Azam Shakir mechanical saws is fabricated. “The news which while talking to Shamal, and added, “to publish has been published in a local newspaper, Shamal baseless news is a terrible act.”
The decision to establish a National Forest University Daily AAJ, Peshawar, July 7, 2010
Peshawar (University Reporter) be set up in Forest Institute already given a proposal that National Forest University is Peshawar, whereas the Forest Forest Institute Peshawar be going to be established in Institute will be an ancillary given the status of university or Peshawar. Ministry of department of the university. It the institute should be Education, Islamabad has may be recalled that the converted into a forest faculty started to work on that project. controller examination, of Peshawar University. Forest University Pakistan will Peshawar University had
The demonstration of non-gazetted employees of Forest Institute If the demands are not met, the protest movement will be launched: Speakers Daily AAJ, Peshawar, July 28, 2010
Peshawar (University Reporter) demo. They were holding fulfilled. The demonstration The non-gazetted employees of banners and placards inscribed was led by President Shah Pakistan Forest Institute, with different demands. They Rehman, vice president Peshawar demonstrated in the employees were chanting Hashtam Khan, general premises of the institute to get slogans and protested for quite secretary Nek Amal Shah, their demands fulfilled. A large some time. They announced finance secretary Asadullah and number of employees that the protests would continue joint secretary Muhammad participated in the protest until their demands were not Tariq.
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Any conspiracy against Forest Institute will be crushed: The spokesman Some miscreant elements have violated the law by launching protest demonstration in the office premises. Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 3, 2010
Peshawar (PR) Pakistan Forest Institute is a and drive against the encroachment of PIF prestigious national institute which is contributing property were launched. Some rogue elements for excellently in the research and education in the their vested interests and nefarious designs are forestry department. The modernization and for obstructing the plans. The small number of those further improvement of this institution, a people violated the law by demonstrating within comprehensive plan was envisaged in July, 2009. the government premises on July 27 and made it Under that plan, operations like Punjab Research public through the media. Pakistan Forest Planning, the initiation of research activities, the Institute condemns that unlawful act and warns regularity in the allotment of residential quarters them to abstain from such activities in future.
Pakistan Forest Institute is serving excellently in this field of education We condemn the unlawful protest within the institutions premises by those un-social elements: The spokesman Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 4, 2010
Peshawar (Mashriq News) changes was launched in July within the government limits. The spokesman for Pakistan 2009. Under that project, the Any such activities during Forest Institute, Peshawar tasks like, strategic research office timings and within called the protest plan, research activities, government limits are against demonstration by some setting up the endowment the rules and regulations. elements as unlawful and fund, the revision of forestry strongly condemned that act. curriculum, discipline, the The spokesman called such “Pakistan Forest Institute is a rectification of illegalities in act an effort to harm the well-reputed institution the allotment of hostels and peaceful atmosphere of a which is serving invaluably residences and removal of research and educational in the field of forest research encroachers from the institution, he further added and education,” the property of PIF were that those protesters must act spokesman said in a press planned. Notwithstanding according to rules and release. these positive acts, some regulations and refrain miscreant elements are from such unlawful acts. For the development of the posing hindrance and that institute on modern lines, a miniscule minority of the project for the administrative people demonstrated illegally
Pakistan Forest Digest 3 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
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Forestry graduates are the national assets: Badshah Bukhari The graduates can play important role in environmental and forest reforms: The speakers Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 28, 2010
Peshawar (Uuniversity addressing a ceremony The director general and Reporter) Director General, honouring 62 M.Sc. graduates. director education had Pakistan Forest Institute, Director General Education, expressed their satisfaction and Peshawar has said that the Hakeem Shah and Professor hoped that the majority of those forestry graduates are precious Asif Jah also addressed the graduates would hold the asset of the nation. In future ceremony. The qualifying responsibility of divisional they are supposed to work for students belonged to all four forest officers. Iftar party was the development of forests and provinces plus Gilgit Baltistan also arranged in honour of the environment. He was and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. graduates.
Pakistan Forest Digest 4 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 2
Forest Department
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 02
Forest Department
Is Angori far from Punjab forest department? Pakistan Observer Islamabad, July 19, 2010
Islamabad—Seeing the burnt extent that they fell down and fire for fuel and earning pines in the soothing are later cut for the domestic money.” wilderness of Angori forests, it use, spark a Shakespearean sparks to one’s mind - is quote to the mind, ‘As flies are So listening both the sides a Angori too far from Punjab to wanton boys, are we to nature lover or Forest Department. Just a few Gods. They kill us for their environmentalists will heed to kilometers from the Capital - sport.’ the comments of a sane, and on a single road leading from not of a ‘wanton boy.’ But, Satra Mile to New Murree For them, it may be a sport or a thinking the same time why this snaking through the small need. But for the environment sanity does not prevail among settlements - one comes across and their own health it is lethal the local residents as well as scores of trees deliberately though they least bother or are the Punjab Forest Department burnt and later chopped for least known to it. guards, deployed for protection domestic or commercial use. of the forests. Apparently conveying the A significant tract from Bahak message of a lethargic response “Yes, people use to set areas on village up to Angori and of the authorities, the trend also fire for personal gains and beyond, in the Angori Union speak of ‘connivance’ of the blame the visitors of throwing Council area, has been affected local residents and the forest burning cigarettes,” said a local by fire, burning the forest in department. resident who was hesitant to patches. reveal his name. If some claim that kids put This deliberate fire - as the trees on fire, others plead that “No! visitors do not throw residents claimed it to be - has fire erupts after smokers throw cigarette to the extent as fire is inflicted massive loss to forests the burning cigarette butts or seen. Definitely, these are the and vegetation, shrubs and matches into the forest. But, local people, who set trees on nourishing small plants. saner residents whisper in the fire” he said, negating the idea ears of visitors, “these are the of throwing burning matches. Burning the stem of 50 to 80 local people who put them on feet long pine trees to the
Pakistan Forest Digest 5 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Officials from Forest the draft for new law has been Rawalpindi Dr department are also worried approved by Provincial Cabinet Muhammad Rafiq. about loss to forests but are and awaits endorsement by often helpless due to Punjab Assembly. “The fine is insufficient resources, proper recommended reach out mechanism and the “We fall short of resources. according to court system. Staff is skeletal and law is thickness of stem and varies weak. Even if our staffer from Rs 1250 to Rs 100,000 This is also an apathy that even apprehend culprits, the courts and charging in hundreds for today forests management is are used to fine them just Rs the loss of thousands is unjust,” governed under Forest Act 500 to Rs 2000 for cutting a he said.—APP 1927 which the Punjab tree valuing upto Rs 60,000,” government is now revising as said Conservator of Forests
PARC denied forest land for research site By Habib Khan Ghori Dawn Islamabad, July 26, 2010
KARACHI, July 25: The in Sakrand taluka, could be first five-year phase of proposal to set up an allotted for non-forestation use, implementation. agricultural research station in arguing that the area in Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly question was a “reserved Forests in Pakistan constitute Nawabshah) district has not forest” internationally less than five per cent of its materialised owing to classified/recognised as a geographical area as against the unavailability of forest land in biodiversity conservation and standard of 25 per cent and it the area identified by the habitat preservation priority cannot afford deforestation. proponent institution. site. Not even a fraction of the Under the draft national forest forest land could be transferred policy (2009), it has been The proposal was submitted to for any non-forestry use, it suggested that no forest land the competent authorities about added. will be allowed to be allotted a year back by the Pakistan for non-forestry use and if at all Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan is a signatory to the a specific forest area is required Islamabad. UN Convention on Biological to be spared in the national Diversity and under obligation interest, then twice as much PARC Chairman Dr Zafar to ensure protection and area may be brought under Altaf had moved the proposal conservation of rich forest cover. in June 2009 and requested the biodiversity sites. Sindh government to allot 100 “Under such circumstances, acres of forest land within the The Pai forest, being a wildlife transfer of forestland for district to establish the station game reserve, is protected research station could invite along with a multiple research under the Sindh Wildlife international criticism,” the model farm for crops, Protection Ordinance, 1972. department maintained. especially non-traditional Besides, its is one of the 12 However, it suggested that crops. major conservation priority forest land could be acquired sites of the Indus Eco-Region from the Sindh Seed In its response, the Sindh forest being looked after by the Corporation which possessed department communicated to WWF- Pakistan under its 50- over 1,115 acres transferred to the PARC that no land from the year vision programme for the it in 1959. Pai forest, the only forest land Indus eco-region which is in its
Pakistan Forest Digest 6 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
It was also pointed out that Sindh would be in the national since the establishment of an interest, the SSC could spare its agricultural research station in already deforested lands.
Letter to Editor Regenerating forests Dawn Islamabad, August 15, 2010
THE Sindh Forest Department is set to implement has been cut by thieves and poor villagers for a strategy to regenerate some 100,000 hectares of lighting their stoves. forest through wide-ranging aerial seeding of ‘babul’ on both banks of the Indus, including They are requested to consider local fruit-and Sukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad and Thatta districts flower-bearing trees like jambolan, custard apple, (Aug 11). guava, mulberry, amaltas and flame of the forest. This is being advocated because fruit-and-flower- This is great news for nature lovers like me. The bearing trees will attract birds and bees alike. This Sindh Forest Department officials have taken the is one business which will get full support from right decision at the right time. I hope that they the WWF which can assist the Sindh Forest succeed in their endeavours. Department in selecting the right trees for this project. Fruit-bearing plants would avoid They are knowledgeable people and one hopes chopping as villagers in Kutcha areas will benefit that they would have zeroed down on ‘babul’ from them. after careful evaluation. One probable reason may S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA be that the ‘babul’ forest was there initially which Karachi
Desertification, deforestation are severe challenges: Minister Business Recorder Islamabad, August, 24, 2010
Islamabad (August 24, 2010) resources. He expressed these show various symptoms of : federal minister for views while presiding over a desertification. environment Hameed ullah Jan meeting regarding sustainable Afridi has said that land and land management (slm) here on He underlined that deforestation are severe Monday. Afridi observed that unsustainable land management challenges, which are not only desertification and land practices in the country are adversely affecting food degradation has affected one main causes of environmental security and economic third of the earth's surface; degradation, adding that recession in the country, but are threatening the livelihoods, Pakistan is an agricultural the main causes of well being and development of country having best irrigation environmental degradation as many as one billion people. system but proper management also. Nearly one third of world crop system should be adopted. He land has become unproductive urged to lend efforts to address He also said that climate and has been abandoned in past both land degradation and change related events are forty years. Moreover, almost poverty to protect vital posing additional pressure on three quarters of rangelands ecosystem and ecosystem the productivity of the land services, adding that the goal of
Pakistan Forest Digest 7 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute sustainable development can convention to combat only be achieved when the desertification but also would He said that climate national programmes and plans help reduce poverty and change and global are transformed into "local achieve millennium warming are the actions" at community level. development goals. major causes of the recent flood disasters He also pointed out that there is He also urged the need to learn however, forestation process need to build partnerships tools, techniques and practices has to increase on war footings between different stakeholders, for sustainable management of to avoid such sort of calamity including government agencies, land and water resources as in future. Secretary NGOs, local communities, well as better understanding of environment Jived Mali, international donors and private slm principles and practices. additional secretary sector. He said that initiatives Federal minister said that environment Karma Ali Qurush like slm project are need of the government is focusing on and other high officials of the time. He said that efforts to devising policies, programmes ministry attended the meeting.- combat desertification will not and projects aimed at pr only help meet Pakistan’s promoting slm principles and obligations for United Nations concepts.
Forest Dept employees demand early payment of royalty amount The Nation Islamabad, September,06, 2010
Staff Reporter materialized, office-bearers of damaging forestry sector, they PESHAWAR – While accusing the Sarhad Awami Forestry said that the corporation had the Forest Development Ittehad, Amir Mohammed, done nothing for the progress Corporation of contempt of Jamsid Ali Khan, Dost of the forest sector but caused court, the Sarhad Awami Mohammed Khan, Gul Nawab havoc in the sector. Forestry Itteshad, Sunday, ask Khan and Irfan khan alleged in the corporation to give them the a joint press statement here on Due to poor performance by the forest royalty in the light of the Sunday. corporation, million feet timber court’s decision, otherwise, washed away in flood waters, it they would be left with no They said that the corporation showed the incompetence of option but to knock again on had clearly violated the the corporation they said and the door of apex court. decision of the Supreme Court, added that their was need to as the court already directed the take stern action against those For reason known best to them, corporation for paying the involved in it. Forest Development royalty. Corporation, time and again They said that they wanted to denied them the royalty, which The corporation had committed make it clear that the royalty has their due right and despite contempt of court by not should be paid to them before the fact that the apex court had fulfilling the court order, they Eid-ul-Fitr otherwise, they already directed the department were of the view. Holding the would be left with no option to make payment, Forest Development but to resort to the court. unfortunately, is yet to be Corporation responsible for
Pakistan Forest Digest 8 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
English translation from Urdu News
The employees of the department have sold out the land of Darwaza Jungle at dirt-cheap rates. R. O. Donga Gali and Block Officer have the patronage of Range officer. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 19, 2010
Palak (Special Correspondent) councillor and the arrange the ‘sweetener’ for the The range officer Donga Gali representative of Darwaza forest officers. “The range range and Block Officer have residents, Muhammad Islam officers have got appointed illegally sold the trees of Abassi, while he was talking to their favourite persons and Darwaza Jungle and jungle the journalists at media centre forest guards have been land at throw away price. The Khanaspur. He said the forest designated as block officers to range officers are fully department was selling out the dispose of the land,” He added. supporting the land disposal trees and lands of Darwaza This staff has been selling the arrangements. This was Jungle. The “green gold” was jungle to fill their officers’ revealed by the former being sold at very cheap rate to pockets.
The 2470 kanal property of Darwaza forest department has been encroached upon by the people of the area. People once collected money to cancel the illegal transfer deeds, now it’s departments’ responsibility. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 22, 2010
“Palak (Special Correspondent) It’s due to the people. Darwaza Guzara area is 2470 kanals negligence of forest department, Donga Gali which has been taken over by the land grabbers. range that people have encroached upon the forest People of the area collected money to get the property”, former councilor Muhammad Islam illegal transfers cancelled, now it’s department’s Abassi told the journalists, and he demanded that responsibility to take care of their property. The the DFO forest department should take notice of forest department employees have been paid by the encroachment of the forest lands by the local the government to protect the jungle.
The officials of forest department, Garrhi Habibullah are getting rupees 1,000 per Datsun-pickup-load from the “timber mafia”. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 25, 2010
Garrhi Habibullah (Bureau that he had been dealing in that wood from farmers of Report) Timber contractor Shorol hard wood for a long different areas, and after Manzoor Hussain Shah has said time. He contends, “I purchases completing all the legal
Pakistan Forest Digest 9 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute requirements, I send that wood original amount for the permit black market of to the market, but Range in the bank, but they are Mansehra. These Officer Muhammad Ashraf, demanding for more money.” officials are inflicting forester Khan Bahadur Babu Syed Manzoor has accused the loss in millions of Ashraf and Sajjad of Garrhi officials of forest department rupees to the Habibullah are stalling despite that they, in connivance of government by tax the fact they have received timber mafia, receive Rs 1,000 evasion and smuggling. heavy amount of bribe to issue for Datsun pickup load of the permit. I have deposited the Sharol wood to sell that in the
Durgai timber merchants association shows concern about governments’ lack of interest The timber stocked in depots for years is about to damaged, government should act immediately: Mukarram Khan Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 27, 2010
Dargai (Mashriq Association, which is in situation, the timber market Correspondent) The general millions. “Timber worth would be relieved of that secretary, Timber Merchant millions of rupees dumped in burden. Dargai timber market Association Dargai, Mukarram Chilas is on the verge of had given employment to Khan Saba informed the destruction, but no effort has thousands of locals, if the journalists in a press briefing been taken to save that stock. government would not provide that the government offered The depot is located in Dargai facilities to the timber facilities and attractions to the timber market, the rent and the merchants, the eventually investors of different countries salary of chowkidar is paid unemployed people could to invest in Pakistan, but had from the funds of the market. create law and order situation.” shown no concern for the loss If the government would bear He added. of Dargai Timber Merchant that expense in that crisis
The performance of forest department, Derpain is exemplary: Wajid Ali The forest department staff will be awarded certificates of appreciation and cash prizes. Daily Aaj, Peshawar, July 27, 2010
Peshawar (AAJ News) The minister for Derpain and chief conservator forest to prepare environments, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Wajid Ali the recommendations for the cash rewards and Khan has praised the performance of forest certificate of appreciations for those officials. The department, district Derpain. The forest officials’ provincial environment minister Wajid Ali Khan effective security and picket erections was pleased to know about the excellent successfully foiled the attempt to smuggle out performance of those forest officials and stressed precious timber worth million of rupees by three upon the need to follow the example. He further Diana trucks on Ribat Lirram road, and got them added that only with effective security and arrested. The minister has instructed the DFO
Pakistan Forest Digest 10 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute rejection of any influence or avarice, timber mafia would be discouraged.
River Sern of Mansehra exposes the nefarious intent of corrupt officials Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 01, 2010
Liber Kot (Special Reporter) The Sern River has of cubic feet timber was dumped by the forest revealed the corruption of forest department. officials for surreptitious disposal, was washed Millions of cubic feet timber was washed away by away by Sern River. If the corrupt forest officials Sern River, which horrified the forest department. are not tried even after their evil designs are Heavy rainfall unveiled their corruption. Millions exposed, it is certainly injustice with the people.
Police, Forest Department and the local elite have become accomplices of timber mafia The unabated cutting down of forest and sale of timber is inflicting huge loss to the government. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 04, 2010
Bakot (Special Correspondent) People of Bakot Islamabad and Galiat, while the road just 5 Km circle are in distress. The elected representatives away is not being open. The MPA (Khyber have vanished. Nethiagali-Bakot road is Pakhtunkhwa) or his father Sirdar Mehtab Ahmed completely closed. Timber mafia is taking visited the area. Molia, Bakot and Numl have advantage of the opportunity by cutting down been cut off from Kohala. The public transport expensive trees. Forest department, police and vehicles coming from Abbottabad to circle Bakot local influentials have joined hands with the are not allowed to enter from Galiat/Murree timber mafia. The land-sliding and heavy rains terminals, if any public vehicle from Nethiagali have washed away roads in Bakot circle. A intends to go to Ayubia through Murree, that is number of trees on Nethiagali-Bakot road and the stopped on the way. forest are being cut for the higher-ups of
The vehicle full of Tajwal wood was captured by the police and the locals, but forest department officials got the vehicle released The forest department officials sold out timber worth million of rupees on the pretext of land-slide. The timber was sold out by Range officer’s favourite, Khursheed. Inquiry has been demanded by the people. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 08, 2010
Abbottabad (Crime Reporter) range has devastated the forest. has been sold on the pretext of Forest department, Donga Gali Timber worth million of rupees land-slide. The police
Pakistan Forest Digest 11 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute impounded one Shehzor police officials reached at the almost disappearance vehicle full of precious wood spot but the officials of forest and the investigation owing to public protest but department conspired with agencies have shut forest department officials got policemen and got the vehicle their eyes tight. There that released. Donga Gali back. During the last few days, is a demand from forests are being cut at large timber worth millions of rupees people of the area that scale. The investigation has been smuggled. Allegedly, to prevent the unrelenting institutions are mysteriously the timber collected from cutting down of the forests, uninterested. Yesterday, People Changla, Tajwar forest had some viable steps should be of Tajwar area captured a been sold out by a Khursheed taken and special teams should Shehzor pickup with a who is constable of forest be formed to take back the registration number 2361 and department and a close money —earned through started protesting. According to associate of range officer. The smuggling— and be deposited local residents, about sixty forest department officials have that in the national treasury. vehicles had already been brought the forest of Changla passed from there. Meanwhile, Tajwal and adjacent forests to
Timber mafia’s malicious activities continue with the abetment of Tajwal Forest department Mafia men are released, the department officials are also involved, government should take the notice. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 11, 2010
Ayubia (Special People of the area immediately people of the area brought Correspondent) Bashir son of informed range officer forest, some people to police station Aslam, a resident of Changla Riaset Khan who said that he who were involved in illegal Gali range, Tajwal told four was in Bakot forest and would cutting of forest wood but days back that twenty beams of reach later. Next day, the range officials of the forest kel wood were brought from officer reached at the spot and department took them away. the forest department’s timber fined the person who purchased The timber of that mafia was store of Ziarat Masoom and the wood and closed the case. seized last week by a police were stored at his house. The The local residents told the raider in Kooza Gali Changla block officer of the area sold journalist that for the last three Gali Road in late night hours, that wood to a local man. The years, in the Tajwal Forest, the but fearing to lose his job, he business from that timber store illegal cutting of forest wood kept mum. was going on for a long time. was going on. A few days ago
Haripur refugee camp number 15 is converted into timber market Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 20, 2010
Haripur (District Reporter) Afghan refugee camp number stream into the camp and then Camp number 15 has become 15 in the limits of Thana Kot that is transferred to different den of precious wood sale. has become a timber market. districts by pickups. The forest According the sources, the Timber is smuggled through a department officials help them
Pakistan Forest Digest 12 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute in the darkness of night and get dawn. People of Pinial have department to take million of rupees in return. demanded of DPO Haripur and notice of that grave According to sources, currently the officials of forest situation. timber is smuggled before
Forest Department’s vicious alliance; forests of Shankiary and its suburbs are near disappearance Timber smugglers are given free hand, the officers should take notice. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 20, 2010
Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent) Forests of being cut to be smuggled with the collaboration of Shankiary and its adjacent areas are under department officials. According to some reliable constant threat, cutting of trees is going on sources forest department officials themselves are unchecked. Forests are becoming treeless expanse in this illicit business. They sell timber in with the connivance of forest officials. Cutting Rawalpindi and Islamabad markets. Recent rains down the forests of Accharia and Shankiary is have exposed their activities, government should unabated, expensive and fully grown up trees are look into the matter.
Timber worth millions of rupees transferred to markets, The department officials have confiscated firewood to show their efficiency, people in a rage, warn of protest demos. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 28, 2010
Torghar (Bureau Chief) A condemned the incident transferred the expensive novel rule of forest department, vociferously. timber to the markets. Now, a team of officials reached there lies merely flood-wood or Darband after 25 days to collect The forest department officials firewood in the area. The local flood-wood. Section 144 was reached Darband after 25 days residents complain that imposed on August 3, but to take hold of timber worth expensive timber has reached forest department was in deep billions of rupees washed away market, now to use law against slumber, and meanwhile by Indus River. The delay firewood is unjust. expensive wood had reached benefited forest department the markets. Darband residents officials who secretly
Torghar Levi’s officials have handed over timber worth millions of rupees to the forest department Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 01, 2010
Ougi (Correspondent) Torghar Levi’s personnel and handed over to the forest department. The have captured the timber worth millions of timber is being transferred to Hawalian markets. rupees, washed away by flood waters in Kohistan Tasleem Khan, Kala Dhaka administrator briefed
Pakistan Forest Digest 13 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute the media in his administrator office Ougi. He Levi’s personnel worked day and night said that flood waters from Kohistan brought to collect 7 thousand cubic feet expensive timber to Tarbela Dam, but Torghar expensive Dyar Wood from the dam.
Public should cooperate with the forest department Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 19, 2010
Shankiary (City Reporter) “Forests are our duty to cooperate effectively with the forest national assets and their protection is our department to prevent cutting down of the collective responsibility. The forest department is forests,” said Range Office Shankiary in his press taking every possible step to prevent the cutting note. down of forests, but at the same time, it’s people’s
Forest department’s drive against timber mafia is commendable: Ibrar Khan Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 23, 2010
Chanarkot (Shamal of timber mafia,” said Ibrar timber mafia and served the Correspondent) “The forest Khan, president forest owners’ country. Such officers should department’s action against action committee. He be rewarded, because after their timber mafia is quite appreciated DFO Ejaz Qadir brave actions, timber mafia is commendable, if the and Range Officer Sultan Khan alarmed. He anticipated that the department continues those Jadoon who recovered timber department would continue that actions, the district will get rid worth millions of rupees from excellent performance.
Corrupt practices in Haripur forest department, a large-scale series of transfers begins Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 24, 2010
Haripur (City Reporter) A Abbottabad, whereas Farhad millionaire. The assets of transfer routine in Haripur Ali from Carbon project Haripur forest department forest department. DFO Abbottabad, has been officials, who have been Inayatullah is transferred to appointed as range officers, transferred on public Petrol Squad while DFO Haripur. Haripur forest complains, should be Akhtar Baig is put in his place. department has become scrutinized. A high level Range Officer, Abdus Salam is champion of corruption; Low inquiry should be held. transferred to working plan, ranking officials have become
Pakistan Forest Digest 14 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 3
Forest & Floods
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 03
Forests & Floods
Aftermath of the flood Dawn Islamabad, August 08, 2010
By Hamid Asghar coming in vehicles from either consignments are transported GUJAR KHAN, Aug 7: Dhudial district in Azad away during the night. Vehicular traffic between Kashmir or Rawalpindi district Rawalpindi district and Azad can cross the bridge on foot and While timber in the river has Kashmir has been blocked at continue their journey by also been recovered by the AJK Dhaan Gali for a week now vehicle on the other side of the Forest Department, this is ever since the suspension river. believed to be only an eye- bridge at Jhelum River gave wash. way after it was damaged by FISHING IN TROUBLED the recent flood. WATERS: The floods may The timber mafia continues to have brought untold misery and monitor the situation, engaging However, pedestrian traffic on suffering to residents in the daily wagers to haul out the bridge, which has also been affected localities but some floating timber from the river. suspended for several days residents in the adjoining areas now, is likely to resume after of Jhelum River in Kashmir, Joining in harvesting the the completion of temporary Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, bonanza are the forest repairs. Kahuta and Mangla have been authorities and policemen who hauling out timber, wreckage of are believed to be accepting During the flood, timber trunks houses, machinery and other bribes for keeping one eye and planks floating in large paraphernalia from the swollen closed. numbers in the swollen river river. had hit the bridge, breaking A witness to this spectacle said some of its iron ropes. According to an eye-witness at that if the forest authorities and the Dhaan Gali bridge, timber the police had been sincere in The bridge was completely worth billions of rupees washed their duties, the losses of flood unhinged and dislocated a week down in Jhelum River and was victims could have been ago. recovered by local people on compensated through honest both sides of the river. auctioning of the recovered Once pedestrian traffic on the timber. bridge is re-opened, commuters The timber is piled up and stored in safe places, and huge
Pakistan Forest Digest 15 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Deforestation responsible for floods’ ferocity: experts The News Islamabad, August 24, 2010
By Saad Hasan petroleum gas (LPG), which The government must come up KARACHI: As Pakistan battles can easily be transported in with a targeted-subsidy scheme one of its worst floods in recent cylinders, was originally for encouraging use of LPG at history, experts said on introduced as an alternative places where forests were being Monday that the widespread fuel to firewood, but it is chopped, he said. “There are a destruction was caused in part increasingly being used in large number of options available because of massive cities to run auto rickshaws, like using NLC (National deforestation in mountainous taxis and pickup-trucks. Logistics Cell) for transporting and riverine areas. LPG.” Progas Managing Director “There has been a decrease of Abbas Bilgrami says that 80 Under regulations of Oil and 70 percent in the area under percent of the LPG was being Gas Regulatory Authority, the forestry since 1947,” said Tahir consumed in urban centers. LPG marketing companies are Qureshi, a forestry expert for International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “Because of unavailability of other fuels, expanding population use mainly wood to cook food and stay warm.”
He said that the reverine forests were the first line of defence against the raging floods. “These forests used to absorb the ferocity of the floodwaters. They have been cut everywhere from Murree to lower-Punjab to upper-Sindh.” With long periods of droughts and low “Out of 1.8 million consumers bound to sell a certain flows in the River Indus, in the country, only 360,000 are percentage of their stocks in influential landlords in rural areas.” northern areas, which are encroached upon the deprived of piped gas. embankments and cut trees, he The potential market for LPG said. consumers in far-flung villages However, an LPG supplier who exceeds 13 million consumers, deals with over two dozen A large number of people of he said. “Yet, no one has been companies said that no one the country use firewood for able to meet all that demand. actually follows that order. heating, although Pakistan has The reason is the cost of “OGRA does not even have the one of the world’s largest transportation that is too resources or manpower to natural gas pipeline much.” ensure that the order is infrastructures. Liquefied implemented.”
Pakistan Forest Digest 16 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
English Translation from Urdu News
A resident of Batgram, Kiargali swept away by flooded river while trying to collect wood Kath Nandhiar under high flood, Press Club, Batgram teams has reached the area. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 31, 2010
Batgram (General Reporter) team went to survey Soofiani, local people were busy in The recent rains wreaked havoc took photographs of disaster reinforcing the dykes, a in Soofiani area of Batgram. and interviewed the victims. Kiargali resident, Gul The rainfall of consecutive The affected people said that Muhammad was trying to three days flooded Kath the previous day, Kath collect wood. A violent river Nandhiar which caused huge suddenly overflowed and wave threw him into the river. loss of life and property. engulfed the surrounding A search for the body is going District Press Club, Batgram locality in no time. Musharraf on. Unconfirmed reports about received confirmed and Khan’s three houses, Gul loss of life and property are unconfirmed reports about loss Muhammad’s houses and being received from Pir Harry of agricultural and residential Saleem son of Shahbaz’s shops village also. property. The DPC Batgram were submerged. When the
Thousand cubic feet timber of forest department swept away by Swat River. Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 08, 2010
Mangora (Bureau Report) comprises Dyar, Byarr and FDC rest house, machinery Where flood water of Swat Frospores have gone into the store, office of mechanical River in district Swat has river and that caused huge loss engineer and office of former destroyed houses and other to FDC, local people and the deputy forest manager in property, tourist resorts like government. Due to present Bahrain have gone into the Behrain and Madain are also terrible rains, Dyar, Byarr and river. Now 10.5 kanal of the affected. FDC rest house, Frospores wood of FDC lot building is under water, due to machinery stores and machines, number 536/m Rameet and that FDC, the government and offices of mechanical engineer 545/m Mankial, 547/m from the local people have borne the and former deputy forest Tehsil Behrain, 538/m, 589/m, losses in millions. Likewise, manager have gone into the 591/m and 594/m from Sakhara the connecting bridges of other river. From different areas of tehsil Matta went into the areas of Swat have been Behrain, thousands of cubic water. The connecting bridges affected. feet timber of FDC which have also been washed away.
Pakistan Forest Digest 17 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
The cutting down the forests is the cause of flash floods in Malakand Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 13, 2010
Peshawar (Special News Reporter) The Management Authority said in a briefing that continuous cutting down of forests resulted in unrelenting cutting down of forests made the way flash floods in the Malakand area. The flash for water to come down from the mountains and floods devastated the area; the local population struck the wooden sleepers lying in the water- was extremely affected. D. G. Provincial Disaster ways which hit the houses like missiles.
Torrential rains inundated Junglekhel, Kohat Electricity and telecommunication links disrupted, water enters the houses, drinkable water scarce. Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 14, 2010
Kohat(PR) Heavy rainfall According to the details, heavy shortage. Water entered in the submerged Junglekhel, whole rainfall in Kohat has devastated houses to destroy household area is under deep waters, the area, Junglekhel is under items. No government official power and telephone links are deep water, telephone system has inspected the area as yet. badly affected. Water has and power transmission lines Electric power is not yet destroyed the houses and are destroyed. Absence of restored; the residents are in caused the loss in millions. electricity has caused water miserable condition.
Extraction of floodwood from Tarbela Dam has been started Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 20, 2010
Ghazi (Mashriq Rorrespondent) orders, Wapda and Tarbela that purpose, Tarbela Dam The worst ever floods in the administration is delivering that administration has acquired the history of Pakistan have floated wood to contractors instead of services of contractors who will down timber from the higher the original owners. The pay half the price of timber to terrains of the country to removal of timber —which beTarla administration. Tarbela Dam. In stark violation came down to the dam after of (Hazara) Commissioner’s floods — has been started. For
Pakistan Forest Digest 18 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Ban on the sale/purchase of timber floated by floods The government has announced that retaining that timber, or the sale/purchase of the same is a crime, the violators will prosecuted. Precious wood worth million of rupees has reached farms of Charsadda and Nowshehra, sophisticated weapons are also found from the timber. Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 20, 2010
Peshawar (News Reporter) The provincial floodwater came to fields of adjacent areas of government has declared that storage, sale or Charsadda and Nowshehra and changed the fate purchase of precious timber floated through of people. The poor have become millionaire. floodwater as crime, and has instructed the police According to one survey, flood waves in departments of affected districts to file cases Charsadda and Nowshehra swept away large against the culprits. According to reliable sources godowns of Malakand division and precious of forest department, police and DCOs of the wood worth million of rupees reached fields of whole province are strictly directed that to save Charsadda and Nowshehra, that timber was the misappropriation of precious timber coming quickly grabbed by the people and was stored in into Swat River from Malakand, necessary safe places. Some influential people sold that arrangements should be made. According to the timber with collaboration of police and earned circular, timber lying in the fields or anywhere million of rupees. According to sources, a relative else should be recovered, and the persons of a well-known personality lost his timber involved should be prosecuted. The people godown worth 100 millions in floods. According involved in the illegal business of timber should to a report, timber was found in the fields, when be arrested to recover timber. Precious wood inspected, Klashnikov and other weapons were worth million of rupees floated through found from concealed pockets.
Ban on the export of timber from Charsadda People have gathered timber in recent floods, the DCO has imposed section 144. Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 24, 2010
Charsadda (AAJ Correspondent) DCO Charsadda lying without the owner is prohibited. Violators has imposed ban on the movement of timber will be strictly dealt. It may be noted that timber outside Charsadda and has imposed section 144. worth million of rupees has come to Charsadda DCO Charsadda, Muhammad Ajmal Khan issued limits by flood waters and people have collected a notification in this regard, that taking timber the wood in large quantity. outside Charsadda or the movement of timber
Scarcity of forests is a big challenge for us: Afridi Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 24, 2010
Islamabad (Nawa-e-Waqt Environment, Hameedullah Jan deterioration and scarcity of News) Federal Minister of Afridi has said that soil forests are big challenge for us.
Pakistan Forest Digest 19 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
These two issues have negative his views in a meeting on the economy and impact on food security and sustainable soil management. development of economic development in The minister of environment people. Almost 1/3 addition to other environmental also said that the increasing part of agricultural issues. He said that weather trend of soil degradation had land of world was changes were also affecting the affected about 1/3 of earth and rendered uncultivable fertility of soil. He expressed that is an impending threat to and had become barren.
Illegal sale of timber floated through floods, GM Tarbela Dam made hay of the opportunity and earned millions Timber worth billions of rupees came from Kohistan and northern areas, sale through contractors continues, development of policy is demanded of the government Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 01, 2010
Mansehra (District Reporter) the timber worth two billion Pakhtunkhwa. According to Precious wood which came to rupees is lying in Tarbela Dam. reports, flood has damaged the Tarbela Dam floated by According to sources, Khyber bridges in Kohistan and other floodwater is being sold out Pakhtunkhwa and especially parts and loss inflicted on through the contractors, till the Hazar Division have the timber owners is in billions. now timber worth 20 million sole right on that timber and the The sources told that a policy rupees has been sold out, and forest department, Khyber should be adopted which devise the routine continues. The Pakhtunkhwa should have the a procedure to sell that timber resources have revealed that in authority to dispose of that and give the rights to the recent floods, expensive timber timber. G.M Tarbella Dam has rightful owners. The sources worth billions of rupees of the started the illegal business of also told that the government forests of Kohistan Hazara selling that timber, he should can also sell that timber under division and northern areas be questioned that under what its own supervision and use that came floating through Indus law he is selling the timber money for the flood victims. River and deposited in Tarbella through contractors which Dam. According to an estimate belongs to owners from Khyber
Pakistan Forest Digest 20 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 4
Timber mafia- Illegal cutting & smuggling !
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
Chapter 04 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Timber Mafia - Illegal ! Cutting & Smuggling
Murree forest land thieves dare the law Dawn Islamabad, July 18, 2010
By Abid Fazil Abbasi the forest department itself and they learned that some forest The Murree forests, spread over officials of other departments. officials had registered cases some 48,000 kanals that the against Malik Riaz Hussain of British had nurtured with great When this reporter contacted Bahria Town for encroaching love and care by creating District Forest Officer Murree upon 60 kanals of forest land reserved and protected areas Javed Gill for his comment, he which he had admitted in the where one could not go with admitted the involvement of court. shoes to save the smaller forest officials including a vegetation, is not only being former DFO, Malik Amir The big realtor offered to trampled by the sons of the soil Hussain, in the massive transfer his land against the but also chopped mercilessly to encroachment. Departmental encroached land but the raise ugly structures in place of inquiries against 70 forest Divisional Forest Officer the tall pines that give Murree officials were in progress and (DFO), Murree, refused as the its beauty and bracing climate. some of them have already forestland could not be used for been indicted. When these any other purpose and told him The greedy land grabbers with inquiries will be completed the to vacate it. the connivance of relevant report will be submitted to the authorities have encroached on Lahore High Court, he said. When this reporter contacted nearly 13,000 kanals of the Safdar Salimulla, consultant forestland to construct private According to local residents, revenue, Bahria Town, for housing schemes. But this is an other housing societies have comments, he did not deny the official figure provided to this grabbed more than 5,000 encroachment and said that on reporter by the office of the kanals. the direction of Lahore High forest department. The actual Court a demarcation of land size of land stolen is much A high ranking forest officer had been conducted. larger. In this land grabbing, all confided to Dawn that ‘high- have a share: the politicians, ups’ from federal and Punjab The forest department officials, governments got furious when who conducted the land
Pakistan Forest Digest 21 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
demarcation, revealed that forestland has been “legally which has made many Bahria Town had encroached encroached” by leasing them patwaris and other upon 30 kanals on forestland. out to very influential people staff members of However, the company handed on political and material revenue department over the rest of 38 kanals grounds by the previous millionaires. undeveloped land to the forest government for the department. construction of hotels, farm Similarly, influential people houses etc., in clear violation of have encroached upon Anjum Saeed, Project Manager law. About 24 kanals were forestlands in Nergoli, Lower Bahria Town Golf City, also leased out to a provincial Topa, Hill Dholo and other admitted that Bahria Town had minister for the construction of areas. made construction on 30 a 3-star hotel in the municipal kanals, which was claimed by forest No.28. A relative of Recently Lahore High Court the forest officials. Mr Saeed Pakistan Muslim League-N took suo motu notice of the said that before his taking over, Chief was given 354 kanals in encroachments on the another company had the reserved forest No11and 12 publishing of news about these developed the project, which Masot, in 1990. scams. might have been responsible for the encroachment on the About 30,000 acres out of It is worth mentioning here that forestland. 69,000 acres (5,52,000 kanals) despite the LHC’s order to stop of guzara or common land in work on illegal housing About the registration of case the Murree Forest Division societies, the process is against Malik Riaz Hussain for which cannot be transferred or continuing as owners of many the alleged encroachment, he sold as it is collective property societies are very “influential”. said that the FIR had been of the locals has already been sealed. sold to influential people and Hafiz Saeed Ahmad, president no one has raised a finger to of a local NGO, Kamran Khan The Lahore High Court Chief check this illegal activity which Satti, Prof Hammad Abbasi, Justice has taken suo motu continues. Muhammad Hafeez Abbasi, notice of the large-scale Numbardar Ansar Ali Abbasi encroachment on forestland and Another practice, which our and others have appealed to the mushroom growth of illegal patwaris have invented to Chief Justice of Pakistan to set housing societies in Murree. befool the simple folk, is the up a judicial commission to trade in documents of land that look into the theft of forestland. According to another story exists on paper only. This is about 12,000 kanals of called the “hawai” business,
Massive timber smuggling on the rise The Nation Islamabad, August 31, 2010
By Sikander Shaheen result of flash floods triggering region of Khyber ISLAMABAD – Over a unprecedented timber Pakhtunkhwa. hundred thousand cubic feet of smuggling across the flood-hit forest wood has been lost as
Pakistan Forest Digest 22 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
TheNation's information expensive woods, over Rs 200 District Forest Officer unveiled that the four major to Rs 300 million are believed (DFO), Haripur, types of forest trees; Kail, to have gone to pervasive Inayatullah Khan Cheerh, Paluder and Deodar timber black market. The Masood informed were uprooted by the floods in smuggled commodity includes TheNation that it was not the thick forest areas of uprooted trees as well as the possible to calculate the exact Kohsitan, Battagram, Kaghan, refined and trimmed wood logs. amount of lost wood but he and Naran. The suburbs of confirmed that a huge chunk of Kohistan and Battagram that Apart from Tarbela, other focal precious wood had been either saw maximum forest areas of timber smuggling lost or smuggled. He said that destruction include Dasu, include Bheer, a suburb of the DFOs of all the districts Thakot, Dubair, Aiti Abror, Haripur and Kaladhaka district. where timber smuggling was Chilas, Dangwal, Byari, The smuggled timber mostly on the rise were working in Gunthurh, Raanolia, Qyal, belongs to government’s forest coordination to resolve the Jiglot and Panipatt. The departments, private timber problem. He apprised that the precious timber that was swept contractors and local forest department at Garband away from floods converged landowners. had created a depot where lost into Tarbela Lake and River. timber was assembled. This converged wood travels Realising the gravity of According to DFO, Hazara through small tributaries that situation, the district Division was divided into merge into Indus River that administration in Haripur has upper and lower Hazara. Upper finally leads to Tarbela, imposed Section 144 to curb Hazara constituted Kohistan, Haripur. Deodar is considered this heinous trade. Syed Battagram, Aiti Abror and as one of the most expensive Mohsin Shah, District adjoining areas where uprooted forest wood that costs Rs 4000 Coordination Officer (DCO), wood was coming from while per cubic feet and onwards in Haripur, confirmed to this lower Hazara included the commercial timber market. scribe on Monday that Section Abbottabad, Haripur and The price of Kail, another very 144 was imposed to address Mansehra. precious wood, ranges from Rs timber smuggling. He said that 1500 to Rs 3000 per cubic feet. local police recovered huge Senior central leader Tehreek- chunks of woods. “I have e-Hazara and former Speaker The Government departments instructed District Police of National Assembly Gohar said that it was not possible to Officer Haripur to take stern Ayub Khan, who has been an calculate the amount of lost or action against the smugglers. eye-witness to the timber smuggled wood, President These are the local people who smuggling, said that very Battagram Traders Union, are into this practice,” he expensive piles of refined Saeed Khan said that informal added. The DCO said that woods were placed at the skirts estimates conducted by wood locals from Kohistan and of Kunar River in Kaghan, GB contractors suggested that the Battagram were visiting and small rivers alongside timber loss exceeded 100,000 Haripur to recover their lost Karakorum Highway that had cubic feet. Keeping in view the woods. been smuggled. “I have visited market prices of these those areas, from GB to
Pakistan Forest Digest 23 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
Thakot, people are stealing of 1992 floods when huge Jammu and Kashmir wood logs in huge numbers,” chunks of woods arriving in were reportedly he added. According to Gohar Pakistan from Indian Held smuggled. Ayub, the scenario is a replay Kashmir as well as Azad
English Translation from Urdu News
Shankiari: Smuggling of expensive timber thrives; ‘Green Gold’ is on the brink of disaster Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 02, 2010
Shankiari (General Reporter) Pine trees are cut delivered to near by machine saw by Suzuki and secretly transported to machine saws through pickups. Timber smugglers cut small pine trees in alleys. According to eyewitnesses, Muhammad day light and cause destruction to the ‘green Ashiq and Hameed, after dawn prayers on gold.’ People have demanded the forest Thursday, two trolleys loaded with timber were department officials to take action.
Hazara forest are being converted into treeless plains with the collusion of forest department personnel People ask Chief Justice to take suo motu action against the timber mafia for unlawfully cutting down the forests Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 02, 2010
Khalabut(Correspondent) High- is smuggled through Bhel and matter of months,” the people quality forests of Tanawal area, other hidden passages to the of Tanawal union council, Shergarh range and Hazara are whole country. “Forests are Darband union council, Lisan being converted into vast plains being cut mercilessly. The Nawab union council and with the abetment of police and government should act Shanian complained to the forest department personnel. immediately, otherwise rest of journalist in a meeting. Timber worth million of rupees the forest will be vanished in a
Ban on the transportation of timber in Jandol Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 02, 2010
Samarbagh (Mashriq transportation of timber in meeting of Forest department Correspondent) The Jandol was banned in a joint officials and the police in the
Pakistan Forest Digest 24 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
office of sub divisional meeting, and it was decided all the SHOs of magistrate, Samarbagh. The that transportation of every Mayar and meeting was attended by sub kind of timber and finished Samarbagh police divisional magistrate, wood products would be stations that every Samarbagh, SDPO Samrbagh, banned. To implement the ban possible help be provided to Zahir Shah and Range Officer effectively, range forest officer forest department to curb the Samarbagh Fareed Ahmed Samarbagh will be provided smuggling of finished wooden Bacha. The issue of timber additional police and Levi products and sleeper from smuggling was discussed in the force. The DSP Samar directed Jandol area.
Timber smugglers in Shankiari be prosecuted Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 03, 2010
The Pine trees are being Pine trees. Yesterday, after make money. The higher-ups brought to saw machines after Dawn prayers (Fajr prayers) are requested to action and save illegally cutting from the forest two pickups loaded with the public assets and to take through unnoticeable localities Pinewood were delivered to a action against the officials of and streets. The timber nearby saw machine. The forest forest department who conspire smugglers are destroying the department personnel collude with timber smugglers. green gold by cutting small with the timber mafia men and
I will uproot smuggling if government allows me: Sikandar Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 03, 2010
Phalrra, Tanawal (Mashriq him, he would end the them to the police, because Correspondent, general smuggling which in turn would forest department officials’ reporter) Sikandar called from save the forest. He promised to involvement was destroying the a undisclosed location that if he would personally catch the forests. the government would allow culprits and would hand over
An attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled in Timorgrah, hundreds of thousands rupees received through fines Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 03, 2010
Timergarrah (Mashriq and received hundreds of forest division officials under Correspondent) The forest thousand rupees through fines. the directions of DFO Shaukat department thwarted an attempt According to a press release, Hayat, sub divisional forest of smuggling expensive timber forest department Dir, lower officer Temir Garrah and range
Pakistan Forest Digest 25 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
officers Chakdara have initiated Forest checkpost, expensive timber. The a campaign to end timber Timergarrah,Bandagaee and smugglers were find smuggling. Chakdara personnel thwarted and 3,50,000 were the timber attempt and received. recovered large amount of
Derbala: Action against the illegal encroachers of family owned forests Daily Mashriq, Peshawar July 03, 2010
Derbala (Mashriq Behruddin, Sirdar Khan and timber had already been Correspondent) The Hameed khan of Batal Isherani confiscated by the government. encroachers upon our ancestral area expressed these view in a He said if they tried to stop forests should be prosecuted press conference. They added them, they would threaten that otherwise the situation may get that group comprising Bakht they belonged to Taliban. He dangerous. The government Zaman, Pine Muhammad and said if the government and should take against them to Sultan Ali is busy cutting down forest department would not avoid any unpleasant situation. our forest in Gorkohi Safary intervene, bloody confrontation Muhammad Riaz, Allah Baksh, Banday. 55,000 cu feet of would occur.
Million rupees worth illegal timber recovered from Akora, 3 sumugglers apprehended Forest guard slipped away on seeing the police, Case is registered and investigation is initiated. Daily AAJ Peshawar, July 03, 2010
Akora Khattak ( AAJ Rasul with his three them. On seeing the police, Correspondent) Akora Khattak accomplices Hazrat Ali s/o forest guard Muhammad Rasul police has recovered timber Shareen, Akber s/o Bahadur fled away while his three worth millions of rupees and and Jahangir s/o Hassan Khan accomplices were arrested on has arrested 3 persons, residents of Marhatti were the spot and timber was taken according to details, forest loading timber on the trolly into custody. A case has been guard of forest department near Marhatti canal. Akora registered and search has been Muhammad Rasool s/o Habib police on a routine patrol saw initiated to arrest the guard.
Government should authorize the forest owners, Ibrar Ahmed Khan Daily Shamal, Abbottabad July 04, 2010
Chanarkot (Shamal worker and president save the Khan has said notwithstanding correspondent) Famous social forests committee, Ibrar Ahmed the fact that forest owners own
Pakistan Forest Digest 26 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
forests worth millions of expanse. A small number of everybody has got rupees, are becoming poor day forest department personnel mobile phone, and the by day. The main reason for cannot watch and protect smugglers exactly that sorry condition is that the forests worth trillions of rupees. know where the forest forest owners have very limited If a few forest official are officials were at that very authority, if the owners were brought to Tang area at night, moment. The government given free hand, the forest then there is no one is left to should allow the forest owners would not have become treeless watch Hilkot forests. Today to hire their own guards.
Asheeri Dara: Two forest department officials got hurt in an encounter with smugglers Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 07, 2010
Derbala (Mashriq the previous day forest department officials and the Correspondent) In Asharee department officials were smugglers, eventually Niaz Dara Jabar, two forest bringing illegal timber from Muhammad and Muhammad department officials got hurt Jabar to the government depot Islam were injured. Case has while illegal timber was when in Tanli smugglers been registered against the confiscated. Forest range blocked their way and tried to smugglers. officer, Gul Bahadur reported off load the timber. Altercation in Gandigar police station that followed between forest
Phalera Police’s operation against timber smugglers, illegal timber recovered Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 08, 2010
Phalera (Shamal Correspondent) In a successful Ougi Shah Nazar raided on Mudsery Road, near operation by police under the supervision of DSP Tara Doga and Bandian, 253 sleepers were against the timber smugglers, illegal timber was confiscated and brought to Phalwara Police recovered. Previously SHO Muhammad Afzal Station, whereas forest department’s officers and Khan also recovered 114 sleepers. Yesterday, in other personnel sleep. When police successfully early morning, Additional SHO, Rasheed Khan, catches timber, they have to come to fine the ASI, Imtiaz Qureshi with his contingent and DSP culprits.
An unsuccessful attempt of timber smuggling in Samarbagh, driver arrested. Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 08, 2010
Samarbagh( Mashriq of rupees was successfully timber had been smuggled by a Correspondent) Attempt to foiled. Range forest officer got Datsun pickup. The range smuggle timber worth millions a secret report that expensive forest officer Samarbagh with
Pakistan Forest Digest 27 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
DSP Samarbagh cordoned off Shazullah was driving Datsun timber worth million the Munda area. The driver pickup with registration of rupees, he was Badshah Muhammad s/o number PW 3291 loaded with arrested.
The unrelenting cutting down of Shankiari forests continues, Department is indifferent Mules and donkeys are used for timber transportation, the department personnel are involved Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 08, 2010
Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent) timber is cut from forests and source of income, instead of Inefficiency of Shankiari forest being sold in open market by doing labour or other hardwork, department is resulting in mules and donkey carts. The they cut the trees and sell them unstoppable cutting of forests, green gold is being devastated out. Nobody is concerned. The department officials are silent. with the vicious approval of mule and donkey carts have Timber is being moved through forest department officials. The blemished the face of bazaar, main bazaar and other areas by donkey and mule cart owners many buyers were hurt. mules and donkeys. Expensive have made the forests their
A dangerous encounter between timber smugglers and the local population is on the cards Trucks loaded with timber break the electric cable, roads are destroyed Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 10, 2010
Pinnian (Shamal service wires and badly affect there position on truck tops Correspondent) In Pinnian, the roads. According to details, cause discomfort the women there is a danger of there is heavy traffic of timber sitting in their four walls. There confrontation between timber loaded truck from the lake and have been some occasions smugglers and the local to the lake through Pinnian and when some exchange of residents. The trucks loaded Todo Kot Najeebullah which expletives. Dangerous with timber break the electric not only break the power line, altercation is in the air.
Pakistan Forest Digest 28 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
Operation against timber smugglers in Mansehra, Forest officer injured in exchange of firing Timber was confiscated from three points at Indus River bank, case was registered against the culprits Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 10, 2010 Mansehra
(Mashriq Correspondent0 The Sub divisional officer of Farhad smugglers got infuriated and sub divisional forest officer Sajid of lower kohistan got the attacked the forest officer and failed an attempt of timber tip that timber smugglers were his colleagues. Farhad Sajid smuggling through River Indus, planning to smuggle huge was injured and was shifted to but the forest officer got quantity of timber from the the hospital, police registered seriously hurt in result of firing banks of Indus River. The case against three smugglers by the smugglers. officer raided and confiscated but no on e is arrested so far. timber from three spots, the
Notorious timber smuggler of Konish valley wanted by police got arrested Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 12, 2010
Chater Plain (Shamal and finally arrested him from smuggler of Konish valley who Correspondent) ‘The Jungle his ancestral village Dheri wiped off the forest ranges of King’, widely known for Haleem. Gulzar alias Babu was Dheri Haleem and Konel bun. criminal activities, Gulzar alias top level smuggler of Konish The DFC Mumtaz Khan and Babu from Dheri village and valley, he was wanted by the constable Bilal were applauded was sent to jail, whereas the forest department for a long for that act of bravery. The forest department was unaware time. The accused was people of the area took a sigh of the whole act. DFC Mumtaz produced in the court of forest of relief and said the accused of Batal police station and magistrate Mansehra by Batta had to be punished in befitting constable Bilal of Khan police police. The forest department manner. Police operation would kiosk saw the accused Babu in produced 16 damage reports in protect the forest. The accused Bigera village forest. The the court. The magistrate sent had three CNICs with different accused on seeing police tried him to jail. It was heard that the names to deceive the forest to escape but police chased him accused was number one department and the police.
Pakistan Forest Digest 29 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
Poplar theft case: Four accused set free due to lack of evidence Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 12, 2010 Takht Bai
(Mashriq Correspondent) Civil filed an application in Takht fields. Civil Judge, Takht Bai Judge Abid Zaman Khan has Bai police station and Abid Zaman Khan gave his set free four persons namely contended that Sher Bahadur, verdict on the case yesterday Sher Bahadur, Ali Bahadur, Ali Bahadur, Bahadur Sher and and exonerated all the four Bahadur Sher and Muhammad Muhammad Tahir sons of Khan accused. Mian Shah Hussain Tahir nominated in Poplar theft Bahadur residents of Haji Jan was appearing on behalf of the case owing to the lack of Gul, Fazalabad, detained him in accused party. evidence. Kafaitullah s/o Laal their custody at gun point and Gul, resident of Mazdoorabad stole poplar trees from his
An attempt to smuggle large quantity of timber from Ougi failed Police took loaded vehicles into their custody, two arrested in other operation Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 13, 2010
Ougi (Correspondent) Ougi and registered case against the from Shabbir and arrested both police in two different culprits. Police, during raids at the accused, whereas in one operation failed the smuggling different areas recovered one caes arrested one absconder of illegal timber and Klasnikov and ten rounds from Asghar and recovered twelve confiscated two loaded vehicles Wazir and a twelve bore gun bore gun plus 25 cartridges.
Timber smuggling through Tarbela lake is booming If smuggling of expensive timber is not controlled, Hazara forests will vanish Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 13, 2010
Khalabut (Crime Reporter) no 4 and before entering illegal practice slowed down, Timber smuggling through Khalabut , timber is concealed but now again it is booming. Tarbela lake is once again at in containers and then rise. Early in the morning, dispatched. For a few days, hundreds of Datsun pickups after capturing timber worth loaded with timber cross sector millions of rupees by ASP, the
Pakistan Forest Digest 30 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
Cutting down of forest continue by timber mafia with the abetment of Kahuta Forest department The range officer is also involved in illegal practice, beautiful forests on the verge of disaster Timber mafia was forced to abandon the illegal business due to last year’s effective actions The appointment of new range officer triggered the unlawful practice; chief minister is urged to take notice Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, July 14, 2010
Kahuta (Correspondent) “The Atif Majeed, immediately after which eventually inflicted great unholy alliance of forest taking charge, initiated loss to the government. That department and timber mafia is operation against the timber whole shady business was done devastating the forests. Range mafia and forced them to with the cooperation of forest officer is equally responsible abandon that unlawful department officers and other for the destruction of forests,” business, but after transfer the workers. They demanded chief said numberdar Raja Habibur cutting of forests was resumed. minister Shahbaz Sharif to take Rehman and Raja Khawar They further said that every day notice of that illegal cutting and while talking to journalists. trees worth hundreds of take action against those anti They said former range officer, thousands rupees were cut social elements.
The rigorous imprisonment of the accused in timber smuggling case suspended Daily Aaj, Peshawar, July 13, 2010
Peshawar (News Reporter) suspended the rigorous timber smuggling amounting to Additional Session Judge imprisonment of an accused in millions. Peshawar, Ikhtiar Khan has
The unabated cutting of forests of Koh Bhangeera continues, Administration is helpless The forest department officials are patronizing timber mafia Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 15, 2010
Parhana (Shamal department officials are forest department, the Correspondent) Cutting down patronizing the timber mafia provincial government should of forest of Koh Bhangeera and clearing the way for them. protect the forests. According continues, the administration The precious public assets are to reports, timber mafia is appears to be helpless. Forest goldmines for timber mafia and cruelly cutting down the
Pakistan Forest Digest 31 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute !
expensive trees of the area. The own pockets. Hundreds of trees other places by carts only concern of the officials of are cut daily and transported to and Datsun pickups. forest department is to fill their
A raid on Phalera timber smugglers, timber recovered Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010
Phalera (Shamal and three wanted criminals wanted in forest cases, one Correspondent) SHO Phalera with 21 sleepers of expensive Datsun pickup, one mule and police station raided on timber wood. Yesterday, SHO Phalera 21 sleepers of wood and smugglers with the assistance police station with his officials deposited in the police station. of Elite Force and recovered and Elite force raided Khaleray one Datsun pickup, one mule Bandian and arrested three
We shall protest the addition of other areas in the forest areas of Sharkol: Twakkul Khan alias Tooty Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010
Chater plain (Shamal correspondent) “If other area, but our elders with help of their farm areas are added in the forest area Sharkol, the workers —belonging to Gujjar clan — resolved forest owners will protest strongly. Sharkol forest the case and failed their motives.” An active area belongs to Ikhwanzada community and it is member of forests owners’ committee said. recorded in the same way in the official records. Hidden forces are patronizing timber smugglers Previously, the Syed family also tried to grab the
The forest owners will not allow the destruction of the forests: President, save the forests committee Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 18, 2010 the timber mafia to destroy the owners of Konish valley was ChaterPlain (Shamal forests, but the forest owners convened in Chater Plain. Correspondent) Some very will not allow this. A tribal President save the forests influential persons are behind assembly (Jirga) of forest action committee Khanzada
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Ibrar Ahmed Khan said merely Ahmed demanded that the nabbed so that the timber smugglers could not smugglers against whom cases forests were saved destroy the forests. Ibrar were registered should be from further losses.
Timber mafia and forest department jointly vanishing the forests in Koh Bhangeera Timber smuggling on rise in broad daylight, the concerned departments interested in bribes only Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 19, 2010
Haripur (Correspondent) pickups are smuggled through Eventually the forests are Timber mafia in close alliance Ougi Karory Chamial Road to quickly diminishing and local with the forest department is Darband Gro Bhagla Road population is in danger. Local busy in illegal cutting of trees everyday. The vehicles are residents are begging of the which are smuggled with the loaded between 10 pm and 3 rulers to intervene and save the help of forest department and am. Forest department and national asset. police. According to details, other departments have shut fifteen to twenty loaded their eyes after taking bribes.
An unsuccessful attempt of expensive timber in Samarbagh, smuggler held Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 20, 2010
Samarbagh (Mashriq forest officer, Samarbagh got s/o Muhammad Haleem Correspondent) Forest the information through his resident of Takor with his department officials saved intelligence sources that vehicle, registration number precious timber worth hundreds expensive timber would be DIR 4268, he was trying to of thousands of rupees from smuggled from Samarbagh, so smuggle timber worth hundreds smuggling and apprehended the the range forest officer and of thousands of rupees, the smuggler and his vehicle. tehsildar Manda cordoned off range officer fined him rupees According to details, range the area and arrested Aminullah 10,100.
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An urgent meeting of forest owners of Konish Valley Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010
Chanarkot (Shamal action committee. The forest said if the officers like him Representative) The forest owners applauded the range were there, there would be owners Konish valley held an officer Sultan Khan Jadoon that nobody to inflict loss to the urgent meeting. It was presided after he took the charge, he forests. by Khanzada Ibrar Ahmed forced the timber smugglers to Khan, president Save the forest go underground. Ibrar Ahmed
Timber mafia’s business flourishes in Khanpur with the help of Forest department and the police Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 22, 2010
Haripur (Special Reporter) In mafia to turn the beautiful thick cutting was not discontinued, Khanpur area cutting down of forest into vast plain. The the timber mafia will convert forest is at alarming pace. The decreasing size of forest has the whole forest into treeless forest department and police affected also the environment. expanse, The Khanpur Dam is officials are blatantly According to the local at high risk due to the cutting. collaborating with the timber residents, if the routine of
We shall take this issue in the Assembly: Saleem Khan Timber mafia is bent upon destroying Chitral forests Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 24, 2010
Chitral (Bureau Report) public gathering. He said that Chitrali public a lot. He said Provincial Minister of the Loari Tunnel, Tor Kaho that funds allocation in 2 ½ Population planning, Saleem Road, Boni Shandur Road, years comprised 21.9 million Khan has said that timber mafia writing off the agricultural rupees for water supply, 100 was destroying Chitral forests, loans, Benazir Income Support million for upgrading of Eun the issue would be taken in the Card are the big achievements Hospital to ‘A’ grade and for provincial Assembly. A few of this government. These the reconstruction of girls days ago he was addressing a mega projects have helped the middle school and its up
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gradation. He announced Syedabad, Darzanda link road construction of a steel bridge in and Zond Randa water supply.
A grand tree sale in Baren Gali, free hand to wipe out the forest against heavy kickback Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 26, 2010
Abbottabad (Crime watchdogs receive their people have demanded that Reporter) The forest share in advance and help to save the beauty of the department officials have the smugglers from cutting area and to save the announced a clearance sale the trees to deliver those to national assets, the of forests in Jogi Marjary the destination. The smuggling must be and Dyar Gali of Union vicious game is going for a eradicated, at the same Council Baren Gali. The long time with the help of time action should be rate of bribe is between forest personnel. The taken against the corrupt 4,000 to 5,000 rupees to protectors of the forests officials of the forest allow uprooting of trees have become millionaire, department and honest from the forests. Every day but to prove their officer should be trees are cut from the efficiency they are teasing appointed. The assets of forest and dumped at the poor people of the area corrupt officials should be Kunda Pani, then those are who are not allowed to use scrutinized otherwise we loaded in the jeeps and wood for their own use. shall act on our own brought to machine saws The notables of the area against timber mafia and installed at Barra Hotar like Sirdar Sheeraz and the corrupt officials. and Herno. The forest Sirdar Muhammad Qaiser department’s corrupt and other prominent
Changla Gali forests are becoming treeless plains with the collusion of forest department officials Timber smugglers were caught red handed but police freed them after a give and take Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 26, 2010
Galiat (Bureau Report) and then sold in black market. patronage of big political party, Officials of the forest depart of The locals told the journalists are giving the legal cover to Changla Gali are involved in that for a long time forest are every unlawful act. In this way, the illegal cutting trees worth being mercilessly cut and the forester is appointed as range hundreds of thousand rupees officials, who have the officer, and a guard as forester.
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The local residents have into plains. The locals of the them belonged to demanded the minister of forest area caught Aurangzeb resident timber mafia, the to transfer the ‘favourite’ range of Khan Kalan and Gulbaz s/o police released them officer and block officer; the Mir Akber resident of Ser after negotiation. presence of those officers Khan, red handed and handed would soon convert the forests over them to police. Both of
Timber smugglers across Attock have bent upon wiping out Hazara forests Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 28, 2010
Mansehra (Courts Report) coming fro lake is being the mysterious silence of these Timber smugglers of Hazara transferred to Punjab in MNAs is arousing many and across Attock have adopted containers with the help of questions. Hazara’s public the role of forty thieves and police and forest department. circles have asked leader of the gave a role of Ali Baba to the The resources also told that movement of Hazara province, forest department. They are some influential political Baba Haider Zaman to take devastating the forests. The figures have also approved the strict action against the sources have claimed that destruction forests after getting bunglers. timber worth millions of rupees their share. It is reported that
A boom to illegal cutting of forest, forest department is involved Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 28, 2010
Batgram (Crime Reporter) themn are still lying at the spot. journalists that protector of Under the supervision of Allai Yesterday, distict vice forests, forest department has forest department, cutting down president of ANP, Riaz allied with timber mafia, and of trees going at high pace. In Muhammad Khan advocate has consequently tehsil Allai’s Mauza Karg, Mauza Pocal and demanded the higher thick forests are becoming Mauza Bap 15,000 trees have authorities to take immediate treeless plains. been cut till now, many of action. He said while talking to
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Number of people clashed in a race to collect timber from River Kunhar Abdul Latif got hurt by the opposite party, many injured while catching timber Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 29, 2010
Balakot (Reporting Team) party, he was severely injured, worth billions of rupees. Many incidents of altercation while many accidently injured Timber worth millions of due to collection of timber from attempting to collect timber. rupees captured by people of River Kunhar were reported. According to estimates, the Balakot Abdul Latif was beaten by steel timber floated through streams pipes and rods by the opponent and lakes into River kunhar is
3 persons drowned in Indus River while collecting timber in Kohistan Dasu area Dail Shamal, Abbottabad, July 29, 2010
Mansehra (Nauman Shah) In district Kohistan According to police handout, three persons were Dasu, three persons slipped into Indus River in an busy collecting timber from the river when attempt to collect timber from the river. flooding tide swept them into the river.
People continue to protest against transfer of Malakand Division timber to Jahangeera The consequences will be dangerous if the timber is transferred by force: Bakht Bedar Daily Aaj, Peshawar, July 29, 2010
Chakdara (AAJ Correspondent) Khan, president timber Ghani and Attaullah Khan The protest demonstration of association Muhammad Yar, Onzai said they would not hundreds of labourers, transport president transport union allow the economic murder of union, timber association and Qareebullah Khan, general people of the area, if Onzai tribe against transfer of secretary Rafique ullah Khan, government wanted to develop Malakand division timber to Saadullah Khan, Maulana Gul Jahangeera market, it should Jahangeera entered the 7th day. Raheem, Madad Khan, Syed provide timber from Mansehra. Chairman Jirga Bakht Bedar Saltanat Yar advocateIkram
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DCO has banned the collection of timber from the river, police is directed to arrest the violators Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 31, 2010
Mansehra (General Reporter) from Sern, Kunhar rivers and Mansehra has prohibited the DCO Mansehra, Anwar Zeb other streams in monsoon collection of timber and has Khan has banned the collection season, accidents are also imposed section 144. 13 police of timber from rivers in reported. Ten persons have stations and 3 tehsils of the Mansehra district and imposed been killed so far, eight were districts has been instructed to section 144. It is common injured. There is loss of implement orders. Gathering of practice that men, women and precious lives due to that people is banned after the young people collect timber practice, therefore DCO imposition of section 144.
DFO has handed over the forests of Galiat and Ayubia to official timber mafia Green gold tourist resort is badly affected, certain favourite group has the backing of Murtaza Javed Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 02, 2010
Ayubia (Special the area are also patronizing Gali. The eye witnesses claim Correspondent) The DFO this group. MNA Murtaza that the raider who nabbed that Gulzair range has handed over Javed Abassi, MPA Barister timber was being threatened by forests of Galiat and Ayubia to Javed Abassi are supporting a political figure on cell phone, one official timber mafia and this group. Three days ago, at the raider feared losing his job has given certain group a late night, one police raider and forgot the smuggled fictitious appointment in whole captured a vehicle full of Dyar timber. So Dyar wood was used Gulzair range. Green gold of wood. That timber load was cut in the buildings of forest tourist resort is being from Koza Gali near the forest department officers in Koza ferociously spoiled. This mafia rest house by that group and Gali. has the links with higher ups. was supplied for some The elected representatives of construction work in Changla
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Two month ban has been imposed on collecting wood and extracting sand from Swat River Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 05, 2010
Mangora (Bureau Report) In two months under section 144. collection of timber and Swat, any type of construction An official notification by the extraction of sand from the on the banks of rivers and district magistrate said that river would be prohibited for streams, collection of wood or nobody would be allowed to two months. extraction of sand from the erect any building at the banks rivers and streams is banned for of river or streams, whereas the
Timber mafia is active again to grab timber coming into Darband lake There is tussle between timber mafia and the locals. Administration is urged to take notice Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 05, 2010
Mansehra (Tehsil Reporter) local residents have expressed locals and the state officials. A The timber mafia is hovering their deep concern over the political leader of PML-N, Haji over the timber in the Darband situation and demanded the Tahir Ali diverted the lake like vultures, whereas the administration the precious administration’s attention power struggle between mafia timber should be gathered and towards the matter and said that and locals has erupted, any be stored in government to save the public assets like moment there could be some godowns or be distributed timber should be confiscated or unpleasant incident. Timber among the locals. Timber mafia be distributed among the local mafia has reached Darband which has the support of population. Lake fully armed and ready to influential figures could steal grab expensive timber. The the timber by pressurizing the
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Uncontrolled cutting down of Betair forests continues, mountains are changing into plains Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 03, 2010
Betair (Shamal Correspondent) cutting of forests, the Betair union forest department should grow Union council Betair is situated in council mountains are looking like plants in the area to maintain the mountain area of district Haripur. plains. Due to lack of interest by forests and a sub office of the Years ago that area was full of the government, the area has been forest department should be forests but after unstoppable ignored. We demand that the established.
Poor beggars have no power to destroy the forests: Ibrar Ahmed Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 09, 2010 destroy the forests rather big the forest owners will be under Chanarkot (PR) The president fish were involved in the constant threat, forest owners save the forest action destruction of forests. If the should develop a policy in committee has said that poor feudals and other influential collaboration with the forest beggar have no capacity to persons were not discouraged, department, he added.
Phalera: Elite Force chases absconders in the forest, many timber smugglers held Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 10, 2010
Phalera (Shamal Correspondent) DSP, Ougi circle and the wanted criminals openly cut the forest. sent Elite Force under one sub inspector to follow Two weeks ago, DSP Ougi and SHO Phalera, the absconder in the forests, as a result the illegal Afzal Khan raided and recovered 300 timber cutting of forest stopped and for two weeks there sleepers. was no smuggling, before that timber smugglers
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Scandal of government officers’ green gold smuggling racket of Galiat and Ayubia exposed Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 11, 2010
Ayubia (Special correspondent) ‘green gold king’, Mir Afzal and confiscated the timber. One more scandal of resident of Tajwal delivered When SHO reached police government officers’ green timber to Muhammad Afzal station Changla Gali with the gold smuggling racket in Galiat resident of Hyderabad. Afzal timber, ‘gold king’ had already and Ayubia is unearthed. SHO was going back to Hyderabad been informed and a forest police station Donga Gali is with timber, a police informer guard, Khursheed reached the helpless. The right hand of informed the SHO, who raided police station.
Unabated cutting of Takhat Pari forests A boom to timber mafia’s business with the assistance of forest guards. Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 18, 2010
Mankiala (Correspondent) night, the forest department smugglers are busy cutting the Timber worth millions of officials are mum, if a timely forest after greasing the palms rupees is being smuggled from action is not taken, the forests of forest officials. Timber after Takt Pari forests with the will be vanished. cutting is loaded into the connivance of forest guards, According to details, the vehicles and smuggled to timber mafia has put the forest investigation shows that the nearby areas. The ever on the verge of total forest guard and the warden are increasing smuggling has made destruction. Smuggling patronizing the merciless the forest a plane expanse. business is thriving day and cutting down of the forest. The
Robbers looted the smugglers’ vehicle in Tanawal Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 13, 2010
Mansehra (Mir Afzal Gulzar) robbers looted the vehicle of hurdles on the road. They also In an interesting occasion that timber smugglers after erecting snatched their weapons.
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Timber smugglers attacked forest guards with axes in Terhary, 2 guards were seriously injured, case was filed against 16 attackers Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 15, 2010
Abbottabad (Crime Reporter) two guards reached the spot, 85/33, 186/88, 324/4. The accused Timber smugglers attacked the eleven persons, who were cutting included Sabir Gul, Khatab Saeed forest guards with axes severely trees, attacked them and severely alias Raja Nazakat, Mehtab injured two forest guards. injured them. The guards were Waseem and Ibrar residents of Yesterday, forest guard, Dilpazeer moved to the hospital, whereas Terhary. Police have started raids s/o Gul Faraz heard the sound of police has registered a case against to arrest them. tree-cutting Terhary forest, when the culprits under section 26/34,
Demand to end the ban on leag cutting forest range Certain lobbies and NGOs have prepared the reports for their vested interests, which are against the facts: Omar Khatab Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 21, 2010
Ougi (Correspondent) Forest range owners’ cutting and conspired to ban the cutting of forests. Hazara division has declared the 18 years old ban Now there is flood despite that ban, so it is proved unreasonable and demanded permission of legal that ban was baseless and ill-intentioned. The cutting of forest in addition to the compensation rights of forest owners were violated. They said payment for the timber wasted in floods and land an international NGO has strongly condemned the slides. A meeting of the owners of Hazara report which claimed that present floods were due division forests was held. It was presided by to cutting of the forests. The report is baseless and President Omar Khatab, advocate. General misleading. Regarding the 18 years ban on cutting secretary Allauddin Khan, senior vice president of our forest, no NGO has ever conducted any Abid Ali Sha, vice president Said Rasool Shah, survey; rather some NGOs prepare fake reports Syed Mudassar Khan, Mian Azizur Rehman, and get foreign grants.” He added that if the Naseem Hussain Shah and many other office government had not compensated the billions of bearers attended the meeting. rupees loss to forest owners and continued the ban on cutting, they would protest in front of the They said; “in 1992, when there were floods, parliament house. certain lobby insisted that floods were due to tree
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Timber smugglers will be dealt with iron hands: DSP Ougi Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010
Phalera (Shamal any police officer or myself not impressed by that news Correspondent) DSP Ougi comes into light, there should item. The operation against the circle Shah Nazar Khan was be criticism but not the smugglers would continue and commenting on a news item criticism for the sake criticism. we shall never forgive the (Not Daily Shamal) that When Afzal Khan and I caught smugglers. whenever any inefficiency of large quantity of timber, I am
The illegal practice of forest cutting Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 22, 2010
Editorial For the last 18 years, there is a legal ban rainfall, and also stop the way of floods and land on forest cutting in Hazara division; the ban was slide. They also produce precious wood. If we imposed in 1992 when there was flood. It was compare trees of 18 years ago with the number we thought that flood was because of large scale have now, there is no increase in the number that cutting, therefore ban was imposed. Khyber proves the illegal cutting is going on. The forest Pakhtoonkhwa is the only province where natural department is obviously involved in that forests exist. Unfortunately nothing concrete has malpractice. Forests worth millions of rupees been done to save the forests —just paperwork. have been embezzled. It is needed that the illegal 18 years ago ban was imposed on that local practice of tree cutting be discouraged to save the peoples’ right because there was corruption in national assets to provide the due right to forest forest cutting, mountains were becoming treeless. owners. Forests make the weather normal and help the
Cutting down of forests continues in Konish Valley, smuggling going on in broad daylight Daily timber smuggling worth hundreds of thousand rupees with the help of forest department, Forests are being deprived of natural beauty Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010
Batal (General Reporter) timber mafia cross the barrier timber could cross the barrier. Timber mafia is wiping out the without any obstruction. Konish valley was known for forests in Konish valley, timber Obviously the cutting is going its beautiful trees, but now the is being sold in black market on with the cooperation of timber mafia with the help of and no vehicle is being stopped forest department, otherwise forest department is converting by forest officials. Vehicles of how the vehicles loaded with
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these mountains into naked treeless heights.
Uncontrolled cutting of Jabory forests, timber mafia is given free hand The committees formed to protect forest are also silent after getting their share, people have threatened to protest Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010
Jabory (Special Correspondent) routine continues the Sern Jabori have demanded the The practice of illegal cutting valley forest will finish. forest minister to stop that of Banda forest continues. The Ironically the committees illegal cutting and threatened to forest officials allow cutting of formed to protect the forest protest. tree which could not produce keep mum after getting their even 10 feet timber, if the share. The residents of Banda
Cutting down of Shankiari forest going on, the concerned officials are silent Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 25, 2010
Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent) on donkeys and mules is being forest department continued, The forests in the surrounding sold in the market. Forests are the forests will become treeless of Shankiari is going on being destroyed in Shankiari stretch. unabatedly, higher officials are and its surroundings. If that silent. Precious timber loaded practice with the connivance of
The illegal cutting of Jaboory forests, inquiry ordered against range officers and forest guards Commissioner Hazara has ordered an inquiry about thousands of cubic feet timber sale in black market Daily Shamal Abbottabad, August 25, 2010
Mansehra (General Reporter) Sahibzada Anees has ordered markets. The trees in Jaboory An inquiry has been initiated for inquiry about cutting of and the surrounding areas were against range officers and thousands of Dyar and Pine cut with help of range forest forest guards under the pretext trees. AC Mansehra Tasleem officers. In district Mansehra, of illegal cutting of forests in Khan surveyed Jaboori and its Jaboory, Mandh Kach and Jaboory range. Commissioner adjacent areas to check illegal Devli Sachan are the areas
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where maximum illegal cutting team went there on August 24 was witnessed. The inquiry to begin the inquiry.
Police officers in Batgram joined hands with timber mafia There are merely two police check posts on Allai-ThaKot Road, timber smugglers are given free hand Daily Shamal Abbottabad, August 27, 2010
Batgram (Correspondent) Yesterday, there was exchange Khalid, there were lot of Senior police officers in of hot words between an ASI changes in Batgram police Batgram have joined timber and constable of Koza police lines, which are the main mafia and wipe out of forest station. The cause of squabble reasons for drug-trafficking, has started in the district. was, the constable received waylaying and security According to reliable sources, bribe from timber mafia in the situation. The people of the Batgram police have set up two name of ASI and let go three area have demanded DIG check posts on Allai-ThaKot vehicles loaded with timber. Hazara and DPO Batgram to Road but the public is not at all The constable did not tell the change senior police officers, benefited. The sources say ASI, on knowing about the otherwise district Batgram will there is another check post in matter, dispute emerged become den of criminals. Neeli Shang for the pupose of between them. After the bribe collection only. departure of DPO Sohail
Illegal cutting of Ghanol forests under the supervision of forest guard Daily Shamal Abbottabad, August 28, 2010
Mansehra (Staff Reporter) approached the senior officers Balakot is going on. The forests Under the supervision of forest against the forest department. which are national assets are guards, the illegal cutting of According to details, Syed being cut deliberately and forest is flourishing. The forest Sajjad Hussain Shah has told forest guards are silent owners have set up Save the the journalists the practice of spectators. Jungle committees and have illegal cutting in Ghanol tehsil
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Mansehra: Murder accused becomes timber smuggler, police unable to arrest Daily Shamal Abbottabad, August 31, 2010
Mansehra (Staff Reporter) An accused wanted in accused, Jabeen had murderd his father about 7 murder case has become timber smuggler. Forest years ago on a trivial matter and fled from the cutting is going on. Police is unable to nab the scene. The accused roams freely in Band Ilahi accused and the orders of Mr Chief Justice of police station limits. Police, as yet, is unable to Pakistan are ignored. Muhammad Afreen s/o arrest him although court has order his arrest. Awwal Khan has said in a news report that the
Ten woodcutters abducted from Kalash Valley, Chitral forests 50 armed men held as hostage more than 40 labourers in the camp Bamboriat, Acholga and kidnapped 10 labourers All of four kidnapped belong to Gandigar area of Dir village. Chitral police has verified the presence of suspicious persons Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 30, 2010
Chitral (Mashriq held hostage the labourers who Dir. Meanwhile police has Correspondent) The kidnappers were sleeping in their rooms. confirmed that another gang of allegedly talibans belonging to They took away 10 labourers kidnappers had also entered in Nooristan province of on gun point. Ewn police Bamboriat in the darks of night. Afghanistan have kidnapped 10 station was informed, police Police is on lookout. Last year labourers on Saturday night has confirmed the incident. The in the month of Ramazan, head from Acholga forests of kidnapped labourers are of an NGO from Greece, Bamboriat, Kalash valley. The Muhammad Zaman, Sher Atthanasias was also kidnapped labourers belong to Gandigar, Zameen, Misal Khan, from Kalash valley. This is the district upper Dir. The Muhammad Rasul, Naeem, second biggest incident in that labourers worked with the Bakhtawar Zeb, Koidar Khan, area. contractor of FDC. Last night Omar Khan and Sher Alam about 50 Nooristani kidnappers residents of Gandigar Upper
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Kotli Bala forest are undergoing illegal cutting, the residents are apprehensive Timber is transported to safer places by mules, forest department is indifferent Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010
Kotli Bala (General Reporter) adjacent to Kotli Bala, small wood from our own forest The forest of Kotli Bala, time timber smugglers get their while the smugglers blatantly Pemar, Rakbaz Khan and share by taking firewood only. cut forests. Serious and well- Renjari are fast obliterating to Whereas big timber smugglers educated youth says that forests give a treeless look to the area. are busy in smuggling large have big role in our life, to For the whole night, expensive quantity of timber. The locals protect these forest is timber is transferred to the safer are worried that their forests are department’s duty. The local areas, the residents of area are vanishing and the forest residents should recognize much worried on the loss of department is indifferent. We friend and foes. green gold. There is day-and- buy wood for our personal use, night-cutting of forest in areas but we are not allowed to cut
Trees have been hidden in underground godowns, preparation for smuggling on Eid Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010
Abbottabad (Crime Reporter) dozens of tree have been cut Eid days when police officials Dozens of tree have been cut from Galiat range, Thandiani would be busy in bazaars and and timber smugglers with the range Therapry and other areas, roads would be empty to their assistance of forest department timber worth millions of rupees advantage. People have asked has amassed a large quantity of has been dumped in hidden Anti corruption department and timber to smuggle at large godowns. That timber will be NAB to act against forest scale. According to details, smuggled on 29 Ramazan and department.
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Department’s vicious cooperation, cutting down of forests at high pace continues Timber smugglers are selling trees after cutting in broad daylight Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010
Dhodial (News Reporter) Due influential people have made machine saw. The department to the negligence of forest the forests their prime source of officials have shut their eyes. department, forest are income. Poor people are not The government is deprived of undergoing cruel cutting in allowed to touch that passage. millions of rupees. The officials Shankiari area. Forest Everyday, precious trees are sit in their houses, who will department officials have close loaded in Suzuki vans, mules safeguard the forests? links with the smugglers. The and donkeys and delivered to
Two trucks loaded with expensive timber held in Khanpur, head clerk declined to give details Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010
Haripur (City Reporter) Forest department, timber mafia. Currently held four trucks belong to Khanpur circle have nabbed two trucks loaded the same Fauji group. The sources also revealed with expensive timber. A few days back, two that on political intervention, thousands of cubic trucks were held from Haripur-Shahra-e-Rasham. feet timber is converted into hundreds of cubic When phone number 611846 was contacted in feet to deprive the government of millions of this regard, the head clerk declined to comment. rupees and to benefit the timber smugglers. DFO When asked about the cell number of DFO, he Haripur, Conservator, chief conservator and forest said he did not have the number and it was not his minister has been asked by the people to conduct duty to provide details to the newspapers. inquiry against the department staff, because According to reliable sources, forest department office staff is also busy working for timber mafia. officials are collaborating with ‘Fauji group’ of
Eight vehicles loaded with illegal timber held, heavy fine imposed Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010
Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent) and imposed heavy fines. illegal timber from different The forest department According to details, yesterday places like Tumbry, Tanda and recovered large quantity of DFO Sern Ejaz and SDFO other areas. illegal timber loaded on eight Tariq Khadim along with their vehicles from different places party captured large quantity of
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Illegal cutting in Gulair division, Elimination of timber mafia is a big success Rains have badly affected the forests; steps are being taken for the protection of forests: Sirdar Riaset Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 09, 2010
Changla Gali (Special surveyed Tajwal, Ser Gharbi, lists of tree are being made. He Correspondent) Forest Ayubia and Nethia Gali, his said with the cooperation of department Gulzair division is forest officer Sirdar Riaz, Babu locals, forests have effectively working on protection of the Pervez and Gulzar Khan protected. For the last two forest of their division. The accompanied him. While years illegal cutting has been recent rains have affected large talking to journalists in Changli discouraged and the elimination area of forests. The range Gali, he said that recent rains of timber mafia is a welcome officer of Gulzair division, and land slide have caused sign. Donga Gali Sirdar Riaset huge losses to the forests, the
Shankiari: Firewood is confiscated and loaded vehicles of smugglers are given green signal DFO impounded the vehicles with firewood on their top, severe protests by the locals Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 09, 2010
Konish Valley (Special Correspondent) There is some poor person carry firewood on his head, the jungle law in forest department Shankiari range. whole department is alert to arrest him. According The vehicles with firewood on their top going to public figures poor herdsmen were carrying from Batal to Shankiari were impounded in range firewood on their heads to Shankiari and loaded quarters. The poor people were carrying firewood that on the vehicles rooftops, the DFO Sern from the forest, their firewood was confiscated. division caught them and dumped their vehicles DFO Sern division’s unfair act was severely with firewood in range quarters, the firewood was resented. Batal’s social and business circles in small quantity. The locals have strongly condemned the incident and said when timber condemned this act demanded that vehicles and mafia’s loaded vehicle pass from the roads, the firewood should be released immediately. department officials shut their eyes and when
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The machine which destroy the forests should be immediately stopped If the machine saw operators do not stop, we shall get stay order from Supreme Court: Ibrar Ahmed Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 15, 2010
Batal, Konish Valley (Crime order from Supreme Court. He on those machine saws. Forest Reporter, Bureau chief) further said that the machine department officers will take President save the forest action saws should be banned so that steps against the illegal cutting, committee has said that timber mafia could not the forest owners should not machine saws should be blackmail the forest owners. consider them helpless. immediately stopped otherwise Timber smugglers cut he would be forced to get stay thousands of cubic feet timber
Mansehra: Timber worth millions of rupees surreptitiously transported on Eid day Saddar Police Station gives free hand to smugglers Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 15, 2010
Mansehra (City Reporter) timber smugglers brought their way, Allegedly the SHO SHO, Saddar Police Station has hundreds of cubic feet timber to received 100,000 rupees from given free hand to the Mansehra. Nobody stopped smugglers. smugglers, according to reports them despite many pickets on
Dicision to appoint FC and Elite Force to stop illegal cutting of Tanawal Forests Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 16, 2010
Mansehra (Bureau Report) To illegal cutting of trees in the department representatives and end the hold of timber mafia on forests. The residents of the forest owner representatives the forests and discourage area supported the decision. attended the meeting. The illegal cutting down of forests, Provincial government has also issues like unrelenting cutting a meeting was called on the decided to crush the timber of forests in Agrore, Tanawal, directions of Commissioner mafia. A meeting in this regard Shangal Bandi and adjacent Hazara. It was decided in the was held and presided by DCO areas were discussed. The meeting that FC and Elite Force Anwar Zeb Khan in his forest owners expressed their would be appointed to curb Mansehra office. The forest fears that if the timber mafia’s
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practice continued the forest in proposals for the protection of FC and Elite Force in Tanawal would soon vanish. forests had been dispatched to Shangal Bandi, DCO Mansehra said while the provincial government and Agrore, Tanawal and talking to journalists that steps had been taken to appoint adjacent areas.
Timber smugglers have camped in Batal, PTDC Motel Chatter Plain Timber smugglers are wiping out the forests on the behest of politicians Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010
Batal (Special Correspondent) timber from different areas and local smugglers and blak sheep The only factor in the disaster dispatch thousands of cubic in local police department, of forests of district Mansehra feet timber to different parts of especially of one Hawaldar are a few smugglers, who have the country through various who belongs to Phalera, he is either the political patronage or hilly tracks. These criminals are the special associate of them, they use the names of said to belong to Phalera, who very soon a delegation will politicians. Currently those get away by scaring junior DSGO Qalb and inform him of smugglers are staying in PTDC officials of forest department. that Hawaldar’s treachery. motel. These people smuggle They have the assistance of
Illegal cutting of forest going on in the presence of Sern Valley officials The department officers and junior officials are responsible for the disaster, people strongly protest Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 20, 2010
Jabory (Special Correspondent) matter, but nothing has been forests are being destroyed in FC should be appointed in Sern done so far. Thousands of political power play. We, all Valley, because illegal cutting expensive tree are lying the the residents of Sern Valley of forests is going on in the forest, smuggling is going on appeal to the DFO and presence of forest officials. The unhindered. The officials are Secretary Forests that for GOD fores owners have planned to busy constructing their houses, sake stop this mass murder, protest. Residents of Sern if the practice goes on, the Ser otherwise we shall be forced to Valley told Shamal reporter, Valley forest will finish and protest and the department Sirdar Swali that they have forest officials will be officers will be responsible informed forest department responsible. If any official . officers more than once and stops the illegal cutting, he gave applications for that transferred overnight. Our
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No claimant of confiscated timber has appeared in Chater Plain, important personalities coming forward Negotiations with DFO continued till late night without any solution. If any claimant comes forward he will not be given any concession, full penalty has to be paid: Sources Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 20, 2010
Konish Valley (Bureau Chief) The expensive personalities. It is reported that there were timber captured from Batal police station negotiation concerning that matter in the DFO precincts has been dumped in forest depots office which went on for many hours till late night whereas original owners have not come forward. but inconclusive. Konish residents have Who is the original owner of that illegal timber? applauded the actions of forest department and But many notable personalities of district Batal Police station, but also expressed their Mansehra have come forward to get the clearance concerns that in the presence so much staff, how of that timber against nominal fine. DFO Sern so much big quantity of timber is cut and stored division Ejaz Qadir said that no claimant as yet and the transportation. It is amazing that the has come to claim the timber, if anyone claims the officials get the information after so much delay. ownership of that timber, the penalty will be The department should open its eyes and act in imposed according to government rates, other that that honest manner to curb the illegal cutting and expensive timber will be confiscated and case will more timber could be recovered thus to save the be registered. DFO Ejaz Qadir has said he does forest from disaster. not give importance to pleadings of important
Cutting down of forests in Batgram, Officials posted at check posts get the ‘share’ Forest department officials are fifty per cent partners of timber smugglers, action is demanded: Ghulam Muhammad Khan Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 21, 2010
Batgram (Shamal Ghulam Muhammad have full patronage of forest Correspondent) Batgram’s commented while talking to officials. The constant cutting thick and expensive forests are media representatives. He said would finish the Batgram on the verge of disaster and big the beauty of district Batgram forests one day. If smugglers forests are fast converting into is in its thick green forests, but are not stopped, the plains. Protectors of forests some opportunist are cruelly government will be inflicted have joined hands with cutting the forests, while check with huge losses. smugglers and gave them free posts of forest department are hand. Ministry for forests and set up just to get their share. environment and chief Timber mafia smuggle timber controller Hazara should take in the dark of night through notice of the situation, Haji different highways and they
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DFO’s action against timber smugglers is commendable Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 21, 2010
Kotli Bala (General Reporter) applauded the DFO’s Ramazan, the DFO Sern fined DFO Sern, Ejaz Qadir’s successful operation against the smugglers in a crack-down operation against timber timber smugglers and recovery and collected 22,000 from the smugglers are commendable. of expensive timber at Malka smugglers and deposited that in According to details by Batal. They said his actions treasury. The committee has Committee for the protection of against anti social elements are demanded the higher officials forests Kotli Bala, president proof of his dedication and that the DFO be given more Aurangzeb Khan, general loyalty with the country. The authority to eradicate the secretary Muhammad Waqar committee members further timber smuggling from the Khan and other members added that in the month of area.
Large scale cutting of forests, Commissioner Hazara has taken notice Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 22, 2010
Abbottabad (City Reporter) Kala Dhaka, Darben, and commissioner said the issue Commissioner Hazara, Khalabut Haripur should be was of critical nature so he Sahibzada Muhammad Anees strictly watched. He was would hold other meetings to took strict notice of timber addressing a meeting in his watch the efficiency of forest smuggling and illegal cutting office to observe the efficiency department. He would survey and directed the forest of forest department. The different area to learn the actual department to nab big meeting was attended by DIG situation. He said whatever had smugglers, effective measures Hazara, DCOs of Haripur and been decided in the meeting to curb the trend of illegal Mansehra, Conservator forest would be implemented exactly cutting, a task force should be lower circle, Abbottabad and and no negligence would be formed which police officials. other officers. The tolerated.
Akazai Forest undergoing illegal cutting, Commissioner is requested to take notice Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 23, 2010
Ougi (Shamal Correspondent) commissioner’s steps to stop and expensive timber in large Popular social and political illegal cutting of forest. He said quantity lies there, and strict worker along with his like- now in Kala Dhaka, forests are inspection of the area is minded fellows have constantly under the axe. needed. commended the Machine saw are operational
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The decision of action against illegal cutting of forest, the decision should materialize Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 23, 2010
Editorial According to an official handout, cutting is welcome news, the warning given to his during a meeting to overview the efficiency of department in strict tone shows that he is aware of forest department, commissioner Sahibzada concerned personnel’s negligences, but we would Muhammad Anees took serious notice of illegal like to inform him that in many areas illegal cutting and smuggling, directed the forest cutting is going with the help of forest department department that high profile smugglers should be officials, if by chance police arrest some smuggler nabbed, strict action should be taken to stop the and catch the timber, the forest department illegal cutting. A task force should be formed to official come forward to get them free against which include police personnel also, Kala Dhaka, nominal fines. In our view, to curb the trend of Derbin and Khalabut Haripur areas should be illegal cutting, the corruption brewing in the watched strictly. He was addressing a meeting in forest department should be eliminated. The forest his office to observe the efficiency of forest department has lost its functionality and department. The meeting was attended by DIG credibility, so if the department is shut down, the Hazara, DCOs of Haripur and Mansehra, undue expense of salaries would be saved. The Conservator forest lower circle, Abbottabad and extra cutting of forests by the smugglers to pay other officers. The commissioner said the issue off the commission to forest personnel, would be was of critical nature so he would hold other avoided. One or meetings are not enough to end meetings to watch the efficiency of forest the vicious routine of illegal cutting of forests, department. He would survey different area to rather strict actions have to taken for proper learn the actual situation. He said whatever has results. If the commissioner is really serious to been decided in the meeting would be save the forests, he can save the forests with the implemented exactly and no negligence would be help of honest and efficient officers of forest tolerated. Commissioners step regarding illegal department and law enforcing agencies.
The onslaught of timber mafia in Sern Valley forests, commissioner Hazara is demanded to take notice Forest department’s involvement is in illegal cutting, FC should be appointed: Forest Owners Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 24, 2010
Jaboory (Special also cut our expensive tree in Valley appeal to the Correspondent) Sern Valley night take them away, the Commissioner Hazara to save forest owners were talking to forest officials are equally their forests. At the moment Shamal correspondent, they involved. When we ask any millions of cubic feet timber is said that commissioner Hazara official about the unlawful laying waste in the forests, if should take strict action in our cutting of our trees, they say go that is auctioned, the area also. The smugglers not and protect your tree yourself. government can earn millions only cut governments trees but All the forest owners of Sern of rupees. If the illegal cutting
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is not stopped in time, the owners appeal to the cannot be done then landslide can cause timber loss commissioner Hazara to we would protect our in millions. Therefore we the appoint FC in the forests, if that forests on our own.
DFO’s secret deal: Timber worth millions of rupees floated into River Kunhar reached underground godowns Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 26, 2010
Garrhi Habibullah (Bureau demanded the commissioner points in River Kunhar was Report) In recent floods, timber Sahibzada Aneesur Rehman to disposed of against nominal worth millions of rupees investigate the embezzlement amounts. People have floated from Kaghan Valley of floodwood. On public demanded the DCO Mansehra into River Kunhar reached demand, timber laying in low to recover the timber lying in underground godowns with the lying areas of Bala Kot, like underground godowns. help of FDC personnel. People Hissa, Gulseri, Garrhi of tehsil Bala Kot have Habibullah, Kernole and at
Buttel: The captured timber is in possession of forest department Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 26, 2010
Konish Velly Shamall Temam said DFO Sern division Ejaz us, but we rejected the request. The timber captured from Qadir and range officer Sultan We shall release timber after Buttel is in the possession of Jadoon in Battel Shamal office getting official fine.” The DFO forest department and without while talking to journalists. said. “We can wait for three official penalty it will not be “Our staff valiantly saved months to release timber after released. The department hundreds of cubic feet getting the official fine, after official captured the illegal expensive timber comprising that the timber will be timber worth millions of rupees 62 sleeper Kail, 73 sleeper confiscated.” The DFO added. risking their lives, but some Dyar and 20 sleeper Partal, the The range officer Sultan people are publishing baseless total volume is 446 cubic feet. Jadoon informed that they were news just to insult the We captured that timber and raiding for the concealed government officials, we stored it in our depots. Nobody timber and would not let the reserve the right to defend as yet claimed the wood, some timber be smuggled out. ourselves in the court of law,” influential persons contacted
Nobody can steal even foot of the captured timber: DFO Sern Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 27, 2010
Mansehra (Courts Reporter) looter in our area,” said DFO timber, some people are trying Nobody can steal even one Sern Ejaz Qadir in Shamal to defame us but of no use,” he cubic foot of the captured office while talking to added. He further said that in timber, time has gone when one journalists. “We have refused capacity of DFO Sern he would could destroy the forests, we to accept any pressure or not forgive any person who shall not set free any timber request regarding the captured destroyed the forests.
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The forest department, Shergarh range fully involved in illegal timber smuggling clash is expected Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 28, 2010
Mansehra (District reporter) sold in black markets of other Mansehra. He said it was very “Smuggling of timber is rising parts of the country. The sad that two vehicles were in Sher Garh range, Forest government should take impounded in range quarter for department personnel and law immediate action action against two days but were released enforcement agencies are those criminals to the beauty of without the fine after involved in this dirty business. the forest.” Said former Nazim succumbing to government Everyday 5 to 6 vehicle loaded UC Shangly Banda, Dr Wazeer officers pressure. with timber are smuggled and while talking to journalists in
The Case of Hassa bridge repair: DFO asked the locals for donation in cash and kind Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 30, 2010
The DFO Bala Kot is playing allegedly instructed the range president ANP, district tricks with the local people. officer to inquire from people Mansehra immediately reached According to details, initially that where did they get the Hassa to look into the matter, he asked people to collect timber and take action against and then went to provincial 150,000 rupees and some them. People contacted minister of forests in Peshawar timber to repair the Hassa provincial minister Syed with rotten wood of the bridge. bridge. When people started Ahmed Hussain Shah and the ANP president Sarwar Khan collecting timber and asked the forest minister who and provincial minister Wazeer DFO give permission, he said immediately contacted their Ahmed Hussain Shah met to go ahead. When they reliable friends. A close Minister of forest and briefed gathered the required timber associate of provincial minister, him about the stubborn attitude and went again for permission, Wazeer Ahmed Hussain Shah of DFO, the minister assured he referred them to the range informed them about the exact them of immediate action. officer. It is learnt that he situation. Sarwar Khan, ! !
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Chapter 5
Forest fire
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 05
Forest Fire
English translation from Urdu News
The forest fire on Chhoi mountains, sky-high flames were seen The young men reached in time to control the fire, forest were saved from greater disaster Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 06, 2010
Tarnava (Special Correspondent) Yesterday losses were averted. Forest department some unknown person set the Chhoi personnel now continuously watch the area, mountains on fire. Seeing the flames the local due to which Upper Khan Forests are safe as residents reached Chhoi in time and valiantly yet. If the forest department personnel controlled the fire from spreading further, discharge their duties in the same way, the consequently forests were saved and greater number of trees in the forests will increase.
Ten mortars fired in Angor Adda, forests affected Registration of victims of army operation continues in FC fort, victims demand for facilities Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 06, 2010
Wana (AAJ Correspondent) destroyed many expensive by Operation Rah-i-Nijat is Ten mortars were fired from trees, but their was no going on since June 5. The Shakeen, Afghanistan which casualties. On the other hand, registration process started fell into Angor Adda hills and registration of people affected under the supervision of
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Political Agent, Shahab Ali registration office that four days, after they Shah and security personnel. registration of 2,720 affected would return to areas Political Agent Shahab Ali families would be completed in peacefully. Shah told the journalists in the
Forest fire in Colorado, 136 houses destroyed, 3,500 residents moved to other places Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 10, 2010
Colorado (NNI) The forest fire in Colorado state of USA has destroyed 136 houses till now. According to state officials, the fire in the forest of American state Colorado has destroyed 136 houses as yet. 3,500 residents were forced to move to other places while four persons are missing. Fire has spread to 6,400 acres, about 300 firefighters and a number of planes are trying their best to control the fire. According to sources there is no report of casualties.
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Chapter 6
Forest & Environment ! SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 06
Forest & Environment
Asphalt plant polluting city’s air Dawn Islamabad, Sunday, 04 Jul, 2010
By Naveed Asghar monitors the steel furnaces and bronchitis, flu, heart attack and Islamabad the beautiful, once the brick kilns. This asphalt even cancer among the considered to be the cleanest plant was installed years back residents of Islamabad, said Dr city of Pakistan, is fast losing by the Frontier Works Asadullah Nemati, chest that aspect of its identity Organization (FWO) with the physician, Pakistan Institute of thanks to some nine steel permission of Planning Medical Sciences (PIMS). He furnaces in the industrial Directorate of Capital said that fumes of the asphalt sectors of I-9 and 10 and Development Authority plant contain substances numerous brick kilns in the (CDA), to fulfil the known to cause cancer, suburbs in addition to an requirements of FWO coughing, wheezing or asphalt plant in the heart of construction projects. shortness of breath, severe the city that no one seems to irritation of the skin and eyes, know about. An asphalt plant releases a headaches, dizziness, and large number of chemicals in nausea. Together these poison the air, including many cancer- guzzling factories continue to causing toxic air pollutants Government should take pollute the air and affect the such as arsenic, benzene, necessary measures against city’s environment that was formaldehyde, and cadmium. peoples exposure to cancer- regarded as bracing causing substances released by compared to other cities. Other toxic agents are released the asphalt plant and all Recent environmental into the air when the asphalt is factories should be removed surveys attest to the increase loaded into trucks and hauled from residential areas, he in pollution from the plant side. Stagnant advised. air and weather patterns often Surprisingly the existence of increase the level of exposure Afzal Sindho, Deputy Director the asphalt plant installed in to local residents. General Planning Wing, CDA, the centre of the city near the initially refused his Sports Complex has escaped Smoke and chemical laden department’s role in the the notice of the fumes released by these approval of the asphalt plant Environmental Protection factories and the asphalt plant but referred this reporter to Agency (EPA) which cause lung infections, anaemia, Ramzan Sajid, CDA
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute spokesman, for more details. So EPA had already served Environment control The latter admitted CDA had notices on owners of steel against pollution is given the approval, but was furnaces and brick kilns. EPA Government not responsible for has given them a choice either responsibility as well environmental problems that to overhaul the current system as that of industrial were the EPA’s concern. or shift from the residential concerns. The latter areas. He said that EPA has must ensure that pollutants Director General EPA, Asif already shut down an asphalt from industrial projects do not Shuja Khan, when contacted plant of CDA in sector D-17 pose health hazards to the acknowledged that which violated health safety population before these go into Islamabad’s environment standards. But this asphalt production. was constantly under threat plant owned by FWO was not due to poor health safety in his knowledge. But, he It is strange for the CDA to standards adopted by the assured EPA would investigate assume it has no responsibility industry owners. and monitor the plant. concerning the city’s environment and its citizens’ health.
Trees — the natural air- conditioners for the poor The News, Islamabad, Monday, July 19, 2010
By Saadia Khalid siesta there or just resting their According to Yameen, he Islamabad backs with tree trunks. doesn’t know much about the With the majority of Islooites air-conditioner except that it is confining themselves to their The majority of those who a cooling machine, which is air-conditioned rooms in enjoy this natural facility only meant for rich people. extremely hot and humid include labourers, who after “These trees are air- weather prevailing these days, having their lunch, prefer to conditioners for us that not only there is a particular class, have a siesta in the shade of a provide us shelter but also cool which does not have the means thick tree, which energies them air,” he said. to have this luxury. People and helps them to start their belonging to this section of the work with a new vigour. Jamal Khan, who also works at population utilise the natural the same construction site, said air-conditioning by relaxing in “It is hard to work in this hot that trees were a blessing for the shade of thick trees. and humid weather, but we them. “We move from one have to as we have no other place to another in search of The capital has a large number means of income. Taking rest work, but this blessing of God thick green trees, though not as under the shade of a tree after is everywhere to provide us a many as it used to be, that are tough work just work as a fuel place where we can take rest providing shield to the common for us, which refreshes us and and rejuvenate ourselves,” he man from the blazing sun. enables us to work with a new said. Whether it is a greenbelt, a road energy,” said Mohammad median, a lawn or a park, these Yameen, a labourer, working at Most kiosks and roadside trees are surrounded by people, the construction site of a high- hotels are usually established in who either enjoy having a rise building in the city. areas, which have a large number of trees in order to
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute provide shelter to customers. to have their lunch or dinner in to their customers. “We neither have means to what they say an airy place. “We neither have to construct a covered place nor “After working hard in the pay rent for a shop are we allowed to do so by the blazing sun, the shade of trees nor we have to pay relevant authorities. We can appears heavenly to me,” said utility bills. All we only utilise the natural source Ghaffar Alam, a labourer. have to do is to install of air-conditioning by selecting a small cabinet on a tree trunk,” a place which has a reasonable The shade of trees is also said a barber, Shafiq. number of thick trees,” said considered ideal to establish a Zahid Sharif, a kiosk owner. makeshift barbershop. With Besides people, animals and mostly a secondhand chair, a birds also take refuge in trees to Commonly known as ‘chappar small but damaged mirror and a protect themselves from the hotels’, the makeshift eating few instruments, barbers set up baking sun. places in the shade of trees is open-air shops in the shade of an ideal place for the poor class trees to provide cheap services
It is not a green world any more Dawn Islamabad, September 26, 2010
By Faiza Zaeem Unfortunately, the phase offers Environmental issues are not As a result, new housing little in this regard. Greek in today’s world. The societies are sprouting up, in word and the subject are now and around the twin cities at a Though there was an open area familiar for many people. In very fast pace. At one level with a shooter fountain and fact, it would not be wrong to there is nothing wrong with this waterfall, it has long been say that every educated person as in a rapidly growing society converted into a barbeque is concerned about and is in such as ours, there is a shortage restaurant. Now it offers a very favour of ensuring that his of housing in most limited area for children’s surroundings are green and metropolises and housing swings and slides. clean. societies are needed. However, the problem lies in the manner This lack of open space and But sadly enough our property in which these societies are absence of recreational builders and the new breed of managed and run. While their facilities has been noticed by town planners are dismissive of managements claim to provide the residents. “I find it really such environmental issues; they their residents all the modern suffocating to live in a locality call them a mere waste of time facilities, their efforts stop short where there are no open and more importantly, money. of ensuring a green and spaces,” says Ayesha, who After all, this is the age of environmentally-friendly lives in DHA phase I. profit and commercialisation is environment. the primary duty of our “We were among the initial planners. No wonder then that Islamabad’s Defence Housing people to buy land here and every piece of land, big or Authority is a case in point. build our house. We were small is only judged in terms of Launched in 1992, the promised a scenic, serene and the money it can fetch. This is authority’s first phase is fully well-planned society,” she why public parks are in short operational and populated. Yet, remembers. However, she adds, supply in most urban centres as its creators seem to have spared “We cannot even go for an more and more land is being no thought for greenery or evening walk as there are no used for construction — both outdoor recreational facilities. tracks or play area for kids. It residential and commercial. appears that concerns such as
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute health, environment, fresh air and other non private and entertainment take a back “The school should not be buildings are built at seat here.” inside the residential area.” a distance from the residential areas. This, sadly, is not the only However, all of these problems Laws and bylaws that issue. The campus of a school can be easily addressed if the can help turn these in the residential area has also managements of housing simple conveniences into become a nuisance for the authorities would just keep a binding laws would be of residents. few issues in mind at the further help. In the long run, planning stage. these simple rules would help “We live very close to the the authorities as they would campus and the school opening Authorities should plan for only attract more buyers and and closing times creates a open spaces that can offer residents. traffic jam outside our house; recreational and exercise spots we cannot move then due to the to the residents and they should rush,” says Shazia. also ensure that commercial
English translation from Urdu News
Land of white roses Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 02, 2010
By Dr Fauzia Chaudhary dialogues table, it disrupts the process in the Siachen is perhaps the highest warfront in the middle. world and the most expensive-one too. Enormous financial expenses at one hand, but the most of India has repeatedly done that thing. If we cast a the army personnel who are sent to watch and glance at the history of Pakistan-India dialogues, defend the warfront become victims of severe we can see that India never considered seriously weather conditions, and the rest of them perform the process of dialogue. In fact, whatever issue or the duty to defend the country under very adverse dispute, whether small or big is between India and conditions. It is said that white roses bloom in that Pakistan, not a single one has been resolved. area, white snow throws its refection on the roses There is Sir Creek issue, Wooler Barrage issue and turns them into its own shade. India has and the Kashmir issue. India always makes it a entangled our country in this warfront for its most point that whenever there are dialogues, India vicious and nefarious ulterior motives. should outweigh and its interests are not harmed. The actual aim of dialogues is that both the parties In fact, India is not only our ill-intentioned sit face to face on the table and express their point enemy, but very treacherous neighbour also. India of view. India bigotedly wants talks just to serve takes steps very cautiously in dialogues and its own interests, therefore whenever Pakistan forming mutual relations. Initially she is not ready expressed its principled stance, India thought its for talks, and if under international pressure it interests were in danger, so it discontinued the becomes ready for talks, it gives lame excuses and talks and left the table, eventually the issues does not seem to be ready for the dialogues, floated in the dialogues were left unresolved. shows very non-serious and stubborn stance, and History is evident that India has never intended to if due to certain external pressure it comes to resolve even the smallest issue between the two countries. Now America is stressing upon India to
Pakistan Forest Digest 62 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute begin the composite dialogue so that the talks at India should realize that issues are foreign minister level, which were held on July always resolved through dialogues, and 15, 2010 and were disrupted, be resumed from the the dialogues cannot be avoided, it’s in same point. America wants that foreign minister India’s own interest to join the of both the countries should sit face to face during dialogues. India’s growing economy the General Assembly session on September 20, needs Central Asian markets, and for in this way they can clear their minds. Instead of that matter India always needs Pakistan. If India General Assembly session, there is another realises only this single factor, and participate in chance of meeting both the foreign minister on dialogues, it will benefit India more. Passage to September 28 on the occasion of SAARC Central Asian markets and energy resources run conference. But India is very clever, now it has through Pakistan, but India is not ready for talks invented a new issue to avoid and fail the with Pakistan that shows India can sacrifice its dialogue process. India contends that China has future but cannot forgo its animosity for Pakistan. sent its troops to Siachen, so that is a disputed issue, so there will be no dialogues on it. India- China border conflicts are very old. India hates Pak-China friendship, that’s the reason India blames China on one occasion or other. Recently, India warned China to abstain from calling Azad Kashmir as part of Pakistan and claimed that Jammu Kashmir were integral part of India, so any comment regarding that issue would be taken as interference in Indian affairs. China has always supported Pakistan’s principled stand, India dislikes any country which admires Pakistan’s principled stance and calls its enemy.
The way India is entrapped in Indian held Kashmir and is facing resistance by Kashmiri masses is enough to show the world that Kashmir India is opening new fronts against Pakistan and is not the integral part of India. It’s age of media, is wasting not only its precious resources, which you cannot stop any incident or news to spread can be utilised for the welfare of its masses; rather across the world. India can proclaim Jammu as it is compelling Pakistan to expend its valuable integral part of India, but facts cannot be resources. The land of white roses, entranced by concealed. The valley is soaking in blood with the its own beauty has now become familiar with the blood of Kashmiri youth. The whole valley is odour of ammunition and gunpowder, thanks to raising voice against the worst state terrorism, but Indian aggressive agendas. India does not care a fig, in contrary it threatens China and Pakistan and avoids from direct talks. Normally, India avoids dialogues, but Indian This is India’s policy that it always abstains from prime minister has acknowledged in All Parties dialogues regarding the solution of actual issues. Conference, which was held in New Delhi that Whatsoever Indian motives are, but throwing the solution to the deteriorating situation in Kashmir issues to back burner will equally harm India was only in dialogues and just dialogues. Now itself like the other ones are affected. Now India one should ask that gentleman that dialogues are has initiated new propaganda that there are indispensable where India is helpless by the Chinese troops at Siachen borders, which is Kashmiri people, but on the other hand, where absurd and baseless. China has categorically there are many unresolved issues awaiting the rejected that claim, but India is preparing grounds solution, India is abstaining, that’s the Indian in media to avoid the participation in the expected mentality which Pakistan is bearing for the last 64 composite dialogues. years. India neither understands the issues nor does anything to resolve them.
Pakistan Forest Digest 63 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Dwindling number of trees has spoiled the beautiful face of Peshawar In old days, trees used to present picturesque beauty, now it’s hard to find any tree Famous Chinese traveller Huan Tosnak saw 100 feet tall Pipal tree at the site of present Pipal Market in 630CE, that tree is still there Daily Aaj, Peshawar, September 09, 2010
By Imran Rashid Khan kinds give thick shade and produce wood in large Peshawar valley used to have thousands of quantity. When the British came, they planted beautiful, tall and fully grown up trees besides Shisham trees and other shady and fruit-bearing lovely flowers and gardens. Now one can rarely trees. When famous Chinese traveller Huan see these trees. Those trees were grown by nature Tosnak came to Peshawar in 630CE, he saw 100 in the ancient times, but a large number of trees feet tall Pipal tree at the site of present Pipal were planted by the local residents, different local Market. That tree was huge and produced thick governments and dignitaries for the welfare of shade, four statues of Buddha were lying under public. Those trees, with the passage of time grew that tree. When Sher Shah Suri constructed G.T. into tall and thick shady trees. Those trees were Road from Peshawar to Kolkata, he planted trees planted alongside the travel routes, passages and alongside the road and constructed wells and roads of those times. Those trees served as shades water spots. G.T. Road became cool and shaded. for the travelers, the exhausted travelers took rest Trees were planted at the connecting roads also. under those trees for a while. Sometimes those The plantation of trees continued during the trees developed new travel routes, because Mughal rule. In 1823 and 1834, Sikhs conquered travelers opted for the shady trees, hence new Peshawar and devastated the gardens. They cut routes were evolved. Some kindhearted people thousands of trees erected beside roads and used used to dig wells under those trees for the people them as firewood. After the end of Sick rule, the which would attract the travellers, and that British resumed the tree plantation which passage would become a permanent travel route. continued after Pakistan came into being. For the The Peshawar valley had a large number of Pipal last two decades, the tree plantation in Peshawar and Banyan trees among other trees. These two has almost ceased and the trees are vanishing.
Pakistan Forest Digest 64 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 7
Forest Protection & Awareness !
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 07
Forest Preservation
&
Conservation
Steps urged to preserve forests The Nation Islamabad, July,07 2010
Ahmad Ahmadani millions of rupees but the than 5 percent. She said, "We ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan was the second should not follow the mistakes participants of an interactive highest in forest degradation in of bureaucrats and policy session were of the view that the world. He said, "We also makers." For them, it could be conservation and livelihood of want to evaluate the destruction a full-fledged forest on paper people living in forestlands is of forests in different areas even if not a single leave is needed to be linked with the because of mismanagement." found in the area, she added. forest in addition to She said conservation is determining the status of forest Dr Abid Qayyum Suleri, successful if people see their owner and land tenure for Executive Director, SDPI, said livelihood in the trees. We proper forest management. that improving forest should add value to forests, she management could help us said. Practically speaking, she The session named as fight global warming. He said said there is zero management "Research-based Policy that authorities in developed of forests and no forest guard Dialogues for Sustainable countries could be convinced of can be found in Thandiani for Forest Governance" was carbon exchange whereby the months. She said that one organized by Sustainable carbon dioxide can be reason for absence of Forest Development Policy Institute, compensated by production of Department officials is the in collaboration with Swiss equal amount of oxygen with results of the findings that National Center for the money from the polluters in antagonise them and they do Competence in Research the West. not want to face the people but (NCCR North-South) here on the they will have to sit with Tuesday at Islamabad. Arjumand Nizami, director, them, and a solution has to be Interco operation, while ad worked out. At the session, Dr Babar dressing the session, said that Shahbaz, from Agricultural forestry is not the baby of Talimand Khan, Coordinator, University, Faisalabad, said forest department only. She Survey Unit, SDPI, said that that forest department had said that unrecorded there exist off-the-record or budgets running into tens of deforestation is much more unrecorded realities. He asked
Pakistan Forest Digest 65 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute the participants as well as wastage of wood resources. Ms Nizami said that authorities to speak only truth. The Government can devise a majority of fires in He said that there are de-facto mechanism of leasing lands' to Haripur; grazers owners who are not interested promote forestation. He said allegedly ignite in saving forests, as trees do not that .2 million-acre lands in Bunair Lower legally belong to them. Swat and .5 million-acre in'Dir Mansehra so that are cultivable. more juicy and fresh grass Mohammad Roshan, another grows. She said this is the participant from Swat Inamullah Khan from recorded reason but her own Participatory Council, said that International Union of observation was that areas development and tourism in Conservation of Nature burnt by fires had no usable Swat could only be promoted emphasised knowledge sharing pastures and fire is a tool used by developing forests. He said and coordinated approach for some other reasons. Mr. that Taliban destroyed forests involving water; agriculture Talimand said that most of the in Swat for monetary gains. He and forest action etc. jungles are set on fire to "burn said that livelihood of the the record" of tree cutting. people depends upon forests While in a question answer but the ban on cutting results in session, replying a question,
Need stressed for conservation of forests Business Recorder July, 07 2010 authorities in developed if people see their livelihood in ISLAMABAD:July 07 2010): countries can be convinced for the trees. Mohammad Roshan The participants in an carbon exchange whereby the from Swat Participatory interactive session were of the carbon dioxide produced can be Council said that development view that conservation and compensated by production of and tourism in Swat can only livelihood of people living in equal amount of oxygen with be promoted by developing forest lands needed to be linked the money from the polluters in forests. He added Taliban along with determining the the West. destroyed forests in Swat for status of forest owner and land monetary gains. tenure to avoid deforestation. Speaking at the event, Dr Babar The session 'Research-based Shahbaz, from Agricultural The issue of distribution of Policy Dialogue for Sustainable University, Faisalabad said that ownership and shamilat is Forest Governance' was forest degradation in Pakistan involved and government can organised by Sustainable is second highest in the world devise a mechanism of leasing Development Policy Institute despite allocation of huge lands to promote forestation. (SDPI) in collaboration with budget for forest department. He said that 0.2 million acres of Swiss National Centre for land in Swat and 0.5 million Competence in Research Arjumand Nizami, Director, acres in Dir is cultivable. (NCCR North-South) here Inter-co-operation, said that Inamullah Khan from Tuesday. unrecorded deforestation is International Union of much more than five percent, Conservation of Nature Dr Abid Qayum Suleri, adding that we should not emphasised knowledge sharing Executive Director, SDPI, said follow the mistakes of and co-ordinated approach that improving forest bureaucrats and policy makers. involving water, agriculture management can help fight Arjumand further said and forestation etc. global warming. He said that conservation could be possible
Pakistan Forest Digest 66 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Environment: Deforestation dilemma Dawn Islamabad, Sunday, July 11, 2010
By Muhammad Arif Shafi This has a very simple answer: that it was intentionally In late 19th century, British forces made their advance avoided. towards the Afghanistan bordering areas. These are now part of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province According to Muhammad Ashraf, an officer of Forest (NWFP) areas called Pakhtoonkhwa. The Royal Army Institute Peshawar, there is no doubt that all the was facing serious resistance especially at the main mountains were naturally suitable for forestry. This road, known as Pak-Afghan Highway. The tribesmen confirms the opinion that the mountains of Landi Kotal used the forests over the Hills as cover in the Landi Kotal area. For several years the British forces remained ineffective striking the local, untrained force.
In order to tackle the problem, the Government of British India decided to survey the area and adopt a method for the durable solution and future advancement towards the State of Afghanistan. The Government of India was told about the critical financial situation of the area and the poverty of tribesmen. Therefore it was decided to increase the price of wood, in the local market of Peshawar area had forests.
The price hike attracted local residents and soon the Interestingly, almost all the research and history books, sale of valuable wood started. They used donkeys for written at that time, are silent on this subject. We have carrying wood over almost 50 kilometres. The strategy proof of different kinds of plants and trees grown in worked very effectively as local residents had found a the area but no finding about their destruction. (The good source of income. Some of these wood-sellers Library of Forest Institute Peshawar University was had purchased land in the settled areas and the famous searched thoroughly but found useless.) tribes of Afridi and Shinwari lived on that land for their third generation. It is unfortunate that the authorities of British Raj might have ignored this fact intentionally, as they had Cutting wood and bringing it to Peshawar for sale built left behind a lot of research material and working plans momentum and soon the nearby mountains were of Forestry in almost all the areas they ruled in. cleaned from trees. Soon the effects of deforestation were witnessed: Sabir Afridi, 65, a local elder from Even after more than 60 years of independence, the Landi Kotal does not remember any forests over the government of Pakistan has overlooked the area and mountains of his native area, but quoting his tribal has not made a plan for the growth of trees over that forefathers, he admits that there were trees over there. particular area. Most of the local tribesmen would like to see the revival of forestry over the mountains of Almost all the mountains in surrounding areas of Tehsil Landi Kotal along with the Pak-Afghan Khyber Agency like Tirah Valley are, even today, Highway, for which they have no resources. Rokhan covered with forests. Even smaller places like Zayaray Afridi, a young man, like other Tribesmen from the have trees. It is only the mountains near the Pak- area, is enthusiastic regarding the restoration of Afghan Highway that are stripped of foliage, which forestation in his area. means that the story told by the tribesmen was true. A proper survey by the experts in the relevant field The question is why did the British Indian government could identify the kind of plantation possible or easily avoid mentioning this matter in their Working Plans grown in that area. This could result in one of the most conducted on a regular basis in almost all the areas? beautiful places in the world, supported by a rich history alongside it.
Pakistan Forest Digest 67 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Forever greens die Dawn Islamabad, Sunday, July 18, 2010
By Jamal Shahid ISLAMABAD, July 17: Nearly Initially, CDA was optimistic Towering five to six stories a dozen pines that adorned the of their survival rates especially high near the Zarai Tarkiati streets of the federal capital during monsoons when rains Building and PHA flats, near Zero Point for nearly 40 would provide enough water looking into offices and years have not survived their and solidify the earth around apartments, these pines, planted relocation and died. them. But after many rains and nearly 40 years ago, have been care, today the threes stood an integral part of the living As bulldozers scraped away dead in their new natural heritage of Islamabad. earth and ripped out plants to neighbourhood, their leaves expand urban sprawl, city completely shed. The death of the pines did not planners had a wishful concept catch some environmentalists a year ago to keep Islamabad “Chopping them was not an by surprise. healthy and green by relocating option. Relocation was the only the pines that stood in harm’s answer but 100 per cent success “Pines have deep roots and if way. could not be guaranteed since the root balls are not deeply the technology was only a year and properly dug out, trees can In July 2009, Capital old then,” said director general die in the new ground,” said an Development Authority (CDA) environment (CDA) Dr Salman environmentalist. was to oversea extraction of Sheikh. nearly 30 trees and facilitate Her colleague believed: “The their replanting to save them “There was disturbance in the government and the people from stresses of construction. relocation. The pines are tall, alike have the responsibility to The number of trees to be heavy and difficult to balance protect these iconic species. relocated was reduced to a in a straight position with all Relocated trees have died dozen pines after changes in the support. They swayed more before because concerned design plans of the Zero Point than normal during strong authorities cannot transplant Interchange. The replanting winds that only upset their them despite new technology or took place within a few feet support in the earth. There is they are not sensitive to save from where the pines originally little that can be done. At least the greens.” grew. we tried,” said Dr Salman.
Matter of trees We should be thankful to the Chinese for saving the birch trees along the Karakoram Highway The News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, August 29, 2010
By Salman Rashid it was some Chinese lettering with a spreading crown of Out there in Gojal, north of that, I presumed, meant the leaves that nicely offset the Hunza, I saw by the Karakoram same. stark barrenness of the brown Highway a tree with a blue sign slopes all around. The bark of a nailed to its trunk. 'Protect It was a lovely birch tree young birch is papery and thin, Tree,' it said in English. Below standing about 15 metres tall but this one, the biggest among
Pakistan Forest Digest 68 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute the birches nearby, had crusty, I wonder, too, if the Chinese years sequestered gnarled bark that pointed to its engineers and their workforce large amounts of great age. Then I noticed that know that the larger the carbon, we duly this was not the only tree that biomass of a tree, the more replace them with had been marked for protection. carbon will it hold. That a little bushes, There were dozens of others, large, spreading tree flowering or all standing by the highway, contributes far more to keeping otherwise, dwarf palms and, at bearing similar signs. global temperatures lower than worse, with rubber plants of the a small bush. Ficus variety. Now, this is at a time that Chinese engineers and Surely, the Chinese understand workpeople are busy widening that trees need to be protected the Karakoram Highway and if we want the birdlife that straightening out its shares this planet with us to thrive. Perhaps they also appreciate the birdsong in our lives. Of course, there are also the myriad insects that live off a birch tree -- or indeed off any other. innumerable bends. Frankly, I do not care one little Consequently, trees that were bit what the Chinese know or once well away from the edge don't or if they care about the of the old road are now being birds and the bees. I am only encroached upon. I am certain thankful to them for saving the some being too close would birch trees along the Neither our blind politicians have already been cut down. Karakoram Highway. I am nor the general duty But that there are trees that bureaucrats who head the stand smack by the edge and various Parks and Horticulture are being protected says a lot Authorities (PHA) understand for the Chinese. the need to plant indigenous trees. Nor do they know the It tells us that they understand connection between trees of the importance of trees and large mass and the control of their role in tempering global global warming. They care environment. I wonder if they thankful to them because we naught for the birds: mention know that trees act as carbon Pakistanis are totally mindless birds and insects to anyone and sinks. That in its process of when it comes to the matter of he will invariably shut you up photosynthesis a tree soaks up trees. with, "Here people die every carbon dioxide, releases day and you are worried about oxygen for the whole wide Here in this sorry land, the first the birds!" planet to live by and sequesters thing we do when we undertake the carbon within itself. That is, any sort of building activity is Long before the new road that trees are carbon sinks: as long that we destroy every possible connects Thokar Niaz Beg with as they live and grow, they hold tree that can be destroyed. the cancer hospital in Johar carbon in their bodies that Indeed, we destroy also those Town was laid out, I knew of a would otherwise remain in the that do not, I repeat, do not in tiny homestead near the grid atmosphere as carbon dioxide any way interfere with station. Three pipal trees -- two or monoxide causing global whatever the project. And when large and spreading, the third warming. we cut down ancient trees with young, shaded the small brick huge biomasses that have for and mud house. In 2004, one
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute track of the new road was laid would have been straighter. But "Why, oh why, out. Shortly afterward, work on we are Pakistani and we hate cannot we do that in the second track began. trees. And so in the wide curve Pakistan?" I wailed. Knowing what officialdom is of that new and nameless road, Bakhshish told me made of in this blighted land, I there are no pipal trees that in India cutting a knew then that the trees were anymore. In their stead, PHA tree was considered doomed and I took a number of has planted some little as criminal as killing a human. photographs of those poor shrubbery and a few imported trees. trees. This is something we in Pakistan will never learn. In another country, the second Some months ago, I was in track would have veered Jalandhar from where the tall Postscript: In Lahore I know of slightly away to preserve those and good-looking Bakhshish two instances where a tree (or handsome, life-saving pipal Singh (who being from the trees were saved). The one is trees. But this is the land of same clan may well be a distant Nighat Saeed Khan's office ignorant, moronic and myopic relative) was driving me to (ASR) in Gulberg III that was administrators. And so no Uggi. This was not my first trip constructed around a pine. The thought was paid to the trees. out to the ancestral village, but other is a house in Model They were ruthlessly butchered I noticed the tree for the first Town, that preserved all the so that the road could be time. It was large pipal large and beautiful trees that straight. The road is not standing smack in the middle of grew when the plot was empty. straight, however. The trees the road acting as a traffic Bless the good people who did stood in a wide curve and had divider. this act of kindness, not upon they been preserved, the track the trees, but upon the entire heading for the canal side human race and the good earth.
Forests wiped out in Kohistan The Nation, Islamabad, September 7, 2010
By Sikander Shaheen enforcement agencies, forest lucrative bribes and comply ISLAMABAD – While the department, Pakistan’s with timber racket. criminal connivance of the Customs and National influential government Accountability Bureau (NAB) “This is a vicious nexus and an functionaries, local bureaucracy who had refused to subscribe to all powerful circle that is rotten and timber mafia has resulted the highhandedness of the to the core. The local leaders of in complete elimination of timber moguls, had to face various political parties have a forests in Kohistan, all those suspensions, punishments, role in timber smuggling. They government officials who stood registration of fake cases and run their empires and get their in the mafia’s way were made politically motivated shares,” some of the victimised to pay through the nose. administrative inquiries against officials told TheNation. them. TheNation is in possession of a A Member Provincial list of the names of a dozen Instances have been reported Assembly (MPA) in that area honest government officials when some very dedicated had raised voice against the who were victimised for having police and forest officers in timber mafia in Musharraf’s dared to raise voice against all Kohistan and Haripur were era. The said MPA had the powerful timber mafia. sidelined (aligned in khudda prepared a comprehensive case Some of very honest and line) for they refused to accept against timber smuggling and competent officials in law provided all the proofs and
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute relevant details to the NAB. In the prominent political leaders loss is reported to be the previous regime, action was of that area, who spoke to hundred percent. initiated against the timber TheNation, requested Apart from that, from mafia but with the change in anonymity as naming them on Diamir to Basham, Government and reckless this issue could put their lives timber smuggling has efforts of the incumbent ruling at risk. exceeded hundreds of regime to chop off NABs’ thousands of cubic feet. The powers, the omnipotent timber Kohistan, once a forest rich aforementioned federal nexus has conveniently district of Hazara region, now minister has reportedly created managed to guide this issue wears a desert like look as far ‘pickets’ at Durband in into abeyance. as its natural serenity is Kohistan and Kala Dhaka from concerned, on account of the where flood-swept piles of Former Chairman NAB Naveed complete elimination of timber timber are grabbed and Ahsan had directed the NAB forests from the area. A federal smuggled. officials not to ‘interfere’ in the minister and his brother have matters of Provincial Forest reportedly exploited the flood The parliamentarians from Department of Khyber situation to the maximum, to ruling coalition in KP have Pakhtunkhwa thus allowing the grab the timber windfalls. assured to introduce a motion timber black market to flourish Paalas, Pattan, Daasu, Chilas, against timber smuggling but freely. The power of the timber Harban, Dehrail, Tangeer and only time would tell how far racket in Kohistan can be Dubair are worst affected forest would these assurances work. gauged from the fact that even areas in Kohistan where timber
'Forests on 27 hectares disappear annually' Business Recorder Islamabad, September, 25, 2010
RECORDER REPORT forest area," said Afridi, adding these threats to life on earth and ISLAMABAD’: The process of that with the increasing had reached an agreement deforestation continues in the temperatures, melting of under the umbrella of the UN country as 27 hectares forest glaciers, monsoon variability, Framework Convention on disappears annually which not unpredictable rainfall and Climate Change UNFCCC in only add to rapid floods have become the most 1992. There have been further environmental degradation but important issues for this developments since 1992 and also adversely affect eco- country. Kyoto Protocol was a landmark system land under cultivation. achievement to reduce the This was stated by Federal He further said that the Clean emission of Green House Minister for Environment Development Mechanism Gases. He added that Forestry Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi while (CDM) had been the main had largely remained aloof addressing a certificate instrument to reduce the from the CDM mechanism awarding ceremony at the end emissions of harmful gases. though the contribution of of Natural Resource Afridi mentioned that REDD is forests to carbon emissions was Management (NRM) and an effort to create a financial substantial. However the Climate change mitigation, value for the carbon stored in scenario changed after the adaptation and REDD forests, offering incentives for realisation of the role of forests workshop here on Friday. developing countries to reduce in the carbon cycle was emissions from forest lands. recognised, he added. "Pakistan is the most vulnerable country for climate The minister said that global The minister said that forests change effects due to limited community has responded to not only sequester carbon but
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute also by curbing deforestation The minister told the Programme and the through Reduced Emission participants that the Ministry of World Bank's Forest from deforestation and Environment has made Carbon Partnership is Degradation REDD substantial progress recently in also under process. approximately 20 percent of brining REDD into our Pakistan realises that global carbon emissions can be mainstream forestry. A REDD REDD is an effort to reduced. There have been focal point and a Steering create a financial value for the tremendous developments in Committee has been carbon stored in forests, REDD since this realisation. established in the MoE. He offering incentives for Unfortunately Pakistan has underlined that Pakistan has developing countries to reduce been a bit late in joining the also joined the Global REDD emissions from forest lands and global efforts under REDD. Partnership and our case for invest in low-carbon paths to joining the UN REDD sustainable development.
English translation from Urdu News
Ban on cutting down the forests and Transportation of timber in Jagam Dara Daily Mashriq, Peshawar July 26, 2010
Teemer Girah (Mashriq and Malik Wali Ehad addressed transportation of timber. They Correspondent) A ban has been the meeting, they said that further said that smuggling was imposed on cutting of forests under the cover of already cut continued in Kadi Khel Asheeri and the transportation of timber wood, the smugglers were Dara through Nehag Dara, they in JAgam Dara. A meeting of cutting forest trees and were demanded that steps should be prominent citizens of the area then smuggling that timber. taken to stop smuggling from was held in Police Station The forests were vanishing, so those routes. Jagam. Abdul Akber, Meerbaz the notable of the area have to Khan, Malik Ameenullah Khan put a ban on the cutting and
Appointment of Babu Muhammad Iqbal, timber mafia is snubbed Daily Shamal Abbottabad, July 27, 2010
Abbottabad (PR) The chief Gali, the timber mafia has of Nature, Heavy rainfall felled organizer Tehreek-e-Insaf, become under control. the trees but some opportunists Union Council Baren Gali, Therefore timber mafia looking tried to defame Muhammad Tehsil and district Abbottabad, for the excuses to defame Iqbal. Sirdar Muhammad Riaz Sirdar Muhammad Riaz has Muhammad Iqbal. The trees said that the residents of said that due to the appointment which fell on Jogi road were Jogimar condemned the acts of of Babu Muhammad Iqbal in not due to Muahammad Iqbal those opportunists. Heeka Union Council Baren or the poor residents, it was act
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
The forest owners of Battel and Chatter hold meeting to save the forests We shall have to work in collaboration with the department to prevent the illegal cutting of trees Daily Shamal Abbottabad, August 19, 2010
Konish Valley (Bureau Chief) Valley, Sern Valley and tanglai modern luxury houses. Ibrar An urgent meeting of forest forest were so thick that even Ahmed said the recent owners of Union council Battel, the sunlight could not reach the torrential rains and landslide Hilkot, Chatter Plain, Acheria ground, now those forests have were due to large scale cutting was held, the meeting was been converted to treeless vast of trees. The rivers were filled presided by Ibrar Ahmed Khan plains. For that grave situation with sand due to land slide and of Save the Forest Committee, only a few smugglers were created conditions for the Konish Valley. The forest responsible. The forest owners floods. In any country where owners of the district who have have not enough money to buy forests are protected, the people the experience to save the a horse or mule, and they are do not face the similar situation forests attended the meeting. living in century-old houses, like we faced recently. The Ibrar Ahmed Khan said while whereas people belonging to owners of forests have to work addressing the forest owners timber mafia move around in in collaboration with the forest that 20 years ago Konish luxury vehicles and live in department to save the forests.
A forester must be appointed in Changla Gali forests: Raja Manzoor Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 31, 2010
Islamabad (News Desk) A political and social asked the DFO to appoint a forester in Changla leader, Raja Manzoor met district forest officer Gali to save the forests. Abbottabad in Barian with his delegation and
Upper Tanawal: The forests will be protected under any circumstances Police and Forest department should perform their duty to the best of their abilities: DCO Mansehra Daily Shamal Abbottabad, September 17, 2010
Ougi (Shamal correspondent) to prevent cutting of Upper taken.” Said DCO Mansehra DCO Mansehra Anwar Zeb Tanawal forests and forests of Anwar Zeb Khan while talking Khan has said that forests are Dogar Chamial, Jalu Gali and to chairman Save the forest our national asset and their adjacent areas, but people are committee, Chamial Malik protection is everyone’s expected to cooperate with Muhammad Younis and his responsibility. “The concerned departments so that delegation, former chairman government is taking every step effective action could be Lala Qalander Khan and others
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute were also present. The regarding that would be delegation thanked delegation gave some proposals welcomed. The delegate further the DCO for listening to handle the situation after added that if police and forest them patiently and cutting of the forests. DCO said department cooperate assured him for that protection of forests will be effectively and FC is asked to further cooperation. the top priority of the help, the protection of forests government; the proposals could be ascertained. The
The provincial forest minister has ordered for inquiry of the incident of firing at forest department officials. The forest official will not get back to protect the forest Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 23, 2010
Peshawar (Mashriq News) The minister for department to investigate and arrest the criminals environment from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa has involved in the case. The minister further added expressed deep concern on the incident of firing that the forest department officials perform their in Khandry, the suburbs of Mardan on two duties honestly to protect the forests, and it is officials of Forest department Peshawar. Qayyum hoped that they would discharge their duty Khan and Shakir Khan were seriously injured as a diligently in future. result. The minister directed the concerned
Kotli Bala: We shall take every possible step to protect the forests: Waqar Muhammad Khan Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 17, 2010
Kotli Bala (General Reporter) started its job with new vigour honest officer” Hesaid. Ejaz The president and general and feelings. Now the Qadir. DFO Sern Valley, Ejaz secretary of committee for the committee would not only Qadir frightened the timber protection of forests, Waqar protect the private forest but it mafia in Ramzan nights and Muhammad Khan has said that would protect Government’s received 2200,000 rupees from the steps taken in past to forests also. “The committee the smugglers and deposited protect the forest were not members and the locals are the same in the treasury. We enough, now the committee had ready to work side by side with salute him for his performance.
Forests are valuable assets; Effective steps are needed to protect the forests. Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010
Ougi (Shamal Correspondent) of any country, here forests in wiped out while the forest The forests are valuable assets Sher Garh range are being department is silent, and to
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute save their negligent they set which belong to government— accordingly, people forest on fire, due to that not is not stopped, the forests will have appealed to only small plants are burnt but be converted into plains. The provincial forest the birds and animals also main reason for illegal cuttings minister and other become victim of those acts. If are the forest department higher official to save the illegal cutting of Dogar officials who conspire with the forests of Sher Gali, Jalu Gali, and Chamial timber mafia. The range Garrh Range. and Bandi Shangli Forests — incharges are not performing
Forests ac be protected if the machine saws are dismentaled Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010
Battel (Special Correspondent) the notorious smugglers —well the ban. At one hand the ban The forest owners, notables of known to the forest department imposed on the cutting had the area adjacent to forests and officers and police officers— broken down economically the Shamal correspondent met are not prosecuted. Recently owners and at other, the illegal Commissioner Hazara. The some of the smugglers have cutting was continuously going delegation expressed their shifted to hotels and rented on. If the practice continued, gratitude for the house in close proximity of the government would be commissioner’s interest in forest. Now they have made deprived of billions of rupees saving the forests, and directing smuggling a source of income. income. Forest owners forest department and the They have the political delegation will soon meet the police department to protect the backing. The forest owners Commisssioner Hazar to forests. The delegation said the further said that they had inform him the whole situation, process of the protection would ceased to protect the forests the delegation admired the be incomplete without because due to ban imposed by policy of Daily Shamal dismantling the machine saw the government on cutting, they regarding the forest protection. installed in the forest limits and don’t get any profit, and many they should be punished and families have migrated due to
Manda Kachha forest are in safe hands, illegal activities are being discouraged Permit to construct houses is made possible, that is JFM’s right: Khalid Qureshi Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010
Muda Kachha (Shamal detail the residents of Munda they had total confidence on Correspondent) Chairman Kuchha, Tariq Khan, Amjad DFO Sern forest division JFMC, Khalid Qureshi said that Khan and Khalid Qureshi from Mansehra, Ejaz Qadir and his Munda Kachha forest were in the adjacent Mufti Bela issued team, and they would fully safe hands. The construction press statement in a shop of cooperate with him. If there permit for the forest owners central Bazaar of Munda were any illegal activities in was guaranteed that was legal Kuchha to Daily Shamal’s their forest they were capable right of JFMC. According to correspondent. He said that to stop that. The people who
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute get false and baseless news should mark the trees and could be benefited by published in some newspaper, should give that to the forest the forests. they had no concern with the owners legally so that they forests. The forest department
Necessary arrangements are being made two protect Gulzair division forests: Sirdar Ryaset Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 29, 2010
Changla Gali (Special forest officer Sirdar Riaz Babu many valuable trees were Correspondent) Range officer, and Pervez Gulzar Khan. Sirdar affect, the list to cut those trees forest department, Gulzair Riaset said that necessary steps are being prepared, he further division, Dong Gali, Sirdar had been taken to protect the added that with the cooperation Riaset toured local forests of forests. SIrdar Riaset, while of local residents the protection Tajwal, Ser Gharbi, Ayubia and talking to journalists in of forests is ascertained and Nethia Gali, a vast area was Changla gali, said that recent illegal cutting and timber mafia affected by recent rains. Sirdar rains and landslide had severely is discouraged. Riaset was accompanied by affected a large area of forests,
Pathetic condion of employees of forest department Ougi Daily Ajar, Peshawar, September 28, 2010
Editorial Hundreds of labourers and watchmen appointed in the nurseries of forest department Ougi Range have not been paid wages for the last five months, their families are starving, that shows the unfeeling attitude of department’s officers. It’s inhuman and illegal to deprive low grade servants of their salaries. It is hoped that issue would be resolved positively.
Situation in flux due to appointment of corrupt officers in the forest department The higher officials should avoid appointing already tested persons: Ibrar Ahmed Khan Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 30, 2010
ChanarKot (Shamal between the forest owners and avoided which would Correspondent) The higher the departments officials will deteriorate the situation.” Ibrar officials of forest department be lost.” Commented president Ahmed added. Ibrar Ahmed should avoid to appoint already save the forest action said the affection and tested persons in our area, the committee, Ibrar Ahmed Khan. friendship between DFO and official whose reputation “The present team of forest forest owners was just because previously was not admirable, department is biggest problem of fact that illegal cutting of should not be appointed here for the timber mafia, so any forests had stopped and the again, the understanding such appointment should be forests were safe.
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Chapter 8
Tree plantation ! SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 08
Tree plantation
Tree plantation targets to be achieved Pakistan Observer Islamabad, July 22, 2010
Islamabad—Minister for campaign. “Clean environment successful and result oriented,” Environment Hameed Ullah is the basic necessity of all he said. Jan Afridi has asked the line living organisms and it is departments to make elaborate religious, moral and national The minister stressed to arrangements for achieving obligation of every citizen to mobilize all available resources targets of monsoon tree plant sapling for future to achieve the targets of plantation campaign. He also generations,” the minister monsoon tree plantation directed them to ensure observed. He underlined to campaign. According to recent plantation of suitable saplings select suitable sites for reports of the Worldwide Fund that minimize the hazardous plantation and made mandatory for Nature, Pakistan is among effects of carbon and other for all concerned departments the top countries regarding chemicals emissions. to ensure protection of newly deforestation and the planted saplings. “Plantation is government is making every During a meeting of officers of a noble cause and we had possible effort to enhance the concerned departments, the always given due priority to forest cover and meet minister reviewed the pace of make afforestation programs MDGs.—APP progress of monsoon plantation
CDA to plant 400,000 saplings Pakistan Observer Islamabad, August 03, 2010
Sharafat Kazmi Campaign 2010 over an area of and Green Islamabad Islamabad—The Capital 1108 in different areas of the Campaign launched in Development Authority (CDA), federal capital. Monsoon-2008 and the as a part of Golden Jubilee arrangements for the upcoming Celebrations of Islamabad the This was decided in a meeting Monsoon Tree Plantation Green City, would plant presided over by the Chairman Campaign, says a press release 400,000 saplings during the CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, to here Monday. Monsoon Tree Plantation review the progress of Clean
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Speaking on the occasion, Amaltas, Dhreak and Comprehensive Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, said that Jacaranda. arrangements are CDA is making all out efforts being made to launch to increase the forest cover and The focus is also being given to awareness campaign preserve the green character of plant fruit plants including in this regard so as the Federal Capital. He said edible olive, guava, lokat, pear maximum people that CDA has planed to plant and jasmine. He said that strict may be involved in the 100,000 saplings in the urban monitoring of the planted trees plantation drive. areas of the Islamabad Capital would be carried out to ensure Territory (ICT), which includes their maximum survival. Under the awareness campaign, Avenues, Green Belts, posters, banners and steamers Islamabad Highway, Parks, The Chairman said that CDA will be displayed in different Playfields and new Sectors of actively participates in National areas of the city whereas car- G-13, H-11, I-14 and I-16. Tree Plantation drive during stickers, paper-bags and badges each planting season and carrying slogans for planting The Chairman CDA said that involve general public, trees and ‘love for nature’ 300,000 saplings would be educational institutions, NGOs, would be distributed. planted in the regional areas government employees and Television and Radio talk- including Margallah Hills traders to make these shows and awareness through National Park (MHNP) and campaigns a success. the newspapers would also be Simly Catchments. carried out. The meeting was also informed Out of these, 170,000 saplings that ‘Public Tree Plantation To make the Monsoon Tree would be planted in Margallah Day’ would be organized by Plantation more effective, the Hills as a part of efforts to the Capital Development Capital Development Authority increase greenery in the Authority during the current will establish sale points kiosks Margallah Hills National Monsoon Tree Plantation at prominent places like Jinnah Park,whereas 130,000 saplings Campaign in the new Sector H- Avenue, Shahrah-e-Kashmir would be planted in the Simly 12, which would be and Islamabad Highway, where Catchment area. participated by Sector Citizen plants on subsidies rates will be Committees, Traders, available to the general public Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said that Educational Institutions, and free of cost to the CDA is focusing on planting NGOs, Environmentalists and educational institutions on their the indigenous trees species government employees. demand along with awareness including Chir Pine, Kachnar, and informative material.
6m saplings to be planted in Fata Dawn Islamabad, August 06, 2010
Bureau Report The campaign was formally tree plantation in Fata said that PESHAWAR, Aug 5: The launched by Khyber about six million saplings provincial government plans to Pakhtunkhwa Governor Owais would be planted in all the plant some six million saplings Ahmed Ghani by planting a agencies and FRs during the in different parts of the sapling of teak in the lawns of current spell of plantation. Federally Administered Tribal Governor’s House here on Areas during the current Thursday.Conservator Forests He informed that as many as monsoon tree plantation Fata Syed Noor Afzal Shah 9.5 million saplings were campaign. while briefing the governor on available in 46 forest nurseries the action plan for monsoon
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute for the purpose, says a handout grown areas to 15 per cent by be given to fast issued here on Thursday. 2015 and to 25 per cent by growing species. 2025. Talking about forest grown He also emphasised areas in Fata, he said that about The governor underlined the the need for an 13 per cent of the total area need for creating public effective monitoring were under forests in Fata awareness about the benefits of mechanism to ensure the including 8.18 per cent natural afforestation in Fata and urged growth and sustenance of the forests covering an area of the officials of the respective planted saplings after such 0.557 million acres. department to take it as a campaigns. challenge and make Fata Afforestation in Fata, he said, thickly forested area. Later a number of other species was initiated in 1976 and since of different plants were also then 4.82 per cent area had He said that the environment in planted in the lawns of the been brought under forests. Fata was very much conducive Governor’s House. for forest development and The department, he added, had directed that preference should planned to raise the forest
Monsoon Plantation Plant trees, get awards Pakistan Observer, August 10, 2010
Islamabad—Minister for Millennium Development person to avoid fake Environment Hameed Ullah Goals (MDGs). registration,” he elaborated. Jan Afridi has announced awards for planting maximum Afridi also announced to Independent observers will trees by organizations and celebrate National Tree verify the details sent to the individuals during Monsoon Plantation Day on Augt 10 website, the minister said while Tree Plantation kicking off instead of Aug 18 due to replying to a question. “We are today (Tuesday). Ramazan and called upon all trying to devise a mechanism to stakeholders, individuals and ensure a proper reach out so During a news conference on organizations to plant every Pakistani who plant Monday the Minister also maximum trees on the day as saplings in remote and rural launched official website well as during the campaign. areas, can be registered on the ‘www.plantforpakistan.gov.pk’ website”. for registering tree plantation “Everybody planting a sapling data and then awarding those shall register himself or the “We shall have to make this planting maximum trees during organization on the website and campaign a success to meet the campaign. those planting maximum trees MDGs and enhance forest shall be given certificates and cover to save vegetation and The Ministry of Environment awards,” he said. avoid deforestation and floods has also set the target to plant like one we are facing these 45.5 million trees during “There is a provision to register days,” he added. monsoon campaign, one of the city wise, province wise and two launched every year to area wise and those registering He specially urged the youth, enhance forest cover to the shall mention their name, CNIC students of colleges and extent agreed to meet number and category of species universities and the media to planted, with the evidence of a actively participate in the
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute campaign as it related to their “We initiated measures but of forest department. safe future. every plant cannot be guarded. Answering another What we need is a sense of query, Afridi said, “We aspire that whole the responsibility as 90 per cent DFOs have been nation stands by us. We have forests are owned by people issued instructions at done our job for data collection who need to be given provincial level to and awards giving and now it is incentives to protect these.” ensure access to rural areas. up to the nation to come forward,” he said.Answering a He said new Forest Policy has When asked about survival rate question about deforestation, been sent to the Cabinet for of trees planted on last National the minister said, 27,000 acre approval suggesting numerous Tree Plantation Day, he said, land is deprived of forests measures to discourage 6.8 million trees were planted posing serious threat to deforestation and underlined on the Day and the survival rate environment and human health. the need for capacity building of 70%.—APP
CDA observes National Tree Plantation Day Daily Times Islamabad, August 19, 2010
Staff Report Campaign in the Federal focusing on planting ISLAMABAD: The Capital Capital. indigenous trees’ species Development Authority (CDA) including chir pine, chanar, observed the National Tree Under the campaign CDA has amaltas, dhreak and jacaranda. Plantation Day-2010 on planned to plant 400,000 CDA is also focusing on Wednesday with plantation of a saplings over an area of 1,108 planting fruit tree including sapling by CDA Chairman acres, including 100,000 edible olive, guava, lokat, pear Imtiaz Inayat Elahi along 12th saplings in urban areas and and jasmine, he said, adding, a Avenue in Sector H-12 during a another 300,000 in the strict monitoring of the planted ceremony. Margalla Hills National Park. trees would be carried out to ensure their survival. A large number of Elahi said the tree plantation schoolchildren, government campaign at this time of the The chairman said CDA employees, representatives of history when most parts of the actively participated in national the sector citizen committees, country were hit by the worst tree plantation campaigns by NGOs and environmentalists ever floods in the century was a involving general public, attended the ceremony to mark message of hope. He said educational institutions and the Monsoon Tree Plantation during this monsoon tree NGOs. plantation campaign CDA was
Are tree plantation drives worth their cost? Dawn Islamabad, 22 Aug, 2010
By Syed Irfan Raza of the saplings planted do not EVERY year, the government survive due to poor Huge kickbacks and spends millions of rupees on maintenance providing another commissions involved in such tree plantation campaigns but it chance to the horticulture campaigns are said to be behind has officially been department to repeat the the fruitless drives because acknowledged that 70 per cent exercise. failure of such campaigns
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute provides an opportunity to the plant over 400,000 saplings of especially for officials concerned to try try different spices in various parts growing plants on again. The commitment to of the capital during the Margalla Hills. improving the environment and monsoon plantation campaign pressures from to maintain the green image of environmentalists compel the Islamabad. According to the government to launch tree CDA official, over 300 forest plantation exercises but the It has been learnt that the CDA guards have been deployed on situation is exploited cut thousands of trees during Margalla Hills while hundreds sometimes by politicians and the mega construction activities of gardeners are already sometimes by the bureaucracy. during the last five years that working on the CDA penal, but However, the result of such badly affected the environment even then the cash-starved campaigns always remains poor of the city. But on the other CDA spends millions of rupees with more than 70 per cent hand, the number of trees or on private labour. mortality rate of the saplings. plants survived in the tree plantation campaigns is quite Besides, the authority has been A senior official in the Capital lower than that of the axed advised to utilise its own plants Development Authority ones. from the nursery at Chak (CDA)’s environment wing Shahzad but it still purchases said on condition of anonymity A CDA spokesman claimed millions of samplings through that planting and maintenance that of the total 400,000 the private firms. of each sapling cost Rs100 and saplings, 170,000 would be thus the current drive would eat planted on the Margalla Hills, Some 100,000 saplings to be up about Rs400 million. 100,000 in urban and 130,000 planted in the urban areas “However, the mortality rate of in rural area. would cover avenues, green the plants in such drives is 40 belts, Islamabad Highway, per cent in the first year, 30 per Another shocking aspect of the parks, playfields and new cent in the second and 10 per tree plantation drives in sectors of G-13, H-11, I-14 and cent in the last and third year Islamabad is that these I-16. due to poor maintenance,” he campaigns are launched said. through private contractors for “The CDA’s focus is on alleged heavy kickbacks and planting indigenous species The question here is can a cash- commissions despite the fact including Chir Pine, Kachnar, starved country like Pakistan that CDA itself has a force of Amaltas, Dhreak and afford such useless drives 3,000 gardeners, 130 vehicles, Jacaranda. The focus is also which only fill the pockets of including tractor-trolleys, being given on planting fruit its officials? excavators, grass cutters, and a plants, including edible olive, huge nursery at Chak Shahzad. guava, lokat, pear and A former judge of Peshawar jasmine,” the CDA chief said. High Court, Justice M. R. Kiani “Planting saplings on the wrote in his book that he Margalla Hills is the most Arrangements are also being planted only one sapling every expensive part of the campaign made to launch awareness year with the government’s tree as it requires a lot of labour to campaigns to involve more plantation drives and got a take the saplings to different people in the plantation drive. garden of grown trees but parts of the hilly range and then nobody knows where the water them,” an official source In order to make the tree saplings planted by the said. plantation more effective, the government have gone? CDA will establish sale points Despite having a huge at prominent places like Jinnah Local authorities and the environment wing, the CDA Avenue, Shahrah-i-Kashmir environment ministry have awards contract for planting and Islamabad Highway, where announced that they would saplings to private firms and
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute plants on subsidised rates will was planted because be available to the public. This was done in the the president likes the presidency recently, when plant due to its anti- It has also been learnt that President Asif Ali Zardari bacterial character sometimes such plants are inaugurated a tree plantation and the belief that it planted which are not relevant campaign by planting a Neem saves people in its to the local environment and, sapling which did grow despite vicinity from evils. therefore, they do not survive. repeated efforts. The sapling
Students urged to play role in tree plantation Daily Times, August 25, 2010
Staff Repor number all over the country, to He said the students could also ISLAMABAD: The tree play their role in this national download their result from the plantation is not only cause. website www.aiou.edu.pk propitiatory offerings but also a dire need to resolve the Matriculation result: The AIOU Ozone Layer: Pakistan is financial and environmental declared the final results of playing its important role to problems of the country, said AIOU Matriculation save Ozone Layer from Allama Iqbal Open University Programme for the Semester harmful impacts of Ozone (AIOU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Autumn, 2009 on August 18, Depleting Substances (ODS) Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi on but the result intimation cards and conversion of industries Tuesday. have been not yet dispatched to concerned into Ozone friendly students as the floods have technology, said International He stated this while disturbed the postal Cooperation Ozone Cell joint inaugurating monsoon tree communication system in secretary Abid Ali, while plantation campaign by different parts of the country, chairing a meeting. planting sapling at AIOU said Hafeezullah, AIOU campus. Controller Examinations. He Ozone Cell national project advised the students to contact manager Asif Khan, Technical Teachers, officers and the Examination Department in Officer Noor-ul-Hadi, employees of the university main campus of the university Multilateral Environmental also planted saplings on this personally or on phone No.051- Assessments (MEAs) Project occasion. Sangi said tree 9057323 or contact the nearest programme manager Syed plantation was very important Regional Office to get the Zaheerud Din Gilani and other for national development. He result card. officers concerned attended the advised the AIOU students, meeting. who are about 1.2 million in
Green aliens Daily Times, September 04, 2010
Plant or animal life forms adapt introduced into a new habitat, invade ecologically, themselves to the habitats and these non-native species are environmentally and surroundings where they are called alien species and more economically. The term usually found. But when they often than not, adversely affect invasive species refers to are accidentally or deliberately the habitats and bioregions they organisms that are
Pakistan Forest Digest 82 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute characterised by fast growth, example of a deliberate and ecosystem rapid reproduction as well as introduction that has led to function. They are the the ability to tolerate a wide serious ecological second greatest threat range of environmental ramifications. Talking of to native species, conditions. In most instances, diseases, alien species often behind habitat alien species are also invasive; bring with them disease- destruction. In the hence the term, alien invasive causing organisms such as U.S, alien species have species. bacteria, fungi and viruses that contributed to the decline of can impact local species. This over forty percent of Invasive plant species outgrow is what happened to the endangered and threatened the local flora and compete for American chestnut tree. The species and their estimated resources such as food, water introduction of The Japanese damage and control amounts to and sunlight. When introduced Chestnut trees in the late 1800s $138 billion annually. Similar outside their natural range, brought with it the parasitic studies have not been done in alien species achieve even fungus C parasitica that spread Pakistan, but economic costs of higher growth rates due to the like wild fire destroying damage caused by alien species absence of natural pests and billions of American chestnut would surely run in to millions predators eventually destroying trees almost wiping out this of rupees. the local vegetation where they once-abundant tree species. In have been introduced. They Pakistan, the Prosopis juliflora The government needs to step upset the local ecology either (mesquite) is an example of a up its efforts to protect the by aggressive competition, by plant species that was spread of alien invasive species secreting poisonous chemicals deliberately introduced for including tighter controls at in to the soil, by depleting afforesting deserts in Sindh. airports. Training of water supplies or by Originally found in West Indies appropriate staff is also hybridising with local species. and Mexico, the Prosopis has imperative to ensure that this Alien plant species can modify now become highly invasive in menace is kept under control the entire structure and Pakistan and is widespread especially in protected areas functioning of the ecosystem! almost all over the country. such as national parks and Same is the case with animal wildlife sanctuaries. fareeha species. The introduction of Invasive species threaten irfan ovais rabbits in Australia is a perfect biodiversity, habitat quality,
English translation from Urdu News
45 million plants will be planted in the country during plantation drive: Hameed Jan Afridi 15 million in Punjab, 12 million in Sind, 5 million in Khyber Pakhtoon khwa, 0.5 million in Balochistan and 6 million plants will be planted in Fata Daily AAJ, Peshawar, July 16, 2010
Islamabad (Bureau News) meeting regarding Plantation Muhammad Javed Malik, Federal Minister for Drive 2010 in monsoon. additional secretary Kamran environment, Hameedullah Jan Balochistan minister of forests, Ali Qureshi also attended the Afridi presided a high level Maulvi Abdus Samad, meeting. provincial and ministerial level secretary environment ministry
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During the meeting it was khwa, 0.5 million in would be planted. decided that in plantation drive Balochistan and 6 million The minister said that at the beginning of monsoon in plants will be planted in Fata. the prime minister third week of July 2010, 45.5 In addition to that CDA would had set August 18 for million plants would be plant 0.4 million plants, IUCN National plantation planted. Different targets were would plant 0.8 million, drive, but due to set in the meeting, according to Pakistan Tobacco Company Ramazan it would be started on the decision 15 million in Limited would plant 0.3 August 10. Punjab, 12 million in Sind, 5 million and under Rachna million in Khyber Pakhtoon Doaab Project 1 million plants
During Plantation Drive, CDA will plant1.4 million plants The social workers from NGOs will be included to make the plan successful: Chairman CDA Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 03, 2010
Islamabad (Correspondent) “CDA, under Golden 11, I-14 and I-16.” The chairman added. He said Jubilee Year Programme and a new slogan “Clean that 170,000 plants in other parts of the capital, and Green Islamabad” will plant 400,000 plants in like Margalla hills, Natuional park, Simly Dam monsoon plantation drive, the plants will be would be planted which would include fruit trees, planted in different parts of the city.” The shady trees and flower bearing plants, to make the chairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said in a drive successful, social workers from NGOs, meeting on Monday. “100,000 plants will be students and businessmen would be invited. planted in capital to make it clean and green. Under clean green Islamabad, citizens would be Whereas 300,000 plants will be planted in green apprised of the benefits of that drive. He said the belts, Avenues, Islamabad highway, parks, drive was initiated 2008 and a target of 1540 playgrounds and new residential sectors G-13, H- million plantation was set.
Paltation drive of monsoon begins in Islamic University Recter Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik and President Dr Anwaar Siddiqui inaugurated the drive by planting two plants Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 07, 2010
Islamabad (News Desk) the drive by planting two university green. The Monsoon plantation drive has plants. Professor Fateh horticulture officer Altaf started in International Islamic Muhammad Malik and Hussain Burki told at that University. Rector University President Dr Anwaar Hussain occasion that in the current year Professor Fateh Muhammad Siddiqui said while addressing 12,000 plants of 6 different Malik and President Dr Anwaar the audience that all efforts kinds would be planted in the Hussain Siddiqui inaugurated would continue to keep the university.
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
People should actively take part in the plantation drive: Hameed Jan afridi Pakistan lacks in forests, every citizen should plant one plant, Natural calamities are due to environmental change In the current plantation drive , a world record will be set: Federal Minister Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 11, 2010
Islamabad ( Bureau News) occasion regarding plantation planted plants along with the Federal minister for drive 2010. MNA Khakan minister. The minister said environment, Hameedullah Jan Abassi, Raja Fayyaz Sarwar, while addressing after the Afridi said that Pakistan is MPAs, federal Secretary plantation that to keep the facing scarcity of forests, environment Javed Malik, environment clean is global warming and sudden Additional secretary Kamran everybody’s responsibility, environmental changes are Ali Qureshi, provincial steps should be taken to create increasing the natural secretary forests Babaer Hassan awareness keep the calamities, to counter such Bharwana, forest department environment clean. He calamities and increase the area officials Boy scouts, Girl expressed his pleasure that of forest, every citizen should guides, Rescue 1122 and persons from every section of participate in the national students from various schools, the society attended the plantation programmes. “A colleges and universities, meeting and were participating new world record will be set in people from NGOs and in the plantation programme. this plantation drive” He said different institution were while speaking on a special present at that moment, they
The required target of forests can be achieved with the help of masses. For a better economy of any country, forests should be 25 per cent of the total area of the country: Tehmasep Khan Daily Shamal, abbottabad, August 11, 2010
Mahandery (General Reporter) plantation drive was started. Zaman Khan was also there, “The people’s cooperation can The plantation ceremony was public in large number attended help achieve the required target arranged in Sangam Hotel the ceremony. After recitation of forests which is 25 per cent Mahandry, Guest of honour from the Holy Quran, SDFO of the coutry’s area.” SDFO was Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Tehmasep Khan elaborated the Tehmasep Khan said while Maulana Abdul Qadir and Qari importance of forests and said addressing on the occasion of Waheed Zaman also attended for the better economy of any Hasher plantation event. After the programme. All the block country 25 per cent of total area heavy monsoon rainfall, at the officers of forest department should be for the forests. slope of under construction and president of a wefare building of GHS Mahandry, organisation, Muhammad
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
The Chairman CDA inaugurated the platation drive by planting on e plant Daily Jang, Rawalpindi, August 19, 2010
Islamabad (News Reporter) Chairman CDA, different educational institution s planted plants Imtiaz Inayat Elahi started the monsoon besides CDA officers and other employees. 5000 plantation drive by planting one plant on a green plants were fixed on the green belts. belt at 12th avenue, at the occasion students from
Tree plantation is sign of welfare for ever Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 11, 2010
Bannu (Mashriq News) soil. Tribal area will be besides Kheti. One MPA said the Assistant political agent Bannu, the forest department in plantation in the tribal would Mawaz Khan Afridi said that plantation drive. He was help reduce poverty in the area. planting a tree is constant speaking at the occasion of goodness, tree are the beauty of national plantation drive in F R
An effective system for the protection of plants should be devised in Fata: Awais Ghani Governor inaugurated the plantation drive in Fata by planting a Teac plant, 6 million plants will be planted this year Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 19, 2010
Peshawar (AAJ News) Governor KP, Awais trees and plants. 8.18 per cent has natural forest Ahmed Ghani fixed a Teac plant in the lawns of which is about 500,000 acres. The plantation Governor’s house to formally begin the plantation programme in Fata was started in 1976. From drive in Fata. Additional Chief Secretary 1976, trees were planted on 4.82 per cent of the Habibullah KhanGovernor’s secretary Sikandar area. He said that the forest area of Fata will be 15 Qayyum A&C Fata Abid Majeed were also per cent by the end of 2015 and would be 25 per present at that occasion. Conservator forest Fata cent in 2025. The governor reiterated upon the Syed Noor Afzal Shah briefed the governor about need to create awareness about forest in the planting about 6 million plants in Fata. He told common people. The governor said the weather that in 46 nurseries of Fata, there were about 9.5 condition of Fata is suitable for the forests and million plants ready to be planted, while said that an effective system of protection of explaining the condition of forests in Fata, he said plants should be devised. 13 per cent of the area of Fata is covered with
Pakistan Forest Digest 86 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 9
Park \ Orchards !
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 09
Parks \ Orchards
Jehangir Park and its ‘dismal state’ Dawn Islamabad, July, 25, 2010
By Ardeshir Cowasjee Most distressing was it to read the letter printed Copies were sent to the chief justice of Pakistan on July 22, from an equally distressed citizen of (who can hear the trees) and to the chief justice of Karachi, Nayyar Iqbal Raza, regarding the Sindh. The CJP took suo moto action and on ‘Dismal state of Jehangir Park’. March 27, 2006 passed the following order:
To recap, here is the story of the struggle to “Treat as petition u/s 184(3) of the Constitution. restore this historic park, a true lung of Karachi, Fix it in Court on 05.04.06. Notice to Chief to its former utterly non-dismal state. On March Secretary, Government of Sindh, City Nazim, 13, 2006 I addressed a letter to Sindh Chief Advocate-General, Attorney General for Pakistan Secretary Fazlur Rahman, a caring man: may please be issued. In the meantime, Chief Secretary is directed to ensure that no tree of “The men working under you are about to chop Jehangir Park is cut down nor park is used for any trees planted a hundred years ago in what is now other purpose pending decision on petition.” known as Jehangir Park, Saddar. The park with the trees nurtured therein was donated to the The case came up for hearing in Islamabad on people of Karachi by Khan Bahadur Behramjee April 5 (Suo Motu Case 03/06) and as read a Jehangirjee Rajkotwala in 1893. Parks cannot be headline on April 6 in this newspaper ‘Parking lot destroyed. This has been ruled by the incumbent plan dropped’. The CDGK, once more in its finite chief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, and wisdom, had informed the Supreme Court bench, other wise judges. headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry sitting with Justices Mian Shakirullah Jan and Syed “The affected and the aggrieved people of Jamshed Ali that it had “abandoned its plan to Pakistan, and particularly those who will be build a multi-storey car parking facility in affected, intend moving the courts, seeking the Jehangir Park grounds”. preservation of trees and this park. In its order, the court directed “...that although the “I spoke to you yesterday and you promised that project has been abandoned for the reasons you would ensure that the philistines do not chop mentioned in the statement, the city government the trees. Thank you. The nazims of all sorts is restrained from converting the same in future to resident in Karachi are away cutting ribbons. I any other use save in accordance with the law. cannot reach them. Help!” However, in terms of the judgment which has
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute been relied upon, the city district government is Park continues to deteriorate every day ordered to restore the status of the public park and as can be seen from the attached develop the same accordingly”. photographs. You are requested to ensure that your Parks Director CJP Chaudhry had the previous year acted in undertakes development and upgrading defence of Islamabad’s environment where a of the park for the benefit of the citizens citizens’ park was to be converted into a of Karachi in compliance with the order.” commercial mini-golf course, so that a handful of persons, from the public and private sectors, could A second letter on the same subject was written make a lot of money. by Shehri to the chief secretary of Sindh on Jan 23, 2010: “May we request you to assist the Having heard Constitutional Petition 36/05, CJP CDGK in restoring and developing Jehangir Iftikhar Chaudhry and Justices Mian Shakirullah Park? We understand from Minister Shazia Jan and Saiyed Saeed Ashhad ordered: Marri’s statement reported in the press on 29/5/09 that the provincial and federal governments have “Under Article 26 of the Constitution, it is the earmarked Rs.100 million for the purpose.” fundamental rights of the citizens to have access to public places of entertainment or resorts. As Attached to this letter was a copy of the letter per the socio-financial status of the citizens of written to the DCO-CDGK on Oct 28, 2009 and Pakistan the majority of the public is not in a the chief secretary was advised that the SC order position to afford the luxury of joining mini-golf had not yet been complied with. courses along with their children and subject to the payment of tickets, etc.” Today, Jehangir Park stands desolate, untended, uncared for. One is sadly reminded of the famous Moving on to Oct 28, 2009, the NGO-Shehri US Supreme Court case Worcester v Georgia 31 wrote a letter to Mr Javed Hanif, district US (6Pet) 515 (1832). When the court, under coordination officer, CDGK: “Re : Jehangir Park Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that the state of in Saddar. Judgment of Supreme Court in Suo Georgia had no right to forcibly remove the Moto Case No.3 of 2006. We draw your attention Cherokee from their land, President Andrew to the operative part of the above judgment (copy Jackson, acting on behalf of the state of Georgia, attached) delivered by the Hon’ble Chief Justice is said to have replied: “John Marshall has made of the Supreme Court on 5th April 2006, ‘...the his decision, now let him enforce it.” City District Government is directed to restore the status of the public park and develop the same Chief Justice Chaudhry has done his bit, now let accordingly’. the government of Sindh and the administration of Karachi enforce his order. In this land of ‘the “Over the past 3-1/2 years, the directive has been pure’ there will always be more grabbers than observed in the breach. The condition of Jehangir savers. Can the ‘meek’ not speak up?
The dying mango orchards of Sindh Dawn Islamabad, July, 26, 2010
By Naseem Sharif and Dr an output of 320,700 tons, kg and 31,000 kg of fresh and Jaskani which is about 46.2 and 34.9 dried mangoes worth $11,589.6 MANGO is grown over an area per cent of the total area and and $21,300 respectively were of 94,000 hectares in the production respectively. exported in 2009, mainly to country, while its production is Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the UK, 916,800 tons. Its area in Sindh According to the Export Germany, France, Holland, is about 43,500 hectares, with Promotion Bureau, 47.6 million
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Switzerland, Italy, Singapore present problem is not because and Malaysia. of any one disease. It is a Only healthy seeds, complicated case which mostly seedlings and plants Among mango-growing emerges due to combine attack should be used for countries, Pakistan offers a of various diseases. High planting, budding or wide range of choice of more temperature, high relative grafting. Irrigation than 100 varieties of the fruit. humidity and weak plants are must be applied as per Some of the famous varieties the main contributing factors in requirement and not subject to are Sindhri, Dusheri, Summer the spread of anthracnose and availability. Application of Behist, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratole die back, while root rot, caused nitrogen and other fertilisers and Langra. At present, one by Fusarium species, may should be proper and balanced late-season, five mid-season develop preferably on weak based on the type of soil, age and six early-season varieties plants, in high soil temperature and need of the trees. Proper of mango are cultivated and drought conditions. sanitation of orchards and commercially in Sindh. pruning of trees may reduce Dying of trees or decline is infestation of trees and check The present situation of mango generally observed in neglected spread of the fungus and help orchards in Sindh needs special orchards. Shortage of irrigation in the growth and development attention, as they are suffering water is the main cause of of orchards. Diseased plants or from unknown diseases growth and spread of diseases plant parts should be cut, resulting in death of trees. resulting in retarded growth of removed and burnt to check the These diseases are caused due trees and damage to orchards. spread of the disease. Easily to low or high temperature, available broad spectrum unfavourable oxygen and soil Almost all varieties are fungicides should be used in moisture ratios, atmospheric susceptible to these diseases. combination with insecticides gases and deficiencies or Now it is the responsibility of with proper dose. excessive nutrients. the researchers to identify the actual cause of the problem and Moreover, modern mango Mango suffers from a number find out ways to control them production technology must be of diseases caused by different effectively. There is a need to adopted as per organisms which affect apply an integrated disease recommendations of different parts of the plant at all management principle and researchers. Encouraging stages of their growth and apply different fungicides results could be obtained after development. Powdery mildew, together with suitable consulting pathologists and sooty mould, fruit rot, leaf insecticides, whereas, various entomologists. blight, anthracnose, stem blight cultural practices may also be or die back, and root rot are the helpful in checking the spread The major constraints for fungal diseases. Bacterial leaf of such diseases. mango growers in Sindh are: spot and malformation of the challenging agri-ecological mango inflorescence (cause Use of fungicides is not the conditions – high summer still not confirmed) are the only way to solve the problem. temperatures, alkaline soils and other diseases. No information Fungicides use increase the low organic matter; poor about the extent of damage to cost of production, risk health agronomic practices leading to plants due to these diseases is of workers and decrease fruit low yields and poor quality; available. But some of them quality because of toxic residue inefficient production and have considerably damaged the that may remain present in the irrigation practices; unreliable orchards and affected fruit fruit due to their use. supply of pest and disease-free, growth. high quality planting material; The following integrated current marketing systems It is clear from symptoms of disease management principles which relies upon harvest anthracnose, stem blight or die should be applied to solve the contractors and middlemen back and root rot that the problem: buying the crop in advance;
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute weak linkages, support and information; small scale of good agricultural capacity of research farms; lack of investment in practice and sanitary organisations. production technology; lack of and phyto-sanitary skilled labour; expensive requirements. The other factors are: weak production inputs; poor linkages between research and international awareness of local extension; lack of technical brands; difficulties in meeting
National Park, not a city park Margallah Hills National Park needs information centre Daily Times, Islamabad, September 05, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The residents hundred visitors come to the been provided by the oil of Islamabad are lucky to have Margallahs every day. Other company BHP Billiton while the Margallah Hills National than a few ‘don’t feed the the operation and management Park at a stone’s throw from monkeys’ signboards, there is of the company is the joint the city. Comprising the hardly any guidance available responsibility of CDA and Margallah hills, Shakarparian on how to protect the wildlife HWF. Visitors that intend to go and the Rawal Lake, the area of the national park. Most into the park for nature walks was designated as a National people do know that hunting is and camping are received here Park in 1980 keeping in view not permitted within national and briefed about the natural the splendor of the lush green park boundaries. But very few resources of the park, facilities hills and the unique Sino- visitors understand proper available, as well as the Himalayan flora and fauna hiking, trekking and camping guidelines, rules and ethics for found here. Unlike a wildlife procedures, how to avoid forest activities while in the National sanctuary, where closing all fires, how to prevent the spread Park area. The aim is to public access protects precious of invasive plant species, how maximize the recreational and plants and animals, a National to dispose of waste material educational benefit of the Park welcomes visitors etc. An information center that national park while ensuring allowing them to learn, enjoy guides visitors about the park’s that visitor activities are not a and experience the beauty of an management procedures, threat to its ecological integrity. area. conservation principles and relevant rules and regulations, In a span of less than one year, While visitors are welcome to is a vital part of any national presentations have been made the National Park, it is vital that park! to several hundred students they understand the basic from both government and principles of conservation and In view of this, The Himalayan private schools. In addition, adopt their movement and Wildlife Foundation (HWF) set training events have been activities to minimise their up a Visitor Information Centre organized for the students and impact on the park’s in the Darra Jangla valley early teachers of the Pakistan Girl biodiversity. A visitor last year. Covering an area of Guide Association as well as information centre is thus an approximately 700 square feet, staff members of various important part of any national the information centre, is environmental organizations park. Unfortunately, until strategically located at the and NGOs. Subjects covered in recently, the Margallah Hills entrance of one of the popular these trainings include the National Park lacked such a trails of the Margallahs - Trail ecosystems of Pakistan, centre even though several 5. Funding for the project has national park management,
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute biodiversity conservation as planting new species will upset not to exclude visitors well as identification of native the delicate balance of nature for environmental and invasive alien plant and destroy the local conservation, but to species. Perhaps the most ecosystem. The essence of a realize that they are important training organized by national park is to preserve the an integral part of it. the Center has been for the so naturalness of the area. The purpose of the called ‘custodians’ of the Management of the park is Information Center is to guide Margallah Hills National Park necessary but in a way that it these visitors about necessary – the CDA staff. Seminars, maintains the ecological steps that need to be taken to workshops and short courses on integrity of the park and does ensure protection of the a wide range of topics have not interfere with the existing Margallah Hills ecology.” been arranged for the forest flora-fauna interactions” guards, fire-fighting staff and explains Shadmeena. “Making The establishment of the national park staff members of flower beds and preening Visitor Information Centre is a the CDA. shrubs might be essential to a commendable step taken by the city park but are definitely not HWF and BHP Billiton. The “Unfortunately, even CDA permissible in an area government should encourage staff members do not know the designated as a national park.” such ventures and support the difference between a city park development of such facilities and a national park’, says According to Vaqar Zakaria, in all national parks of the Shadmeena Khan, Park Director of the HFW, “the country. This will ensure Manager of the Darra Janglan proximity of the Margallah greater learning opportunities Valley Conservation Project. Hills National Park to a major and maximize the learning and “Sometimes, we get urban center as well as the recreational experience of suggestions from senior CDA presence of rural settlements similar protected areas. fareeha official on planting exotic around it makes it vulnerable to irfan ovais flower yielding bushes. They exploitation and degradation. need to understand that The idea of a national park is
Pindi park renovation work stalled Dawn Islamabad, September 05, 2010
By Ahmad Hassan Shamsabad Public Park, is Executive District Officer ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: located on Benazir Bhutto (Finance and Planning?), Rawalpindi Public Park, also Road opposite the Rawalpindi Rawalpindi district known as Nawaz Sharif Park, is Cricket Stadium. administration, Saqib Mannan, a picture of neglect because talking to Dawn, claimed that development and renovation Renovation work at the park 50 per cent of the development work has stalled. was contracted to a Lahore firm and renovation work has been in early March. done. He said the contractor This is despite that the district had been warned to resume administration has been The work was supposed to be work and complete it before allocating funds and awarding completed by August but the Eidul Fitr. annual contracts for the contractor had abandoned the refurbishing, renovation and work halfway for sometime However, the EDO admitted repair of the park. now, stating lack of payments that only Rs1.7 million out of as the reason. Rs20 million had been paid to Opened in 1991, the park, the contractor so far. sometimes also known as
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Tehsil Municipal Administrator was too light and dusty, which A large fountain Talat Hussian Gondal said that is injurious to health. structure is being the district administration was replaced by a smaller not satisfied with the pace of Sajid, 36, a regular walker who one and the development work in the park. has been active in inviting the surrounding area is attention of the district being turned into a Meanwhile, after failing to get administration in improving sitting place for visitors, but the development funds from the facilities in the park, said that construction and colour of the government of Punjab, the the latest development and new fountain is substandard. municipal administration has renovation work was poorly asked Rawal Town planned and negligently The umbrella structures around Administration to lend support executed. the park made of old wood has by releasing Rs20 million to started crumbling even before complete the project. An old walker, Haji Riaz, 69, being given their final touches. complained of the uneven Rawalpindi Public Park is the walking track which is Dust bins, stolen a long time only recreational site where the hazardous for senior walkers ago, also badly need residents of Shamsabad, like him. replacement as paper, edibles Sadiqabad, Cricket Stadium and shopping bags are littered Double Road and other Haji Wali, 74, said he had great every where. adjacent areas can enjoy their expectations from the PML-N morning walk, jog and government to give this park Most neglected is the park's exercise. But it now looks like top priority as it was backyard. It is a picture of a place which has no owner. constructed during Mian unsightliness consisting of Nawaz Sharif's rule but he was clogged-up ditches, dried up The refurbishing of the walking disappointed. ponds, uncut grass and a public track has not been done to the lavatory which has long been satisfaction of residents who go The original master plan of the unused because of seepage. there for their daily walk and park is also being compromised fitness programme. They in the name of economy. complained that the black sand
English translation from Urdu News
Peshawar gardens are ruined, chief secretary should note: High Court The country’s gardens are our common assets, but actually the government is responsible, remarks by Ejaz Afzel Daily AAJ, Peshawar, July 14, 2010
Peshawar (News Reporter) gardens of the province is his the indifference of government Chief Justice Peshawar High responsibility, because those officers is regrettable.” These Court has said, “Chief are the only source of were the remarks in a suo motu Secretary is a government recreation for the poor people, action taken by the court servant and to look after the which are fast diminishing, and regarding the dilapidated
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute condition of gardens. The Advocate General Naveed Chief Justice said that application was filed by a Akhtar told the court, “The government’s gardens citizen Shakeel Waheedullah. comments of Secretary local are our common The two members bench government have been received assets but the comprised Chief Justice Ejaz but as yet the comments are not government is more Afzal Khan and Justice Mazher filed, some time kindly be responsible to protect Alam Miankhel. Additional granted.” At that occasion the them.
Save the Apple trees in Chitral Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 21, 2010
Dad Bedad, Dr Anayatullah Faizi collaboration of Germany, was swept away by The recent floods in Pakistan have been declared floods. Wealthy people are bringing water in 500 the biggest natural calamity of the history. gallons tank on their vehicles and the lesser International media in their analyses termed it fortunate people are requesting them for water bigger calamity than Tsunami, Katerina and other holding cans and buckets. At some spots, natural disasters. Some losses cannot be Muncipality’s fire Brigade is distributing water. recompensed in fifty years, e.g. the destruction The disaster has not occurred in one day, it is the which occurred in Kalam to Mangora and Swat, result of five years of negligence. Second case is those losses can never be repaid in fifty years. On of blockage of Chitral Mastoj Road where the other hand in Chakdara and Timer grah, the population of 150,000 lives is cut off from other reconstruction of bridges will complete in 5 years. areas. Traffic is suspended at Chitral Gilgit Road, The lands can be made cultivable in two years; the road was broken at Ration point in year 2005, the garden will be able to yield fruit in next ten second time in 2007. It was not repaired second years. Same is the situation of destruction in time and even protective embankments were not Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshehra’s rich constructed. The management was sleeping and agricultural lands. Governor Punjab Salman people’s complains were ignored, and finally the Taseer, PML-N’s leader Nawaz Sharif Syed flood of 2010 washed away the road completely. Munawwar Hassan, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami, It is said, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Same is Chairman Tehrik-e-Insaf, Imran Khan and former the case of apple gardens, the apple gardens in prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has Boni were under threat since year 2005, the water said at different occasions that if proper protective level of stream came at the level of village after measures had been taken, the huge losses could be floods, bigger destruction was looming, people averted. If these leaders’ views are given were yelling, but nobody listened. The airport, importance and an investigation is launched, sub jail, grain godowns and villages in Chitral certainly the negligence of various departments town were under erosion threat since 2007. In can be exposed. For Chitral, it is 100 per cent November, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan correct that with effective and timely protective Hoti granted 3 million rupees to erect measure losses could be averted. For instance embankment to protect lands of two villages and Angar Ghon Water supply scheme for the three state installations, but embankments were population of 80,000 came under flood first time not constructed in 2009, if the embankments are in 2005 and second time in 2007. If the protective not constructed next year those buildings and dykes were constructed according to high villages will be under dangerous threat. standards to protect the water source, 80,000 people of Chitral would not have to beg for water The saddest part of this calamity for me is that for three weeks. The month of Ramazan and Eid apples vanished from markets, the flood of 2005 days were like the days in “Karbal”. The wiped away the apple gardens from Brape. In management was sleeping for five years, on fifth 2007, there was flood at Sanoghar which washed year, the water project constructed with the away gardens of Black currants. The 2010 flood
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute has finished the apple gardens for one year. If heavy machinery to drop its water level there is flood next year it would wash away to the level of year 2005. The protective another centre of apple gardens. Haji Ghulam embankments should be constructed on Muhammad is trying desperately to save the apple both sides; dykes should be constructed gardens but of no use. The apple of Boni is called for Jinnak Coach, Girls Degree College ‘Choorposh’, it is one the 66 kinds of apple, this and Chitral Gilgit road. In this way the plant exists only in Chitral. The apple of that kind apple garden s of Boni can be saved in June next is unmatchable regarding its colour and taste, it is year when there is normally a chance of flood. In in great demand — from Mandkhela to Lahore 1984, when there was flood, governor, General markets. These gardens of Boni dried up in 2010 Fazl Haque came to the flooded area and ordered floods due to scarcity of irrigation of gardens. to channelize the stream and construction of Realising the past record of government, the apple dykes. The governor spent whole day in Degree gardens would be no more if there is another College with flood victims, and embankments flood in lake. The agriculture department will not were constructed in five months. Geneera Fazl move to act and the NGOs will be silent Haq provided six bulldozers to district council spectators. This year, 12,000 members of 900 Chitral, every bulldozer was worth 15 million families left their houses and took shelter in rupees. mountains between July 26 to August 15, when they returned after three weeks, the apple gardens Now nothing has left of those dozers, every part were died up with thirst. Not a single drop of has been disposed of in scrap market. We cannot water was available in canal and taps. The risk of recreate ruler like General Fazl Haque but we can flood has increased three times the previous ask our rulers to come forward and save their part floods. There is only one solution that the three of job. kilometre long stream should be excavated with
Kund National Park has been ruined Immediate action needed to restore Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 31, 2010
Report and pix: Asif Wadood that park, no children’s voices anymore; no more The heavy rainfalls have devastated our country folk dances on the boats traversing to the island in and have pushed us back to the days of 50 years the river and no sweet songs. Swings, water slides back. The heart-rending events cannot be and dodgem cars shops, restaurants and the forgotten for centuries. One trembles recalling protecting walls for the park; everything has been those horrible scenes. We have seen flood turning washed away by floods. There was a small zoo into terrible killer, but the whole nation has for the visitors which included a leopard that also suffered the calamity in one way or other. The went into flood, only his dead body was found floods have affected many; somewhere it has after the water level fell. The Peshawar wiped away lands and property and at other parts Development Authority constructed the park with it swallowed the dear-ones. the cost of 25 million rupees whereas the road from Jahangeera to Kund park was constructed by In Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa where school, colleges, Works Department with the cost of 7 million hospitals, roads and other public buildings were rupees. The provincial government transferred affected, at the same time Kund National Park that park to tourism department. built on an island was also demolished. The best recreational park was snatched from people. The In 1996, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto gave dinner in wreckage gives the impression as though some the honour of the American ambassador in enemy has demolished the area with Pakistan, but owing to some reasons the dinner indiscriminate bombing, nothing has been left of was cancelled hours before the schedule. Almost
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute every government functionary has visited the from PK to Punjab are quite aware of park. Aftab Sherpao, General Fazl Haque, Meer the park. The parks one part was in Afzal and so on. The water flowing beside the district Swabi and other part in district park used to create a magical ambience. The Nowshehra. The western side of the tourist used to swarm the park whether it was park touchedRiver Indus while other winter or summer or any season. The tourist from end touched River Qabul. According all parts of the country used to visit the park. The archaeologists, Kund is a Sanskrit word, which routine continued till the terrorist incidents, but means pond or water. If you go to the eastern side after terrorism the number of visitors significantly of park, you would notice number of small ponds, decreased. On holidays this park used to be theses ponds were used in marble industry. The packed with the visitors. The park built on 1500 water is clean, then there is Kund Khor where kanals was of unique kind. The provincial water comes in monsoon. In ancient days Kund government acquired that land under the land had thick forests, in 1581, Mughal emporer Akber construct a boat bridge and Attock Fort, G T road was built by Sher Shah Soori and Jahangeera Was built by king Jahangeer. The British constructed Kund Rest house but the park was built by provincial government in February 1991 and was opened to public in August 1991. There are two guest houses in that area. One was built by the British and other was built after independence. A big boat connects the park with G T Road. The tourists and local residents used that boat for their purpose. On southern side of rest houses, a graveyard can be seen. There is tomb of Hazrat acquisition act of 1894 in district Swabi. Baba Jee which was constructed 1988. In Kund Khor one can see the remains of ancient dykes Now long time a large amount of money will be made of stones. The dykes were useful in making needed to restore the park, the floods not only ponds, people used to come for the treatment of resulted in demolition of whole infra structure but children’s ailments, one can find children clothes rendered large number employees jobless who at those spot. At the moment state machinery is belong to poor families. The houses in the area busy rehabilitating the displaced people, after that are built at higher level so the people travelling government will attend to the restoration of park.
Great Historical Park of Peshawar, Wazeer Bagh is in state of ruins The Garden built in 1802 was a place for ‘Mushairas’, it was built by Sirdar Muhammad Fateh Khan A british tourist, Alexander Bruns stayed there and constructed a ‘Baradari’ Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 31, 2010
Imraniat By Imran Rasheed known as Wazeer, in 1802-3. of Taimur Shah Durrani. Sirdar imran Sirdar Fateh Muhammad was Fateh Muhammad helped twice Peshawar’s great historical the most intelligent one among Shah Muhammad in getting his garden, Wazeer Bagh was his brother, he was minister of rule back in the power struggle constructed by Sirdar Fateh Durrani ruler, Shah Mehmood between Taimur Shaha’s sons Muhammad Khan, popularly who was the son of second wife by his tactical moves and
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute intelligence. People called him ‘The pathans 1958’ that the bordered the whole ‘the king maker’. Sir Olf trees in the garden are garden with flowers. Cheiro writes in his book Wazeer’s memories, a sad Different fruit bearing trees were planted in different parts of the garden. The garden has all kinds of flowers but Rose has its own attraction. Once it was a famous picnic spot, people used to come in groups, they used to play cricket, hockey and football, Mushairas were held, the ponds which give deserted look now, were filled with clear water and beautiful fish. The royalties used to sit beside the ponds, afterwards people used to hold musical functions and Chess competitions. The badluck of garden started after the partition when mushroom ‘Pathans’ that Sirdar Fateh place where his spirit still growth of settlement started Muhammad is known in wanders. In south of the city, around the garden. The garden Peshawar due that Garden. The Wazeer Bagh was spread on began to shrink; sometimes for garden became famous for the hundreds of acres, the footpaths the graveyard and at other gatherings on the occasions of were made. Water ponds occasion for the construction of Wars and fairs. The younger bearing beautiful fish gave college. At times land grabbers step brother of Sirdar Fateh, beautiful scene. In 1832, a attack the garden and at other Sultan Muhammad Khan British tourist, Alexander instance state functionaries sold resided in that Garden during Bruns stayed in Peshawar on out it partially. The fire brigade rule on Peshawar with his his way to Bukhara, he spent used it for its firehouse and family. Sirdar Fateh some time in this garden. The corporation used it for Muhammad was excellent gardens splendour continued to workshops and warehouse. On administrator, whenever Shah exist till the rule of Sirdars, but some occasions it was Mehmood became king, the after when Sikhs conquered destroyed to lay sewerage lines state affairs were in his hands Peshawar, it lost the beauty it and sometimes for Eidgah and which eventually became the used to have. When the British Janazgah. Eventually the area reasons for his murder. All the took back Peshawar they has shrunk to merely 100 courtesans including Shah’s restored the beauty of the kanals. Pons are dried up and sons were after his life. Shah garden, they used it for horse fish abandoned the ponds. The Memood who became king riding. The province’s first present condition gives the twice just because of Sirdar political agent, Colonel Robert deserted look, nobody acn Fateh Muhammad, killed him writes in his book ‘Eighteen imagine what it was used to be in 1818 on the fake reporting years in the Khyber’ that the in past when it had mystified and slanders by his son Kamran horse ride in the garden a the people at large by its Mirza. Kamran Mirza falsely beautiful experience.” Dr captivating beauty and blamed Sirdar Fateh Amjad Husdsain writes in his splendour, now spirit of Sirdar Muhammad that during Harat book’Aalim mein Intikhab’ that Fateh Muhammad roams expedition, one Sick sirdar of the garden had eight parts, around to mourn the his army tried to get physical intersected with 6 feet wide dilapidated condition of the with a lady of Royal family. Sir brick passages made with garden. Olf Cheiro writes in his book ‘wazeeri bricks’ which
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SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
The first recreational spot for the women in Peshawar, Purdagah This recreational park was part of historical royal garden, in evenings there was hustle and bustle, the women put stalls here in Eid and other occasions The buildings for doctors and nurses have been built on Wireless Ground Bagh near Qila Bala Hassar Daily Aaj, Peshawar, September 10, 2010
Imraniat By Imran Rasheed especially on eid and other Peshawar’s great Shalamar imran occasions there is a lot of Garden which was demolished Purdagah has no separate activity in the garden. There by Sikhs during their rule. identity; actually it is part of used to be fun fairs and Royal Garden which was set recreational events in the park In twentieth century, when aside for women and name but afterwards that were Telephone and wireless service Purdagah was given to it. This discontinued owing to the started, offices, colonies and is the first Park, club and reason that schools and other buildings were community centre for women colleges hold those occasions constructed on its parts, so it in KP province. This is hundred within their own premises. was popularly called as years old, before Purdagah, there was a zoo in Royal garden which due to financial crises was shut down. Among other tradition of Peshawar valley, the people of the area are very religious and strictly obey Islamic traditions; ‘purdah’ has its special importance. Initially it was very conservative society, women were not allowed to go out even for their essential needs, education was a banned thing and no recreational facility was available to them. Now there has been some change in the society, considering the needs of this part of society, a large wireless ground. There was a area of royal garden has been Wireless ground bagh natural spring in the garden allocated for the women only. Wireless ground bagh was which used to give hot water in Three sides of the purdagah has under the Qila Bala Hassar inits winters, people used to come been enclosed with very high western side. Now at that site here. With the passage of time boundary walls whereas the Flats for the staff of Lady the garden became a deserted forth side is already covered, a Reading Hospital, hostels for place, different political parties different entrance has been doctors and nurses have been started to hold their public constructed for this ladies park. built. Historically it was part of meetings. The Ameer of The ladies come in the evening,
Pakistan Forest Digest 97 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana to post graduate level there was solved but Peshawar Maududi once addressed a issue of residences for the staff, was deprived of its public assembly here. Two so the residential flats were historical spot. decades back when Lady constructed on empty stretch, Reading Hospital was upgraded the issue of residences was
The new swings will be installed in Ayub Park with the amount of 3.4 million rupees The children will enjoy it free of cost, in current year plants worth 1.3 million rupees will be planted Every kind of exhibition is banned at the park entrance: Colonel (r) Tariq Masood Daily Jang, Rawalpindi, September 20, 2010
Rawalpindi (Sajid Chaudhary) “The new swings swings had been installed to offer better are being installed in Ayub Park with the amount recreation to the visitors, and to develop better of 3.4 million rupees. The children will enjoy it atmosphere, new plants were being planted with free of cost. The maximum part of the park is the an amount of 1.3 million. Four nurseries were developed for public recreation; the entry fee for being developed in the park; to reduce the crowd children in ‘Jungle World’ is being lowered. in the ‘Jungle World’ swings were being installed in other parts of the park, so that the visitors Every kind of exhibition is banned at the park should enjoy other areas of the park also.” A entrances.” The director business development jogging track and tennis court is being constructed Army Heritage Foundation, Col (r) Tariq Masood in the park”, Col Masood added. said while talking to Daily Jang. He said that new
Pakistan Forest Digest 98 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
Chapter 10
Miscellaneous ! ! ! SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Chapter 10
Miscellaneous
Deforestation plays havoc with Murree Pakistan Observer Islamabad, July 08, 2010
Islamabad—The so-called rotting garbage and a choked rupee notes as this business is ‘Queen of the Hills’, a sewage system. Another tourist booming. grandiose title which it hasn’t Fahad said “We come here to been worthy of for many years, enjoy weather but excess of Pindi and Kashmir Points, once appears to be in the last, plazas had played havoc with attractive spot for tourists are desperate throes of commercial Murree”.` now nerve-wracking suicide. Everything revolves experiences. around a terrifying lust for Plaza’ is a word on everyone’s money, money and more lips, from down in Sunny Samina,who was there with her money. Bank, up the winding road to family said “the cold drink and the main bus terminal (which it fast food vendors, the pushy The fact that gross over- is now difficult to locate taxi wallas and the ever-present commercialism is killing the amongst a maze of shopping hotel touts, there is no escape goose of tourism, which lays arcades and monstrous hotels), and they will hassle you sooner the golden eggs on which the all the way along to and up the or later”. financial survival of the ‘city’ famous ‘Mall’ which hasn’t depends, is not given serious escaped devastation either, he The number of hotels has consideration. maintained. increased at a pace which outstrips the number of tourists The lust for money is turning New hotels and shopping looking for a bed for the night, the tourist retreat into an plazas have wrecked the old for most, one night is more than environmental disaster rapidly time ambiance, with cyber enough. getting out of hand. cafes and amusement arcades adding to the mess. Fixed room rates are a myth as Muzamil who came there with customers are well aware. his family told this agency that It is not unusual for beggars to Negotiation is the name of the the air, once fragrantly fresh go into one of the numerous game, whatever the season, and exhilarating, is redolent shops, rattling a mug or tin although reductions are much with exhaust fumes, greasy bowl full of coins, to request easier to obtain at a quieter smoke from fast food joints and the shopkeeper to change this time of year.—APP the stench, on a hot day, of ‘weight’ into easier carried
Pakistan Forest Digest 99 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Letter to Editor Ozone depleting inhalers Dawn Islamabad, July 24, 2010
This is with reference to a However, one MNC airways doubled compared to recent report published in representative has reportedly that of the CFC-based MDIs. Dawn regarding the phasing- said at a seminar that they have out of ozone depleting inhalers. already moved from CFC to It is no surprise that the major I appreciate the Ministry of HFA inhalers. conclusion of a study Environment’s initiative to comparing the two different phase out the ozone depleting Here I would like to point out propellant-based MDIs was that inhalers by assisting local that the non-CFC containing only 50 per cent of the usual industries into not using the inhalers are not only beneficial dose in HFA MDIs would be ozone depleting substances and for the environment but are also required to produce the by providing them with more effective for patients. equivalent clinical effect as financial help. compared to CFC MDIs. The particle produced by non- This support is extended by the CFC (HFA)-based Metered Keeping all these benefits in ministry with the assistance of Dose Inhalers (MDIs) is finer mind, it’s high time we created the UNDP, the UNIDO, the and softer and is generated at a awareness among the doctors, UNEP and the World Bank slower speed. patients and the general public along with the financial and to protect our ozone layer. technical support of the Consequently, throat deposition Multilateral Fund Secretariat. gets lesser with the HFA-based DR SYED ASIF IQBAL MDIs and delivery to lower HASHMI Karachi
Moringa as green fodder Dawn Islamabad, July 26, 2010
By Hafeez ur Rehman dairy and livestock where less vegetative annual crop and is THE prolonged dry spell, than 54 to 60 per cent animals evergreen and fast growing usually from December through are underfed and the nutritional with high capability to re-grow May, directly affects the stress reduces their after pruning. grasslands and farming areas performance. which create scarcity of green The tree has the capacity to fodder for livestock. The role of multi-purpose trees produce high quantities of fresh and shrubs in the nutrition of biomass per unit area even at Use of fodder trees and shrub farm animals is becoming high planting densities and give forages during such period is popular. Among such trees, dry matter yield from 4.2 to 8.3 one of the potential strategies Moringa oleifera is a highly ton per hectare with a cutting of smallholders for regular valuable and multipurpose tree frequency of 40 days interval supply of high quality feed to locally called Suhanjna. It is a and even can be harvested after their ruminants. native to the sub-Himalayan 15 days. tracts of India, Pakistan, Adequate and regular supply of Bangladesh and Afghanistan Almost every part of the plant fodder round the year is and is planted around the is nutritious specially its leaves essential for development of world. The tree is cultivated as are a rich source of highly
Pakistan Forest Digest 100 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute digestible protein, calcium, iron mass. The mass should be Regular irrigation and vitamin C essential for pressed through a meat grinder keeps the soil moist livestock. The dry leaves and made into pellets. which promotes contain seven times more vitamin C than orange, 10 times more vitamin A than carrot, 17 times calcium than milk, 15 times potassium than bananas, 25 times iron than spinach and nine times proteins than yogurt. Beside these, the plant is also rich in vitamin B- complex, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.
Unlike other forages, moringa is adaptive to harsh and drier environments of the arid/semi- arid zones as well as in the hills and uplands of the humid parts during summer. Dairy animals growth. like cows, buffaloes and sheep, As a tree, it can be grown if supplemented with green easily from seeds or cuttings Intensive moringa cultivation leaves and stems of Moringa, which can flourish quickly yields up to 650 metric tons of produce 43-65 per cent more even under poor soil conditions green matter per hectare more milk. Cattle fed on moringa and start flowering eight than any other green manure leaves also show rapid gain in months after planting. If the crop like beans which yield up weight. tree is propagated by planting to 110 tons/hectare of green
stem cuttings, then the cuttings matter in pure stands. However, the fodder should be should be from the woody parts mixed with molasses, of the branches. It should be The vigorous and re-growth sugarcane, young elephant wood from the previous year. nature of moringa plant can grass, sweet (young) sorghum produce 3-5 new shoots after plants, or whatever else is They can be cured for three each cutting and up to nine locally available. days in the shade and then harvests can be obtained
planted in a nursery or in the annually. The high protein content of field. moringa leaves must be Despite its potential benefits in balanced with other energy For intensive production of agriculture, moringa cultivation food. Care must be taken to leaves, plants should be 10-20 on large scale is always avoid excessive protein intake cm apart. Closer spacing allows ignored. Researchers should as too much protein in a cattle harvest of young edible shoots take initiative to explore the feed can be fatal. If it is to be every two to three weeks. possibility for its extensive use used as a fresh fodder, the Addition of a balanced fertiliser in agricultural crops in order to sludge should be taken after or compost to infertile soil get high economic returns. sedimentation and mixed with enhances root development. dry fodder until it is a semidry
Pakistan Forest Digest 101 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute
English translation from Urdu News
Forest Home, a magical experience Daily AAJ, Peshawar, July 01, 2010
Hazar Dastan By Mustanser Hussain Tarar means of transportation. How could he survive in When we were in the middle of the steel bridge of the snow covered area alone if he was unmarried Fall Creek, a landcruiser came and stopped near and issueless? We used to cross the steel bridge us, Memoona and I was there as usual for a walk, and go to other end of the bridge, again there were it was normal for us that a driver would say row of beautiful houses. Memoona used to stand ‘morning’ but it was the first time that someone besides the railing of bridge and would say “go stopped for us. A thick-necked American driver wherever you want to, I am tired.” I would cross said in American accent which I could not the bridge to go deep in the jungle, where I used understand, “I am sorry” I said. what did you say, to listen birds chirping, and feel the fragrance of I asked. “I asked if there is any Trout fish in the trees, once I was standing in the jungle when I water”, he asked. “Trout fish”, I asked with heard a strange mechanical sound, I was surprised surprise. “Yes, trout”, he said. “I don’t know, we for a while, again there was that same sound, I are stranger here, ask some local dweller of the was scared, you just imagine if you are alone in a area”, I said. By the way, I have read a lot about jungle, a squirrel comes to you with open mouth, Carnel, there was no reference of trout, you try what would be your feelings. A person like me your luck.” I repeated. That healthy American frightened and imagine how a common man went away without a smile on his face. Memoona would feel in those moments. Anyhow, I never said worriedly that the American was from secret went to that jungle again, it was not wise to be agency and was checking us that why we are killed by some violent animal. While strolling in strolling on the bridge in early morning, trout was the lawns of forest home we had memorised all just an excuse, otherwise he would have asked the flowers, we remembered every flower someone else, how could anybody find trout in blooming and withering. There were five dark these shallow waters. coloured tulips in the forest home, when the last tulip withered we decided to leave the forest Memoona’s analysis could not be rejected home. Every house of forest homes was dream outrightly. It was possible that American was house for me, but three of them captivated me. fond of hunting trout and he found us there, so he One of them was strange house looked like a asked us, or might it was other way round and he tomb; a plaque was hanging on the door. There was just checking us. What Pakistani man, Faisel was inscription “This reminds me of my wife who did in US is enough for any foreigner to take died in 1938”, this was part of the house. It was everyone of us as terrorist, so we shouldn’t object. not possible that the loving husband living in that Whenever any Pakistan does anything like that, house would be alive yet, but it might have whole Pakistani community has to bear the brunt. carried some secrets of jungle. The curtains on the While visiting BB lake and seeing waterfalls, we windows were drawn and very room had electric discovered ‘Forest home’ which is deceptively bulb inside. At night I often saw light coming out beautiful. We were captivated by its charm. A of the room assured us that the husband of the road adjacent to Sameer’s house went downward expired lady would be inside the house. There where a long line of elegant and ancient house used to be some toy lights outside the house, an began. Right side of the house view creek waters average car and a sports expensive car were whereas left side had its lawns on the mountains. parked outside the house. One day I went alone to The first house was owned by some person in see that house, it was not a pleasant experience, 1794, that person must have been crazy of the an ancient and deserted house was giving quite scenic beauty, who came and resided on the river scar look. The lights in the house were on, I was bank where there was no electricity and any terrified, I decided to return immediately. On my
Pakistan Forest Digest 102 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute way back I saw a thin old man smoking pipe and on her body. She said that her husband gazing into the sky. I started conversation with Mike told her that you like the house, him with his permission. He said he was a thank you. computer lab designer, after retirement he bought the house in 1990. “I live with my wife, our The third which I liked was locked, daughter occasionally visits us, otherwise I work grass had grown to its windows and a in the lawns take care of plants and smoke pipe.” board was hanging with lettering “For Sale” or The old man said.”Look at that tree which has “To let” was almost near to fall down. I became ladder attached to it. I climb the ladder to cut the fan of that house, I was sure when I would go branches of the tree because I don’t like the tree, I back to my house in Lahore, in load—shedding can cut the whole tree, but it might fell in the days during unbearable heat that house would river, and I do not want to create hurdle in the haunt me. river.” The ladder was almost 40/50 feet high. I was surprised and asked, “How can you climb so I said to my wife, “Darling If I had money I high and cut the branches, don’t you get scared of would buy that house.” My wife is tired of these height.” He dragged on the pipe, after many long things. She says irritatingly, “You might have puffs, he said,”I am not afraid of height and I am bought about one dozen houses, Hunza, Khaplu, not so old, I am not yet eighty. Chitral and so on, you buy house in Cornel and stay there to catch trout, I don’t object.” One day I met his wife by chance, she was just I think in the presence of wife and in the old age, the same, and smart, thin and no trace of extra fat one should abstain to dream.
Sangi Foundation personnel are ready to embezzle millions of rupees Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July, 28, 2010
Batgram (Crime Reporter) The Sangi development work. The NGO workers, Foundation personnel have started to visit according to reports, are staying in luxury tourist resorts to embezzle millions of hotels and pay huge amounts. We demand rupees.The NGO Sangi Foundation working that workers of Sangi Foundation are stopped in Allai has started to misappropriate the from wasting the funds meant for the funds meant for reconstruction and development in the area.
Haji Wakeel Khan elected as President Dargai Timber Market Mukarram Khan, general Secreatry, Anwar Shah, senior vice president and Haji Abdullah are vice president Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 17, 2010
Dargai (Mashriq elected as President whereas Abdullah as vice president Correspondent) Dargai timber Mukarram Khan as general were elected in the elections. market elections are complete. Secretary, Anwar Shah as The office holders were elected Haji Wakeel Khan has been senior vice president and Haji for 1 ½ years. After election a
Pakistan Forest Digest 103 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010
SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute ceremony was held. The ceremony; they said they would work hard to revive elected members addressed the the timber market.
Domel Forest rest House broke down before completion 10 million rupees wasted, resentment in public circles Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 20, 2010
SERN (Special Reporter) The building of Domel Forest Rest House caved in before its formal completion due to faulty construction. People are highly charged, they said it was the fault of forest department and the contractor. 10 million rupees wasted by corruption. First rainfall exposed the irregularity. The people told Sern Valley union of journalists in Jabori that the contractor used sand and stone from the river. They demanded that action should be taken the contractor.
Pakistan Forest Digest 104 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010