ISLAMABAD, November 2, 2024: Germany has committed €20 million to fund the second phase of the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project (BTASP) in Pakistan.
Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Ms. Esther Gravenkotter, Director of the German Development Bank KfW signed the agreement, following the approval of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema.
This project is a vital part of the German-Pakistan Climate and Energy Initiative launched at COP26. Through the Pak-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP), the German government is actively supporting Pakistan’s efforts to mitigate climate risks.
With this new funding, the total support from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via KfW for the BTASP has reached €33.5 million.
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The first phase of the project, which received €13.5 million, is already underway in collaboration with the KP Climate Change, Forestry, Environment & Wildlife Department (CCFEWD).
The BTASP aims to enhance the protection and sustainable management of forests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The initiative will focus on planting new trees across 10,000 hectares and strengthening the capacity of Forest Departments, including the development of a Management Information System.
Community involvement will be emphasized, with local populations mobilized as key stakeholders in forest conservation. The project also aims to generate nature-based livelihoods to alleviate poverty and promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in decision-making processes.
Dr. Niaz highlighted that the project is expected to significantly contribute to Pakistan’s climate change mitigation efforts, biodiversity conservation, and the attainment of sustainable development goals.
