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 Rahman, 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 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 upto 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 afforestation of 130 million trees in South Punjab, sequester carbon emissions upto 25 million tons, create 15,000 green jobs, upto 75% of SPFC’s share in the form of trees to be conserved, circulation of Rs. 240 billion in the economy and the government to earn Rs. 20 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 raise 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. He called for importance of public-private partnerships to help raise awareness and introduce solutions towards creating urban forests. Progressive farmer Manzoor Thakar said we have to love and respect for land, environment and mother tongue. He said that reforestation was the need of the hour to compete with the rest of the world. Dr. Tahir Siddique said that the department had established an arboretum and a forest nursery. He said we should promote agroforestry to meet domestic wood requirement. He said that the UAF is taking concrete measures to turn itself into a green university, by increasing the number of trees on the campus. Dr Fahad Rasul stressed upon the need for urban plantation for a better and healthy environment. He added that that there is a need to plant the tree in the houses also. He said that the with the birth of a child, one plant must be planted in your localities. He added that deforestation was posing a serious threat to the environment. An awareness walk led by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal was taken out on campus, which concluded at Iqbal auditorium. The theme for this year’s is ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’, as cities consume 75% of the world’s natural resources and account for more than 70% of the global carbon emissions. Forests on the other hand absorb almost 40% of anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions every year, which makes a strong case for trees to be planted in urban areas to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.