KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: It is a matter of concern that forest net has reduced by 50 percent in the country in three decades due to urbanization, increasing population, and deforestation. It stands at 1.9 percent which was 4.5 percent in 1990.

It was echoed by experts at International Day of Forests 2018 arranged by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Southern Punjab Forest Company (SPFC), and Hashoo Foundation at Center for Advanced Studies’ Auditorium, UAF. The panel discussion was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar while SPFC Chief Executive Officer Tahir Rasheed, Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Muhammad Amjad, Hashoo Foundation Senior Program Manager Arif Rehman, Progressive Farmer Manzoor Thakar, Department of Forestry Chairman Dr Tahir Siddiqui, Dr Fahad Rasul and other notables also spoke.

UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar said that low forest net was causing different challenges including climate changes, pollution, drought, heavy floods, and new diseases outbreak. He said the international standard of forests was 25 percent. He said that due to ever-increasing population, fertile agriculture land was being covered into residential colonies. He said that trees reduced 50 per cent carbon dioxide emission. It is chopped down or burned; it aggravated the issue of climate changes. He called for taking tangible steps to fight situation with enhanced awareness and collective efforts on the part of the all stakeholders. He said that increasing population was provoking the different problems for the people. He added that if population growth is controlled, it will help address the different challenges.

SPFC CEO Tahir Rasheed said the strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 8 degrees Celsius, thus protecting cities from the impacts of heat waves and increasing temperatures. He said that landmark initiative of Government of the Punjab will lead to forestation of 130 million trees in South Punjab, sequester carbon emissions up to 25 million tons, create 15,000 green jobs, up to 75% of SPFC’s share in the form of trees to be conserved, circulation of Rs240 billion in the economy and the government to earn Rs20 billion during the project duration of 15 years’.

Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Muhammad Amjad said instead of increment in our forest net, it is decreasing. He said trees are essential part of healthy environment for a better life. He urged the society to play their active role in the plantation. He called for taking measures to improve urban forest cover of the urban centers for a sustainable future. He said that the theme for this year’s International Day is ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’, as cities account for heavy global carbon emissions.

Climate Chair Prof. Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha from UAF said that environmental degradation was posing a serious threat to life on earth. The deforestation, industrialization and urbanization are among the major culprits of ecosystem degradation and deterioration. He said with deforestation, increasing pollution, and smoke emitting from the chunk of factories, the issue of climate changes was aggravating with each passing day. He said that the world temperature can rise to 2 Celsius by the end of this century if tangible measures not adopted. He said that our environment was witnessing new agro diseases, agriculture challenges and others die to climate changes. He called for creating awareness among the people about the issue.

Hashoo Foundation Senior Program Manager Arif Rehman said amid the challenges of climate changes, it is essential to increase urban forests to tackle the issue of heat islands.