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SWAT, (MANEND NEWS): Forest cover in Malakand division is approximately 40 per cent and it is sufficient according to international standards, say officials.
They were addressing a seminar organised by forest department in Mingora here on Monday. The seminar was attended by the Malakand chief conservator, Hafiz Muqtada Shah, Dir conservator Dir Shaukat Fayyaz, Malakand conservator Asghar Khan, Hazara conservator Mohammad Yousuf Khan, Swat DFO Shah Hussain Khan, SDFO Qazi Shabbir and a large number of private forest owners, civil society members and journalists.
Addressing the seminar, Hafiz Muqtada said that forest cover in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Malakand division, was increased. “Forest protection is guaranteed in this region. Forest coverage rate in Malakand division is notably high, aligning with the overall level of the province,” he added.
He said that many people believed that frequent floods only occurred in areas lacking forests, but that was not entirely correct. He said that floods had historically transpired even in regions with dense forests. He added that floods were a natural disaster that could strike anywhere regardless of whether an area was forested or not.
“Forests offer numerous advantages including lower temperature, decreased disease prevalence, cleaner environment and improved overall health for those residing in forested areas,” said Hafiz Muqtada. He said that safeguarding forests should be the primary and collective responsibility of everyone.
He asked urged people to play their due role in preserving forests in their respective areas. “The forest department has consistently worked towards forest protection. The evidence of this commitment is reflected in the current low rate of deforestation in Malakand division,” he said.
The official said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government authorised forest owners to plant trees on their forested lands in accordance with the guidelines outlined in 2017 Woodlot Policy. He added that the cutting of trees had also been permitted to address the requirements of the local community.
The participants of the seminar lauded the efforts of forest department and pledged to safeguard and protect forests in their areas.