Picture Source : ADB
Trees
are eternal friends of mankind. They produce wood and non wood forest product,
protect soil and water, absorb and store carbon, release oxygen conserve bio
diversity and render recreational facilities. Pakistan unfortunately badly
lacks these highly valuable natural resources. According to government of
Pakistan Forestry sector Master plan only 4.8 % of the country’s total land
area is covered with trees. This is very low by International standard given
that the average percentage for Asian Countries is 21%.Pakistan is one of the lowest
per capita forest areas in the world. it is only 0.03 hectares per capita of
the population compared to the world average of 1.0 hectares .
Similarly the per capita paper consumption is 2.7 Kg per year compared to 311
kg in USA or 200 Kg in Japan (Govt. of Pakistan 1992) Pakistan is party of almost
all the global conventions and treaties promulgated for the conservation of the
environment. Most of these agreements require the member’s state to curb the
deforestation for stabilization of carbon sinks and promote three growths for enhanced carbon
sequestrations. Certain protocols may make it biding on parties in the future
to maintain the forest areas at specific level for off- setting ill effect of
the green house Gas emission. Pakistan is therefore
obliged to conserve its existing forest and also increase the
tree cover to meet the obligations of international agreements. The government
already imposed a ban on forest harvesting in the country where considerable
efforts are underway for rapid increase in three plantations.
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