PESHAWAR (3rd June 2021): The ten billion trees tsunami programme with planting of one billionth tree by the prime minister Imran Khan has entered a new era of terrestrial ecosystem restoration. It has been a landmark initiative aimed at protecting nature and the planet while creating green jobs and worth living environment. The distinguished speakers said this while addressing a hybrid seminar on ‘Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management in Pakistan’ held here at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University.
The event was organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University whereas the representatives from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Government of Pakistan and students and faculty members from University of Peshawar, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Hazara University, Gomal University and University of Haripur also participated in the event held in connection with the World Environment Day 2021.
Pakistan stands distinguished among the comity of nations because of success of its flagship Ecosystems Restoration Programmes as the Prime Minister Imran Khan plants the billionth tree at the Makhniyal forest since the launch of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Progarmme (TBTTP) in September 2018. It is pride for the country to host the World Environment Day as global lead in recognition of our TBTT programme.
The Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr Shah Farman, on the occasion emphasized that it is important to evaluate the economic factors of the ten billion tsunami tree. He informed the participants that worldly 30-40% sugar level in honey, and we have only 6-9% sugar in our honey.
Provincial Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, KP, Syed Muhammad Ishtiaq, on the occasion said that in the beginning of Billion Tree Tsunami Tree we had no resources, but Prime Minister Imran Khan had the vision to work for environment. He said that we have harvested these trees in more than 5 lac hectares of land. He said that our government is committed to the cause of climate change. The government first started a one billion tree programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and later on scaled it up at the country level making it its flagship 10 billion tree tsunami. The efforts will be useful in improving the forest cover of Pakistan and will help protect the forest ecosystem with better forest management.
Earlier, Ambassador (R) Shafqat Kakakhel, chairperson SDPI BOG, in his opening remarks, said that managing forest resources is important as it relates to the environment and the communities. Forests provide timber for human beings. Forests provide wood for all ships and boats that transport people and cargo from across the world. Forests provide safety against floods as it reduces levels of damages and forests yield medicinal plants which provide medicines to the people.
Prof Dr Razia Sultana. Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, on the occasion said that the youth should be focused in initiatives such as ecosystem restoration as they are the future and they should be trained and made skillful to meet future challenges. She informed the participants that SBBWU established climate change cell in the campus in 2017 and we have carrying out research works in the department. In 2019 we have established Environment Society for BS students in the university.
