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Pakistan has lost 20% of its forest acreage due to urbanisation.

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3 months ago

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According to PIDE, with around 27,000 hectares of forest removal per year, Pakistan has the lowest rate of forestation in the world in its most recent study, “Challenges and Opportunities of The Billion Tree Tsunami Project (TBTTP)”. The study found that Bangladesh and Pakistan had the largest percentages of private forest land ownership in South Asia—36% and 34%, respectively.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has Pakistan’s largest forest area, followed by Sindh, Punjab, ex-Fata, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), in that order. According to the study, the primary causes of deforestation in Pakistan include the country’s rapidly expanding population, growing urbanisation, extreme poverty, and lack of energy sources like gas.

Furthermore, the study shows that the development of extensive road systems for individual mobility and infrastructure in cities like Lahore and Islamabad has negatively impacted forestation. Pakistan has less than one billion trees, making it one of the nations with the fewest amounts of trees worldwide.

Pakistan has just five trees per person and 1,131 trees per sq km (more than Afghanistan in South Asia). According to study, 900 trees per person are needed for sustainable development.

The largest totals are found in the nations with the largest landmasses. The world’s tree population is largest in Russia (642 billion), followed by Canada (318 billion), Brazil (302 billion), and the United States (228 billion). Pakistan has less than one billion trees, making it one of the nations with the fewest amounts of trees worldwide.

Pakistan’s overall forest acreage has shrunk by 20% since 2000. In 2021, the percentage of Pakistan’s land area covered by forests was 4.8% (36.9 sq km) out of a total land area of 770.8 sq km, whereas in 2000 it was 5.9% (45.1 sq km). Pakistan clears over 27,000 hectares of forest annually, of which half are utilised for cooking and heating in homes without access to gas.

Pakistan’s forest cover is far less than the global average of 31.2%, which is higher than the average values of 18.9% in South Asia, 24.4% in India, and 14.5% in Bangladesh. According to PIDE study, “a country should ideally have 25% forest cover for a healthy environment.”

The country’s total forest acreage is distributed differently, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for the largest portion at 32.7%. Other regions with higher percentages include Sindh (14.8%), Punjab (12.4%), Ex-Fata (11.9%), Balochistan (11.1%), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (9.6%), and Gilgit-Baltistan (7%).

According to research, “dry temperate forests account for the largest share of the country’s forest cover area, accounting for 36% of it. Sub-tropical broadleaved shrubs (19%), moist temperate forests (15%), Chir Pine forests (13%), Riverine (4%), irrigated plantations (4%), thorn (3%), mangrove (3%) and subalpine forests (2%) are the next most common forest cover types.

Furthermore, PIDE’s research indicates that the country’s rate of forestation has decreased over time due to factors including high levels of poverty, increasing urbanisation, fast population increase, and energy scarcity. Large tracts of forest have been cut down by locals and timber mafias. Individuals who lack access to electricity or do not receive it sometimes rely on wood fires for warmth, cooking, and illumination.

It also mentions that there are 11 million hectares of privately held forests in South Asia, and that number is growing. The largest percentage of privately owned woods are in Pakistan and Bangladesh (36% and 34%, respectively, in 2010). Future sustainable forest management may be seriously impacted by a rise in the percentage of privately owned woods.

Among all forest ownership groups, indigenous people own the least, and their share is decreasing. This might have detrimental effects on the preservation of forests as well as the  empowerment of indigenous people, who are already among the most deprived.

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The bail petition of Parvez Elahi in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by the ATC.

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A bail application filed by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party, in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on the grounds of prematurity.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed announced the decision during today’s hearing.

The counsel representing Parvez Elahi contended that there was a significant likelihood of his client being arrested in relation to the Jinnah House attack case. It was stated that the ex-Chief Minister had previously been held in custody on judicial remand in other cases.

The petitioner requested the court to authorise the release of Parvez Elahi on bail in the Jinnah House attack case.

Nevertheless, the prosecution argued that the bail petition did not meet the necessary legal criteria, emphasising that Parvez Elahi had not been apprehended in connection with the case.

Considering these considerations, the court rejected Parvez Elahi’s request for release, stating that it was premature since he had not been arrested in the Jinnah House attack case.

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Iran has officially announced a period of national mourning following the tragic death of Raisi in a helicopter crash.

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The state-run news agency IRNA has reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has announced a period of five days for the entire nation to grieve the untimely death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.

Khamenei paid a respectful homage by sharing a photograph of himself with Raisi on X, previously known as Twitter, and included a remark alluding to Imam Reza, the highly esteemed eighth imam of Shia Islam.

Mohammad Mokhber, the First Vice President, has been appointed to supervise the executive branch of the government. He will serve in this role temporarily for a period of 50 days, during which a new presidential election must take place. Mokhber has committed to perpetuating Raisi’s trajectory and guaranteeing the seamless execution of governmental responsibilities.

“As per Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber has been appointed to lead the executive branch,” stated Khamenei. He further mentioned that Mokhber will collaborate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to make arrangements for the upcoming presidential elections, with a deadline of 50 days.”

According to IRNA, Ali Bagheri Kani has been designated as the interim foreign minister following this unfortunate event. The remains of Raisi are currently being brought to Tabriz, however, specific information regarding his funeral plans has not yet been provided.

An unusual conference, encompassing all three levels of the Iranian government, was convened on Monday in response to the tragedy. Mokhber served as the representative of the executive branch, while delegates from the legislative and judiciary branches were also present.

“During the meeting, Mokhber assured that we will adhere to President Raisi’s directives and carry out our assigned responsibilities without any disruptions.” As to the constitution of the Islamic Republic, the first vice president is authorised to temporarily take the position of president with the agreement of the Supreme Leader. Subsequently, a new president is to be elected within a period of 50 days.

Global leaders have offered condolences and conveyed their profound grief and sympathy with the people of Iran in response to this tragic occurrence. While the country grieves, plans are being made to commemorate Raisi’s accomplishments and facilitate a seamless transfer of power.

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Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the former Prime Minister of AJK, has been apprehended by authorities.

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Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the ex-prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has been apprehended by the Margalla Police in Islamabad.

Ilyas was apprehended by the authorities following the registration of a case against him at the Margalla Police Station, as stated by the police spokeswoman.

The police officials have accused Ilyas of committing six grave offences, which include assaulting the premises of a private enterprise.

The spokeswoman verified the arrest, stating that Ilyas was apprehended following a comprehensive investigation and subsequent legal actions.

This event follows the filing of a case against Ilyas, accusing him of being involved in the assault on a private company’s office.

The individual has been apprehended by law enforcement and will be subjected to investigation and subsequent legal procedures.

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