Peshawar
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has established an inclusive separate monitoring system for evaluation and spot verification of all saplings planted under 10 billion tress afforestation project (10BTAP) in the province including merged areas where over 196 million saplings were planted during last two years.
Under the comprehensive monitoring system, these large number of saplings planted under 10 BTAP in all 35 districts including seven tribal districts of South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Kurrum, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur tribal districts would be properly verified on the spot and its data would be properly documented for future planning.
Secretary Environment, Forests and Wildlife, Shahidullah Khan has recently been given detailed briefing about this separate monitoring system, achievements, targets and challenges in the wake of extension of 10BTAP to merged areas during his visit to Pakistan Forest Institute Peshawar. The Project Director informed that a separate monitoring and evaluation system for 10BTAP whopping plantation was put in place by the government for documentation, future planning and others official services.
“The monitoring of these large numbers of plants continued despite COVID 19 with strict adherence to SOPs and harsh weather conditions especially in mountainous districts of KP”, he said. Raees Khan said over 196 million saplings were planted during last two years under 10 BTAP in KP and around 150 million plants was ready for plantation. He said 10 BTAP was a flagship project of PTI Government started across the country and all available resources was being utilized for achieving all set targets within the stipulated time.
He said vast land was available for plantation in Merged Areas where both man made and enclosures plantation would be carried out. KP has been set a plantation target of additional one billion saplings under 10BTAP that would be achieved with assistance of general public, farmers, private and government departments by 2023. “The target is achievable as KP had successfully planted over 1.20 billion saplings in first phase of billion trees project during 2014-17.”
He said technical and field staff for 10 BTAP has been recruited for successful monitoring, planning and evolution of the afforestation programs in the province including merged areas. Raees Khan said an inclusive plan has been prepared for upcoming spring plantation in KP. Secretary Environment, Forest and Wildlife Shahidullah Khan while speaking on the occasion said 10 BTAP was a landmark project in a green sector launched by PTI Government to counter environmental pollution, climate change and desertification challenges.
Keeping in view of successful completion of first phase of the project, 10 BTAP was extended to others provinces in 2018-19 and the remarkable successes, mechanism and procedures achieved and adopted by his department was now being followed in others federating units of Pakistan, he said. “The Forest Department KP is ready to help provide technical assistance to others provinces in successful execution of 10 BTAP and in this connection several key meetings with senior officials of the forest departments of others provinces were held and our technical expertises were shared with them.”
The Secretary Environment directed the officials that all plants should be properly documented and its record should be maintained. He said no one would be allowed to cut trees illicitly and strict action would be taken against timber smugglers and forest offenders. The Secretary said punishment and reward system has been introduced in the department and officials showing good performance would be encouraged whereas strict disciplinary action would be taken against corrupt and an inefficient officials.—APP
