July - September, 2010 - Sustainable Development Policy Institute

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteQuarterlyPakistan ForestDigestVol. 01, No. 02 ISSN: 2218-8045 July – September, 2010A selection of clippings on Forest issues

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteQuarterlyPakistan Forest DigestVol. 01, No. 02 ISSN: 2218-8045 July – September 2010Editor-in-ChiefDr. Abid Qaiyum SulehriExecutive DirectorSustainable Development Policy Institute, IslamabadManaging EditorDr. Babar ShahbazUniversity of Agriculture, FaislabadSustainable Development Policy Institute, IslamabadEditorial BoardDr. Urs GeiserZurich University, SwitzerlandDr. Mamoona Wali MuhammadPakistan Forest Institute, PeshawarMr. Riaz AhmadSUNGI Development Foundation, IslamabadMiss Afshan AhmedSustainable Development Policy Institute, IslamabadTechnical AdvisorMr. Ahmad SalimSustainable Development Policy Institute, IslamabadLayout & DesignAli AamerTechnical AssistantsAfsheen Naz & Sakina MuhammadSustainable Development Policy Institute, IslamabadPakistan Forest Digest ii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteIntroductions:ContentsPakistan Forest DigestAbout SDPIAbout NCCR (North South)SummaryContents of Newspaper ClippingsChapters:P. Novviviiixxi01- Forest Policy \ Institute 0102- Forest Departments 0503- Forest & Floods 1504- Timber Mafia: Illegal Cutting & Smuggling 2105- Forest Fire 5706- Forest & Environment 5907- Forest Conservation & Preservation 6508- Tree Plantation 7709- Parks \ Orchards 8710- Miscellaneous 99Pakistan Forest Digest iii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDisclaimer!Contents of Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) are obtained from the English and Urdunewspapers and SDPI may not agree with the contents; and that apart fromEnglish news clippings, the Urdu news clippings are also translated in Englishand errors and omissions are expected.Pakistan Forest Digest iv Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePakistan Forest Digest (PFD)QuarterlyThe Pakistan Forest Digest (PFD) is a quarterly series of digests focused on the forestrelated issues, government and non-government endeavors, community concerns andrights reported by the leading Pakistani newspapers and periodicals.The Digest covers news and views on legislation, rights and disputes, conservation andrehabilitation projects, conferences, workshops and all other events and endeavors relatedto the forests. The digest also includes research articles by the experts and academia andthe voices of the general public and stakeholders.It is a compilation of the selected news items and articles appearing in the localnewspapers & periodicals. The monthly PFD covers The English dailies, The NewsRawalpindi/Islamabad, The Nation Islamabad, Dawn Islamabad, Business RecorderIslamabad, - Urdu dailies Jang Rawalpidi, Nawa-Waqt Islamabad, Newspapers fromPeshawar Ajar, Masharaq, Shamal from Abbot Abad and Aazadi from Swat.The PFD is supported by Partnership Action for Mitigation Syndrome (PAMS) project ofSwiss NCCR (North-South).Views and comments to improve the digest are appreciated.Email: forestd@sdpi.orgPakistan Forest Digest v Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAbout SDPIBrief HistoryThe Sustainable Development Policy Institute(SDPI) was founded in August 1992 on therecommendation of the Pakistan NationalConservation Strategy (NCS), also calledPakistan’s Agenda 21. SDPI is a policyorientedresearch institute established toproduce quality policy research and advocatedemocratic governance and pro-peopleinitiatives. It is registered under the SocietiesRegistration Act, XXI of 1860.MandateGoals• To conduct policy advice, policyoriented research and advocacy from abroad multi-disciplinary perspective.• To promote the implementation ofpolicies, programs, laws andregulations based on sustainabledevelopment.• To strengthen civil society andfacilitate civil society-governmentinteraction through collaboration withother organizations and activistnetworks.• To disseminate research findings andpublic education through the media,conferences, seminars, lectures,publications and curriculadevelopment, including the CitizensReport and State of the EnvironmentReport.• To contribute to building up nationalresearch capacity and infrastructure.• To catalyze the transition towardssustainable and just development inPakistan.• To serve as a source of expertise andadvisory servicesfor the government, private sector,and non-governmental initiativessupporting the implementation ofPakistan's environment anddevelopment agenda.• To conduct policy-oriented researchon sustainable development from abroad multi-disciplinary perspective.• To provide policy advice on mattersrelating to the mission of the Institute.• To contribute to strengthening thesocial and physical infrastructure forresearch in Pakistan including theconstruction and dissemination ofdatabases and research indices and theimprovement of library systems.• To initiate, establish and participate incollaborative advocacy and otheractivities with like-mindedorganisations in and outside thecountry.SDPI defines sustainable development as theenhancement of peace, social justice andwell-being within and across generations.SDPI produces knowledge–knowledge thatcan enhance the capacity of government tomake informed policy decisions and toengage civil society on issues of publicinterest.The Institute acts as both a generator oforiginal research on sustainable developmentissues and as an information resource forconcerned individuals and institutions.SDPI’s function is thus two-fold: an advisoryrole fulfilled through research, policy adviceand advocacy; and an enabling role realisedthrough providing other individuals andorganisations with resource materials(training) to undertake NCS related activities.Pakistan Forest Digest vi Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAbout NCCR (North South)The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Pakistan Research Group is a partnerof the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research North-South (NCCR N-S), financiallysupported by Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation (SDC), and Swiss universities.NCCR North-South Objectives1. Capacity-building: To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in theSouth and the North. In Pakistan, focus is on establishing research partnerships between SDPIand universities for Master and PhD students.2. Research: To undertake theory-led, empirical research on issues relevant todevelopment. In Pakistan, research concentrates on the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)and focuses on four themes:• From vulnerability to resilience: gender, migration and social capital• Development disparities on natural resource management• Development policies and livelihood realities3. Policy dialogue: To interact with policy makers and involved stakeholders onresearched development issues. The Pakistan Research Group interacts with civil society, stateagencies and donors.Lead partner in Pakistan is the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad.Associated organizations are Agricultural University Faisalabad, and Agricultural UniversityPeshawar. Main partner in Switzerland is the Development Study Group, Zurich University(DSGZ).Research of NCCR on Forests of PakistanNCCR has commissioned various researches on Forest which are conducted by renownedresearchers. Most recent Research on Forests of Pakistan is "Donor-driven" forest governance innorthwest Pakistan - challenges and future outlook conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz,2010. In this particular research Forests of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, a province of Pakistan, ismatter of discussion.Pakistan Forest Digest vii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteApart from this, following researches have been conducted by NCCR;Social Network Analysis of Stakeholders in the Context of Forest RelatedDevelopment Interventions in NWFP conducted by Sadia Kiran, 2009Trust restores trees conducted by Urs Geiser, Babar Shahbaz, 2009Impact of participatory forest management on financial assets of rural communities inNorthwest Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, Munir Ahmad, Babar Shahbaz, Abid QaiyumSuleri, 2007Analysis of myths and realities of deforestation in Pakistan conducted by Tanvir Ali, BabarShahbaz, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, 2006Most of the publications focus on the challenges and problems faced by forest in Pakistan. Fordetail please visit: www.nccr-pakistan.orgPakistan Forest Digest viii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSummaryNote from Editorial BoardDivided into 10 chapters Forest Digest’s recent issue, as usual, covers diverse range of forestissues covered by print media of Pakistan during July to September 2010. While vernacularpress covers the news items about forest and people living in and around these forests, majorpolicy issues are covered in national press and that is the reason that forest digest is based onnews items from both vernacular as well as national press. We have been compiling news itemsfrom Dailies Ajar and Mashriq from Peshawar; Daily Shamal from Abbotabad; Daily Azadifrom Swat. Moreover news items published in national dailies Business recorded; Dawn; TheNews; The Nation; Jang; and Nawa-i-Waqat are also compiled to present a comprehensive stateof forest affairs to our readers.First chapter of this digest contains news items on Pakistan Forestry Institute (PFI) as well asforest policy. It is heartening to note that PFI is still contributing towards cause of forestry inPakistan. Officials of Provincial Forest Department keep on getting accused for their alleged rolein forest destruction by over sighting the activities of timber mafia. How much of that is truecannot be established through news reports, however Chapter 2 covers the news items withreported linkages between forest department and timber mafia. Pakistan was hit by one of theworst floods from July to September 2010. While many believe deforestation as one of thecauses of floods, press also reported the impact of floods on forest degradation. Some of thosenews items are presented in Third chapter of this digest. Fourth chapter reports the activities oftimber mafia and its involvement in unauthorized cutting and smuggling of wood. Our forestscontinue to get degraded due to spontaneous fire mainly due to human negligence. The events ofsuch fire also get reported in print media. Fifth chapter of this digest informs about the firebreaking out in forests. It is a good omen that policy analysts in Pakistan have started writing onforest issues. Sixth chapter of this digest includes opinion pieces of Dr. Fouzia Chaudhry, ImranRashid Imran and Yousaf Naz on forest degradation. Print media is also creating awareness onforest conservation and news items pertaining to forestation are compiled in Seventh chapter ofthis digest. Eighth chapter presents news items about tree planting campaigns and caring ofplantlets. Ninth chapter covers the news, reports and articles about state of park and gardens. Italso carries feature reports of Dr. Inayatullah Faizi, Imran Rashid Imran and Asif Dawood.Tenth and last chapter carries miscellaneous reports on forests as well as an interesting essay bynoted writer Mustansir Hussain Tarar.These news, essays and reports along with providing essential information are also packed withuseful analysis and insights. The decision of establishment of National Forest University, sellingof forest lands at low-cost price, flash floods causing destruction in Malakand due todeforestation, prohibition of sale of firewood flowing in flood water, turning of Hazara forestsinto steep plain areas due to unchecked deforestation carried out by timber mafia in connivanceof forest officials, callously cutting down of forests at Shinkiari, kidnap of ten forest workers inPakistan Forest Digest ix Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteContents of Newspaper ClippingsChapter 01Forest Policy \ InstitutesForest policy finalised, submitted to Cabinet:ministerPage 01English Translations of Urdu ClippingsThe news about the destruction of Iter Sheeshaforests is baselessPage 02The decision to establish a National ForestUniversityPage 02The demonstration of non-gazetted employees ofForest InstitutePage 02Any conspiracy against Forest Institute will becrushed: The spokesmanPage 03Pakistan Forest Institute is serving excellently in thisfield of educationPage 03Forestry graduates are the national assets: BadshahBukhariPage 04Chapter 02Forest DepartmentIs Angori far from Punjab forest department?Page 05PARC denied forest land for research sitePage 06Regenerating forestsPage 07Desertification, deforestation are severe challenges:MinisterPage 07Forest Dept employees demand early payment ofroyalty amountPage 08English Translations of UrduClippingsThe employees of the department have sold out theland of Darwaza Jungle at dirt-cheap rates.Page 09The 2470 kanal property of Darwaza forestdepartment has been encroached upon by the peopleof the area.Page 09The officials of forest department, Garrhi Habibullahare getting rupees 1,000 per Datsun-pickup-loadfrom the “timber mafia”.Page 09Durgai timber merchants association shows concernabout governments’ lack of interestPage 10The performance of forest department, Derpain isexemplary: Wajid AliPage 10River Sern of Mansehra exposes the nefarious intentof corrupt officialsPage 11Police, Forest Department and the local elite havebecome accomplices of timber mafiaPage 11The vehicle full of Tajwal wood was captured by thepolice and the locals, but forest department officialsgot the vehicle releasedPage 11Timber mafia’s malicious activities continue with theabetment of Tajwal Forest departmentPage 12Haripur refugee camp number 15 is converted intotimber marketPage 12Forest Department’s vicious alliance; forests ofShankiary and its suburbs are near disappearancePage 13Timber worth millions of rupees transferred tomarkets.Page 13Pakistan Forest Digest xi Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTorghar Levi’s officials have handed over timberworth millions of rupees to the forest departmentPage 13Public should cooperate with the forest departmentPage 14Forest department’s drive against timber mafia iscommendable: Ibrar KhanPage 14Corrupt practices in Haripur forest departmentPage 14Chapter 03Forest & FloodsAftermath of the floodPage 15Deforestation responsible for floods’ ferocity:expertsPage 16English Translations of Urdu ClippingsA resident of Batgram, Kiargali swept away byflooded river while trying to collect woodPage 17Thousand cubic feet timber of forest departmentswept away by Swat River.Page 17The cutting down the forests is the cause of flashfloods in MalakandPage 18Torrential rains inundated Junglekhel, KohatPage 18Extraction of floodwood from Tarbela Dam has beenstartedPage 18Ban on the sale/purchase of timber floated by floodsPage 19Ban on the export of timber from CharsaddaPage 19Scarcity of forests is a big challenge for us: AfridiPage 19Illegal sale of timber floated throughfloods, GM Tarbela Dam made hay of theopportunity and earned millionsPage 20Chapter 04Timber Mafia – Illegal Cutting &SmugglingMurree forest land thieves dare the lawPage 21Massive timber smuggling on the risePage 22English Translations of Urdu ClippingsShankiari: Smuggling of expensive timber thrives;‘Green Gold’ is on the brink of disasterPage 24Hazara forest are being converted into treeless plainswith the collusion of forest department personnelPage 24Ban on the transportation of timber in JandolPage 24Timber smugglers in Shankiari be prosecutedPage 25I will uproot smuggling if government allows me:SikandarPage 25An attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled inTimorgrah, hundreds of thousands rupees receivedthrough finesPage 25Derbala: Action against the illegal encroachers offamily owned forestsPage 26Million rupees worth illegal timber recovered fromAkora, 3 sumugglers apprehendedPage 26Government should authorize the forest owners, IbrarAhmed KhanPage 26Asheeri Dara: Two forest department officials gothurt in an encounter with smugglersPage 27Pakistan Forest Digest xii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePhalera Police’s operation against timber smugglers,illegal timber recoveredPage 27An unsuccessful attempt of timber smuggling inSamarbagh, driver arrested.Page 27The unrelenting cutting down of Shankiari forestscontinues, Department is indifferentPage 28A dangerous encounter between timber smugglersand the local population is on the cardsPage 28Operation against timber smugglers in Mansehra,Forest officer injured in exchange of firingPage 29Notorious timber smuggler of Konish valley wantedby police got arrestedPage 29Poplar theft case: Four accused set free due to lack ofevidencePage 30Cutting down of forest continue by timber mafia withthe abetment of Kahuta Forest departmentPage 31The rigorous imprisonment of the accused in timbersmuggling case suspendedPage 31The unabated cutting of forests of Koh Bhangeeracontinues, Administration is helplessPage 31A raid on Phalera timber smugglers, timberrecoveredPage 32We shall protest the addition of other areas in theforest areas of Sharkol: Twakkul Khan Alias TootyPage 32The forest owners will not allow the destruction ofthe forests: President, save the forests committeePage 32Timber mafia and forest department jointly vanishingthe forests in Koh BhangeeraPage 33An unsuccessful attempt of expensive timber inSamarbagh, smuggler heldPage 33An urgent meeting of forest owners ofKonish ValleyPage 34Timber mafia’s business flourishes inKhanpur with the help of Forestdepartment and the policePage 34We shall take this issue in the Assembly: SaleemKhanPage 34A grand tree sale in Baren Gali, free hand to wipe outthe forest against heavy kickbackPage 35Changla Gali forests are becoming treeless plainswith the collusion of forest department officialsPage 35Timber smugglers across Attock have bent uponwiping out Hazara forestsPage 36A boom to illegal cutting of forest, forest departmentis involvedPage 36Number of people clashed in a race to collect timberfrom River KunharPage 373 persons drowned in Indus River while collectingtimber in Kohistan Dasu areaPage 37People continue to protest against transfer ofMalakand Division timber to JahangeeraPage 37DCO has banned the collection of timber from theriver, police is directed to arrest the violatorsPage 38DFO has handed over the forests of Galiat andAyubia to official timber mafiaPage 38Two month ban has been imposed on collectingwood and extracting sand from Swat RiverPage 39Timber mafia is active again to grab timber cominginto Darband lakePage 39Pakistan Forest Digest xiii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteUncontrolled cutting down of Betair forestscontinues, mountains are changing into plainsPage 40Poor beggars have no power to destroy the forests:Ibrar AhmedPage 40Phalera: Elite Force chases absconders in the forest,many timber smugglers heldPage 40Scandal of government officers’ green goldsmuggling racket of Galiat and Ayubia exposedPage 41Unabated cutting of Takhat Pari forestsPage 41Robbers looted the smugglers’ vehicle in TanawalPage 41Timber smugglers attacked forest guards with axes inTerhary, 2 guards were seriously injured, case wasfiled against 16 attackersPage 42Demand to end the ban on leag cutting forest rangePage 42Timber smugglers will be dealt with iron hands: DSPOugiPage 43The illegal practice of forest cuttingPage 43Cutting down of forests continues in Konish Valley,smuggling going on in broad daylightPage 44Cutting down of Shankiari forest going on, theconcerned officials are silentPage 44The illegal cutting of Jaboory forests, inquiry orderedagainst range officers and forest guardsPage 44Police officers in Batgram joined hands with timbermafiaPage 45Illegal cutting of Ghanol forests under thesupervision of forest guardPage 45Mansehra: Murder accused becomestimber smuggler, police unable to arrestPage 46Ten woodcutters abducted from KalashValley, Chitral forestsPage 46Kotli Bala forest are undergoing illegal cutting, theresidents are apprehensivePage 47Trees have been hidden in underground godowns,preparation for smuggling on EidPage 47Department’s vicious cooperation, cutting down offorests at high pace continuesPage 48Two trucks loaded with expensive timber held inKhanpur, head clerk declined to give detailsPage 48Eight vehicles loaded with illegal timber held, heavyfine imposedPage 48Illegal cutting in Gulair division, Elimination oftimber mafia is a big successPage 49Shankiari: Firewood is confiscated and loadedvehicles of smugglers are given green signalPage 49The machine which destroy the forests should beimmediately stoppedPage 50Mansehra: Timber worth millions of rupeessurreptitiously transported on Eid dayPage 50Dicision to appoint FC and Elite Force to stop illegalcutting of Tanawal ForestsPage 50Timber smugglers have camped in Batal, PTDCMotel Chatter PlainPage 51Illegal cutting of forest going on in the presence ofSern Valley officialsPage 51No claimant of confiscated timber has appeared inChater Plain, important personalities coming forwardPage 52Pakistan Forest Digest xiv Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteCutting down of forests in Batgram, Officials postedat check posts get the ‘share’Page 52DFO’s action against timber smugglers iscommendablePage 53Large scale cutting of forests, Commissioner Hazarahas taken noticePage 53Akazai Forest undergoing illegal cutting,Commissioner is requested to take noticePage 53The decision of action against illegal cutting offorest, the decision should materializePage 54The onslaught of timber mafia in Sern Valley forests,commissioner Hazara is demanded to take noticePage 54DFO’s secret deal: Timber worth millions of rupeesfloated into River Kunhar reached undergroundgodownsPage 55Buttel: The captured timber is in possession of forestdepartmentPage 55Nobody can steal even foot of the captured timber:DFO SernPage 55The forest department, Shergarh range fully involvedin illegal timber smugglingclash is expectedPage 56The Case of Hassa bridge repair: DFO asked thelocals for donation in cash and kindPage 56Chapter 05Forest FireEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsThe forest fire on Chhoi mountains, sky-high flameswere seenPage 57Forest fire in Colorado, 136 housesdestroyedPage 58Chapter 06Forest & EnvironmentAsphalt plant polluting city’s airPage 59Trees — the natural air-conditioners for the poorPage 60It is not a green world any morePage 61English Translations of Urdu ClippingsLand of white rosesPage 62Dwindling number of trees has spoiled the beautifulface of PeshawarPage 64Chapter 07Forest Conservation & ProtectionSteps urged to preserve forestsPage 65Need stressed for conservation of forestsPage 66Deforestation dilemmaPage 67Forever greens diePage 68Matter of treesPage 68Forests wiped out in KohistanPage 70'Forests on 27 hectares disappear annually'Page 71English Translations of Urdu ClippingsBan on cutting down the forests and Transportationof timber in Jagam DaraPage 72Ten mortars fired in Angor Adda, forests affectedPage 57Pakistan Forest Digest xv Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAppointment of Babu Muhammad Iqbal, timbermafia is snubbedPage 72The forest owners of Battel and Chatter hold meetingto save the forestsPage 73A forester must be appointed in Changla Gali forests:Raja Manzoor Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad,August 31, 2010Page 73Upper Tanawal: The forests will be protected underany circumstancesPage 73The provincial forest minister has ordered for inquiryof the incident of firing at forest department officials.Page 74Kotli Bala: We shall take every possible step toprotect the forests: Waqar Muhammad KhanPage 74Forests are valuable assets; Effective steps areneeded to protect the forests.Page 74Forests ac be protected if the machine saws aredismentaledPage 75Manda Kachha forest are in safe hands, illegalactivities are being discouragedPage 75Necessary arrangements are being made two protectGulzair division forests: Sirdar RyasetPage 76Pathetic condion of employees of forest departmentOugiPage 76Situation in flux due to appointment of corruptofficers in the forest departmentPage 76Chapter 08Tree PlantationTree plantation targets to be achievedPage 77CDA to plant 400,000 saplingsPage 776m saplings to be planted in FataPage 78Plant trees, get awardsPage 79CDA observes National Tree PlantationDayPage 80Are tree plantation drives worth their cost?Page 80Students urged to play role in tree plantationPage 82Green aliensPage 82English Translations of Urdu Clippings45 million plants will be planted in the countryduring plantation drive: Hameed Jan AfridiPage 83During Plantation Drive, CDA will plant1.4 millionplantsPage 84Paltation drive of monsoon begins in IslamicUniversityPage 84People should actively take part in the plantationdrive: Hameed Jan afridiPage 85The required target of forests can be achieved withthe help of masses.Page 85The Chairman CDA inaugurated the platation driveby planting on e plantPage 86Tree plantation is sign of welfare for everPage 86An effective system for the protection of plantsshould be devised in Fata: Awais GhaniPage 86Chapter 09Parks \ OrchardsJehangir Park and its ‘dismal state’Page 87Pakistan Forest Digest xvi Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe dying mango orchards of SindhPage 88Margallah Hills National Park needs informationcentrePage 90Pindi park renovation work stalledPage 91English Translations of Urdu ClippingsPeshawar gardens are ruined, chief secretary shouldnote: High CourtPage 92Save the Apple trees in ChitralPage 93Kund National Park has been ruinedPage 94Great Historical Park of Peshawar, Wazeer Bagh isin state of ruinsPage 95The first recreational spot for the women inPeshawar, PurdagahPage 97Chapter 10MiscellaneousDeforestation plays havoc with MurreePage 99Ozone depleting inhalersPage 100Moringa as green fodderPage 100English Translations of Urdu ClippingsForest Home, a magical experiencePage 102Sangi Foundation personnel are ready to embezzlemillions of rupeesPage 103Haji Wakeel Khan elected as President DargaiTimber MarketPage 103Domel Forest rest House broke down beforecompletionPage 104The new swings will be installed in Ayub Park withthe amount of 3.4 million rupeesPage 98Pakistan Forest Digest xvii Vol. 1, No. 2, July – September, 2010

Forest policy \InstitutesChapter 1

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 01Forest Policy\ InstituteForest policy finalised, submitted to Cabinet: ministerBusiness Recorder Islamabad, September 28, 2010By Tahir AminIslamabad (September 28,2010): the ministry ofenvironment has finalised thefirst-ever forest policy andsubmitted it to the cabinet. Thepolicy envisages enhancementof forest cover, which is vital inmeeting the challenges ofclimate change.This was stated by environmentminister Hameed ullah JanAfridi while addressing a booklaunching ceremony of eminentscientist and environmentalistDr G M Khattak titled "InPursuit of Excellence," here onMonday."Previously there was no forestpolicy and the ministry hasformulated forest policy inconsultation with all thestakeholders and submitted tothe cabinet for approval," saidAfridi. Afridi said forestrysector has its due importanceand government is utilising allpossible resources to enhanceforest cover. The ministry ofenvironment is providingmaximum assistance to theprovincial governments forpromotion of mega forestryproject. he said global warmingand climate change are threatsfor all and the ministry iscommitted to face thischallenge."Forest management iscommunity-based sector andenhancement of this sector isneed of time for sustainabledevelopment," said minister,adding that the government isproviding all possible funds formega project of forests andpromotion of social forestry.Environment minister furthersaid that climate change andenvironmental degradation aremajor threats for whole worldand Pakistan is playing its duerole to face this challenge.Behavioral change is importantto over-come environmentalissues, Afridi added. whileaddressing the ceremony,federal minister said Dr G Mkhattak is the only scientist inthe discipline of forestry whohas been admitted as a fellowof the Pakistan academy ofsciences."The book reflects the selflesseffort in developingenvironmental, educational andspecially forestry institutions inPakistan," Afridi added.The minister said this book isthe reflection of the writer'sbroad vision for hope of betterfuture, which will guidetowards professional,prosperous and meaningful life.addressing on this occasion, DrG M Khattak said keeping inview the modern world, there isneed to improve forestry sector.he urged social workers, civilsociety and other stakeholdersto play pivotal role for healthyenvironment.Pakistan Forest Digest 1 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnglish Translations of Urdu ClippingsThe news about the destruction of IterSheesha forests is baselessDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 4, 2010Mansehra (Court Reporter) The news aboutdevastation of forests and cutting of wood bymechanical saws is fabricated. “The news whichhas been published in a local newspaper, Shamalis printed for vested interest; and so to hurtsomeone is not journalism”, said Azam Shakirwhile talking to Shamal, and added, “to publishbaseless news is a terrible act.”The decision to establish a National ForestUniversityDaily AAJ, Peshawar, July 7, 2010Peshawar (University Reporter)National Forest University isgoing to be established inPeshawar. Ministry ofEducation, Islamabad hasstarted to work on that project.Forest University Pakistan willbe set up in Forest InstitutePeshawar, whereas the ForestInstitute will be an ancillarydepartment of the university. Itmay be recalled that thecontroller examination,Peshawar University hadalready given a proposal thatForest Institute Peshawar begiven the status of university orthe institute should beconverted into a forest facultyof Peshawar University.The demonstration of non-gazetted employees ofForest InstituteIf the demands are not met, the protest movement will be launched: SpeakersDaily AAJ, Peshawar, July 28, 2010Peshawar (University Reporter)The non-gazetted employees ofPakistan Forest Institute,Peshawar demonstrated in thepremises of the institute to gettheir demands fulfilled. A largenumber of employeesparticipated in the protestdemo. They were holdingbanners and placards inscribedwith different demands. Theyemployees were chantingslogans and protested for quitesome time. They announcedthat the protests would continueuntil their demands were notfulfilled. The demonstrationwas led by President ShahRehman, vice presidentHashtam Khan, generalsecretary Nek Amal Shah,finance secretary Asadullah andjoint secretary MuhammadTariq.Pakistan Forest Digest 2 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAny conspiracy against Forest Institutewill be crushed: The spokesmanSome miscreant elements have violated the law by launching protestdemonstration in the office premises.Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 3, 2010Peshawar (PR) Pakistan Forest Institute is aprestigious national institute which is contributingexcellently in the research and education in theforestry department. The modernization and forfurther improvement of this institution, acomprehensive plan was envisaged in July, 2009.Under that plan, operations like Punjab ResearchPlanning, the initiation of research activities, theregularity in the allotment of residential quartersand drive against the encroachment of PIFproperty were launched. Some rogue elements fortheir vested interests and nefarious designs areobstructing the plans. The small number of thosepeople violated the law by demonstrating withinthe government premises on July 27 and made itpublic through the media. Pakistan ForestInstitute condemns that unlawful act and warnsthem to abstain from such activities in future.Pakistan Forest Institute is servingexcellently in this field of educationWe condemn the unlawful protest within the institutions premises by thoseun-social elements: The spokesmanDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 4, 2010Peshawar (Mashriq News)The spokesman for PakistanForest Institute, Peshawarcalled the protestdemonstration by someelements as unlawful andstrongly condemned that act.“Pakistan Forest Institute is awell-reputed institutionwhich is serving invaluablyin the field of forest researchand education,” thespokesman said in a pressrelease.For the development of theinstitute on modern lines, aproject for the administrativechanges was launched in July2009. Under that project, thetasks like, strategic researchplan, research activities,setting up the endowmentfund, the revision of forestrycurriculum, discipline, therectification of illegalities inthe allotment of hostels andresidences and removal ofencroachers from theproperty of PIF wereplanned. Notwithstandingthese positive acts, somemiscreant elements areposing hindrance and thatminiscule minority of thepeople demonstrated illegallywithin the government limits.Any such activities duringoffice timings and withingovernment limits are againstthe rules and regulations.The spokesman called suchact an effort to harm thepeaceful atmosphere of aresearch and educationalinstitution, he further addedthat those protesters must actaccording to rules andregulations and refrainfrom such unlawful acts.Pakistan Forest Digest 3 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteForestry graduates are the nationalassets: Badshah BukhariThe graduates can play important role in environmental and forest reforms:The speakersDaily AAJ, Peshawar, August 28, 2010Peshawar (UuniversityReporter) Director General,Pakistan Forest Institute,Peshawar has said that theforestry graduates are preciousasset of the nation. In futurethey are supposed to work forthe development of forests andenvironment. He wasaddressing a ceremonyhonouring 62 M.Sc. graduates.Director General Education,Hakeem Shah and ProfessorAsif Jah also addressed theceremony. The qualifyingstudents belonged to all fourprovinces plus Gilgit Baltistanand Azad Jammu & Kashmir.The director general anddirector education hadexpressed their satisfaction andhoped that the majority of thosegraduates would hold theresponsibility of divisionalforest officers. Iftar party wasalso arranged in honour of thegraduates.Pakistan Forest Digest 4 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Forest DepartmentChapter 2

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 02Forest DepartmentIs Angori far from Punjab forestdepartment?Pakistan Observer Islamabad, July 19, 2010Islamabad—Seeing the burntpines in the soothingwilderness of Angori forests, itsparks to one’s mind - isAngori too far from PunjabForest Department. Just a fewkilometers from the Capital -on a single road leading fromSatra Mile to New Murreesnaking through the smallsettlements - one comes acrossscores of trees deliberatelyburnt and later chopped fordomestic or commercial use.A significant tract from Bahakvillage up to Angori andbeyond, in the Angori UnionCouncil area, has been affectedby fire, burning the forest inpatches.This deliberate fire - as theresidents claimed it to be - hasinflicted massive loss to forestsand vegetation, shrubs andnourishing small plants.Burning the stem of 50 to 80feet long pine trees to theextent that they fell down andare later cut for the domesticuse, spark a Shakespeareanquote to the mind, ‘As flies areto wanton boys, are we toGods. They kill us for theirsport.’For them, it may be a sport or aneed. But for the environmentand their own health it is lethalthough they least bother or areleast known to it.Apparently conveying themessage of a lethargic responseof the authorities, the trend alsospeak of ‘connivance’ of thelocal residents and the forestdepartment.If some claim that kids puttrees on fire, others plead thatfire erupts after smokers throwthe burning cigarette butts ormatches into the forest. But,saner residents whisper in theears of visitors, “these are thelocal people who put them onfire for fuel and earningmoney.”So listening both the sides anature lover orenvironmentalists will heed tothe comments of a sane, andnot of a ‘wanton boy.’ But,thinking the same time why thissanity does not prevail amongthe local residents as well asthe Punjab Forest Departmentguards, deployed for protectionof the forests.“Yes, people use to set areas onfire for personal gains andblame the visitors of throwingburning cigarettes,” said a localresident who was hesitant toreveal his name.“No! visitors do not throwcigarette to the extent as fire isseen. Definitely, these are thelocal people, who set trees onfire” he said, negating the ideaof throwing burning matches.Pakistan Forest Digest 5 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteOfficials from Forestdepartment are also worriedabout loss to forests but areoften helpless due toinsufficient resources, properreach out mechanism and thecourt system.This is also an apathy that eventoday forests management isgoverned under Forest Act1927 which the Punjabgovernment is now revising asthe draft for new law has beenapproved by Provincial Cabinetand awaits endorsement byPunjab Assembly.“We fall short of resources.Staff is skeletal and law isweak. Even if our stafferapprehend culprits, the courtsare used to fine them just Rs500 to Rs 2000 for cutting atree valuing upto Rs 60,000,”said Conservator of ForestsRawalpindi DrMuhammad Rafiq.“The fine isrecommendedaccording tothickness of stem and variesfrom Rs 1250 to Rs 100,000and charging in hundreds forthe loss of thousands is unjust,”he said.—APPPARC denied forest land for research siteBy Habib Khan GhoriDawn Islamabad, July 26, 2010KARACHI, July 25: Theproposal to set up anagricultural research station inShaheed Benazirabad (formerlyNawabshah) district has notmaterialised owing tounavailability of forest land inthe area identified by theproponent institution.The proposal was submitted tothe competent authorities abouta year back by the PakistanAgricultural Research Council,Islamabad.PARC Chairman Dr ZafarAltaf had moved the proposalin June 2009 and requested theSindh government to allot 100acres of forest land within thedistrict to establish the stationalong with a multiple researchmodel farm for crops,especially non-traditionalcrops.In its response, the Sindh forestdepartment communicated tothe PARC that no land from thePai forest, the only forest landin Sakrand taluka, could beallotted for non-forestation use,arguing that the area inquestion was a “reservedforest” internationallyclassified/recognised as abiodiversity conservation andhabitat preservation prioritysite. Not even a fraction of theforest land could be transferredfor any non-forestry use, itadded.Pakistan is a signatory to theUN Convention on BiologicalDiversity and under obligationto ensure protection andconservation of richbiodiversity sites.The Pai forest, being a wildlifegame reserve, is protectedunder the Sindh WildlifeProtection Ordinance, 1972.Besides, its is one of the 12major conservation prioritysites of the Indus Eco-Regionbeing looked after by theWWF- Pakistan under its 50-year vision programme for theIndus eco-region which is in itsfirst five-year phase ofimplementation.Forests in Pakistan constituteless than five per cent of itsgeographical area as against thestandard of 25 per cent and itcannot afford deforestation.Under the draft national forestpolicy (2009), it has beensuggested that no forest landwill be allowed to be allottedfor non-forestry use and if at alla specific forest area is requiredto be spared in the nationalinterest, then twice as mucharea may be brought underforest cover.“Under such circumstances,transfer of forestland forresearch station could inviteinternational criticism,” thedepartment maintained.However, it suggested thatforest land could be acquiredfrom the Sindh SeedCorporation which possessedover 1,115 acres transferred toit in 1959.Pakistan Forest Digest 6 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteIt was also pointed out thatsince the establishment of anagricultural research station inSindh would be in the nationalinterest, the SSC could spare itsalready deforested lands.Letter to EditorRegenerating forestsDawn Islamabad, August 15, 2010THE Sindh Forest Department is set to implementa strategy to regenerate some 100,000 hectares offorest through wide-ranging aerial seeding of‘babul’ on both banks of the Indus, includingSukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad and Thatta districts(Aug 11).This is great news for nature lovers like me. TheSindh Forest Department officials have taken theright decision at the right time. I hope that theysucceed in their endeavours.They are knowledgeable people and one hopesthat they would have zeroed down on ‘babul’after careful evaluation. One probable reason maybe that the ‘babul’ forest was there initially whichhas been cut by thieves and poor villagers forlighting their stoves.They are requested to consider local fruit-andflower-bearing trees like jambolan, custard apple,guava, mulberry, amaltas and flame of the forest.This is being advocated because fruit-and-flowerbearingtrees will attract birds and bees alike. Thisis one business which will get full support fromthe WWF which can assist the Sindh ForestDepartment in selecting the right trees for thisproject. Fruit-bearing plants would avoidchopping as villagers in Kutcha areas will benefitfrom them.S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZAKarachiDesertification, deforestation are severechallenges: MinisterBusiness Recorder Islamabad, August, 24, 2010Islamabad (August 24, 2010): federal minister forenvironment Hameed ullah JanAfridi has said that land anddeforestation are severechallenges, which are not onlyadversely affecting foodsecurity and economicrecession in the country, but arethe main causes ofenvironmental degradationalso.He also said that climatechange related events areposing additional pressure onthe productivity of the landresources. He expressed theseviews while presiding over ameeting regarding sustainableland management (slm) here onMonday. Afridi observed thatdesertification and landdegradation has affected onethird of the earth's surface;threatening the livelihoods,well being and development ofas many as one billion people.Nearly one third of world cropland has become unproductiveand has been abandoned in pastforty years. Moreover, almostthree quarters of rangelandsshow various symptoms ofdesertification.He underlined thatunsustainable land managementpractices in the country aremain causes of environmentaldegradation, adding thatPakistan is an agriculturalcountry having best irrigationsystem but proper managementsystem should be adopted. Heurged to lend efforts to addressboth land degradation andpoverty to protect vitalecosystem and ecosystemservices, adding that the goal ofPakistan Forest Digest 7 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutesustainable development canonly be achieved when thenational programmes and plansare transformed into "localactions" at community level.He also pointed out that there isneed to build partnershipsbetween different stakeholders,including government agencies,NGOs, local communities,international donors and privatesector. He said that initiativeslike slm project are need of thetime. He said that efforts tocombat desertification will notonly help meet Pakistan’sobligations for United Nationsconvention to combatdesertification but also wouldhelp reduce poverty andachievemillenniumdevelopment goals.He also urged the need to learntools, techniques and practicesfor sustainable management ofland and water resources aswell as better understanding ofslm principles and practices.Federal minister said thatgovernment is focusing ondevising policies, programmesand projects aimed atpromoting slm principles andconcepts.He said that climatechange and globalwarming are themajor causes of therecent flood disastershowever, forestation processhas to increase on war footingsto avoid such sort of calamityin future. Secretaryenvironment Jived Mali,additionalsecretaryenvironment Karma Ali Qurushand other high officials of theministry attended the meeting.-prForest Dept employees demand earlypayment of royalty amountThe Nation Islamabad, September,06, 2010Staff ReporterPESHAWAR – While accusingthe Forest DevelopmentCorporation of contempt ofcourt, the Sarhad AwamiForestry Itteshad, Sunday, askthe corporation to give them theforest royalty in the light of thecourt’s decision, otherwise,they would be left with nooption but to knock again onthe door of apex court.For reason known best to them,Forest DevelopmentCorporation, time and againdenied them the royalty, whichhas their due right and despitethe fact that the apex court hadalready directed the departmentto make payment,unfortunately, is yet to bematerialized, office-bearers ofthe Sarhad Awami ForestryIttehad, Amir Mohammed,Jamsid Ali Khan, DostMohammed Khan, Gul NawabKhan and Irfan khan alleged ina joint press statement here onSunday.They said that the corporationhad clearly violated thedecision of the Supreme Court,as the court already directed thecorporation for paying theroyalty.The corporation had committedcontempt of court by notfulfilling the court order, theywere of the view. Holding theForest DevelopmentCorporation responsible fordamaging forestry sector, theysaid that the corporation haddone nothing for the progressof the forest sector but causedhavoc in the sector.Due to poor performance by thecorporation, million feet timberwashed away in flood waters, itshowed the incompetence ofthe corporation they said andadded that their was need totake stern action against thoseinvolved in it.They said that they wanted tomake it clear that the royaltyshould be paid to them beforeEid-ul-Fitr otherwise, theywould be left with no optionbut to resort to the court.Pakistan Forest Digest 8 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnglish translation from Urdu NewsThe employees of the department have sold outthe land of Darwaza Jungle at dirt-cheap rates.R. O. Donga Gali and Block Officer have the patronage of Range officer.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 19, 2010Palak (Special Correspondent)The range officer Donga Galirange and Block Officer haveillegally sold the trees ofDarwaza Jungle and jungleland at throw away price. Therange officers are fullysupporting the land disposalarrangements. This wasrevealed by the formercouncillor and therepresentative of Darwazaresidents, Muhammad IslamAbassi, while he was talking tothe journalists at media centreKhanaspur. He said the forestdepartment was selling out thetrees and lands of DarwazaJungle. The “green gold” wasbeing sold at very cheap rate toarrange the ‘sweetener’ for theforest officers. “The rangeofficers have got appointedtheir favourite persons andforest guards have beendesignated as block officers todispose of the land,” He added.This staff has been selling thejungle to fill their officers’pockets.The 2470 kanal property of Darwaza forest department hasbeen encroached upon by the people of the area.People once collected money to cancel the illegal transfer deeds, now it’sdepartments’ responsibility.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 22, 2010“Palak (Special Correspondent) It’s due to thenegligence of forest department, Donga Galirange that people have encroached upon the forestproperty”, former councilor Muhammad IslamAbassi told the journalists, and he demanded thatthe DFO forest department should take notice ofthe encroachment of the forest lands by the localpeople. Darwaza Guzara area is 2470 kanalswhich has been taken over by the land grabbers.People of the area collected money to get theillegal transfers cancelled, now it’s department’sresponsibility to take care of their property. Theforest department employees have been paid bythe government to protect the jungle.The officials of forest department, Garrhi Habibullahare getting rupees 1,000 per Datsun-pickup-load fromthe “timber mafia”.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 25, 2010Garrhi Habibullah (BureauReport) Timber contractorManzoor Hussain Shah has saidthat he had been dealing inShorol hard wood for a longtime. He contends, “I purchasesthat wood from farmers ofdifferent areas, and aftercompleting all the legalPakistan Forest Digest 9 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituterequirements, I send that woodto the market, but RangeOfficer Muhammad Ashraf,forester Khan Bahadur BabuAshraf and Sajjad of GarrhiHabibullah are stalling despitethe fact they have receivedheavy amount of bribe to issuethe permit. I have deposited theoriginal amount for the permitin the bank, but they aredemanding for more money.”Syed Manzoor has accused theofficials of forest departmentthat they, in connivance oftimber mafia, receive Rs 1,000for Datsun pickup load ofSharol wood to sell that in theblack market ofMansehra. Theseofficials are inflictingloss in millions ofrupees to thegovernment by taxevasion and smuggling.Durgai timber merchants association showsconcern about governments’ lack of interestThe timber stocked in depots for years is about to damaged, governmentshould act immediately: Mukarram KhanDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 27, 2010Dargai(MashriqCorrespondent) The generalsecretary, Timber MerchantAssociation Dargai, MukarramKhan Saba informed thejournalists in a press briefingthat the government offeredfacilities and attractions to theinvestors of different countriesto invest in Pakistan, but hadshown no concern for the lossof Dargai Timber MerchantAssociation, which is inmillions. “Timber worthmillions of rupees dumped inChilas is on the verge ofdestruction, but no effort hasbeen taken to save that stock.The depot is located in Dargaitimber market, the rent and thesalary of chowkidar is paidfrom the funds of the market.If the government would bearthat expense in that crisissituation, the timber marketwould be relieved of thatburden. Dargai timber markethad given employment tothousands of locals, if thegovernment would not providefacilities to the timbermerchants, the eventuallyunemployed people couldcreate law and order situation.”He added.The performance of forest department,Derpain is exemplary: Wajid AliThe forest department staff will be awarded certificates of appreciation andcash prizes.Daily Aaj, Peshawar, July 27, 2010Peshawar (AAJ News) The minister forenvironments, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Wajid AliKhan has praised the performance of forestdepartment, district Derpain. The forest officials’effective security and picket erectionssuccessfully foiled the attempt to smuggle outprecious timber worth million of rupees by threeDiana trucks on Ribat Lirram road, and got themarrested. The minister has instructed the DFODerpain and chief conservator forest to preparethe recommendations for the cash rewards andcertificate of appreciations for those officials. Theprovincial environment minister Wajid Ali Khanwas pleased to know about the excellentperformance of those forest officials and stressedupon the need to follow the example. He furtheradded that only with effective security andPakistan Forest Digest 10 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituterejection of any influence or avarice, timber mafiawould be discouraged.River Sern of Mansehra exposes thenefarious intent of corrupt officialsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 01, 2010Liber Kot (Special Reporter) The Sern River hasrevealed the corruption of forest department.Millions of cubic feet timber was washed away bySern River, which horrified the forest department.Heavy rainfall unveiled their corruption. Millionsof cubic feet timber was dumped by the forestofficials for surreptitious disposal, was washedaway by Sern River. If the corrupt forest officialsare not tried even after their evil designs areexposed, it is certainly injustice with the people.Police, Forest Department and the local elitehave become accomplices of timber mafiaThe unabated cutting down of forest and sale of timber is inflicting huge lossto the government.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 04, 2010Bakot (Special Correspondent) People of Bakotcircle are in distress. The elected representativeshave vanished. Nethiagali-Bakot road iscompletely closed. Timber mafia is takingadvantage of the opportunity by cutting downexpensive trees. Forest department, police andlocal influentials have joined hands with thetimber mafia. The land-sliding and heavy rainshave washed away roads in Bakot circle. Anumber of trees on Nethiagali-Bakot road and theforest are being cut for the higher-ups ofIslamabad and Galiat, while the road just 5 Kmaway is not being open. The MPA (KhyberPakhtunkhwa) or his father Sirdar Mehtab Ahmedvisited the area. Molia, Bakot and Numl havebeen cut off from Kohala. The public transportvehicles coming from Abbottabad to circle Bakotare not allowed to enter from Galiat/Murreeterminals, if any public vehicle from Nethiagaliintends to go to Ayubia through Murree, that isstopped on the way.The vehicle full of Tajwal wood was captured by thepolice and the locals, but forest department officialsgot the vehicle releasedThe forest department officials sold out timber worth million of rupees on thepretext of land-slide. The timber was sold out by Range officer’s favourite,Khursheed. Inquiry has been demanded by the people.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 08, 2010Abbottabad (Crime Reporter)Forest department, Donga Galirange has devastated the forest.Timber worth million of rupeeshas been sold on the pretext ofland-slide. The policePakistan Forest Digest 11 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteimpounded one Shehzorvehicle full of precious woodowing to public protest butforest department officials gotthat released. Donga Galiforests are being cut at largescale. The investigationinstitutions are mysteriouslyuninterested. Yesterday, Peopleof Tajwar area captured aShehzor pickup with aregistration number 2361 andstarted protesting. According tolocal residents, about sixtyvehicles had already beenpassed from there. Meanwhile,police officials reached at thespot but the officials of forestdepartment conspired withpolicemen and got the vehicleback. During the last few days,timber worth millions of rupeeshas been smuggled. Allegedly,the timber collected fromChangla, Tajwar forest hadbeen sold out by a Khursheedwho is constable of forestdepartment and a closeassociate of range officer. Theforest department officials havebrought the forest of ChanglaTajwal and adjacent forests toalmost disappearanceand the investigationagencies have shuttheir eyes tight. Thereis a demand frompeople of the area thatto prevent the unrelentingcutting down of the forests,some viable steps should betaken and special teams shouldbe formed to take back themoney —earned throughsmuggling— and be depositedthat in the national treasury.Timber mafia’s malicious activities continue withthe abetment of Tajwal Forest departmentMafia men are released, the department officials are also involved,government should take the notice.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 11, 2010Ayubia(SpecialCorrespondent) Bashir son ofAslam, a resident of ChanglaGali range, Tajwal told fourdays back that twenty beams ofkel wood were brought fromthe forest department’s timberstore of Ziarat Masoom andwere stored at his house. Theblock officer of the area soldthat wood to a local man. Thebusiness from that timber storewas going on for a long time.People of the area immediatelyinformed range officer forest,Riaset Khan who said that hewas in Bakot forest and wouldreach later. Next day, the rangeofficer reached at the spot andfined the person who purchasedthe wood and closed the case.The local residents told thejournalist that for the last threeyears, in the Tajwal Forest, theillegal cutting of forest woodwas going on. A few days agopeople of the area broughtsome people to police stationwho were involved in illegalcutting of forest wood butofficials of the forestdepartment took them away.The timber of that mafia wasseized last week by a policeraider in Kooza Gali ChanglaGali Road in late night hours,but fearing to lose his job, hekept mum.Haripur refugee camp number 15 isconverted into timber marketDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 20, 2010Haripur (District Reporter)Camp number 15 has becomeden of precious wood sale.According the sources, theAfghan refugee camp number15 in the limits of Thana Kothas become a timber market.Timber is smuggled through astream into the camp and thenthat is transferred to differentdistricts by pickups. The forestdepartment officials help themPakistan Forest Digest 12 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutein the darkness of night and getmillion of rupees in return.According to sources, currentlytimber is smuggled beforedawn. People of Pinial havedemanded of DPO Haripur andthe officials of forestdepartment to takenotice of that gravesituation.Forest Department’s vicious alliance; forests ofShankiary and its suburbs are near disappearanceTimber smugglers are given free hand, the officers should take notice.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 20, 2010Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent) Forests ofShankiary and its adjacent areas are underconstant threat, cutting of trees is going onunchecked. Forests are becoming treeless expansewith the connivance of forest officials. Cuttingdown the forests of Accharia and Shankiary isunabated, expensive and fully grown up trees arebeing cut to be smuggled with the collaboration ofdepartment officials. According to some reliablesources forest department officials themselves arein this illicit business. They sell timber inRawalpindi and Islamabad markets. Recent rainshave exposed their activities, government shouldlook into the matter.Timber worth millions of rupees transferred to markets,The department officials have confiscated firewood to show their efficiency,people in a rage, warn of protest demos.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 28, 2010Torghar (Bureau Chief) Anovel rule of forest department,a team of officials reachedDarband after 25 days to collectflood-wood. Section 144 wasimposed on August 3, butforest department was in deepslumber, and meanwhileexpensive wood had reachedthe markets. Darband residentscondemned the incidentvociferously.The forest department officialsreached Darband after 25 daysto take hold of timber worthbillions of rupees washed awayby Indus River. The delaybenefited forest departmentofficials who secretlytransferred the expensivetimber to the markets. Now,there lies merely flood-wood orfirewood in the area. The localresidents complain thatexpensive timber has reachedmarket, now to use law againstfirewood is unjust.Torghar Levi’s officials have handed over timberworth millions of rupees to the forest departmentDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 01, 2010Ougi (Correspondent) Torghar Levi’s personnelhave captured the timber worth millions ofrupees, washed away by flood waters in Kohistanand handed over to the forest department. Thetimber is being transferred to Hawalian markets.Tasleem Khan, Kala Dhaka administrator briefedPakistan Forest Digest 13 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethe media in his administrator office Ougi. Hesaid that flood waters from Kohistan broughtexpensive timber to Tarbela Dam, but TorgharLevi’s personnel worked day and nightto collect 7 thousand cubic feetexpensive Dyar Wood from the dam.Public should cooperate with the forestdepartmentDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 19, 2010Shankiary (City Reporter) “Forests are ournational assets and their protection is ourcollective responsibility. The forest department istaking every possible step to prevent the cuttingdown of forests, but at the same time, it’s people’sduty to cooperate effectively with the forestdepartment to prevent cutting down of theforests,” said Range Office Shankiary in his pressnote.Forest department’s drive against timber mafia iscommendable: Ibrar KhanDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 23, 2010Chanarkot(ShamalCorrespondent) “The forestdepartment’s action againsttimber mafia is quitecommendable, if thedepartment continues thoseactions, the district will get ridof timber mafia,” said IbrarKhan, president forest owners’action committee. Heappreciated DFO Ejaz Qadirand Range Officer Sultan KhanJadoon who recovered timberworth millions of rupees fromtimber mafia and served thecountry. Such officers shouldbe rewarded, because after theirbrave actions, timber mafia isalarmed. He anticipated that thedepartment would continue thatexcellent performance.Corrupt practices in Haripur forest department,a large-scale series of transfers beginsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 24, 2010Haripur (City Reporter) Atransfer routine in Haripurforest department. DFOInayatullah is transferred toPetrol Squad while DFOAkhtar Baig is put in his place.Range Officer, Abdus Salam istransferred to working plan,Abbottabad, whereas FarhadAli from Carbon projectAbbottabad, has beenappointed as range officers,Haripur. Haripur forestdepartment has becomechampion of corruption; Lowranking officials have becomemillionaire. The assets ofHaripur forest departmentofficials, who have beentransferred on publiccomplains, should bescrutinized. A high levelinquiry should be held.Pakistan Forest Digest 14 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Forest & FloodsChapter 3

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 03Forests & FloodsAftermath of the floodDawn Islamabad, August 08, 2010By Hamid AsgharGUJAR KHAN, Aug 7:Vehicular traffic betweenRawalpindi district and AzadKashmir has been blocked atDhaan Gali for a week nowever since the suspensionbridge at Jhelum River gaveway after it was damaged bythe recent flood.However, pedestrian traffic onthe bridge, which has also beensuspended for several daysnow, is likely to resume afterthe completion of temporaryrepairs.During the flood, timber trunksand planks floating in largenumbers in the swollen riverhad hit the bridge, breakingsome of its iron ropes.The bridge was completelyunhinged and dislocated a weekago.Once pedestrian traffic on thebridge is re-opened, commuterscoming in vehicles from eitherDhudial district in AzadKashmir or Rawalpindi districtcan cross the bridge on foot andcontinue their journey byvehicle on the other side of theriver.FISHING IN TROUBLEDWATERS: The floods mayhave brought untold misery andsuffering to residents in theaffected localities but someresidents in the adjoining areasof Jhelum River in Kashmir,Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan,Kahuta and Mangla have beenhauling out timber, wreckage ofhouses, machinery and otherparaphernalia from the swollenriver.According to an eye-witness atthe Dhaan Gali bridge, timberworth billions of rupees washeddown in Jhelum River and wasrecovered by local people onboth sides of the river.The timber is piled up andstored in safe places, and hugeconsignments are transportedaway during the night.While timber in the river hasalso been recovered by the AJKForest Department, this isbelieved to be only an eyewash.The timber mafia continues tomonitor the situation, engagingdaily wagers to haul outfloating timber from the river.Joining in harvesting thebonanza are the forestauthorities and policemen whoare believed to be acceptingbribes for keeping one eyeclosed.A witness to this spectacle saidthat if the forest authorities andthe police had been sincere intheir duties, the losses of floodvictims could have beencompensated through honestauctioning of the recoveredtimber.Pakistan Forest Digest 15 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDeforestation responsible for floods’ferocity: expertsThe News Islamabad, August 24, 2010By Saad HasanKARACHI: As Pakistan battlesone of its worst floods in recenthistory, experts said onMonday that the widespreaddestruction was caused in partbecause of massivedeforestation in mountainousand riverine areas.“There has been a decrease of70 percent in the area underforestry since 1947,” said TahirQureshi, a forestry expert forInternational Union forConservation of Nature(IUCN). “Because ofunavailability of other fuels,expanding population usemainly wood to cook food andstay warm.”He said that the reverine forestswere the first line of defenceagainst the raging floods.“These forests used to absorbthe ferocity of the floodwaters.They have been cut everywherefrom Murree to lower-Punjabto upper-Sindh.” With longperiods of droughts and lowflows in the River Indus,influential landlordsencroached upon theembankments and cut trees, hesaid.A large number of people ofthe country use firewood forheating, although Pakistan hasone of the world’s largestnatural gas pipelineinfrastructures. Liquefiedpetroleum gas (LPG), whichcan easily be transported incylinders, was originallyintroduced as an alternativefuel to firewood, but it isincreasingly being used in largecities to run auto rickshaws,taxis and pickup-trucks.Progas Managing DirectorAbbas Bilgrami says that 80percent of the LPG was beingconsumed in urban centers.“Out of 1.8 million consumersin the country, only 360,000 arein rural areas.”The potential market for LPGconsumers in far-flung villagesexceeds 13 million consumers,he said. “Yet, no one has beenable to meet all that demand.The reason is the cost oftransportation that is toomuch.”The government must come upwith a targeted-subsidy schemefor encouraging use of LPG atplaces where forests were beingchopped, he said. “There are anumber of options availablelike using NLC (NationalLogistics Cell) for transportingLPG.”Under regulations of Oil andGas Regulatory Authority, theLPG marketing companies arebound to sell a certainpercentage of their stocks innorthern areas, which aredeprived of piped gas.However, an LPG supplier whodeals with over two dozencompanies said that no oneactually follows that order.“OGRA does not even have theresources or manpower toensure that the order isimplemented.”Pakistan Forest Digest 16 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnglish Translation from Urdu NewsA resident of Batgram, Kiargali swept awayby flooded river while trying to collect woodKath Nandhiar under high flood, Press Club, Batgram teams has reached the area.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 31, 2010Batgram (General Reporter)The recent rains wreaked havocin Soofiani area of Batgram.The rainfall of consecutivethree days flooded KathNandhiar which caused hugeloss of life and property.District Press Club, Batgramreceived confirmed andunconfirmed reports about lossof agricultural and residentialproperty. The DPC Batgramteam went to survey Soofiani,took photographs of disasterand interviewed the victims.The affected people said thatthe previous day, Kathsuddenly overflowed andengulfed the surroundinglocality in no time. MusharrafKhan’s three houses, GulMuhammad’s houses andSaleem son of Shahbaz’s shopswere submerged. When thelocal people were busy inreinforcing the dykes, aKiargali resident, GulMuhammad was trying tocollect wood. A violent riverwave threw him into the river.A search for the body is goingon. Unconfirmed reports aboutloss of life and property arebeing received from Pir Harryvillage also.Thousand cubic feet timber of forestdepartment swept away by Swat River.Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 08, 2010Mangora (Bureau Report)Where flood water of SwatRiver in district Swat hasdestroyed houses and otherproperty, tourist resorts likeBehrain and Madain are alsoaffected. FDC rest house,machinery stores and machines,offices of mechanical engineerand former deputy forestmanager have gone into theriver. From different areas ofBehrain, thousands of cubicfeet timber of FDC whichcomprises Dyar, Byarr andFrospores have gone into theriver and that caused huge lossto FDC, local people and thegovernment. Due to presentterrible rains, Dyar, Byarr andFrospores wood of FDC lotnumber 536/m Rameet and545/m Mankial, 547/m fromTehsil Behrain, 538/m, 589/m,591/m and 594/m from Sakharatehsil Matta went into thewater. The connecting bridgeshave also been washed away.FDC rest house, machinerystore, office of mechanicalengineer and office of formerdeputy forest manager inBahrain have gone into theriver. Now 10.5 kanal of thebuilding is under water, due tothat FDC, the government andthe local people have borne thelosses in millions. Likewise,the connecting bridges of otherareas of Swat have beenaffected.Pakistan Forest Digest 17 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe cutting down the forests is thecause of flash floods in MalakandDaily Aaj, Peshawar, August 13, 2010Peshawar (Special News Reporter) Thecontinuous cutting down of forests resulted inflash floods in the Malakand area. The flashfloods devastated the area; the local populationwas extremely affected. D. G. Provincial DisasterManagement Authority said in a briefing thatunrelenting cutting down of forests made the wayfor water to come down from the mountains andstruck the wooden sleepers lying in the waterwayswhich hit the houses like missiles.Torrential rains inundated Junglekhel,KohatElectricity and telecommunication links disrupted, water enters the houses,drinkable water scarce.Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 14, 2010Kohat(PR) Heavy rainfallsubmerged Junglekhel, wholearea is under deep waters,power and telephone links arebadly affected. Water hasdestroyed the houses andcaused the loss in millions.According to the details, heavyrainfall in Kohat has devastatedthe area, Junglekhel is underdeep water, telephone systemand power transmission linesare destroyed. Absence ofelectricity has caused watershortage. Water entered in thehouses to destroy householditems. No government officialhas inspected the area as yet.Electric power is not yetrestored; the residents are inmiserable condition.Extraction of floodwood from TarbelaDam has been startedDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 20, 2010Ghazi (Mashriq Rorrespondent)The worst ever floods in thehistory of Pakistan have floateddown timber from the higherterrains of the country toTarbela Dam. In stark violationof (Hazara) Commissioner’sorders, Wapda and Tarbelaadministration is delivering thatwood to contractors instead ofthe original owners. Theremoval of timber —whichcame down to the dam afterfloods — has been started. Forthat purpose, Tarbela Damadministration has acquired theservices of contractors who willpay half the price of timber tobeTarla administration.Pakistan Forest Digest 18 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteBan on the sale/purchase of timberfloated by floodsThe government has announced that retaining that timber, or thesale/purchase of the same is a crime, the violators will prosecuted.Precious wood worth million of rupees has reached farms of Charsadda andNowshehra, sophisticated weapons are also found from the timber.Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 20, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter) The provincialgovernment has declared that storage, sale orpurchase of precious timber floated throughfloodwater as crime, and has instructed the policedepartments of affected districts to file casesagainst the culprits. According to reliable sourcesof forest department, police and DCOs of thewhole province are strictly directed that to savethe misappropriation of precious timber cominginto Swat River from Malakand, necessaryarrangements should be made. According to thecircular, timber lying in the fields or anywhereelse should be recovered, and the personsinvolved should be prosecuted. The peopleinvolved in the illegal business of timber shouldbe arrested to recover timber. Precious woodworth million of rupees floated throughfloodwater came to fields of adjacent areas ofCharsadda and Nowshehra and changed the fateof people. The poor have become millionaire.According to one survey, flood waves inCharsadda and Nowshehra swept away largegodowns of Malakand division and preciouswood worth million of rupees reached fields ofCharsadda and Nowshehra, that timber wasquickly grabbed by the people and was stored insafe places. Some influential people sold thattimber with collaboration of police and earnedmillion of rupees. According to sources, a relativeof a well-known personality lost his timbergodown worth 100 millions in floods. Accordingto a report, timber was found in the fields, wheninspected, Klashnikov and other weapons werefound from concealed pockets.Ban on the export of timber from CharsaddaPeople have gathered timber in recent floods, the DCO has imposed section144.Daily Aaj, Peshawar, August 24, 2010Charsadda (AAJ Correspondent) DCO Charsaddahas imposed ban on the movement of timberoutside Charsadda and has imposed section 144.DCO Charsadda, Muhammad Ajmal Khan issueda notification in this regard, that taking timberoutside Charsadda or the movement of timberlying without the owner is prohibited. Violatorswill be strictly dealt. It may be noted that timberworth million of rupees has come to Charsaddalimits by flood waters and people have collectedthe wood in large quantity.Scarcity of forests is a big challenge for us: AfridiDaily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 24, 2010Islamabad (Nawa-e-WaqtNews) Federal Minister ofEnvironment, Hameedullah JanAfridi has said that soildeterioration and scarcity offorests are big challenge for us.Pakistan Forest Digest 19 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThese two issues have negativeimpact on food security andeconomic development inaddition to other environmentalissues. He said that weatherchanges were also affecting thefertility of soil. He expressedhis views in a meeting onsustainable soil management.The minister of environmentalso said that the increasingtrend of soil degradation hadaffected about 1/3 of earth andthat is an impending threat tothe economy anddevelopment ofpeople. Almost 1/3part of agriculturalland of world wasrendered uncultivableand had become barren.Illegal sale of timber floated through floods,GM Tarbela Dam made hay of theopportunity and earned millionsTimber worth billions of rupees came from Kohistan and northern areas, salethrough contractors continues, development of policy is demanded of thegovernmentDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 01, 2010Mansehra (District Reporter)Precious wood which came toTarbela Dam floated byfloodwater is being sold outthrough the contractors, tillnow timber worth 20 millionrupees has been sold out, andthe routine continues. Theresources have revealed that inrecent floods, expensive timberworth billions of rupees of theforests of Kohistan Hazaradivision and northern areascame floating through IndusRiver and deposited in TarbellaDam. According to an estimatethe timber worth two billionrupees is lying in Tarbela Dam.According to sources, KhyberPakhtunkhwa and especiallythe Hazar Division have thesole right on that timber and theforest department, KhyberPakhtunkhwa should have theauthority to dispose of thattimber. G.M Tarbella Dam hasstarted the illegal business ofselling that timber, he shouldbe questioned that under whatlaw he is selling the timberthrough contractors whichbelongs to owners from KhyberPakhtunkhwa. According toreports, flood has damaged thebridges in Kohistan and otherparts and loss inflicted ontimber owners is in billions.The sources told that a policyshould be adopted which devisea procedure to sell that timberand give the rights to therightful owners. The sourcesalso told that the governmentcan also sell that timber underits own supervision and use thatmoney for the flood victims.Pakistan Forest Digest 20 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Timber mafia-Illegal cutting & smugglingChapter 4

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 04Timber Mafia - IllegalCutting & SmugglingMurree forest land thieves dare the lawDawn Islamabad, July 18, 2010By Abid Fazil AbbasiThe Murree forests, spread oversome 48,000 kanals that theBritish had nurtured with greatlove and care by creatingreserved and protected areaswhere one could not go withshoes to save the smallervegetation, is not only beingtrampled by the sons of the soilbut also chopped mercilessly toraise ugly structures in place ofthe tall pines that give Murreeits beauty and bracing climate.The greedy land grabbers withthe connivance of relevantauthorities have encroached onnearly 13,000 kanals of theforestland to construct privatehousing schemes. But this is anofficial figure provided to thisreporter by the office of theforest department. The actualsize of land stolen is muchlarger. In this land grabbing, allhave a share: the politicians,the forest department itself andofficials of other departments.When this reporter contactedDistrict Forest Officer MurreeJaved Gill for his comment, headmitted the involvement offorest officials including aformer DFO, Malik AmirHussain, in the massiveencroachment. Departmentalinquiries against 70 forestofficials were in progress andsome of them have alreadybeen indicted. When theseinquiries will be completed thereport will be submitted to theLahore High Court, he said.According to local residents,other housing societies havegrabbed more than 5,000kanals.A high ranking forest officerconfided to Dawn that ‘highups’from federal and Punjabgovernments got furious whenthey learned that some forestofficials had registered casesagainst Malik Riaz Hussain ofBahria Town for encroachingupon 60 kanals of forest landwhich he had admitted in thecourt.The big realtor offered totransfer his land against theencroached land but theDivisional Forest Officer(DFO), Murree, refused as theforestland could not be used forany other purpose and told himto vacate it.When this reporter contactedSafdar Salimulla, consultantrevenue, Bahria Town, forcomments, he did not deny theencroachment and said that onthe direction of Lahore HighCourt a demarcation of landhad been conducted.The forest department officials,who conducted the landPakistan Forest Digest 21 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutedemarcation, revealed thatBahria Town had encroachedupon 30 kanals on forestland.However, the company handedover the rest of 38 kanalsundeveloped land to the forestdepartment.Anjum Saeed, Project ManagerBahria Town Golf City, alsoadmitted that Bahria Town hadmade construction on 30kanals, which was claimed bythe forest officials. Mr Saeedsaid that before his taking over,another company haddeveloped the project, whichmight have been responsiblefor the encroachment on theforestland.About the registration of caseagainst Malik Riaz Hussain forthe alleged encroachment, hesaid that the FIR had beensealed.The Lahore High Court ChiefJustice has taken suo motunotice of the large-scaleencroachment on forestland andmushroom growth of illegalhousing societies in Murree.According to another storyabout 12,000 kanals offorestland has been “legallyencroached” by leasing themout to very influential peopleon political and materialgrounds by the previousgovernment for theconstruction of hotels, farmhouses etc., in clear violation oflaw. About 24 kanals wereleased out to a provincialminister for the construction ofa 3-star hotel in the municipalforest No.28. A relative ofPakistan Muslim League-NChief was given 354 kanals inthe reserved forest No11and 12Masot, in 1990.About 30,000 acres out of69,000 acres (5,52,000 kanals)of guzara or common land inthe Murree Forest Divisionwhich cannot be transferred orsold as it is collective propertyof the locals has already beensold to influential people andno one has raised a finger tocheck this illegal activity whichcontinues.Another practice, which ourpatwaris have invented tobefool the simple folk, is thetrade in documents of land thatexists on paper only. This iscalled the “hawai” business,which has made manypatwaris and otherstaff members ofrevenue departmentmillionaires.Similarly, influential peoplehave encroached uponforestlands in Nergoli, LowerTopa, Hill Dholo and otherareas.Recently Lahore High Courttook suo motu notice of theencroachments on thepublishing of news about thesescams.It is worth mentioning here thatdespite the LHC’s order to stopwork on illegal housingsocieties, the process iscontinuing as owners of manysocieties are very “influential”.Hafiz Saeed Ahmad, presidentof a local NGO, Kamran KhanSatti, Prof Hammad Abbasi,Muhammad Hafeez Abbasi,Numbardar Ansar Ali Abbasiand others have appealed to theChief Justice of Pakistan to setup a judicial commission tolook into the theft of forestland.Massive timber smuggling on the riseThe Nation Islamabad, August 31, 2010By Sikander ShaheenISLAMABAD – Over ahundred thousand cubic feet offorest wood has been lost asresult of flash floods triggeringunprecedented timbersmuggling across the flood-hitregion of KhyberPakhtunkhwa.Pakistan Forest Digest 22 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTheNation's informationunveiled that the four majortypes of forest trees; Kail,Cheerh, Paluder and Deodarwere uprooted by the floods inthe thick forest areas ofKohsitan, Battagram, Kaghan,and Naran. The suburbs ofKohistan and Battagram thatsaw maximum forestdestruction include Dasu,Thakot, Dubair, Aiti Abror,Chilas, Dangwal, Byari,Gunthurh, Raanolia, Qyal,Jiglot and Panipatt. Theprecious timber that was sweptaway from floods convergedinto Tarbela Lake and River.This converged wood travelsthrough small tributaries thatmerge into Indus River thatfinally leads to Tarbela,Haripur. Deodar is consideredas one of the most expensiveforest wood that costs Rs 4000per cubic feet and onwards inthe commercial timber market.The price of Kail, another veryprecious wood, ranges from Rs1500 to Rs 3000 per cubic feet.The Government departmentssaid that it was not possible tocalculate the amount of lost orsmuggled wood, PresidentBattagram Traders Union,Saeed Khan said that informalestimates conducted by woodcontractors suggested that thetimber loss exceeded 100,000cubic feet. Keeping in view themarket prices of theseexpensive woods, over Rs 200to Rs 300 million are believedto have gone to pervasivetimber black market. Thesmuggled commodity includesuprooted trees as well as therefined and trimmed wood logs.Apart from Tarbela, other focalareas of timber smugglinginclude Bheer, a suburb ofHaripur and Kaladhaka district.The smuggled timber mostlybelongs to government’s forestdepartments, private timbercontractors and locallandowners.Realising the gravity ofsituation, the districtadministration in Haripur hasimposed Section 144 to curbthis heinous trade. SyedMohsin Shah, DistrictCoordination Officer (DCO),Haripur, confirmed to thisscribe on Monday that Section144 was imposed to addresstimber smuggling. He said thatlocal police recovered hugechunks of woods. “I haveinstructed District PoliceOfficer Haripur to take sternaction against the smugglers.These are the local people whoare into this practice,” headded. The DCO said thatlocals from Kohistan andBattagram were visitingHaripur to recover their lostwoods.District Forest Officer(DFO), Haripur,Inayatullah KhanMasood informedTheNation that it was notpossible to calculate the exactamount of lost wood but heconfirmed that a huge chunk ofprecious wood had been eitherlost or smuggled. He said thatthe DFOs of all the districtswhere timber smuggling wason the rise were working incoordination to resolve theproblem. He apprised that theforest department at Garbandhad created a depot where losttimber was assembled.According to DFO, HazaraDivision was divided intoupper and lower Hazara. UpperHazara constituted Kohistan,Battagram, Aiti Abror andadjoining areas where uprootedwood was coming from whilelower Hazara includedAbbottabad, Haripur andMansehra.Senior central leader Tehreeke-Hazaraand former Speakerof National Assembly GoharAyub Khan, who has been aneye-witness to the timbersmuggling, said that veryexpensive piles of refinedwoods were placed at the skirtsof Kunar River in Kaghan, GBand small rivers alongsideKarakorum Highway that hadbeen smuggled. “I have visitedthose areas, from GB toPakistan Forest Digest 23 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThakot, people are stealingwood logs in huge numbers,”he added. According to GoharAyub, the scenario is a replayof 1992 floods when hugechunks of woods arriving inPakistan from Indian HeldKashmir as well as AzadJammu and Kashmirwere reportedlysmuggled.English Translation from Urdu NewsShankiari: Smuggling of expensive timber thrives;‘Green Gold’ is on the brink of disasterDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 02, 2010Shankiari (General Reporter) Pine trees are cutand secretly transported to machine saws throughalleys. According to eyewitnesses, MuhammadAshiq and Hameed, after dawn prayers onThursday, two trolleys loaded with timber weredelivered to near by machine saw by Suzukipickups. Timber smugglers cut small pine trees inday light and cause destruction to the ‘greengold.’ People have demanded the forestdepartment officials to take action.Hazara forest are being converted into treeless plainswith the collusion of forest department personnelPeople ask Chief Justice to take suo motu action against the timber mafia forunlawfully cutting down the forestsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 02, 2010Khalabut(Correspondent) Highqualityforests of Tanawal area,Shergarh range and Hazara arebeing converted into vast plainswith the abetment of police andforest department personnel.Timber worth million of rupeesis smuggled through Bhel andother hidden passages to thewhole country. “Forests arebeing cut mercilessly. Thegovernment should actimmediately, otherwise rest ofthe forest will be vanished in amatter of months,” the peopleof Tanawal union council,Darband union council, LisanNawab union council andShanian complained to thejournalist in a meeting.Ban on the transportation of timber in JandolDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 02, 2010SamarbaghCorrespondent)(MashriqThetransportation of timber inJandol was banned in a jointmeeting of Forest departmentofficials and the police in thePakistan Forest Digest 24 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteoffice of sub divisionalmagistrate, Samarbagh. Themeeting was attended by subdivisional magistrate,Samarbagh, SDPO Samrbagh,Zahir Shah and Range OfficerSamarbagh Fareed AhmedBacha. The issue of timbersmuggling was discussed in themeeting, and it was decidedthat transportation of everykind of timber and finishedwood products would bebanned. To implement the baneffectively, range forest officerSamarbagh will be providedadditional police and Leviforce. The DSP Samar directedall the SHOs ofMayar andSamarbagh policestations that everypossible help be provided toforest department to curb thesmuggling of finished woodenproducts and sleeper fromJandol area.Timber smugglers in Shankiari beprosecutedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 03, 2010The Pine trees are beingbrought to saw machines afterillegally cutting from the forestthrough unnoticeable localitiesand streets. The timbersmugglers are destroying thegreen gold by cutting smallPine trees. Yesterday, afterDawn prayers (Fajr prayers)two pickups loaded withPinewood were delivered to anearby saw machine. The forestdepartment personnel colludewith the timber mafia men andmake money. The higher-upsare requested to action and savethe public assets and to takeaction against the officials offorest department who conspirewith timber smugglers.I will uproot smuggling if government allows me: SikandarDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 03, 2010Phalrra, Tanawal (MashriqCorrespondent, generalreporter) Sikandar called froma undisclosed location that ifthe government would allowhim, he would end thesmuggling which in turn wouldsave the forest. He promised tohe would personally catch theculprits and would hand overthem to the police, becauseforest department officials’involvement was destroying theforests.An attempt to smuggle precious timber foiled inTimorgrah, hundreds of thousands rupees receivedthrough finesDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 03, 2010Timergarrah (MashriqCorrespondent) The forestdepartment thwarted an attemptof smuggling expensive timberand received hundreds ofthousand rupees through fines.According to a press release,forest department Dir, lowerforest division officials underthe directions of DFO ShaukatHayat, sub divisional forestofficer Temir Garrah and rangePakistan Forest Digest 25 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteofficers Chakdara have initiateda campaign to end timbersmuggling.Forestcheckpost,Timergarrah,Bandagaee andChakdara personnel thwartedthe timber attempt andrecovered large amount ofexpensive timber. Thesmugglers were findand 3,50,000 werereceived.Derbala: Action against the illegal encroachers offamily owned forestsDaily Mashriq, Peshawar July 03, 2010Derbala(MashriqCorrespondent)Theencroachers upon our ancestralforests should be prosecutedotherwise the situation may getdangerous. The governmentshould take against them toavoid any unpleasant situation.Muhammad Riaz, Allah Baksh,Behruddin, Sirdar Khan andHameed khan of Batal Isheraniarea expressed these view in apress conference. They addedthat group comprising BakhtZaman, Pine Muhammad andSultan Ali is busy cutting downour forest in Gorkohi SafaryBanday. 55,000 cu feet oftimber had already beenconfiscated by the government.He said if they tried to stopthem, they would threaten thatthey belonged to Taliban. Hesaid if the government andforest department would notintervene, bloody confrontationwould occur.Million rupees worth illegal timber recovered fromAkora, 3 sumugglers apprehendedForest guard slipped away on seeing the police, Case is registered andinvestigation is initiated.Daily AAJ Peshawar, July 03, 2010Akora Khattak ( AAJCorrespondent) Akora Khattakpolice has recovered timberworth millions of rupees andhas arrested 3 persons,according to details, forestguard of forest departmentMuhammad Rasool s/o HabibRasul with his threeaccomplices Hazrat Ali s/oShareen, Akber s/o Bahadurand Jahangir s/o Hassan Khanresidents of Marhatti wereloading timber on the trollynear Marhatti canal. Akorapolice on a routine patrol sawthem. On seeing the police,forest guard Muhammad Rasulfled away while his threeaccomplices were arrested onthe spot and timber was takeninto custody. A case has beenregistered and search has beeninitiated to arrest the guard.Government should authorize the forest owners, IbrarAhmed KhanDaily Shamal, Abbottabad July 04, 2010Chanarkot(Shamalcorrespondent) Famous socialworker and president save theforests committee, Ibrar AhmedKhan has said notwithstandingthe fact that forest owners ownPakistan Forest Digest 26 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteforests worth millions ofrupees, are becoming poor dayby day. The main reason forthat sorry condition is that theforest owners have very limitedauthority, if the owners weregiven free hand, the forestwould not have become treelessexpanse. A small number offorest department personnelcannot watch and protectforests worth trillions of rupees.If a few forest official arebrought to Tang area at night,then there is no one is left towatch Hilkot forests. Todayeverybody has gotmobile phone, and thesmugglers exactlyknow where the forestofficials were at that verymoment. The governmentshould allow the forest ownersto hire their own guards.Asheeri Dara: Two forest department officials got hurt in anencounter with smugglersDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 07, 2010Derbala(MashriqCorrespondent) In AshareeDara Jabar, two forestdepartment officials got hurtwhile illegal timber wasconfiscated. Forest rangeofficer, Gul Bahadur reportedin Gandigar police station thatthe previous day forestdepartment officials werebringing illegal timber fromJabar to the government depotwhen in Tanli smugglersblocked their way and tried tooff load the timber. Altercationfollowed between forestdepartment officials and thesmugglers, eventually NiazMuhammad and MuhammadIslam were injured. Case hasbeen registered against thesmugglers.Phalera Police’s operation against timber smugglers,illegal timber recoveredDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 08, 2010Phalera (Shamal Correspondent) In a successfuloperation by police under the supervision of DSPagainst the timber smugglers, illegal timber wasrecovered. Previously SHO Muhammad AfzalKhan also recovered 114 sleepers. Yesterday, inearly morning, Additional SHO, Rasheed Khan,ASI, Imtiaz Qureshi with his contingent and DSPOugi Shah Nazar raided on Mudsery Road, nearTara Doga and Bandian, 253 sleepers wereconfiscated and brought to Phalwara PoliceStation, whereas forest department’s officers andother personnel sleep. When police successfullycatches timber, they have to come to fine theculprits.An unsuccessful attempt of timber smuggling inSamarbagh, driver arrested.Daily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 08, 2010Samarbagh( MashriqCorrespondent) Attempt tosmuggle timber worth millionsof rupees was successfullyfoiled. Range forest officer gota secret report that expensivetimber had been smuggled by aDatsun pickup. The rangeforest officer Samarbagh withPakistan Forest Digest 27 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDSP Samarbagh cordoned offthe Munda area. The driverBadshah Muhammad s/oShazullah was driving Datsunpickup with registrationnumber PW 3291 loaded withtimber worth millionof rupees, he wasarrested.The unrelenting cutting down of Shankiariforests continues, Department is indifferentMules and donkeys are used for timber transportation, the departmentpersonnel are involvedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 08, 2010Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent)Inefficiency of Shankiari forestdepartment is resulting inunstoppable cutting of forests,department officials are silent.Timber is being moved throughmain bazaar and other areas bymules and donkeys. Expensivetimber is cut from forests andbeing sold in open market bymules and donkey carts. Thegreen gold is being devastatedwith the vicious approval offorest department officials. Thedonkey and mule cart ownershave made the forests theirsource of income, instead ofdoing labour or other hardwork,they cut the trees and sell themout. Nobody is concerned. Themule and donkey carts haveblemished the face of bazaar,many buyers were hurt.A dangerous encounter between timbersmugglers and the local population is on thecardsTrucks loaded with timber break the electric cable, roads are destroyedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 10, 2010Pinnian(ShamalCorrespondent) In Pinnian,there is a danger ofconfrontation between timbersmugglers and the localresidents. The trucks loadedwith timber break the electricservice wires and badly affectthe roads. According to details,there is heavy traffic of timberloaded truck from the lake andto the lake through Pinnian andTodo Kot Najeebullah whichnot only break the power line,there position on truck topscause discomfort the womensitting in their four walls. Therehave been some occasionswhen some exchange ofexpletives. Dangerousaltercation is in the air.Pakistan Forest Digest 28 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteOperation against timber smugglers in Mansehra,Forest officer injured in exchange of firingTimber was confiscated from three points at Indus River bank, case wasregistered against the culpritsDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 10, 2010 Mansehra(Mashriq Correspondent0 Thesub divisional forest officerfailed an attempt of timbersmuggling through River Indus,but the forest officer gotseriously hurt in result of firingby the smugglers.Sub divisional officer of FarhadSajid of lower kohistan got thetip that timber smugglers wereplanning to smuggle hugequantity of timber from thebanks of Indus River. Theofficer raided and confiscatedtimber from three spots, thesmugglers got infuriated andattacked the forest officer andhis colleagues. Farhad Sajidwas injured and was shifted tothe hospital, police registeredcase against three smugglersbut no on e is arrested so far.Notorious timber smuggler of Konish valleywanted by police got arrestedDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 12, 2010Chater Plain (ShamalCorrespondent) ‘The JungleKing’, widely known forcriminal activities, Gulzar aliasBabu from Dheri village andwas sent to jail, whereas theforest department was unawareof the whole act. DFC Mumtazof Batal police station andconstable Bilal of Khan policekiosk saw the accused Babu inBigera village forest. Theaccused on seeing police triedto escape but police chased himand finally arrested him fromhis ancestral village DheriHaleem. Gulzar alias Babu wastop level smuggler of Konishvalley, he was wanted by theforest department for a longtime. The accused wasproduced in the court of forestmagistrate Mansehra by Battapolice. The forest departmentproduced 16 damage reports inthe court. The magistrate senthim to jail. It was heard that theaccused was number onesmuggler of Konish valley whowiped off the forest ranges ofDheri Haleem and Konel bun.The DFC Mumtaz Khan andconstable Bilal were applaudedfor that act of bravery. Thepeople of the area took a sighof relief and said the accusedhad to be punished in befittingmanner. Police operation wouldprotect the forest. The accusedhad three CNICs with differentnames to deceive the forestdepartment and the police.Pakistan Forest Digest 29 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePoplar theft case: Four accused set freedue to lack of evidenceDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 12, 2010 Takht Bai(Mashriq Correspondent) CivilJudge Abid Zaman Khan hasset free four persons namelySher Bahadur, Ali Bahadur,Bahadur Sher and MuhammadTahir nominated in Poplar theftcase owing to the lack ofevidence. Kafaitullah s/o LaalGul, resident of Mazdoorabadfiled an application in TakhtBai police station andcontended that Sher Bahadur,Ali Bahadur, Bahadur Sher andMuhammad Tahir sons of KhanBahadur residents of Haji JanGul, Fazalabad, detained him intheir custody at gun point andstole poplar trees from hisfields. Civil Judge, Takht BaiAbid Zaman Khan gave hisverdict on the case yesterdayand exonerated all the fouraccused. Mian Shah Hussainwas appearing on behalf of theaccused party.An attempt to smuggle large quantity of timber fromOugi failedPolice took loaded vehicles into their custody, two arrested in other operationDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 13, 2010Ougi (Correspondent) Ougipolice in two differentoperation failed the smugglingof illegal timber andconfiscated two loaded vehiclesand registered case against theculprits. Police, during raids atdifferent areas recovered oneKlasnikov and ten rounds fromWazir and a twelve bore gunfrom Shabbir and arrested boththe accused, whereas in onecaes arrested one absconderAsghar and recovered twelvebore gun plus 25 cartridges.Timber smuggling through Tarbela lake is boomingIf smuggling of expensive timber is not controlled, Hazara forests will vanishDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 13, 2010Khalabut (Crime Reporter)Timber smuggling throughTarbela lake is once again atrise. Early in the morning,hundreds of Datsun pickupsloaded with timber cross sectorno 4 and before enteringKhalabut , timber is concealedin containers and thendispatched. For a few days,after capturing timber worthmillions of rupees by ASP, theillegal practice slowed down,but now again it is booming.Pakistan Forest Digest 30 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteCutting down of forest continue by timbermafia with the abetment of Kahuta ForestdepartmentThe range officer is also involved in illegal practice, beautiful forests on the verge of disasterTimber mafia was forced to abandon the illegal business due to last year’s effective actionsThe appointment of new range officer triggered the unlawful practice; chief minister is urged totake noticeDaily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, July 14, 2010Kahuta (Correspondent) “Theunholy alliance of forestdepartment and timber mafia isdevastating the forests. Rangeofficer is equally responsiblefor the destruction of forests,”said numberdar Raja HabiburRehman and Raja Khawarwhile talking to journalists.They said former range officer,Atif Majeed, immediately aftertaking charge, initiatedoperation against the timbermafia and forced them toabandon that unlawfulbusiness, but after transfer thecutting of forests was resumed.They further said that every daytrees worth hundreds ofthousands rupees were cutwhich eventually inflicted greatloss to the government. Thatwhole shady business was donewith the cooperation of forestdepartment officers and otherworkers. They demanded chiefminister Shahbaz Sharif to takenotice of that illegal cutting andtake action against those antisocial elements.The rigorous imprisonment of the accused intimber smuggling case suspendedDaily Aaj, Peshawar, July 13, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter)Additional Session JudgePeshawar, Ikhtiar Khan hassuspended the rigorousimprisonment of an accused intimber smuggling amounting tomillions.The unabated cutting of forests of Koh Bhangeeracontinues, Administration is helplessThe forest department officials are patronizing timber mafiaDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 15, 2010Parhana(ShamalCorrespondent) Cutting downof forest of Koh Bhangeeracontinues, the administrationappears to be helpless. Forestdepartment officials arepatronizing the timber mafiaand clearing the way for them.The precious public assets aregoldmines for timber mafia andforest department, theprovincial government shouldprotect the forests. Accordingto reports, timber mafia iscruelly cutting down thePakistan Forest Digest 31 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteexpensive trees of the area. Theonly concern of the officials offorest department is to fill theirown pockets. Hundreds of treesare cut daily and transported toother places by cartsand Datsun pickups.A raid on Phalera timber smugglers, timberrecoveredDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010Phalera(ShamalCorrespondent) SHO Phalerapolice station raided on timbersmugglers with the assistanceof Elite Force and recoveredone Datsun pickup, one muleand three wanted criminalswith 21 sleepers of expensivewood. Yesterday, SHO Phalerapolice station with his officialsand Elite force raided KhalerayBandian and arrested threewanted in forest cases, oneDatsun pickup, one mule and21 sleepers of wood anddeposited in the police station.We shall protest the addition of other areasin the forest areas of Sharkol: TwakkulKhan alias TootyDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010Chater plain (Shamal correspondent) “If otherareas are added in the forest area Sharkol, theforest owners will protest strongly. Sharkol forestarea belongs to Ikhwanzada community and it isrecorded in the same way in the official records.Previously, the Syed family also tried to grab thearea, but our elders with help of their farmworkers —belonging to Gujjar clan — resolvedthe case and failed their motives.” An activemember of forests owners’ committee said.Hidden forces are patronizing timber smugglersThe forest owners will not allow thedestruction of the forests: President, save theforests committeeChaterPlain (ShamalCorrespondent) Some veryinfluential persons are behindDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 18, 2010the timber mafia to destroy theforests, but the forest ownerswill not allow this. A tribalassembly (Jirga) of forestowners of Konish valley wasconvened in Chater Plain.President save the forestsaction committee KhanzadaPakistan Forest Digest 32 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteIbrar Ahmed Khan said merelytimber smugglers could notdestroy the forests. IbrarAhmed demanded that thesmugglers against whom caseswere registered should benabbed so that theforests were savedfrom further losses.Timber mafia and forest department jointlyvanishing the forests in Koh BhangeeraTimber smuggling on rise in broad daylight, the concerned departmentsinterested in bribes onlyDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 19, 2010Haripur (Correspondent)Timber mafia in close alliancewith the forest department isbusy in illegal cutting of treeswhich are smuggled with thehelp of forest department andpolice. According to details,fifteen to twenty loadedpickups are smuggled throughOugi Karory Chamial Road toDarband Gro Bhagla Roadeveryday. The vehicles areloaded between 10 pm and 3am. Forest department andother departments have shuttheir eyes after taking bribes.Eventually the forests arequickly diminishing and localpopulation is in danger. Localresidents are begging of therulers to intervene and save thenational asset.An unsuccessful attempt of expensive timberin Samarbagh, smuggler heldDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 20, 2010Samarbagh (MashriqCorrespondent) Forestdepartment officials savedprecious timber worth hundredsof thousands of rupees fromsmuggling and apprehended thesmuggler and his vehicle.According to details, rangeforest officer, Samarbagh gotthe information through hisintelligence sources thatexpensive timber would besmuggled from Samarbagh, sothe range forest officer andtehsildar Manda cordoned offthe area and arrested Aminullahs/o Muhammad Haleemresident of Takor with hisvehicle, registration numberDIR 4268, he was trying tosmuggle timber worth hundredsof thousands of rupees, therange officer fined him rupees10,100.Pakistan Forest Digest 33 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteAn urgent meeting of forest owners ofKonish ValleyDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 16, 2010Chanarkot(ShamalRepresentative) The forestowners Konish valley held anurgent meeting. It was presidedby Khanzada Ibrar AhmedKhan, president Save the forestaction committee. The forestowners applauded the rangeofficer Sultan Khan Jadoon thatafter he took the charge, heforced the timber smugglers togo underground. Ibrar Ahmedsaid if the officers like himwere there, there would benobody to inflict loss to theforests.Timber mafia’s business flourishes inKhanpur with the help of Forest departmentand the policeDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 22, 2010Haripur (Special Reporter) InKhanpur area cutting down offorest is at alarming pace. Theforest department and policeofficials are blatantlycollaborating with the timbermafia to turn the beautiful thickforest into vast plain. Thedecreasing size of forest hasaffected also the environment.According to the localresidents, if the routine ofcutting was not discontinued,the timber mafia will convertthe whole forest into treelessexpanse, The Khanpur Dam isat high risk due to the cutting.We shall take this issue in the Assembly:Saleem KhanTimber mafia is bent upon destroying Chitral forestsDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 24, 2010Chitral (Bureau Report)Provincial Minister ofPopulation planning, SaleemKhan has said that timber mafiawas destroying Chitral forests,the issue would be taken in theprovincial Assembly. A fewdays ago he was addressing apublic gathering. He said thatthe Loari Tunnel, Tor KahoRoad, Boni Shandur Road,writing off the agriculturalloans, Benazir Income SupportCard are the big achievementsof this government. Thesemega projects have helped theChitrali public a lot. He saidthat funds allocation in 2 ½years comprised 21.9 millionrupees for water supply, 100million for upgrading of EunHospital to ‘A’ grade and forthe reconstruction of girlsmiddle school and its upPakistan Forest Digest 34 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutegradation. He announcedconstruction of a steel bridge inSyedabad, Darzanda link roadand Zond Randa water supply.A grand tree sale in Baren Gali, free hand towipe out the forest against heavy kickbackDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 26, 2010Abbottabad (CrimeReporter) The forestdepartment officials haveannounced a clearance saleof forests in Jogi Marjaryand Dyar Gali of UnionCouncil Baren Gali. Therate of bribe is between4,000 to 5,000 rupees toallow uprooting of treesfrom the forests. Every daytrees are cut from theforest and dumped atKunda Pani, then those areloaded in the jeeps andbrought to machine sawsinstalled at Barra Hotarand Herno. The forestdepartment’s corruptwatchdogs receive theirshare in advance and helpthe smugglers from cuttingthe trees to deliver those tothe destination. Thevicious game is going for along time with the help offorest personnel. Theprotectors of the forestshave become millionaire,but to prove theirefficiency they are teasingthe poor people of the areawho are not allowed to usewood for their own use.The notables of the arealike Sirdar Sheeraz andSirdar Muhammad Qaiserand other prominentpeople have demanded thatto save the beauty of thearea and to save thenational assets, thesmuggling must beeradicated, at the sametime action should betaken against the corruptofficials of the forestdepartment and honestofficer should beappointed. The assets ofcorrupt officials should bescrutinized otherwise weshall act on our ownagainst timber mafia andthe corrupt officials.Changla Gali forests are becoming treelessplains with the collusion of forest departmentofficialsTimber smugglers were caught red handed but police freed them after a give and takeDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 26, 2010Galiat (Bureau Report)Officials of the forest depart ofChangla Gali are involved inthe illegal cutting trees worthhundreds of thousand rupeesand then sold in black market.The locals told the journaliststhat for a long time forest arebeing mercilessly cut and theofficials, who have thepatronage of big political party,are giving the legal cover toevery unlawful act. In this way,forester is appointed as rangeofficer, and a guard as forester.Pakistan Forest Digest 35 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe local residents havedemanded the minister of forestto transfer the ‘favourite’ rangeofficer and block officer; thepresence of those officerswould soon convert the forestsinto plains. The locals of thearea caught Aurangzeb residentof Khan Kalan and Gulbaz s/oMir Akber resident of SerKhan, red handed and handedover them to police. Both ofthem belonged totimber mafia, thepolice released themafter negotiation.Timber smugglers across Attock have bentupon wiping out Hazara forestsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 28, 2010Mansehra (Courts Report)Timber smugglers of Hazaraand across Attock have adoptedthe role of forty thieves andgave a role of Ali Baba to theforest department. They aredevastating the forests. Thesources have claimed thattimber worth millions of rupeescoming fro lake is beingtransferred to Punjab incontainers with the help ofpolice and forest department.The resources also told thatsome influential politicalfigures have also approved thedestruction forests after gettingtheir share. It is reported thatthe mysterious silence of theseMNAs is arousing manyquestions. Hazara’s publiccircles have asked leader of themovement of Hazara province,Baba Haider Zaman to takestrict action against thebunglers.A boom to illegal cutting of forest, forestdepartment is involvedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 28, 2010Batgram (Crime Reporter)Under the supervision of Allaiforest department, cutting downof trees going at high pace. InMauza Karg, Mauza Pocal andMauza Bap 15,000 trees havebeen cut till now, many ofthemn are still lying at the spot.Yesterday, distict vicepresident of ANP, RiazMuhammad Khan advocate hasdemanded the higherauthorities to take immediateaction. He said while talking tojournalists that protector offorests, forest department hasallied with timber mafia, andconsequently tehsil Allai’sthick forests are becomingtreeless plains.Pakistan Forest Digest 36 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteNumber of people clashed in a race tocollect timber from River KunharAbdul Latif got hurt by the opposite party, many injured while catchingtimberDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 29, 2010Balakot (Reporting Team)Many incidents of altercationdue to collection of timber fromRiver Kunhar were reported.Abdul Latif was beaten by steelpipes and rods by the opponentparty, he was severely injured,while many accidently injuredattempting to collect timber.According to estimates, thetimber floated through streamsand lakes into River kunhar isworth billions of rupees.Timber worth millions ofrupees captured by people ofBalakot3 persons drowned in Indus River whilecollecting timber in Kohistan Dasu areaDail Shamal, Abbottabad, July 29, 2010Mansehra (Nauman Shah) In district KohistanDasu, three persons slipped into Indus River in anattempt to collect timber from the river.According to police handout, three persons werebusy collecting timber from the river whenflooding tide swept them into the river.People continue to protest against transfer ofMalakand Division timber to JahangeeraThe consequences will be dangerous if the timber is transferred by force:Bakht BedarDaily Aaj, Peshawar, July 29, 2010Chakdara (AAJ Correspondent)The protest demonstration ofhundreds of labourers, transportunion, timber association andOnzai tribe against transfer ofMalakand division timber toJahangeera entered the 7 th day.Chairman Jirga Bakht BedarKhan, president timberassociation Muhammad Yar,president transport unionQareebullah Khan, generalsecretary Rafique ullah Khan,Saadullah Khan, Maulana GulRaheem, Madad Khan, SyedSaltanat Yar advocateIkramGhani and Attaullah KhanOnzai said they would notallow the economic murder ofpeople of the area, ifgovernment wanted to developJahangeera market, it shouldprovide timber from Mansehra.Pakistan Forest Digest 37 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDCO has banned the collection of timber fromthe river, police is directed to arrest the violatorsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 31, 2010Mansehra (General Reporter)DCO Mansehra, Anwar ZebKhan has banned the collectionof timber from rivers inMansehra district and imposedsection 144. It is commonpractice that men, women andyoung people collect timberfrom Sern, Kunhar rivers andother streams in monsoonseason, accidents are alsoreported. Ten persons havebeen killed so far, eight wereinjured. There is loss ofprecious lives due to thatpractice, therefore DCOMansehra has prohibited thecollection of timber and hasimposed section 144. 13 policestations and 3 tehsils of thedistricts has been instructed toimplement orders. Gathering ofpeople is banned after theimposition of section 144.DFO has handed over the forests of Galiat and Ayubiato official timber mafiaGreen gold tourist resort is badly affected, certain favourite group has thebacking of Murtaza JavedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 02, 2010Ayubia(SpecialCorrespondent) The DFOGulzair range has handed overforests of Galiat and Ayubia toone official timber mafia andhas given certain group afictitious appointment in wholeGulzair range. Green gold oftourist resort is beingferociously spoiled. This mafiahas the links with higher ups.The elected representatives ofthe area are also patronizingthis group. MNA MurtazaJaved Abassi, MPA BaristerJaved Abassi are supportingthis group. Three days ago, atlate night, one police raidercaptured a vehicle full of Dyarwood. That timber load was cutfrom Koza Gali near the forestrest house by that group andwas supplied for someconstruction work in ChanglaGali. The eye witnesses claimthat the raider who nabbed thattimber was being threatened bya political figure on cell phone,the raider feared losing his joband forgot the smuggledtimber. So Dyar wood was usedin the buildings of forestdepartment officers in KozaGali.Pakistan Forest Digest 38 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTwo month ban has been imposed oncollecting wood and extracting sandfrom Swat RiverDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 05, 2010Mangora (Bureau Report) InSwat, any type of constructionon the banks of rivers andstreams, collection of wood orextraction of sand from therivers and streams is banned fortwo months under section 144.An official notification by thedistrict magistrate said thatnobody would be allowed toerect any building at the banksof river or streams, whereas thecollection of timber andextraction of sand from theriver would be prohibited fortwo months.Timber mafia is active again to grab timbercoming into Darband lakeThere is tussle between timber mafia and the locals. Administration is urgedto take noticeDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 05, 2010Mansehra (Tehsil Reporter)The timber mafia is hoveringover the timber in the Darbandlake like vultures, whereas thepower struggle between mafiaand locals has erupted, anymoment there could be someunpleasant incident. Timbermafia has reached DarbandLake fully armed and ready tograb expensive timber. Thelocal residents have expressedtheir deep concern over thesituation and demanded theadministration the precioustimber should be gathered andbe stored in governmentgodowns or be distributedamong the locals. Timber mafiawhich has the support ofinfluential figures could stealthe timber by pressurizing thelocals and the state officials. Apolitical leader of PML-N, HajiTahir Ali diverted theadministration’s attentiontowards the matter and said thatto save the public assets liketimber should be confiscated orbe distributed among the localpopulation.Pakistan Forest Digest 39 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteUncontrolled cutting down of Betair forestscontinues, mountains are changing intoplainsDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 03, 2010Betair (Shamal Correspondent)Union council Betair is situated inmountain area of district Haripur.Years ago that area was full offorests but after unstoppablecutting of forests, the Betair unioncouncil mountains are looking likeplains. Due to lack of interest bythe government, the area has beenignored. We demand that theforest department should growplants in the area to maintain theforests and a sub office of theforest department should beestablished.Poor beggars have no power to destroy theforests: Ibrar AhmedChanarkot (PR) The presidentsave the forest actioncommittee has said that poorbeggar have no capacity toDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 09, 2010destroy the forests rather bigfish were involved in thedestruction of forests. If thefeudals and other influentialpersons were not discouraged,the forest owners will be underconstant threat, forest ownersshould develop a policy incollaboration with the forestdepartment, he added.Phalera: Elite Force chases absconders in theforest, many timber smugglers heldDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 10, 2010Phalera (Shamal Correspondent) DSP, Ougi circlesent Elite Force under one sub inspector to followthe absconder in the forests, as a result the illegalcutting of forest stopped and for two weeks therewas no smuggling, before that timber smugglersand the wanted criminals openly cut the forest.Two weeks ago, DSP Ougi and SHO Phalera,Afzal Khan raided and recovered 300 timbersleepers.Pakistan Forest Digest 40 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteScandal of government officers’ green goldsmuggling racket of Galiat and AyubiaexposedDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 11, 2010Ayubia (Special correspondent)One more scandal ofgovernment officers’ greengold smuggling racket in Galiatand Ayubia is unearthed. SHOpolice station Donga Gali ishelpless. The right hand of‘green gold king’, Mir Afzalresident of Tajwal deliveredtimber to Muhammad Afzalresident of Hyderabad. Afzalwas going back to Hyderabadwith timber, a police informerinformed the SHO, who raidedand confiscated the timber.When SHO reached policestation Changla Gali with thetimber, ‘gold king’ had alreadybeen informed and a forestguard, Khursheed reached thepolice station.Unabated cutting of Takhat Pari forestsA boom to timber mafia’s business with the assistance of forest guards.Daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 18, 2010Mankiala (Correspondent)Timber worth millions ofrupees is being smuggled fromTakt Pari forests with theconnivance of forest guards,timber mafia has put the foreston the verge of totaldestruction. Smugglingbusiness is thriving day andnight, the forest departmentofficials are mum, if a timelyaction is not taken, the forestswill be vanished.According to details, theinvestigation shows that theforest guard and the warden arepatronizing the mercilesscutting down of the forest. Thesmugglers are busy cutting theforest after greasing the palmsof forest officials. Timber aftercutting is loaded into thevehicles and smuggled tonearby areas. The everincreasing smuggling has madethe forest a plane expanse.Robbers looted the smugglers’ vehicle in TanawalDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 13, 2010Mansehra (Mir Afzal Gulzar)In an interesting occasion thatrobbers looted the vehicle oftimber smugglers after erectinghurdles on the road. They alsosnatched their weapons.Pakistan Forest Digest 41 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTimber smugglers attacked forest guards withaxes in Terhary, 2 guards were seriously injured,case was filed against 16 attackersDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 15, 2010Abbottabad (Crime Reporter)Timber smugglers attacked theforest guards with axes severelyinjured two forest guards.Yesterday, forest guard, Dilpazeers/o Gul Faraz heard the sound oftree-cutting Terhary forest, whentwo guards reached the spot,eleven persons, who were cuttingtrees, attacked them and severelyinjured them. The guards weremoved to the hospital, whereaspolice has registered a case againstthe culprits under section 26/34,85/33, 186/88, 324/4. The accusedincluded Sabir Gul, Khatab Saeedalias Raja Nazakat, MehtabWaseem and Ibrar residents ofTerhary. Police have started raidsto arrest them.Demand to end the ban on leag cutting forestrangeCertain lobbies and NGOs have prepared the reports for their vestedinterests, which are against the facts: Omar KhatabDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 21, 2010Ougi (Correspondent) Forest range owners’Hazara division has declared the 18 years old banunreasonable and demanded permission of legalcutting of forest in addition to the compensationpayment for the timber wasted in floods and landslides. A meeting of the owners of Hazaradivision forests was held. It was presided byPresident Omar Khatab, advocate. Generalsecretary Allauddin Khan, senior vice presidentAbid Ali Sha, vice president Said Rasool Shah,Syed Mudassar Khan, Mian Azizur Rehman,Naseem Hussain Shah and many other officebearers attended the meeting.They said; “in 1992, when there were floods,certain lobby insisted that floods were due to treecutting and conspired to ban the cutting of forests.Now there is flood despite that ban, so it is provedthat ban was baseless and ill-intentioned. Therights of forest owners were violated. They saidan international NGO has strongly condemned thereport which claimed that present floods were dueto cutting of the forests. The report is baseless andmisleading. Regarding the 18 years ban on cuttingof our forest, no NGO has ever conducted anysurvey; rather some NGOs prepare fake reportsand get foreign grants.” He added that if thegovernment had not compensated the billions ofrupees loss to forest owners and continued the banon cutting, they would protest in front of theparliament house.Pakistan Forest Digest 42 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTimber smugglers will be dealt with iron hands:DSP OugiDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010Phalera(ShamalCorrespondent) DSP Ougicircle Shah Nazar Khan wascommenting on a news item(Not Daily Shamal) thatwhenever any inefficiency ofany police officer or myselfcomes into light, there shouldbe criticism but not thecriticism for the sake criticism.When Afzal Khan and I caughtlarge quantity of timber, I amnot impressed by that newsitem. The operation against thesmugglers would continue andwe shall never forgive thesmugglers.The illegal practice of forest cuttingDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 22, 2010Editorial For the last 18 years, there is a legal banon forest cutting in Hazara division; the ban wasimposed in 1992 when there was flood. It wasthought that flood was because of large scalecutting, therefore ban was imposed. KhyberPakhtoonkhwa is the only province where naturalforests exist. Unfortunately nothing concrete hasbeen done to save the forests —just paperwork.18 years ago ban was imposed on that localpeoples’ right because there was corruption inforest cutting, mountains were becoming treeless.Forests make the weather normal and help therainfall, and also stop the way of floods and landslide. They also produce precious wood. If wecompare trees of 18 years ago with the number wehave now, there is no increase in the number thatproves the illegal cutting is going on. The forestdepartment is obviously involved in thatmalpractice. Forests worth millions of rupeeshave been embezzled. It is needed that the illegalpractice of tree cutting be discouraged to save thenational assets to provide the due right to forestowners.Cutting down of forests continues in KonishValley, smuggling going on in broad daylightDaily timber smuggling worth hundreds of thousand rupees with the help offorest department, Forests are being deprived of natural beautyDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010Batal (General Reporter)Timber mafia is wiping out theforests in Konish valley, timberis being sold in black marketand no vehicle is being stoppedby forest officials. Vehicles oftimber mafia cross the barrierwithout any obstruction.Obviously the cutting is goingon with the cooperation offorest department, otherwisehow the vehicles loaded withtimber could cross the barrier.Konish valley was known forits beautiful trees, but now thetimber mafia with the help offorest department is convertingPakistan Forest Digest 43 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethese mountains into nakedtreeless heights.Uncontrolled cutting of Jabory forests,timber mafia is given free handThe committees formed to protect forest are also silent after getting theirshare, people have threatened to protestDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 24, 2010Jabory (Special Correspondent)The practice of illegal cuttingof Banda forest continues. Theforest officials allow cutting oftree which could not produceeven 10 feet timber, if theroutine continues the Sernvalley forest will finish.Ironically the committeesformed to protect the forestkeep mum after getting theirshare. The residents of BandaJabori have demanded theforest minister to stop thatillegal cutting and threatened toprotest.Cutting down of Shankiari forest going on,the concerned officials are silentDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, August 25, 2010Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent)The forests in the surroundingof Shankiari is going onunabatedly, higher officials aresilent. Precious timber loadedon donkeys and mules is beingsold in the market. Forests arebeing destroyed in Shankiariand its surroundings. If thatpractice with the connivance offorest department continued,the forests will become treelessstretch.The illegal cutting of Jaboory forests, inquiryordered against range officers and forest guardsCommissioner Hazara has ordered an inquiry about thousands of cubic feettimber sale in black marketDaily Shamal Abbottabad, August 25, 2010Mansehra (General Reporter)An inquiry has been initiatedagainst range officers andforest guards under the pretextof illegal cutting of forests inJaboory range. CommissionerSahibzada Anees has orderedfor inquiry about cutting ofthousands of Dyar and Pinetrees. AC Mansehra TasleemKhan surveyed Jaboori and itsadjacent areas to check illegalmarkets. The trees in Jabooryand the surrounding areas werecut with help of range forestofficers. In district Mansehra,Jaboory, Mandh Kach andDevli Sachan are the areasPakistan Forest Digest 44 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutewhere maximum illegal cuttingwas witnessed. The inquiryteam went there on August 24to begin the inquiry.Police officers in Batgram joined hands withtimber mafiaThere are merely two police check posts on Allai-ThaKot Road, timbersmugglers are given free handDaily Shamal Abbottabad, August 27, 2010Batgram (Correspondent)Senior police officers inBatgram have joined timbermafia and wipe out of foresthas started in the district.According to reliable sources,Batgram police have set up twocheck posts on Allai-ThaKotRoad but the public is not at allbenefited. The sources saythere is another check post inNeeli Shang for the pupose ofbribe collection only.Yesterday, there was exchangeof hot words between an ASIand constable of Koza policestation. The cause of squabblewas, the constable receivedbribe from timber mafia in thename of ASI and let go threevehicles loaded with timber.The constable did not tell theASI, on knowing about thematter, dispute emergedbetween them. After thedeparture of DPO SohailKhalid, there were lot ofchanges in Batgram policelines, which are the mainreasons for drug-trafficking,waylaying and securitysituation. The people of thearea have demanded DIGHazara and DPO Batgram tochange senior police officers,otherwise district Batgram willbecome den of criminals.Illegal cutting of Ghanol forests under the supervisionof forest guardDaily Shamal Abbottabad, August 28, 2010Mansehra (Staff Reporter)Under the supervision of forestguards, the illegal cutting offorest is flourishing. The forestowners have set up Save theJungle committees and haveapproached the senior officersagainst the forest department.According to details, SyedSajjad Hussain Shah has toldthe journalists the practice ofillegal cutting in Ghanol tehsilBalakot is going on. The forestswhich are national assets arebeing cut deliberately andforest guards are silentspectators.Pakistan Forest Digest 45 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteMansehra: Murder accused becomes timbersmuggler, police unable to arrestDaily Shamal Abbottabad, August 31, 2010Mansehra (Staff Reporter) An accused wanted inmurder case has become timber smuggler. Forestcutting is going on. Police is unable to nab theaccused and the orders of Mr Chief Justice ofPakistan are ignored. Muhammad Afreen s/oAwwal Khan has said in a news report that theaccused, Jabeen had murderd his father about 7years ago on a trivial matter and fled from thescene. The accused roams freely in Band Ilahipolice station limits. Police, as yet, is unable toarrest him although court has order his arrest.Ten woodcutters abducted from Kalash Valley,Chitral forests50 armed men held as hostage more than 40 labourers in the camp Bamboriat, Acholgaand kidnapped 10 labourersAll of four kidnapped belong to Gandigar area of Dir village. Chitral police has verifiedthe presence of suspicious personsDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 30, 2010Chitral(MashriqCorrespondent) The kidnappersallegedly talibans belonging toNooristan province ofAfghanistan have kidnapped 10labourers on Saturday nightfrom Acholga forests ofBamboriat, Kalash valley. Thelabourers belong to Gandigar,district upper Dir. Thelabourers worked with thecontractor of FDC. Last nightabout 50 Nooristani kidnappersheld hostage the labourers whowere sleeping in their rooms.They took away 10 labourerson gun point. Ewn policestation was informed, policehas confirmed the incident. Thekidnapped labourers areMuhammad Zaman, SherZameen, Misal Khan,Muhammad Rasul, Naeem,Bakhtawar Zeb, Koidar Khan,Omar Khan and Sher Alamresidents of Gandigar UpperDir. Meanwhile police hasconfirmed that another gang ofkidnappers had also entered inBamboriat in the darks of night.Police is on lookout. Last yearin the month of Ramazan, headof an NGO from Greece,Atthanasias was also kidnappedfrom Kalash valley. This is thesecond biggest incident in thatarea.Pakistan Forest Digest 46 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteKotli Bala forest are undergoingillegal cutting, the residents areapprehensiveTimber is transported to safer places by mules, forest department isindifferentDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010Kotli Bala (General Reporter)The forest of Kotli Bala,Pemar, Rakbaz Khan andRenjari are fast obliterating togive a treeless look to the area.For the whole night, expensivetimber is transferred to the saferareas, the residents of area aremuch worried on the loss ofgreen gold. There is day-andnight-cuttingof forest in areasadjacent to Kotli Bala, smalltime timber smugglers get theirshare by taking firewood only.Whereas big timber smugglersare busy in smuggling largequantity of timber. The localsare worried that their forests arevanishing and the forestdepartment is indifferent. Webuy wood for our personal use,but we are not allowed to cutwood from our own forestwhile the smugglers blatantlycut forests. Serious and welleducatedyouth says that forestshave big role in our life, toprotect these forest isdepartment’s duty. The localresidents should recognizefriend and foes.Trees have been hidden in undergroundgodowns, preparation for smuggling onEidDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010Abbottabad (Crime Reporter)Dozens of tree have been cutand timber smugglers with theassistance of forest departmenthas amassed a large quantity oftimber to smuggle at largescale. According to details,dozens of tree have been cutfrom Galiat range, Thandianirange Therapry and other areas,timber worth millions of rupeeshas been dumped in hiddengodowns. That timber will besmuggled on 29 Ramazan andEid days when police officialswould be busy in bazaars androads would be empty to theiradvantage. People have askedAnti corruption department andNAB to act against forestdepartment.Pakistan Forest Digest 47 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDepartment’s vicious cooperation, cuttingdown of forests at high pace continuesTimber smugglers are selling trees after cutting in broad daylightDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 06, 2010Dhodial (News Reporter) Dueto the negligence of forestdepartment, forest areundergoing cruel cutting inShankiari area. Forestdepartment officials have closelinks with the smugglers. Theinfluential people have madethe forests their prime source ofincome. Poor people are notallowed to touch that passage.Everyday, precious trees areloaded in Suzuki vans, mulesand donkeys and delivered tomachine saw. The departmentofficials have shut their eyes.The government is deprived ofmillions of rupees. The officialssit in their houses, who willsafeguard the forests?Two trucks loaded with expensive timber held inKhanpur, head clerk declined to give detailsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010Haripur (City Reporter) Forest department,Khanpur circle have nabbed two trucks loadedwith expensive timber. A few days back, twotrucks were held from Haripur-Shahra-e-Rasham.When phone number 611846 was contacted inthis regard, the head clerk declined to comment.When asked about the cell number of DFO, hesaid he did not have the number and it was not hisduty to provide details to the newspapers.According to reliable sources, forest departmentofficials are collaborating with ‘Fauji group’ oftimber mafia. Currently held four trucks belong tothe same Fauji group. The sources also revealedthat on political intervention, thousands of cubicfeet timber is converted into hundreds of cubicfeet to deprive the government of millions ofrupees and to benefit the timber smugglers. DFOHaripur, Conservator, chief conservator and forestminister has been asked by the people to conductinquiry against the department staff, becauseoffice staff is also busy working for timber mafia.Eight vehicles loaded with illegal timber held, heavy fineimposedDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010Pakhal (Shamal Correspondent)The forest departmentrecovered large quantity ofillegal timber loaded on eightvehicles from different placesand imposed heavy fines.According to details, yesterdayDFO Sern Ejaz and SDFOTariq Khadim along with theirparty captured large quantity ofillegal timber from differentplaces like Tumbry, Tanda andother areas.Pakistan Forest Digest 48 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteIllegal cutting in Gulair division, Eliminationof timber mafia is a big successRains have badly affected the forests; steps are being taken for the protectionof forests: Sirdar RiasetDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 09, 2010Changla Gali (SpecialCorrespondent) Forestdepartment Gulzair division isworking on protection of theforest of their division. Therecent rains have affected largearea of forests. The rangeofficer of Gulzair division,Donga Gali Sirdar Riasetsurveyed Tajwal, Ser Gharbi,Ayubia and Nethia Gali, hisforest officer Sirdar Riaz, BabuPervez and Gulzar Khanaccompanied him. Whiletalking to journalists in ChangliGali, he said that recent rainsand land slide have causedhuge losses to the forests, thelists of tree are being made. Hesaid with the cooperation oflocals, forests have effectivelyprotected. For the last twoyears illegal cutting has beendiscouraged and the eliminationof timber mafia is a welcomesign.Shankiari: Firewood is confiscated and loadedvehicles of smugglers are given green signalDFO impounded the vehicles with firewood on their top, severe protests bythe localsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 09, 2010Konish Valley (Special Correspondent) There isjungle law in forest department Shankiari range.The vehicles with firewood on their top goingfrom Batal to Shankiari were impounded in rangequarters. The poor people were carrying firewoodfrom the forest, their firewood was confiscated.DFO Sern division’s unfair act was severelyresented. Batal’s social and business circlescondemned the incident and said when timbermafia’s loaded vehicle pass from the roads, thedepartment officials shut their eyes and whensome poor person carry firewood on his head, thewhole department is alert to arrest him. Accordingto public figures poor herdsmen were carryingfirewood on their heads to Shankiari and loadedthat on the vehicles rooftops, the DFO Serndivision caught them and dumped their vehicleswith firewood in range quarters, the firewood wasin small quantity. The locals have stronglycondemned this act demanded that vehicles andfirewood should be released immediately.Pakistan Forest Digest 49 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe machine which destroy the forestsshould be immediately stoppedIf the machine saw operators do not stop, we shall get stay order fromSupreme Court: Ibrar AhmedDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 15, 2010Batal, Konish Valley (CrimeReporter, Bureau chief)President save the forest actioncommittee has said thatmachine saws should beimmediately stopped otherwisehe would be forced to get stayorder from Supreme Court. Hefurther said that the machinesaws should be banned so thattimber mafia could notblackmail the forest owners.Timber smugglers cutthousands of cubic feet timberon those machine saws. Forestdepartment officers will takesteps against the illegal cutting,the forest owners should notconsider them helpless.Mansehra: Timber worth millions of rupeessurreptitiously transported on Eid daySaddar Police Station gives free hand to smugglersDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 15, 2010Mansehra (City Reporter)SHO, Saddar Police Station hasgiven free hand to thesmugglers, according to reportstimber smugglers broughthundreds of cubic feet timber toMansehra. Nobody stoppedthem despite many pickets ontheir way, Allegedly the SHOreceived 100,000 rupees fromsmugglers.Dicision to appoint FC and Elite Force tostop illegal cutting of Tanawal ForestsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 16, 2010Mansehra (Bureau Report) Toend the hold of timber mafia onthe forests and discourageillegal cutting down of forests,a meeting was called on thedirections of CommissionerHazara. It was decided in themeeting that FC and Elite Forcewould be appointed to curbillegal cutting of trees in theforests. The residents of thearea supported the decision.Provincial government has alsodecided to crush the timbermafia. A meeting in this regardwas held and presided by DCOAnwar Zeb Khan in hisMansehra office. The forestdepartment representatives andforest owner representativesattended the meeting. Theissues like unrelenting cuttingof forests in Agrore, Tanawal,Shangal Bandi and adjacentareas were discussed. Theforest owners expressed theirfears that if the timber mafia’sPakistan Forest Digest 50 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutepractice continued the forest inTanawal would soon vanish.DCO Mansehra said whiletalking to journalists thatproposals for the protection offorests had been dispatched tothe provincial government andsteps had been taken to appointFC and Elite Force inShangal Bandi,Agrore, Tanawal andadjacent areas.Timber smugglers have camped in Batal,PTDC Motel Chatter PlainTimber smugglers are wiping out the forests on the behest of politiciansDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 08, 2010Batal (Special Correspondent)The only factor in the disasterof forests of district Mansehraare a few smugglers, who haveeither the political patronage orthey use the names ofpoliticians. Currently thosesmugglers are staying in PTDCmotel. These people smuggletimber from different areas anddispatch thousands of cubicfeet timber to different parts ofthe country through varioushilly tracks. These criminals aresaid to belong to Phalera, whoget away by scaring juniorofficials of forest department.They have the assistance oflocal smugglers and blak sheepin local police department,especially of one Hawaldarwho belongs to Phalera, he isthe special associate of them,very soon a delegation willDSGO Qalb and inform him ofthat Hawaldar’s treachery.Illegal cutting of forest going on in thepresence of Sern Valley officialsThe department officers and junior officials are responsible for the disaster,people strongly protestDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 20, 2010Jabory (Special Correspondent)FC should be appointed in SernValley, because illegal cuttingof forests is going on in thepresence of forest officials. Thefores owners have planned toprotest. Residents of SernValley told Shamal reporter,Sirdar Swali that they haveinformed forest departmentofficers more than once andgave applications for thatmatter, but nothing has beendone so far. Thousands ofexpensive tree are lying theforest, smuggling is going onunhindered. The officials arebusy constructing their houses,if the practice goes on, the SerValley forest will finish andforest officials will beresponsible. If any officialstops the illegal cutting, hetransferred overnight. Ourforests are being destroyed inpolitical power play. We, allthe residents of Sern Valleyappeal to the DFO andSecretary Forests that for GODsake stop this mass murder,otherwise we shall be forced toprotest and the departmentofficers will be responsible.Pakistan Forest Digest 51 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteNo claimant of confiscated timber has appeared inChater Plain, important personalities coming forwardNegotiations with DFO continued till late night without any solution. Ifany claimant comes forward he will not be given any concession, full penaltyhas to be paid: SourcesDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 20, 2010Konish Valley (Bureau Chief) The expensivetimber captured from Batal police stationprecincts has been dumped in forest depotswhereas original owners have not come forward.Who is the original owner of that illegal timber?But many notable personalities of districtMansehra have come forward to get the clearanceof that timber against nominal fine. DFO Serndivision Ejaz Qadir said that no claimant as yethas come to claim the timber, if anyone claims theownership of that timber, the penalty will beimposed according to government rates, other thatexpensive timber will be confiscated and case willbe registered. DFO Ejaz Qadir has said he doesnot give importance to pleadings of importantpersonalities. It is reported that there werenegotiation concerning that matter in the DFOoffice which went on for many hours till late nightbut inconclusive. Konish residents haveapplauded the actions of forest department andBatal Police station, but also expressed theirconcerns that in the presence so much staff, howso much big quantity of timber is cut and storedand the transportation. It is amazing that theofficials get the information after so much delay.The department should open its eyes and act inthat honest manner to curb the illegal cutting andmore timber could be recovered thus to save theforest from disaster.Cutting down of forests in Batgram, Officials postedat check posts get the ‘share’Forest department officials are fifty per cent partners of timber smugglers,action is demanded: Ghulam Muhammad KhanDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 21, 2010Batgram(ShamalCorrespondent) Batgram’sthick and expensive forests areon the verge of disaster and bigforests are fast converting intoplains. Protectors of forestshave joined hands withsmugglers and gave them freehand. Ministry for forests andenvironment and chiefcontroller Hazara should takenotice of the situation, HajiGhulam Muhammadcommented while talking tomedia representatives. He saidthe beauty of district Batgramis in its thick green forests, butsome opportunist are cruellycutting the forests, while checkposts of forest department areset up just to get their share.Timber mafia smuggle timberin the dark of night throughdifferent highways and theyhave full patronage of forestofficials. The constant cuttingwould finish the Batgramforests one day. If smugglersare not stopped, thegovernment will be inflictedwith huge losses.Pakistan Forest Digest 52 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDFO’s action against timber smugglers iscommendableDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 21, 2010Kotli Bala (General Reporter)DFO Sern, Ejaz Qadir’soperation against timbersmugglers are commendable.According to details byCommittee for the protection offorests Kotli Bala, presidentAurangzeb Khan, generalsecretary Muhammad WaqarKhan and other membersapplauded the DFO’ssuccessful operation againsttimber smugglers and recoveryof expensive timber at MalkaBatal. They said his actionsagainst anti social elements areproof of his dedication andloyalty with the country. Thecommittee members furtheradded that in the month ofRamazan, the DFO Sern finedthe smugglers in a crack-downand collected 22,000 from thesmugglers and deposited that intreasury. The committee hasdemanded the higher officialsthat the DFO be given moreauthority to eradicate thetimber smuggling from thearea.Large scale cutting of forests, Commissioner Hazara hastaken noticeDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 22, 2010Abbottabad (City Reporter)Commissioner Hazara,Sahibzada Muhammad Aneestook strict notice of timbersmuggling and illegal cuttingand directed the forestdepartment to nab bigsmugglers, effective measuresto curb the trend of illegalcutting, a task force should beformed which police officials.Kala Dhaka, Darben, andKhalabut Haripur should bestrictly watched. He wasaddressing a meeting in hisoffice to observe the efficiencyof forest department. Themeeting was attended by DIGHazara, DCOs of Haripur andMansehra, Conservator forestlower circle, Abbottabad andother officers. Thecommissioner said the issuewas of critical nature so hewould hold other meetings towatch the efficiency of forestdepartment. He would surveydifferent area to learn the actualsituation. He said whatever hadbeen decided in the meetingwould be implemented exactlyand no negligence would betolerated.Akazai Forest undergoing illegal cutting,Commissioner is requested to take noticeDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 23, 2010Ougi (Shamal Correspondent)Popular social and politicalworker along with his likemindedfellows havecommendedthecommissioner’s steps to stopillegal cutting of forest. He saidnow in Kala Dhaka, forests areconstantly under the axe.Machine saw are operationaland expensive timber in largequantity lies there, and strictinspection of the area isneeded.Pakistan Forest Digest 53 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe decision of action against illegal cuttingof forest, the decision should materializeDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 23, 2010Editorial According to an official handout,during a meeting to overview the efficiency offorest department, commissioner SahibzadaMuhammad Anees took serious notice of illegalcutting and smuggling, directed the forestdepartment that high profile smugglers should benabbed, strict action should be taken to stop theillegal cutting. A task force should be formed towhich include police personnel also, Kala Dhaka,Derbin and Khalabut Haripur areas should bewatched strictly. He was addressing a meeting inhis office to observe the efficiency of forestdepartment. The meeting was attended by DIGHazara, DCOs of Haripur and Mansehra,Conservator forest lower circle, Abbottabad andother officers. The commissioner said the issuewas of critical nature so he would hold othermeetings to watch the efficiency of forestdepartment. He would survey different area tolearn the actual situation. He said whatever hasbeen decided in the meeting would beimplemented exactly and no negligence would betolerated. Commissioners step regarding illegalcutting is welcome news, the warning given to hisdepartment in strict tone shows that he is aware ofconcerned personnel’s negligences, but we wouldlike to inform him that in many areas illegalcutting is going with the help of forest departmentofficials, if by chance police arrest some smugglerand catch the timber, the forest departmentofficial come forward to get them free againstnominal fines. In our view, to curb the trend ofillegal cutting, the corruption brewing in theforest department should be eliminated. The forestdepartment has lost its functionality andcredibility, so if the department is shut down, theundue expense of salaries would be saved. Theextra cutting of forests by the smugglers to payoff the commission to forest personnel, would beavoided. One or meetings are not enough to endthe vicious routine of illegal cutting of forests,rather strict actions have to taken for properresults. If the commissioner is really serious tosave the forests, he can save the forests with thehelp of honest and efficient officers of forestdepartment and law enforcing agencies.The onslaught of timber mafia in Sern Valley forests,commissioner Hazara is demanded to take noticeForest department’s involvement is in illegal cutting, FC should be appointed:Forest OwnersDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 24, 2010Jaboory(SpecialCorrespondent) Sern Valleyforest owners were talking toShamal correspondent, theysaid that commissioner Hazarashould take strict action in ourarea also. The smugglers notonly cut governments trees butalso cut our expensive tree innight take them away, theforest officials are equallyinvolved. When we ask anyofficial about the unlawfulcutting of our trees, they say goand protect your tree yourself.All the forest owners of SernValley appeal to theCommissioner Hazara to savetheir forests. At the momentmillions of cubic feet timber islaying waste in the forests, ifthat is auctioned, thegovernment can earn millionsof rupees. If the illegal cuttingPakistan Forest Digest 54 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteis not stopped in time, thelandslide can cause timber lossin millions. Therefore we theowners appeal to thecommissioner Hazara toappoint FC in the forests, if thatcannot be done thenwe would protect ourforests on our own.DFO’s secret deal: Timber worth millions of rupees floated intoRiver Kunhar reached underground godownsDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 26, 2010Garrhi Habibullah (BureauReport) In recent floods, timberworth millions of rupeesfloated from Kaghan Valleyinto River Kunhar reachedunderground godowns with thehelp of FDC personnel. Peopleof tehsil Bala Kot havedemanded the commissionerSahibzada Aneesur Rehman toinvestigate the embezzlementof floodwood. On publicdemand, timber laying in lowlying areas of Bala Kot, likeHissa, Gulseri, GarrhiHabibullah, Kernole and atpoints in River Kunhar wasdisposed of against nominalamounts. People havedemanded the DCO Mansehrato recover the timber lying inunderground godowns.Buttel: The captured timber is in possession of forest departmentDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 26, 2010Konish Velly Shamall TemamThe timber captured fromButtel is in the possession offorest department and withoutofficial penalty it will not bereleased. The departmentofficial captured the illegaltimber worth millions of rupeesrisking their lives, but somepeople are publishing baselessnews just to insult thegovernment officials, wereserve the right to defendourselves in the court of law,”said DFO Sern division EjazQadir and range officer SultanJadoon in Battel Shamal officewhile talking to journalists.“Our staff valiantly savedhundreds of cubic feetexpensive timber comprising62 sleeper Kail, 73 sleeperDyar and 20 sleeper Partal, thetotal volume is 446 cubic feet.We captured that timber andstored it in our depots. Nobodyas yet claimed the wood, someinfluential persons contactedus, but we rejected the request.We shall release timber aftergetting official fine.” The DFOsaid. “We can wait for threemonths to release timber aftergetting the official fine, afterthat the timber will beconfiscated.” The DFO added.The range officer SultanJadoon informed that they wereraiding for the concealedtimber and would not let thetimber be smuggled out.Nobody can steal even foot of the captured timber: DFO SernDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 27, 2010Mansehra (Courts Reporter)Nobody can steal even onecubic foot of the capturedtimber, time has gone when onecould destroy the forests, weshall not set free any timberlooter in our area,” said DFOSern Ejaz Qadir in Shamaloffice while talking tojournalists. “We have refusedto accept any pressure orrequest regarding the capturedtimber, some people are tryingto defame us but of no use,” headded. He further said that incapacity of DFO Sern he wouldnot forgive any person whodestroyed the forests.Pakistan Forest Digest 55 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe forest department, Shergarh range fully involved inillegal timber smugglingclash is expectedDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 28, 2010Mansehra (District reporter)“Smuggling of timber is risingin Sher Garh range, Forestdepartment personnel and lawenforcement agencies areinvolved in this dirty business.Everyday 5 to 6 vehicle loadedwith timber are smuggled andsold in black markets of otherparts of the country. Thegovernment should takeimmediate action action againstthose criminals to the beauty ofthe forest.” Said former NazimUC Shangly Banda, Dr Wazeerwhile talking to journalists inMansehra. He said it was verysad that two vehicles wereimpounded in range quarter fortwo days but were releasedwithout the fine aftersuccumbing to governmentofficers pressure.The Case of Hassa bridge repair: DFO asked the locals for donationin cash and kindDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 30, 2010The DFO Bala Kot is playingtricks with the local people.According to details, initiallyhe asked people to collect150,000 rupees and sometimber to repair the Hassabridge. When people startedcollecting timber and asked theDFO give permission, he saidto go ahead. When theygathered the required timberand went again for permission,he referred them to the rangeofficer. It is learnt that heallegedly instructed the rangeofficer to inquire from peoplethat where did they get thetimber and take action againstthem. People contactedprovincial minister SyedAhmed Hussain Shah and theforest minister whoimmediately contacted theirreliable friends. A closeassociate of provincial minister,Wazeer Ahmed Hussain Shahinformed them about the exactsituation. Sarwar Khan,president ANP, districtMansehra immediately reachedHassa to look into the matter,and then went to provincialminister of forests in Peshawarwith rotten wood of the bridge.ANP president Sarwar Khanand provincial minister WazeerAhmed Hussain Shah metMinister of forest and briefedhim about the stubborn attitudeof DFO, the minister assuredthem of immediate action.Pakistan Forest Digest 56 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Forest fireChapter 5

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 05Forest FireEnglish translation from Urdu NewsThe forest fire on Chhoi mountains, sky-highflames were seenThe young men reached in time to control the fire, forest were saved fromgreater disasterDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 06, 2010Tarnava (Special Correspondent) Yesterdaysome unknown person set the Chhoimountains on fire. Seeing the flames the localresidents reached Chhoi in time and valiantlycontrolled the fire from spreading further,consequently forests were saved and greaterlosses were averted. Forest departmentpersonnel now continuously watch the area,due to which Upper Khan Forests are safe asyet. If the forest department personneldischarge their duties in the same way, thenumber of trees in the forests will increase.Ten mortars fired in Angor Adda, forestsaffectedRegistration of victims of army operation continues in FC fort, victimsdemand for facilitiesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July 06, 2010Wana (AAJ Correspondent)Ten mortars were fired fromShakeen, Afghanistan whichfell into Angor Adda hills anddestroyed many expensivetrees, but their was nocasualties. On the other hand,registration of people affectedby Operation Rah-i-Nijat isgoing on since June 5. Theregistration process startedunder the supervision ofPakistan Forest Digest 57 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePolitical Agent, Shahab AliShah and security personnel.Political Agent Shahab AliShah told the journalists in theregistration office thatregistration of 2,720 affectedfamilies would be completed infour days, after theywould return to areaspeacefully.Forest fire in Colorado, 136 housesdestroyed,3,500 residents moved to other placesDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 10, 2010Colorado (NNI) The forest fire in Colorado state ofUSA has destroyed 136 houses till now. Accordingto state officials, the fire in the forest of Americanstate Colorado has destroyed 136 houses as yet.3,500 residents were forced to move to other placeswhile four persons are missing. Fire has spread to6,400 acres, about 300 firefighters and a number ofplanes are trying their best to control the fire.According to sources there is no report of casualties.Pakistan Forest Digest 58 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Forest &EnvironmentChapter 6

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 06Forest & EnvironmentAsphalt plant polluting city’s airDawn Islamabad, Sunday, 04 Jul, 2010By Naveed AsgharIslamabad the beautiful, onceconsidered to be the cleanestcity of Pakistan, is fast losingthat aspect of its identitythanks to some nine steelfurnaces in the industrialsectors of I-9 and 10 andnumerous brick kilns in thesuburbs in addition to anasphalt plant in the heart ofthe city that no one seems toknow about.Together these poisonguzzling factories continue topollute the air and affect thecity’s environment that wasregarded as bracingcompared to other cities.Recent environmentalsurveys attest to the increasein pollutionSurprisingly the existence ofthe asphalt plant installed inthe centre of the city near theSports Complex has escapedthe notice of theEnvironmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) whichmonitors the steel furnaces andthe brick kilns. This asphaltplant was installed years backby the Frontier WorksOrganization (FWO) with thepermission of PlanningDirectorate of CapitalDevelopment Authority(CDA), to fulfil therequirements of FWOconstruction projects.An asphalt plant releases alarge number of chemicals inthe air, including many cancercausingtoxic air pollutantssuch as arsenic, benzene,formaldehyde, and cadmium.Other toxic agents are releasedinto the air when the asphalt isloaded into trucks and hauledfrom the plant side. Stagnantair and weather patterns oftenincrease the level of exposureto local residents.Smoke and chemical ladenfumes released by thesefactories and the asphalt plantcause lung infections, anaemia,bronchitis, flu, heart attack andeven cancer among theresidents of Islamabad, said DrAsadullah Nemati, chestphysician, Pakistan Institute ofMedical Sciences (PIMS). Hesaid that fumes of the asphaltplant contain substancesknown to cause cancer,coughing, wheezing orshortness of breath, severeirritation of the skin and eyes,headaches, dizziness, andnausea.Government should takenecessary measures againstpeoples exposure to cancercausingsubstances released bythe asphalt plant and allfactories should be removedfrom residential areas, headvised.Afzal Sindho, Deputy DirectorGeneral Planning Wing, CDA,initially refused hisdepartment’s role in theapproval of the asphalt plantbut referred this reporter toRamzan Sajid, CDAPakistan Forest Digest 59 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutespokesman, for more details.The latter admitted CDA hadgiven the approval, but wasnot responsible forenvironmental problems thatwere the EPA’s concern.Director General EPA, AsifShuja Khan, when contactedacknowledged thatIslamabad’s environmentwas constantly under threatdue to poor health safetystandards adopted by theindustry owners.So EPA had already servednotices on owners of steelfurnaces and brick kilns. EPAhas given them a choice eitherto overhaul the current systemor shift from the residentialareas. He said that EPA hasalready shut down an asphaltplant of CDA in sector D-17which violated health safetystandards. But this asphaltplant owned by FWO was notin his knowledge. But, heassured EPA would investigateand monitor the plant.Environment controlagainst pollution isGovernmentresponsibility as wellas that of industrialconcerns. The lattermust ensure that pollutantsfrom industrial projects do notpose health hazards to thepopulation before these go intoproduction.It is strange for the CDA toassume it has no responsibilityconcerning the city’senvironment and its citizens’health.Trees — the natural airconditionersfor the poorThe News, Islamabad, Monday, July 19, 2010By Saadia KhalidIslamabadWith the majority of Islooitesconfining themselves to theirair-conditioned rooms inextremely hot and humidweather prevailing these days,there is a particular class,which does not have the meansto have this luxury. Peoplebelonging to this section of thepopulation utilise the naturalair-conditioning by relaxing inthe shade of thick trees.The capital has a large numberthick green trees, though not asmany as it used to be, that areproviding shield to the commonman from the blazing sun.Whether it is a greenbelt, a roadmedian, a lawn or a park, thesetrees are surrounded by people,who either enjoy having asiesta there or just resting theirbacks with tree trunks.The majority of those whoenjoy this natural facilityinclude labourers, who afterhaving their lunch, prefer tohave a siesta in the shade of athick tree, which energies themand helps them to start theirwork with a new vigour.“It is hard to work in this hotand humid weather, but wehave to as we have no othermeans of income. Taking restunder the shade of a tree aftertough work just work as a fuelfor us, which refreshes us andenables us to work with a newenergy,” said MohammadYameen, a labourer, working atthe construction site of a highrisebuilding in the city.According to Yameen, hedoesn’t know much about theair-conditioner except that it isa cooling machine, which isonly meant for rich people.“These trees are airconditionersfor us that not onlyprovide us shelter but also coolair,” he said.Jamal Khan, who also works atthe same construction site, saidthat trees were a blessing forthem. “We move from oneplace to another in search ofwork, but this blessing of Godis everywhere to provide us aplace where we can take restand rejuvenate ourselves,” hesaid.Most kiosks and roadsidehotels are usually established inareas, which have a largenumber of trees in order toPakistan Forest Digest 60 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteprovide shelter to customers.“We neither have means toconstruct a covered place norare we allowed to do so by therelevant authorities. We canonly utilise the natural sourceof air-conditioning by selectinga place which has a reasonablenumber of thick trees,” saidZahid Sharif, a kiosk owner.Commonly known as ‘chapparhotels’, the makeshift eatingplaces in the shade of trees isan ideal place for the poor classto have their lunch or dinner inwhat they say an airy place.“After working hard in theblazing sun, the shade of treesappears heavenly to me,” saidGhaffar Alam, a labourer.The shade of trees is alsoconsidered ideal to establish amakeshift barbershop. Withmostly a secondhand chair, asmall but damaged mirror and afew instruments, barbers set upopen-air shops in the shade oftrees to provide cheap servicesto their customers.“We neither have topay rent for a shopnor we have to payutility bills. All wehave to do is to installa small cabinet on a tree trunk,”said a barber, Shafiq.Besides people, animals andbirds also take refuge in trees toprotect themselves from thebaking sun.It is not a green world any moreDawn Islamabad, September 26, 2010By Faiza ZaeemEnvironmental issues are notGreek in today’s world. Theword and the subject are nowfamiliar for many people. Infact, it would not be wrong tosay that every educated personis concerned about and is infavour of ensuring that hissurroundings are green andclean.But sadly enough our propertybuilders and the new breed oftown planners are dismissive ofsuch environmental issues; theycall them a mere waste of timeand more importantly, money.After all, this is the age ofprofit and commercialisation isthe primary duty of ourplanners. No wonder then thatevery piece of land, big orsmall is only judged in terms ofthe money it can fetch. This iswhy public parks are in shortsupply in most urban centres asmore and more land is beingused for construction — bothresidential and commercial.As a result, new housingsocieties are sprouting up, inand around the twin cities at avery fast pace. At one levelthere is nothing wrong with thisas in a rapidly growing societysuch as ours, there is a shortageof housing in mostmetropolises and housingsocieties are needed. However,the problem lies in the mannerin which these societies aremanaged and run. While theirmanagements claim to providetheir residents all the modernfacilities, their efforts stop shortof ensuring a green andenvironmentally-friendlyenvironment.Islamabad’s Defence HousingAuthority is a case in point.Launched in 1992, theauthority’s first phase is fullyoperational and populated. Yet,its creators seem to have sparedno thought for greenery oroutdoor recreational facilities.Unfortunately, the phase offerslittle in this regard.Though there was an open areawith a shooter fountain andwaterfall, it has long beenconverted into a barbequerestaurant. Now it offers a verylimited area for children’sswings and slides.This lack of open space andabsence of recreationalfacilities has been noticed bythe residents. “I find it reallysuffocating to live in a localitywhere there are no openspaces,” says Ayesha, wholives in DHA phase I.“We were among the initialpeople to buy land here andbuild our house. We werepromised a scenic, serene andwell-planned society,” sheremembers. However, she adds,“We cannot even go for anevening walk as there are notracks or play area for kids. Itappears that concerns such asPakistan Forest Digest 61 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutehealth, environment, fresh airand entertainment take a backseat here.”This, sadly, is not the onlyissue. The campus of a schoolin the residential area has alsobecome a nuisance for theresidents.“We live very close to thecampus and the school openingand closing times creates atraffic jam outside our house;we cannot move then due to therush,” says Shazia.“The school should not beinside the residential area.”However, all of these problemscan be easily addressed if themanagements of housingauthorities would just keep afew issues in mind at theplanning stage.Authorities should plan foropen spaces that can offerrecreational and exercise spotsto the residents and they shouldalso ensure that commercialand other non privatebuildings are built ata distance from theresidential areas.Laws and bylaws thatcan help turn thesesimple conveniences intobinding laws would be offurther help. In the long run,these simple rules would helpthe authorities as they wouldonly attract more buyers andresidents.English translation from Urdu NewsLand of white rosesDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 02, 2010By Dr Fauzia ChaudharySiachen is perhaps the highest warfront in theworld and the most expensive-one too. Enormousfinancial expenses at one hand, but the most ofthe army personnel who are sent to watch anddefend the warfront become victims of severeweather conditions, and the rest of them performthe duty to defend the country under very adverseconditions. It is said that white roses bloom in thatarea, white snow throws its refection on the rosesand turns them into its own shade. India hasentangled our country in this warfront for its mostvicious and nefarious ulterior motives.In fact, India is not only our ill-intentionedenemy, but very treacherous neighbour also. Indiatakes steps very cautiously in dialogues andforming mutual relations. Initially she is not readyfor talks, and if under international pressure itbecomes ready for talks, it gives lame excuses anddoes not seem to be ready for the dialogues,shows very non-serious and stubborn stance, andif due to certain external pressure it comes todialogues table, it disrupts the process in themiddle.India has repeatedly done that thing. If we cast aglance at the history of Pakistan-India dialogues,we can see that India never considered seriouslythe process of dialogue. In fact, whatever issue ordispute, whether small or big is between India andPakistan, not a single one has been resolved.There is Sir Creek issue, Wooler Barrage issueand the Kashmir issue. India always makes it apoint that whenever there are dialogues, Indiashould outweigh and its interests are not harmed.The actual aim of dialogues is that both the partiessit face to face on the table and express their pointof view. India bigotedly wants talks just to serveits own interests, therefore whenever Pakistanexpressed its principled stance, India thought itsinterests were in danger, so it discontinued thetalks and left the table, eventually the issuesfloated in the dialogues were left unresolved.History is evident that India has never intended toresolve even the smallest issue between the twocountries. Now America is stressing upon India toPakistan Forest Digest 62 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutebegin the composite dialogue so that the talks atforeign minister level, which were held on July15, 2010 and were disrupted, be resumed from thesame point. America wants that foreign ministerof both the countries should sit face to face duringthe General Assembly session on September 20,in this way they can clear their minds. Instead ofGeneral Assembly session, there is anotherchance of meeting both the foreign minister onSeptember 28 on the occasion of SAARCconference. But India is very clever, now it hasinvented a new issue to avoid and fail thedialogue process. India contends that China hassent its troops to Siachen, so that is a disputedissue, so there will be no dialogues on it. India-China border conflicts are very old. India hatesPak-China friendship, that’s the reason Indiablames China on one occasion or other. Recently,India warned China to abstain from calling AzadKashmir as part of Pakistan and claimed thatJammu Kashmir were integral part of India, soany comment regarding that issue would be takenas interference in Indian affairs. China has alwayssupported Pakistan’s principled stand, Indiadislikes any country which admires Pakistan’sprincipled stance and calls its enemy.The way India is entrapped in Indian heldKashmir and is facing resistance by Kashmirimasses is enough to show the world that Kashmiris not the integral part of India. It’s age of media,you cannot stop any incident or news to spreadacross the world. India can proclaim Jammu asintegral part of India, but facts cannot beconcealed. The valley is soaking in blood with theblood of Kashmiri youth. The whole valley israising voice against the worst state terrorism, butIndia does not care a fig, in contrary it threatensChina and Pakistan and avoids from direct talks.This is India’s policy that it always abstains fromdialogues regarding the solution of actual issues.Whatsoever Indian motives are, but throwing theissues to back burner will equally harm Indiaitself like the other ones are affected. Now Indiahas initiated new propaganda that there areChinese troops at Siachen borders, which isabsurd and baseless. China has categoricallyrejected that claim, but India is preparing groundsin media to avoid the participation in the expectedcomposite dialogues.India should realize that issues arealways resolved through dialogues, andthe dialogues cannot be avoided, it’s inIndia’s own interest to join thedialogues. India’s growing economyneeds Central Asian markets, and forthat matter India always needs Pakistan. If Indiarealises only this single factor, and participate indialogues, it will benefit India more. Passage toCentral Asian markets and energy resources runthrough Pakistan, but India is not ready for talkswith Pakistan that shows India can sacrifice itsfuture but cannot forgo its animosity for Pakistan.India is opening new fronts against Pakistan andis wasting not only its precious resources, whichcan be utilised for the welfare of its masses; ratherit is compelling Pakistan to expend its valuableresources. The land of white roses, entranced byits own beauty has now become familiar with theodour of ammunition and gunpowder, thanks toIndian aggressive agendas.Normally, India avoids dialogues, but Indianprime minister has acknowledged in All PartiesConference, which was held in New Delhi thatsolution to the deteriorating situation in Kashmirwas only in dialogues and just dialogues. Nowone should ask that gentleman that dialogues areindispensable where India is helpless by theKashmiri people, but on the other hand, wherethere are many unresolved issues awaiting thesolution, India is abstaining, that’s the Indianmentality which Pakistan is bearing for the last 64years. India neither understands the issues nordoes anything to resolve them.Pakistan Forest Digest 63 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDwindling number of trees has spoiledthe beautiful face of PeshawarIn old days, trees used to present picturesque beauty, now it’s hard tofind any treeFamous Chinese traveller Huan Tosnak saw 100 feet tall Pipal tree at the siteof present Pipal Market in 630CE, that tree is still thereDaily Aaj, Peshawar, September 09, 2010By Imran Rashid KhanPeshawar valley used to have thousands ofbeautiful, tall and fully grown up trees besideslovely flowers and gardens. Now one can rarelysee these trees. Those trees were grown by naturein the ancient times, but a large number of treeswere planted by the local residents, different localgovernments and dignitaries for the welfare ofpublic. Those trees, with the passage of time grewinto tall and thick shady trees. Those trees wereplanted alongside the travel routes, passages androads of those times. Those trees served as shadesfor the travelers, the exhausted travelers took restunder those trees for a while. Sometimes thosetrees developed new travel routes, becausetravelers opted for the shady trees, hence newroutes were evolved. Some kindhearted peopleused to dig wells under those trees for the peoplewhich would attract the travellers, and thatpassage would become a permanent travel route.The Peshawar valley had a large number of Pipaland Banyan trees among other trees. These twokinds give thick shade and produce wood in largequantity. When the British came, they plantedShisham trees and other shady and fruit-bearingtrees. When famous Chinese traveller HuanTosnak came to Peshawar in 630CE, he saw 100feet tall Pipal tree at the site of present PipalMarket. That tree was huge and produced thickshade, four statues of Buddha were lying underthat tree. When Sher Shah Suri constructed G.T.Road from Peshawar to Kolkata, he planted treesalongside the road and constructed wells andwater spots. G.T. Road became cool and shaded.Trees were planted at the connecting roads also.The plantation of trees continued during theMughal rule. In 1823 and 1834, Sikhs conqueredPeshawar and devastated the gardens. They cutthousands of trees erected beside roads and usedthem as firewood. After the end of Sick rule, theBritish resumed the tree plantation whichcontinued after Pakistan came into being. For thelast two decades, the tree plantation in Peshawarhas almost ceased and the trees are vanishing.Pakistan Forest Digest 64 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Forest Protection & AwarenessChapter 7

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 07Forest Preservation&ConservationSteps urged to preserve forestsThe Nation Islamabad, July,07 2010Ahmad AhmadaniISLAMABAD - Theparticipants of an interactivesession were of the view thatconservation and livelihood ofpeople living in forestlands isneeded to be linked with theforest in addition todetermining the status of forestowner and land tenure forproper forest management.The session named as"Research-based PolicyDialogues for SustainableForest Governance" wasorganized by SustainableDevelopment Policy Institute,in collaboration with SwissNational Center forCompetence in Research(NCCR North-South) here onTuesday at Islamabad.At the session, Dr BabarShahbaz, from AgriculturalUniversity, Faisalabad, saidthat forest department hadbudgets running into tens ofmillions of rupees but thePakistan was the secondhighest in forest degradation inthe world. He said, "We alsowant to evaluate the destructionof forests in different areasbecause of mismanagement."Dr Abid Qayyum Suleri,Executive Director, SDPI, saidthat improving forestmanagement could help usfight global warming. He saidthat authorities in developedcountries could be convinced ofcarbon exchange whereby thecarbon dioxide can becompensated by production ofequal amount of oxygen withthe money from the polluters inthe West.Arjumand Nizami, director,Interco operation, while addressing the session, said thatforestry is not the baby offorest department only. Shesaid that unrecordeddeforestation is much morethan 5 percent. She said, "Weshould not follow the mistakesof bureaucrats and policymakers." For them, it could bea full-fledged forest on papereven if not a single leave isfound in the area, she added.She said conservation issuccessful if people see theirlivelihood in the trees. Weshould add value to forests, shesaid. Practically speaking, shesaid there is zero managementof forests and no forest guardcan be found in Thandiani formonths. She said that onereason for absence of ForestDepartment officials is theresults of the findings thatantagonise them and they donot want to face the people butthe they will have to sit withthem, and a solution has to beworked out.Talimand Khan, Coordinator,Survey Unit, SDPI, said thatthere exist off-the-record orunrecorded realities. He askedPakistan Forest Digest 65 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethe participants as well asauthorities to speak only truth.He said that there are de-factoowners who are not interestedin saving forests, as trees do notlegally belong to them.Mohammad Roshan, anotherparticipant from SwatParticipatory Council, said thatdevelopment and tourism inSwat could only be promotedby developing forests. He saidthat Taliban destroyed forestsin Swat for monetary gains. Hesaid that livelihood of thepeople depends upon forestsbut the ban on cutting results inwastage of wood resources.The Government can devise amechanism of leasing lands' topromote forestation. He saidthat .2 million-acre lands inSwat and .5 million-acre in'Dirare cultivable.Inamullah Khan fromInternational Union ofConservation of Natureemphasised knowledge sharingand coordinated approachinvolving water; agricultureand forest action etc.While in a question answersession, replying a question,Ms Nizami said thatmajority of fires inHaripur; grazersallegedly igniteBunair LowerMansehra so thatmore juicy and fresh grassgrows. She said this is therecorded reason but her ownobservation was that areasburnt by fires had no usablepastures and fire is a tool usedfor some other reasons. Mr.Talimand said that most of thejungles are set on fire to "burnthe record" of tree cutting.Need stressed for conservation of forestsISLAMABAD:July 07 2010):The participants in aninteractive session were of theview that conservation andlivelihood of people living inforest lands needed to be linkedalong with determining thestatus of forest owner and landtenure to avoid deforestation.The session 'Research-basedPolicy Dialogue for SustainableForest Governance' wasorganised by SustainableDevelopment Policy Institute(SDPI) in collaboration withSwiss National Centre forCompetence in Research(NCCR North-South) hereTuesday.Dr Abid Qayum Suleri,Executive Director, SDPI, saidthat improving forestmanagement can help fightglobal warming. He said thatBusiness Recorder July, 07 2010authorities in developedcountries can be convinced forcarbon exchange whereby thecarbon dioxide produced can becompensated by production ofequal amount of oxygen withthe money from the polluters inthe West.Speaking at the event, Dr BabarShahbaz, from AgriculturalUniversity, Faisalabad said thatforest degradation in Pakistanis second highest in the worlddespite allocation of hugebudget for forest department.Arjumand Nizami, Director,Inter-co-operation, said thatunrecorded deforestation ismuch more than five percent,adding that we should notfollow the mistakes ofbureaucrats and policy makers.Arjumand further saidconservation could be possibleif people see their livelihood inthe trees. Mohammad Roshanfrom Swat ParticipatoryCouncil said that developmentand tourism in Swat can onlybe promoted by developingforests. He added Talibandestroyed forests in Swat formonetary gains.The issue of distribution ofownership and shamilat isinvolved and government candevise a mechanism of leasinglands to promote forestation.He said that 0.2 million acres ofland in Swat and 0.5 millionacres in Dir is cultivable.Inamullah Khan fromInternational Union ofConservation of Natureemphasised knowledge sharingand co-ordinated approachinvolving water, agricultureand forestation etc.Pakistan Forest Digest 66 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnvironment:Deforestation dilemmaDawn Islamabad, Sunday, July 11, 2010By Muhammad Arif ShafiIn late 19th century, British forces made their advancetowards the Afghanistan bordering areas. These arenow part of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province(NWFP) areas called Pakhtoonkhwa. The Royal Armywas facing serious resistance especially at the mainroad, known as Pak-Afghan Highway. The tribesmenused the forests over the Hills as cover in the LandiKotal area. For several years the British forcesremained ineffective striking the local, untrained force.In order to tackle the problem, the Government ofBritish India decided to survey the area and adopt amethod for the durable solution and futureadvancement towards the State of Afghanistan. TheGovernment of India was told about the criticalfinancial situation of the area and the poverty oftribesmen. Therefore it was decided to increase theprice of wood, in the local market of PeshawarThe price hike attracted local residents and soon thesale of valuable wood started. They used donkeys forcarrying wood over almost 50 kilometres. The strategyworked very effectively as local residents had found agood source of income. Some of these wood-sellershad purchased land in the settled areas and the famoustribes of Afridi and Shinwari lived on that land fortheir third generation.Cutting wood and bringing it to Peshawar for sale builtmomentum and soon the nearby mountains werecleaned from trees. Soon the effects of deforestationwere witnessed: Sabir Afridi, 65, a local elder fromLandi Kotal does not remember any forests over themountains of his native area, but quoting his tribalforefathers, he admits that there were trees over there.Almost all the mountains in surrounding areas ofKhyber Agency like Tirah Valley are, even today,covered with forests. Even smaller places like Zayarayhave trees. It is only the mountains near the Pak-Afghan Highway that are stripped of foliage, whichmeans that the story told by the tribesmen was true.The question is why did the British Indian governmentavoid mentioning this matter in their Working Plansconducted on a regular basis in almost all the areas?This has a very simple answer: that it was intentionallyavoided.According to Muhammad Ashraf, an officer of ForestInstitute Peshawar, there is no doubt that all themountains were naturally suitable for forestry. Thisconfirms the opinion that the mountains of Landi Kotalarea had forests.Interestingly, almost all the research and history books,written at that time, are silent on this subject. We haveproof of different kinds of plants and trees grown inthe area but no finding about their destruction. (TheLibrary of Forest Institute Peshawar University wassearched thoroughly but found useless.)It is unfortunate that the authorities of British Rajmight have ignored this fact intentionally, as they hadleft behind a lot of research material and working plansof Forestry in almost all the areas they ruled in.Even after more than 60 years of independence, thegovernment of Pakistan has overlooked the area andhas not made a plan for the growth of trees over thatparticular area. Most of the local tribesmen would liketo see the revival of forestry over the mountains ofTehsil Landi Kotal along with the Pak-AfghanHighway, for which they have no resources. RokhanAfridi, a young man, like other Tribesmen from thearea, is enthusiastic regarding the restoration offorestation in his area.A proper survey by the experts in the relevant fieldcould identify the kind of plantation possible or easilygrown in that area. This could result in one of the mostbeautiful places in the world, supported by a richhistory alongside it.Pakistan Forest Digest 67 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteForever greens dieDawn Islamabad, Sunday, July 18, 2010By Jamal ShahidISLAMABAD, July 17: Nearlya dozen pines that adorned thestreets of the federal capitalnear Zero Point for nearly 40years have not survived theirrelocation and died.As bulldozers scraped awayearth and ripped out plants toexpand urban sprawl, cityplanners had a wishful concepta year ago to keep Islamabadhealthy and green by relocatingthe pines that stood in harm’sway.In July 2009, CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA)was to oversea extraction ofnearly 30 trees and facilitatetheir replanting to save themfrom stresses of construction.The number of trees to berelocated was reduced to adozen pines after changes indesign plans of the Zero PointInterchange. The replantingtook place within a few feetfrom where the pines originallygrew.Initially, CDA was optimisticof their survival rates especiallyduring monsoons when rainswould provide enough waterand solidify the earth aroundthem. But after many rains andcare, today the threes stooddead in their newneighbourhood, their leavescompletely shed.“Chopping them was not anoption. Relocation was the onlyanswer but 100 per cent successcould not be guaranteed sincethe technology was only a yearold then,” said director generalenvironment (CDA) Dr SalmanSheikh.“There was disturbance in therelocation. The pines are tall,heavy and difficult to balancein a straight position with allthe support. They swayed morethan normal during strongwinds that only upset theirsupport in the earth. There islittle that can be done. At leastwe tried,” said Dr Salman.Towering five to six storieshigh near the Zarai TarkiatiBuilding and PHA flats,looking into offices andapartments, these pines, plantednearly 40 years ago, have beenan integral part of the livingnatural heritage of Islamabad.The death of the pines did notcatch some environmentalistsby surprise.“Pines have deep roots and ifthe root balls are not deeplyand properly dug out, trees candie in the new ground,” said anenvironmentalist.Her colleague believed: “Thegovernment and the peoplealike have the responsibility toprotect these iconic species.Relocated trees have diedbefore because concernedauthorities cannot transplantthem despite new technology orthey are not sensitive to savethe greens.”Matter of treesWe should be thankful to the Chinese for saving the birch trees along theKarakoram HighwayThe News Rawalpindi/Islamabad, August 29, 2010By Salman RashidOut there in Gojal, north ofHunza, I saw by the KarakoramHighway a tree with a blue signnailed to its trunk. 'ProtectTree,' it said in English. Belowit was some Chinese letteringthat, I presumed, meant thesame.It was a lovely birch treestanding about 15 metres tallwith a spreading crown ofleaves that nicely offset thestark barrenness of the brownslopes all around. The bark of ayoung birch is papery and thin,but this one, the biggest amongPakistan Forest Digest 68 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutethe birches nearby, had crusty,gnarled bark that pointed to itsgreat age. Then I noticed thatthis was not the only tree thathad been marked for protection.There were dozens of others,all standing by the highway,bearing similar signs.Now, this is at a time thatChinese engineers andworkpeople are busy wideningthe Karakoram Highway andstraightening out itsinnumerablebends.Consequently, trees that wereonce well away from the edgeof the old road are now beingencroached upon. I am certainsome being too close wouldhave already been cut down.But that there are trees thatstand smack by the edge andare being protected says a lotfor the Chinese.It tells us that they understandthe importance of trees andtheir role in tempering globalenvironment. I wonder if theyknow that trees act as carbonsinks. That in its process ofphotosynthesis a tree soaks upcarbon dioxide, releasesoxygen for the whole wideplanet to live by and sequestersthe carbon within itself. That is,trees are carbon sinks: as longas they live and grow, they holdcarbon in their bodies thatwould otherwise remain in theatmosphere as carbon dioxideor monoxide causing globalwarming.I wonder, too, if the Chineseengineers and their workforceknow that the larger thebiomass of a tree, the morecarbon will it hold. That alarge, spreading treecontributes far more to keepingglobal temperatures lower thana small bush.Surely, the Chinese understandthat trees need to be protectedif we want the birdlife thatshares this planet with us tothrive. Perhaps they alsoappreciate the birdsong in ourlives. Of course, there are alsothe myriad insects that live offa birch tree -- or indeed off anyother.Frankly, I do not care one littlebit what the Chinese know ordon't or if they care about thebirds and the bees. I am onlythankful to them for saving thebirch trees along theKarakoram Highway. I amthankful to them because wePakistanis are totally mindlesswhen it comes to the matter oftrees.Here in this sorry land, the firstthing we do when we undertakeany sort of building activity isthat we destroy every possibletree that can be destroyed.Indeed, we destroy also thosethat do not, I repeat, do not inany way interfere withwhatever the project. And whenwe cut down ancient trees withhuge biomasses that have foryears sequesteredlarge amounts ofcarbon, we dulyreplace them withlittle bushes,flowering orotherwise, dwarf palms and, atworse, with rubber plants of theFicus variety.Neither our blind politiciansnor the general dutybureaucrats who head thevarious Parks and HorticultureAuthorities (PHA) understandthe need to plant indigenoustrees. Nor do they know theconnection between trees oflarge mass and the control ofglobal warming. They carenaught for the birds: mentionbirds and insects to anyone andhe will invariably shut you upwith, "Here people die everyday and you are worried aboutthe birds!"Long before the new road thatconnects Thokar Niaz Beg withthe cancer hospital in JoharTown was laid out, I knew of atiny homestead near the gridstation. Three pipal trees -- twolarge and spreading, the thirdyoung, shaded the small brickand mud house. In 2004, onePakistan Forest Digest 69 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutetrack of the new road was laidout. Shortly afterward, work onthe second track began.Knowing what officialdom ismade of in this blighted land, Iknew then that the trees weredoomed and I took a number ofphotographs of those poortrees.In another country, the secondtrack would have veeredslightly away to preserve thosehandsome, life-saving pipaltrees. But this is the land ofignorant, moronic and myopicadministrators. And so nothought was paid to the trees.They were ruthlessly butcheredso that the road could bestraight. The road is notstraight, however. The treesstood in a wide curve and hadthey been preserved, the trackheading for the canal sidewould have been straighter. Butwe are Pakistani and we hatetrees. And so in the wide curveof that new and nameless road,there are no pipal treesanymore. In their stead, PHAhas planted some littleshrubbery and a few importedtrees.Some months ago, I was inJalandhar from where the talland good-looking BakhshishSingh (who being from thesame clan may well be a distantrelative) was driving me toUggi. This was not my first tripout to the ancestral village, butI noticed the tree for the firsttime. It was large pipalstanding smack in the middle ofthe road acting as a trafficdivider."Why, oh why,cannot we do that inPakistan?" I wailed.Bakhshish told methat in India cutting atree was consideredas criminal as killing a human.This is something we inPakistan will never learn.Postscript: In Lahore I know oftwo instances where a tree (ortrees were saved). The one isNighat Saeed Khan's office(ASR) in Gulberg III that wasconstructed around a pine. Theother is a house in ModelTown, that preserved all thelarge and beautiful trees thatgrew when the plot was empty.Bless the good people who didthis act of kindness, not uponthe trees, but upon the entirehuman race and the good earth.Forests wiped out in KohistanThe Nation, Islamabad, September 7, 2010By Sikander ShaheenISLAMABAD – While thecriminal connivance of theinfluential governmentfunctionaries, local bureaucracyand timber mafia has resultedin complete elimination offorests in Kohistan, all thosegovernment officials who stoodin the mafia’s way were madeto pay through the nose.TheNation is in possession of alist of the names of a dozenhonest government officialswho were victimised for havingdared to raise voice against allthe powerful timber mafia.Some of very honest andcompetent officials in lawenforcement agencies, forestdepartment, Pakistan’sCustoms and NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB)who had refused to subscribe tothe highhandedness of thetimber moguls, had to facesuspensions, punishments,registration of fake cases andpolitically motivatedadministrative inquiries againstthem.Instances have been reportedwhen some very dedicatedpolice and forest officers inKohistan and Haripur weresidelined (aligned in khuddaline) for they refused to acceptlucrative bribes and complywith timber racket.“This is a vicious nexus and anall powerful circle that is rottento the core. The local leaders ofvarious political parties have arole in timber smuggling. Theyrun their empires and get theirshares,” some of the victimisedofficials told TheNation.A Member ProvincialAssembly (MPA) in that areahad raised voice against thetimber mafia in Musharraf’sera. The said MPA hadprepared a comprehensive caseagainst timber smuggling andprovided all the proofs andPakistan Forest Digest 70 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituterelevant details to the NAB. Inthe previous regime, action wasinitiated against the timbermafia but with the change inGovernment and recklessefforts of the incumbent rulingregime to chop off NABs’powers, the omnipotent timbernexus has convenientlymanaged to guide this issueinto abeyance.Former Chairman NAB NaveedAhsan had directed the NABofficials not to ‘interfere’ in thematters of Provincial ForestDepartment of KhyberPakhtunkhwa thus allowing thetimber black market to flourishfreely. The power of the timberracket in Kohistan can begauged from the fact that eventhe prominent political leadersof that area, who spoke toTheNation, requestedanonymity as naming them onthis issue could put their livesat risk.Kohistan, once a forest richdistrict of Hazara region, nowwears a desert like look as faras its natural serenity isconcerned, on account of thecomplete elimination of timberforests from the area. A federalminister and his brother havereportedly exploited the floodsituation to the maximum, tograb the timber windfalls.Paalas, Pattan, Daasu, Chilas,Harban, Dehrail, Tangeer andDubair are worst affected forestareas in Kohistan where timberloss is reported to behundred percent.Apart from that, fromDiamir to Basham,timber smuggling hasexceeded hundreds ofthousands of cubic feet. Theaforementioned federalminister has reportedly created‘pickets’ at Durband inKohistan and Kala Dhaka fromwhere flood-swept piles oftimber are grabbed andsmuggled.The parliamentarians fromruling coalition in KP haveassured to introduce a motionagainst timber smuggling butonly time would tell how farwould these assurances work.'Forests on 27 hectares disappear annually'Business Recorder Islamabad, September, 25, 2010RECORDER REPORTISLAMABAD’: The process ofdeforestation continues in thecountry as 27 hectares forestdisappears annually which notonly add to rapidenvironmental degradation butalso adversely affect ecosystemland under cultivation.This was stated by FederalMinister for EnvironmentHameed Ullah Jan Afridi whileaddressing a certificateawarding ceremony at the endof Natural ResourceManagement (NRM) andClimate change mitigation,adaptation and REDDworkshop here on Friday."Pakistan is the mostvulnerable country for climatechange effects due to limitedforest area," said Afridi, addingthat with the increasingtemperatures, melting ofglaciers, monsoon variability,unpredictable rainfall andfloods have become the mostimportant issues for thiscountry.He further said that the CleanDevelopment Mechanism(CDM) had been the maininstrument to reduce theemissions of harmful gases.Afridi mentioned that REDD isan effort to create a financialvalue for the carbon stored inforests, offering incentives fordeveloping countries to reduceemissions from forest lands.The minister said that globalcommunity has responded tothese threats to life on earth andhad reached an agreementunder the umbrella of the UNFramework Convention onClimate Change UNFCCC in1992. There have been furtherdevelopments since 1992 andKyoto Protocol was a landmarkachievement to reduce theemission of Green HouseGases. He added that Forestryhad largely remained alooffrom the CDM mechanismthough the contribution offorests to carbon emissions wassubstantial. However thescenario changed after therealisation of the role of forestsin the carbon cycle wasrecognised, he added.The minister said that forestsnot only sequester carbon butPakistan Forest Digest 71 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutealso by curbing deforestationthrough Reduced Emissionfrom deforestation andDegradationREDDapproximately 20 percent ofglobal carbon emissions can bereduced. There have beentremendous developments inREDD since this realisation.Unfortunately Pakistan hasbeen a bit late in joining theglobal efforts under REDD.The minister told theparticipants that the Ministry ofEnvironment has madesubstantial progress recently inbrining REDD into ourmainstream forestry. A REDDfocal point and a SteeringCommittee has beenestablished in the MoE. Heunderlined that Pakistan hasalso joined the Global REDDPartnership and our case forjoining the UN REDDProgramme and theWorld Bank's ForestCarbon Partnership isalso under process.Pakistan realises thatREDD is an effort tocreate a financial value for thecarbon stored in forests,offering incentives fordeveloping countries to reduceemissions from forest lands andinvest in low-carbon paths tosustainable development.English translation from Urdu NewsBan on cutting down the forests andTransportation of timber in Jagam DaraDaily Mashriq, Peshawar July 26, 2010Teemer Girah (MashriqCorrespondent) A ban has beenimposed on cutting of forestsand the transportation of timberin JAgam Dara. A meeting ofprominent citizens of the areawas held in Police StationJagam. Abdul Akber, MeerbazKhan, Malik Ameenullah Khanand Malik Wali Ehad addressedthe meeting, they said thatunder the cover of already cutwood, the smugglers werecutting forest trees and werethen smuggling that timber.The forests were vanishing, sothe notable of the area have toput a ban on the cutting andtransportation of timber. Theyfurther said that smuggling wascontinued in Kadi Khel AsheeriDara through Nehag Dara, theydemanded that steps should betaken to stop smuggling fromthose routes.Appointment of Babu Muhammad Iqbal, timbermafia is snubbedDaily Shamal Abbottabad, July 27, 2010Abbottabad (PR) The chieforganizer Tehreek-e-Insaf,Union Council Baren Gali,Tehsil and district Abbottabad,Sirdar Muhammad Riaz hassaid that due to the appointmentof Babu Muhammad Iqbal inHeeka Union Council BarenGali, the timber mafia hasbecome under control.Therefore timber mafia lookingfor the excuses to defameMuhammad Iqbal. The treeswhich fell on Jogi road werenot due to Muahammad Iqbalor the poor residents, it was actof Nature, Heavy rainfall felledthe trees but some opportuniststried to defame MuhammadIqbal. Sirdar Muhammad Riazsaid that the residents ofJogimar condemned the acts ofthose opportunists.Pakistan Forest Digest 72 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe forest owners of Battel and Chatterhold meeting to save the forestsWe shall have to work in collaboration with the department to preventthe illegal cutting of treesDaily Shamal Abbottabad, August 19, 2010Konish Valley (Bureau Chief)An urgent meeting of forestowners of Union council Battel,Hilkot, Chatter Plain, Acheriawas held, the meeting waspresided by Ibrar Ahmed Khanof Save the Forest Committee,Konish Valley. The forestowners of the district who havethe experience to save theforests attended the meeting.Ibrar Ahmed Khan said whileaddressing the forest ownersthat 20 years ago KonishValley, Sern Valley and tanglaiforest were so thick that eventhe sunlight could not reach theground, now those forests havebeen converted to treeless vastplains. For that grave situationonly a few smugglers wereresponsible. The forest ownershave not enough money to buya horse or mule, and they areliving in century-old houses,whereas people belonging totimber mafia move around inluxury vehicles and live inmodern luxury houses. IbrarAhmed said the recenttorrential rains and landslidewere due to large scale cuttingof trees. The rivers were filledwith sand due to land slide andcreated conditions for thefloods. In any country whereforests are protected, the peopledo not face the similar situationlike we faced recently. Theowners of forests have to workin collaboration with the forestdepartment to save the forests.A forester must be appointed in Changla Gali forests: Raja ManzoorDaily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 31, 2010Islamabad (News Desk) A political and socialleader, Raja Manzoor met district forest officerAbbottabad in Barian with his delegation andasked the DFO to appoint a forester in ChanglaGali to save the forests.Upper Tanawal: The forests will be protectedunder any circumstancesPolice and Forest department should perform their duty to the best of theirabilities: DCO MansehraDaily Shamal Abbottabad, September 17, 2010Ougi (Shamal correspondent)DCO Mansehra Anwar ZebKhan has said that forests areour national asset and theirprotection is everyone’sresponsibility.“Thegovernment is taking every stepto prevent cutting of UpperTanawal forests and forests ofDogar Chamial, Jalu Gali andadjacent areas, but people areexpected to cooperate withconcerned departments so thateffective action could betaken.” Said DCO MansehraAnwar Zeb Khan while talkingto chairman Save the forestcommittee, Chamial MalikMuhammad Younis and hisdelegation, former chairmanLala Qalander Khan and othersPakistan Forest Digest 73 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutewere also present. Thedelegation gave some proposalsto handle the situation aftercutting of the forests. DCO saidthat protection of forests will bethe top priority of thegovernment; the proposalsregarding that would bewelcomed. The delegate furtheradded that if police and forestdepartment cooperateeffectively and FC is asked tohelp, the protection of forestscould be ascertained. Thedelegation thankedthe DCO for listeningthem patiently andassured him forfurther cooperation.The provincial forest minister has orderedfor inquiry of the incident of firing at forestdepartment officials.The forest official will not get back to protect the forestDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, September 23, 2010Peshawar (Mashriq News) The minister forenvironment from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa hasexpressed deep concern on the incident of firingin Khandry, the suburbs of Mardan on twoofficials of Forest department Peshawar. QayyumKhan and Shakir Khan were seriously injured as aresult. The minister directed the concerneddepartment to investigate and arrest the criminalsinvolved in the case. The minister further addedthat the forest department officials perform theirduties honestly to protect the forests, and it ishoped that they would discharge their dutydiligently in future.Kotli Bala: We shall take every possible step toprotect the forests: Waqar Muhammad KhanDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 17, 2010Kotli Bala (General Reporter)The president and generalsecretary of committee for theprotection of forests, WaqarMuhammad Khan has said thatthe steps taken in past toprotect the forest were notenough, now the committee hadstarted its job with new vigourand feelings. Now thecommittee would not onlyprotect the private forest but itwould protect Government’sforests also. “The committeemembers and the locals areready to work side by side withhonest officer” Hesaid. EjazQadir. DFO Sern Valley, EjazQadir frightened the timbermafia in Ramzan nights andreceived 2200,000 rupees fromthe smugglers and depositedthe same in the treasury. Wesalute him for his performance.Forests are valuable assets; Effective steps are neededto protect the forests.Daily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010Ougi (Shamal Correspondent)The forests are valuable assetsof any country, here forests inSher Garh range are beingwiped out while the forestdepartment is silent, and toPakistan Forest Digest 74 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutesave their negligent they setforest on fire, due to that notonly small plants are burnt butthe birds and animals alsobecome victim of those acts. Ifthe illegal cutting of DogarGali, Jalu Gali, and Chamialand Bandi Shangli Forests —which belong to government—is not stopped, the forests willbe converted into plains. Themain reason for illegal cuttingsare the forest departmentofficials who conspire withtimber mafia. The rangeincharges are not performingaccordingly, peoplehave appealed toprovincial forestminister and otherhigher official to savethe forests of SherGarrh Range.Forests ac be protected if the machine saws aredismentaledDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010Battel (Special Correspondent)The forest owners, notables ofthe area adjacent to forests andShamal correspondent metCommissioner Hazara. Thedelegation expressed theirgratitude for thecommissioner’s interest insaving the forests, and directingforest department and thepolice department to protect theforests. The delegation said theprocess of the protection wouldbe incomplete withoutdismantling the machine sawinstalled in the forest limits andthey should be punished andthe notorious smugglers —wellknown to the forest departmentofficers and police officers—are not prosecuted. Recentlysome of the smugglers haveshifted to hotels and rentedhouse in close proximity offorest. Now they have madesmuggling a source of income.They have the politicalbacking. The forest ownersfurther said that they hadceased to protect the forestsbecause due to ban imposed bythe government on cutting, theydon’t get any profit, and manyfamilies have migrated due tothe ban. At one hand the banimposed on the cutting hadbroken down economically theowners and at other, the illegalcutting was continuously goingon. If the practice continued,the government would bedeprived of billions of rupeesincome. Forest ownersdelegation will soon meet theCommisssioner Hazar toinform him the whole situation,the delegation admired thepolicy of Daily Shamalregarding the forest protection.Manda Kachha forest are in safe hands, illegalactivities are being discouragedPermit to construct houses is made possible, that is JFM’s right: KhalidQureshiDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 26, 2010Muda Kachha (ShamalCorrespondent) ChairmanJFMC, Khalid Qureshi said thatMunda Kachha forest were insafe hands. The constructionpermit for the forest ownerswas guaranteed that was legalright of JFMC. According todetail the residents of MundaKuchha, Tariq Khan, AmjadKhan and Khalid Qureshi fromthe adjacent Mufti Bela issuedpress statement in a shop ofcentral Bazaar of MundaKuchha to Daily Shamal’scorrespondent. He said thatthey had total confidence onDFO Sern forest divisionMansehra, Ejaz Qadir and histeam, and they would fullycooperate with him. If therewere any illegal activities intheir forest they were capableto stop that. The people whoPakistan Forest Digest 75 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteget false and baseless newspublished in some newspaper,they had no concern with theforests. The forest departmentshould mark the trees andshould give that to the forestowners legally so that theycould be benefited bythe forests.Necessary arrangements are being made twoprotect Gulzair division forests: Sirdar RyasetDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 29, 2010Changla Gali (SpecialCorrespondent) Range officer,forest department, Gulzairdivision, Dong Gali, SirdarRiaset toured local forests ofTajwal, Ser Gharbi, Ayubia andNethia Gali, a vast area wasaffected by recent rains. SirdarRiaset was accompanied byforest officer Sirdar Riaz Babuand Pervez Gulzar Khan. SirdarRiaset said that necessary stepshad been taken to protect theforests. SIrdar Riaset, whiletalking to journalists inChangla gali, said that recentrains and landslide had severelyaffected a large area of forests,many valuable trees wereaffect, the list to cut those treesare being prepared, he furtheradded that with the cooperationof local residents the protectionof forests is ascertained andillegal cutting and timber mafiais discouraged.Pathetic condion of employees of forest department OugiDaily Ajar, Peshawar, September 28, 2010EditorialHundreds of labourers and watchmen appointed in the nurseries of forest department Ougi Rangehave not been paid wages for the last five months, their families are starving, that shows the unfeelingattitude of department’s officers. It’s inhuman and illegal to deprive low grade servants of theirsalaries. It is hoped that issue would be resolved positively.Situation in flux due to appointment of corrupt officers inthe forest departmentThe higher officials should avoid appointing already tested persons: IbrarAhmed KhanDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 30, 2010ChanarKot(ShamalCorrespondent) The higherofficials of forest departmentshould avoid to appoint alreadytested persons in our area, theofficial whose reputationpreviously was not admirable,should not be appointed hereagain, the understandingbetween the forest owners andthe departments officials willbe lost.” Commented presidentsave the forest actioncommittee, Ibrar Ahmed Khan.“The present team of forestdepartment is biggest problemfor the timber mafia, so anysuch appointment should beavoided which woulddeteriorate the situation.” IbrarAhmed added. Ibrar Ahmedsaid the affection andfriendship between DFO andforest owners was just becauseof fact that illegal cutting offorests had stopped and theforests were safe.Pakistan Forest Digest 76 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Tree plantationChapter 8

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 08Tree plantationTree plantation targets to be achievedPakistan Observer Islamabad, July 22, 2010Islamabad—Minister forEnvironment Hameed UllahJan Afridi has asked the linedepartments to make elaboratearrangements for achievingtargets of monsoon treeplantation campaign. He alsodirected them to ensureplantation of suitable saplingsthat minimize the hazardouseffects of carbon and otherchemicals emissions.During a meeting of officers ofconcerned departments, theminister reviewed the pace ofprogress of monsoon plantationcampaign. “Clean environmentis the basic necessity of allliving organisms and it isreligious, moral and nationalobligation of every citizen toplant sapling for futuregenerations,” the ministerobserved. He underlined toselect suitable sites forplantation and made mandatoryfor all concerned departmentsto ensure protection of newlyplanted saplings. “Plantation isa noble cause and we hadalways given due priority tomake afforestation programssuccessful and result oriented,”he said.The minister stressed tomobilize all available resourcesto achieve the targets ofmonsoon tree plantationcampaign. According to recentreports of the Worldwide Fundfor Nature, Pakistan is amongthe top countries regardingdeforestation and thegovernment is making everypossible effort to enhance theforest cover and meetMDGs.—APPCDA to plant 400,000 saplingsPakistan Observer Islamabad, August 03, 2010Sharafat KazmiIslamabad—The CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA),as a part of Golden JubileeCelebrations of Islamabad theGreen City, would plant400,000 saplings during theMonsoon Tree PlantationCampaign 2010 over an area of1108 in different areas of thefederal capital.This was decided in a meetingpresided over by the ChairmanCDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, toreview the progress of Cleanand Green IslamabadCampaign launched inMonsoon-2008 and thearrangements for the upcomingMonsoon Tree PlantationCampaign, says a press releasehere Monday.Pakistan Forest Digest 77 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSpeaking on the occasion,Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, said thatCDA is making all out effortsto increase the forest cover andpreserve the green character ofthe Federal Capital. He saidthat CDA has planed to plant100,000 saplings in the urbanareas of the Islamabad CapitalTerritory (ICT), which includesAvenues, Green Belts,Islamabad Highway, Parks,Playfields and new Sectors ofG-13, H-11, I-14 and I-16.The Chairman CDA said that300,000 saplings would beplanted in the regional areasincluding Margallah HillsNational Park (MHNP) andSimly Catchments.Out of these, 170,000 saplingswould be planted in MargallahHills as a part of efforts toincrease greenery in theMargallah Hills NationalPark,whereas 130,000 saplingswould be planted in the SimlyCatchment area.Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said thatCDA is focusing on plantingthe indigenous trees speciesincluding Chir Pine, Kachnar,Amaltas, Dhreak andJacaranda.The focus is also being given toplant fruit plants includingedible olive, guava, lokat, pearand jasmine. He said that strictmonitoring of the planted treeswould be carried out to ensuretheir maximum survival.The Chairman said that CDAactively participates in NationalTree Plantation drive duringeach planting season andinvolve general public,educational institutions, NGOs,government employees andtraders to make thesecampaigns a success.The meeting was also informedthat ‘Public Tree PlantationDay’ would be organized bythe Capital DevelopmentAuthority during the currentMonsoon Tree PlantationCampaign in the new Sector H-12, which would beparticipated by Sector CitizenCommittees, Traders,Educational Institutions,NGOs, Environmentalists andgovernment employees.Comprehensivearrangements arebeing made to launchawareness campaignin this regard so asmaximum peoplemay be involved in theplantation drive.Under the awareness campaign,posters, banners and steamerswill be displayed in differentareas of the city whereas carstickers,paper-bags and badgescarrying slogans for plantingtrees and ‘love for nature’would be distributed.Television and Radio talkshowsand awareness throughthe newspapers would also becarried out.To make the Monsoon TreePlantation more effective, theCapital Development Authoritywill establish sale points kiosksat prominent places like JinnahAvenue, Shahrah-e-Kashmirand Islamabad Highway, whereplants on subsidies rates will beavailable to the general publicand free of cost to theeducational institutions on theirdemand along with awarenessand informative material.6m saplings to be planted in FataDawn Islamabad, August 06, 2010Bureau ReportPESHAWAR, Aug 5: Theprovincial government plans toplant some six million saplingsin different parts of theFederally Administered TribalAreas during the currentmonsoon tree plantationcampaign.The campaign was formallylaunched by KhyberPakhtunkhwa Governor OwaisAhmed Ghani by planting asapling of teak in the lawns ofGovernor’s House here onThursday.Conservator ForestsFata Syed Noor Afzal Shahwhile briefing the governor onthe action plan for monsoontree plantation in Fata said thatabout six million saplingswould be planted in all theagencies and FRs during thecurrent spell of plantation.He informed that as many as9.5 million saplings wereavailable in 46 forest nurseriesPakistan Forest Digest 78 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutefor the purpose, says a handoutissued here on Thursday.Talking about forest grownareas in Fata, he said that about13 per cent of the total areawere under forests in Fataincluding 8.18 per cent naturalforests covering an area of0.557 million acres.Afforestation in Fata, he said,was initiated in 1976 and sincethen 4.82 per cent area hadbeen brought under forests.The department, he added, hadplanned to raise the forestgrown areas to 15 per cent by2015 and to 25 per cent by2025.The governor underlined theneed for creating publicawareness about the benefits ofafforestation in Fata and urgedthe officials of the respectivedepartment to take it as achallenge and make Fatathickly forested area.He said that the environment inFata was very much conducivefor forest development anddirected that preference shouldbe given to fastgrowing species.He also emphasisedthe need for aneffective monitoringmechanism to ensure thegrowth and sustenance of theplanted saplings after suchcampaigns.Later a number of other speciesof different plants were alsoplanted in the lawns of theGovernor’s House.Monsoon PlantationPlant trees, get awardsPakistan Observer, August 10, 2010Islamabad—Minister forEnvironment Hameed UllahJan Afridi has announcedawards for planting maximumtrees by organizations andindividuals during MonsoonTree Plantation kicking offtoday (Tuesday).During a news conference onMonday the Minister alsolaunched official website‘www.plantforpakistan.gov.pk’for registering tree plantationdata and then awarding thoseplanting maximum trees duringthe campaign.The Ministry of Environmenthas also set the target to plant45.5 million trees duringmonsoon campaign, one of thetwo launched every year toenhance forest cover to theextent agreed to meetMillenniumGoals (MDGs).DevelopmentAfridi also announced tocelebrate National TreePlantation Day on Augt 10instead of Aug 18 due toRamazan and called upon allstakeholders, individuals andorganizations to plantmaximum trees on the day aswell as during the campaign.“Everybody planting a saplingshall register himself or theorganization on the website andthose planting maximum treesshall be given certificates andawards,” he said.“There is a provision to registercity wise, province wise andarea wise and those registeringshall mention their name, CNICnumber and category of speciesplanted, with the evidence of aperson to avoid fakeregistration,” he elaborated.Independent observers willverify the details sent to thewebsite, the minister said whilereplying to a question. “We aretrying to devise a mechanism toensure a proper reach out soevery Pakistani who plantsaplings in remote and ruralareas, can be registered on thewebsite”.“We shall have to make thiscampaign a success to meetMDGs and enhance forestcover to save vegetation andavoid deforestation and floodslike one we are facing thesedays,” he added.He specially urged the youth,students of colleges anduniversities and the media toactively participate in thePakistan Forest Digest 79 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutecampaign as it related to theirsafe future.“We aspire that whole thenation stands by us. We havedone our job for data collectionand awards giving and now it isup to the nation to comeforward,” he said.Answering aquestion about deforestation,the minister said, 27,000 acreland is deprived of forestsposing serious threat toenvironment and human health.“We initiated measures butevery plant cannot be guarded.What we need is a sense ofresponsibility as 90 per centforests are owned by peoplewho need to be givenincentives to protect these.”He said new Forest Policy hasbeen sent to the Cabinet forapproval suggesting numerousmeasures to discouragedeforestation and underlinedthe need for capacity buildingof forest department.Answering anotherquery, Afridi said,DFOs have beenissued instructions atprovincial level toensure access to rural areas.When asked about survival rateof trees planted on last NationalTree Plantation Day, he said,6.8 million trees were plantedon the Day and the survival rateof 70%.—APPCDA observes National Tree Plantation DayDaily Times Islamabad, August 19, 2010Staff ReportISLAMABAD: The CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA)observed the National TreePlantation Day-2010 onWednesday with plantation of asapling by CDA ChairmanImtiaz Inayat Elahi along 12thAvenue in Sector H-12 during aceremony.A large number ofschoolchildren, governmentemployees, representatives ofthe sector citizen committees,NGOs and environmentalistsattended the ceremony to markthe Monsoon Tree PlantationCampaign in the FederalCapital.Under the campaign CDA hasplanned to plant 400,000saplings over an area of 1,108acres, including 100,000saplings in urban areas andanother 300,000 in theMargalla Hills National Park.Elahi said the tree plantationcampaign at this time of thehistory when most parts of thecountry were hit by the worstever floods in the century was amessage of hope. He saidduring this monsoon treeplantation campaign CDA wasfocusing on plantingindigenous trees’ speciesincluding chir pine, chanar,amaltas, dhreak and jacaranda.CDA is also focusing onplanting fruit tree includingedible olive, guava, lokat, pearand jasmine, he said, adding, astrict monitoring of the plantedtrees would be carried out toensure their survival.The chairman said CDAactively participated in nationaltree plantation campaigns byinvolving general public,educational institutions andNGOs.Are tree plantation drives worth their cost?Dawn Islamabad, 22 Aug, 2010By Syed Irfan RazaEVERY year, the governmentspends millions of rupees ontree plantation campaigns but ithas officially beenacknowledged that 70 per centof the saplings planted do notsurvive due to poormaintenance providing anotherchance to the horticulturedepartment to repeat theexercise.Huge kickbacks andcommissions involved in suchcampaigns are said to be behindthe fruitless drives becausefailure of such campaignsPakistan Forest Digest 80 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteprovides an opportunity to theofficials concerned to try tryagain. The commitment toimproving the environment andpressuresfromenvironmentalists compel thegovernment to launch treeplantation exercises but thesituation is exploitedsometimes by politicians andsometimes by the bureaucracy.However, the result of suchcampaigns always remains poorwith more than 70 per centmortality rate of the saplings.A senior official in the CapitalDevelopment Authority(CDA)’s environment wingsaid on condition of anonymitythat planting and maintenanceof each sapling cost Rs100 andthus the current drive would eatup about Rs400 million.“However, the mortality rate ofthe plants in such drives is 40per cent in the first year, 30 percent in the second and 10 percent in the last and third yeardue to poor maintenance,” hesaid.The question here is can a cashstarvedcountry like Pakistanafford such useless driveswhich only fill the pockets ofits officials?A former judge of PeshawarHigh Court, Justice M. R. Kianiwrote in his book that heplanted only one sapling everyyear with the government’s treeplantation drives and got agarden of grown trees butnobody knows where thesaplings planted by thegovernment have gone?Local authorities and theenvironment ministry haveannounced that they wouldplant over 400,000 saplings ofdifferent spices in various partsof the capital during themonsoon plantation campaignto maintain the green image ofIslamabad.It has been learnt that the CDAcut thousands of trees duringthe mega construction activitiesduring the last five years thatbadly affected the environmentof the city. But on the otherhand, the number of trees orplants survived in the treeplantation campaigns is quitelower than that of the axedones.A CDA spokesman claimedthat of the total 400,000saplings, 170,000 would beplanted on the Margalla Hills,100,000 in urban and 130,000in rural area.Another shocking aspect of thetree plantation drives inIslamabad is that thesecampaigns are launchedthrough private contractors foralleged heavy kickbacks andcommissions despite the factthat CDA itself has a force of3,000 gardeners, 130 vehicles,including tractor-trolleys,excavators, grass cutters, and ahuge nursery at Chak Shahzad.“Planting saplings on theMargalla Hills is the mostexpensive part of the campaignas it requires a lot of labour totake the saplings to differentparts of the hilly range and thenwater them,” an official sourcesaid.Despite having a hugeenvironment wing, the CDAawards contract for plantingsaplings to private firms andespecially forgrowing plants onMargalla Hills.According to theCDA official, over 300 forestguards have been deployed onMargalla Hills while hundredsof gardeners are alreadyworking on the CDA penal, buteven then the cash-starvedCDA spends millions of rupeeson private labour.Besides, the authority has beenadvised to utilise its own plantsfrom the nursery at ChakShahzad but it still purchasesmillions of samplings throughthe private firms.Some 100,000 saplings to beplanted in the urban areaswould cover avenues, greenbelts, Islamabad Highway,parks, playfields and newsectors of G-13, H-11, I-14 andI-16.“The CDA’s focus is onplanting indigenous speciesincluding Chir Pine, Kachnar,Amaltas, Dhreak andJacaranda. The focus is alsobeing given on planting fruitplants, including edible olive,guava, lokat, pear andjasmine,” the CDA chief said.Arrangements are also beingmade to launch awarenesscampaigns to involve morepeople in the plantation drive.In order to make the treeplantation more effective, theCDA will establish sale pointsat prominent places like JinnahAvenue, Shahrah-i-Kashmirand Islamabad Highway, wherePakistan Forest Digest 81 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteplants on subsidised rates willbe available to the public.It has also been learnt thatsometimes such plants areplanted which are not relevantto the local environment and,therefore, they do not survive.This was done in thepresidency recently, whenPresident Asif Ali Zardariinaugurated a tree plantationcampaign by planting a Neemsapling which did grow despiterepeated efforts. The saplingwas planted becausethe president likes theplant due to its antibacterialcharacterand the belief that itsaves people in itsvicinity from evils.Students urged to play role in tree plantationDaily Times, August 25, 2010Staff ReporISLAMABAD: The treeplantation is not onlypropitiatory offerings but also adire need to resolve thefinancial and environmentalproblems of the country, saidAllama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) Vice Chancellor (VC)Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi onTuesday.He stated this whileinaugurating monsoon treeplantation campaign byplanting sapling at AIOUcampus.Teachers, officers andemployees of the universityalso planted saplings on thisoccasion. Sangi said treeplantation was very importantfor national development. Headvised the AIOU students,who are about 1.2 million innumber all over the country, toplay their role in this nationalcause.Matriculation result: The AIOUdeclared the final results ofAIOU MatriculationProgramme for the SemesterAutumn, 2009 on August 18,but the result intimation cardshave been not yet dispatched tostudents as the floods havedisturbed the postalcommunication system indifferent parts of the country,said Hafeezullah, AIOUController Examinations. Headvised the students to contactthe Examination Department inmain campus of the universitypersonally or on phone No.051-9057323 or contact the nearestRegional Office to get theresult card.He said the students could alsodownload their result from thewebsite www.aiou.edu.pkOzone Layer: Pakistan isplaying its important role tosave Ozone Layer fromharmful impacts of OzoneDepleting Substances (ODS)and conversion of industriesconcerned into Ozone friendlytechnology, said InternationalCooperation Ozone Cell jointsecretary Abid Ali, whilechairing a meeting.Ozone Cell national projectmanager Asif Khan, TechnicalOfficer Noor-ul-Hadi,Multilateral EnvironmentalAssessments (MEAs) Projectprogramme manager SyedZaheerud Din Gilani and otherofficers concerned attended themeeting.Green aliensDaily Times, September 04, 2010Plant or animal life forms adaptthemselves to the habitats andsurroundings where they areusually found. But when theyare accidentally or deliberatelyintroduced into a new habitat,these non-native species arecalled alien species and moreoften than not, adversely affectthe habitats and bioregions theyinvadeecologically,environmentally andeconomically. The terminvasive species refers toorganisms that arePakistan Forest Digest 82 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutecharacterised by fast growth,rapid reproduction as well asthe ability to tolerate a widerange of environmentalconditions. In most instances,alien species are also invasive;hence the term, alien invasivespecies.Invasive plant species outgrowthe local flora and compete forresources such as food, waterand sunlight. When introducedoutside their natural range,alien species achieve evenhigher growth rates due to theabsence of natural pests andpredators eventually destroyingthe local vegetation where theyhave been introduced. Theyupset the local ecology eitherby aggressive competition, bysecreting poisonous chemicalsin to the soil, by depletingwater supplies or byhybridising with local species.Alien plant species can modifythe entire structure andfunctioning of the ecosystem!Same is the case with animalspecies. The introduction ofrabbits in Australia is a perfectexample of a deliberateintroduction that has led toseriousecologicalramifications. Talking ofdiseases, alien species oftenbring with them diseasecausingorganisms such asbacteria, fungi and viruses thatcan impact local species. Thisis what happened to theAmerican chestnut tree. Theintroduction of The JapaneseChestnut trees in the late 1800sbrought with it the parasiticfungus C parasitica that spreadlike wild fire destroyingbillions of American chestnuttrees almost wiping out thisonce-abundant tree species. InPakistan, the Prosopis juliflora(mesquite) is an example of aplant species that wasdeliberately introduced forafforesting deserts in Sindh.Originally found in West Indiesand Mexico, the Prosopis hasnow become highly invasive inPakistan and is widespreadalmost all over the country.Invasive species threatenbiodiversity, habitat quality,and ecosystemfunction. They are thesecond greatest threatto native species,behind habitatdestruction. In theU.S, alien species havecontributed to the decline ofover forty percent ofendangered and threatenedspecies and their estimateddamage and control amounts to$138 billion annually. Similarstudies have not been done inPakistan, but economic costs ofdamage caused by alien specieswould surely run in to millionsof rupees.The government needs to stepup its efforts to protect thespread of alien invasive speciesincluding tighter controls atairports. Training ofappropriate staff is alsoimperative to ensure that thismenace is kept under controlespecially in protected areassuch as national parks andwildlife sanctuaries. fareehairfan ovaisEnglish translation from Urdu News45 million plants will be planted in the countryduring plantation drive: Hameed Jan Afridi15 million in Punjab, 12 million in Sind, 5 million in Khyber Pakhtoon khwa,0.5 million in Balochistan and 6 million plants will be planted in FataDaily AAJ, Peshawar, July 16, 2010Islamabad (Bureau News)Federal Minister forenvironment, Hameedullah JanAfridi presided a high levelprovincial and ministerial levelmeeting regarding PlantationDrive 2010 in monsoon.Balochistan minister of forests,Maulvi Abdus Samad,secretary environment ministryMuhammad Javed Malik,additional secretary KamranAli Qureshi also attended themeeting.Pakistan Forest Digest 83 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteDuring the meeting it wasdecided that in plantation driveat the beginning of monsoon inthird week of July 2010, 45.5million plants would beplanted. Different targets wereset in the meeting, according tothe decision 15 million inPunjab, 12 million in Sind, 5million in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, 0.5 million inBalochistan and 6 millionplants will be planted in Fata.In addition to that CDA wouldplant 0.4 million plants, IUCNwould plant 0.8 million,Pakistan Tobacco CompanyLimited would plant 0.3million and under RachnaDoaab Project 1 million plantswould be planted.The minister said thatthe prime ministerhad set August 18 forNational plantationdrive, but due toRamazan it would be started onAugust 10.During Plantation Drive, CDA will plant1.4million plantsThe social workers from NGOs will be included to make the plan successful:Chairman CDADaily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 03, 2010Islamabad (Correspondent) “CDA, under GoldenJubilee Year Programme and a new slogan “Cleanand Green Islamabad” will plant 400,000 plants inmonsoon plantation drive, the plants will beplanted in different parts of the city.” Thechairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said in ameeting on Monday. “100,000 plants will beplanted in capital to make it clean and green.Whereas 300,000 plants will be planted in greenbelts, Avenues, Islamabad highway, parks,playgrounds and new residential sectors G-13, H-11, I-14 and I-16.” The chairman added. He saidthat 170,000 plants in other parts of the capital,like Margalla hills, Natuional park, Simly Damwould be planted which would include fruit trees,shady trees and flower bearing plants, to make thedrive successful, social workers from NGOs,students and businessmen would be invited.Under clean green Islamabad, citizens would beapprised of the benefits of that drive. He said thedrive was initiated 2008 and a target of 1540million plantation was set.Paltation drive of monsoon begins inIslamic UniversityRecter Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik and President Dr AnwaarSiddiqui inaugurated the drive by planting two plantsDaily Nawa-e-Waqt, Islamabad, August 07, 2010Islamabad (News Desk)Monsoon plantation drive hasstarted in International IslamicUniversity. Rector UniversityProfessor Fateh MuhammadMalik and President Dr AnwaarHussain Siddiqui inauguratedthe drive by planting twoplants. Professor FatehMuhammad Malik andPresident Dr Anwaar HussainSiddiqui said while addressingthe audience that all effortswould continue to keep theuniversity green. Thehorticulture officer AltafHussain Burki told at thatoccasion that in the current year12,000 plants of 6 differentkinds would be planted in theuniversity.Pakistan Forest Digest 84 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstitutePeople should actively take part inthe plantation drive: Hameed JanafridiPakistan lacks in forests, every citizen should plant one plant, Naturalcalamities are due to environmental changeIn the current plantation drive , a world record will be set: Federal MinisterDaily Aaj, Peshawar, August 11, 2010Islamabad ( Bureau News)Federal minister forenvironment, Hameedullah JanAfridi said that Pakistan isfacing scarcity of forests,global warming and suddenenvironmental changes areincreasing the naturalcalamities, to counter suchcalamities and increase the areaof forest, every citizen shouldparticipate in the nationalplantation programmes. “Anew world record will be set inthis plantation drive” He saidwhile speaking on a specialoccasion regarding plantationdrive 2010. MNA KhakanAbassi, Raja Fayyaz Sarwar,MPAs, federal Secretaryenvironment Javed Malik,Additional secretary KamranAli Qureshi, provincialsecretary forests Babaer HassanBharwana, forest departmentofficials Boy scouts, Girlguides, Rescue 1122 andstudents from various schools,colleges and universities,people from NGOs anddifferent institution werepresent at that moment, theyplanted plants along with theminister. The minister saidwhile addressing after theplantation that to keep theenvironment clean iseverybody’s responsibility,steps should be taken to createawareness keep theenvironment clean. Heexpressed his pleasure thatpersons from every section ofthe society attended themeeting and were participatingin the plantation programme.The required target of forests can be achieved withthe help of masses.For a better economy of any country, forests should be 25 per cent of the totalarea of the country: Tehmasep KhanDaily Shamal, abbottabad, August 11, 2010Mahandery (General Reporter)“The people’s cooperation canhelp achieve the required targetof forests which is 25 per centof the coutry’s area.” SDFOTehmasep Khan said whileaddressing on the occasion ofHasher plantation event. Afterheavy monsoon rainfall, at theslope of under constructionbuilding of GHS Mahandry,plantation drive was started.The plantation ceremony wasarranged in Sangam HotelMahandry, Guest of honourwas Mushtaq Ahmed Khan,Maulana Abdul Qadir and QariWaheed Zaman also attendedthe programme. All the blockofficers of forest departmentand president of a wefareorganisation, MuhammadZaman Khan was also there,public in large number attendedthe ceremony. After recitationfrom the Holy Quran, SDFOTehmasep Khan elaborated theimportance of forests and saidfor the better economy of anycountry 25 per cent of total areashould be for the forests.Pakistan Forest Digest 85 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe Chairman CDA inaugurated theplatation drive by planting on e plantDaily Jang, Rawalpindi, August 19, 2010Islamabad (News Reporter) Chairman CDA,Imtiaz Inayat Elahi started the monsoonplantation drive by planting one plant on a greenbelt at 12 th avenue, at the occasion students fromdifferent educational institution s planted plantsbesides CDA officers and other employees. 5000plants were fixed on the green belts.Tree plantation is sign of welfare for everDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 11, 2010Bannu (Mashriq News)Assistant political agent Bannu,Mawaz Khan Afridi said thatplanting a tree is constantgoodness, tree are the beauty ofsoil. Tribal area will be besidesthe forest department inplantation drive. He wasspeaking at the occasion ofnational plantation drive in F RKheti. One MPA said theplantation in the tribal wouldhelp reduce poverty in the area.An effective system for the protection ofplants should be devised in Fata: AwaisGhaniGovernor inaugurated the plantation drive in Fata by planting a Teac plant, 6million plants will be planted this yearDaily Aaj, Peshawar, August 19, 2010Peshawar (AAJ News) Governor KP, AwaisAhmed Ghani fixed a Teac plant in the lawns ofGovernor’s house to formally begin the plantationdrive in Fata. Additional Chief SecretaryHabibullah KhanGovernor’s secretary SikandarQayyum A&C Fata Abid Majeed were alsopresent at that occasion. Conservator forest FataSyed Noor Afzal Shah briefed the governor aboutplanting about 6 million plants in Fata. He toldthat in 46 nurseries of Fata, there were about 9.5million plants ready to be planted, whileexplaining the condition of forests in Fata, he said13 per cent of the area of Fata is covered withtrees and plants. 8.18 per cent has natural forestwhich is about 500,000 acres. The plantationprogramme in Fata was started in 1976. From1976, trees were planted on 4.82 per cent of thearea. He said that the forest area of Fata will be 15per cent by the end of 2015 and would be 25 percent in 2025. The governor reiterated upon theneed to create awareness about forest in thecommon people. The governor said the weathercondition of Fata is suitable for the forests andsaid that an effective system of protection ofplants should be devised.Pakistan Forest Digest 86 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

Park \ OrchardsChapter 9

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 09Parks \ OrchardsJehangir Park and its ‘dismal state’Dawn Islamabad, July, 25, 2010By Ardeshir CowasjeeMost distressing was it to read the letter printedon July 22, from an equally distressed citizen ofKarachi, Nayyar Iqbal Raza, regarding the‘Dismal state of Jehangir Park’.To recap, here is the story of the struggle torestore this historic park, a true lung of Karachi,to its former utterly non-dismal state. On March13, 2006 I addressed a letter to Sindh ChiefSecretary Fazlur Rahman, a caring man:“The men working under you are about to choptrees planted a hundred years ago in what is nowknown as Jehangir Park, Saddar. The park withthe trees nurtured therein was donated to thepeople of Karachi by Khan Bahadur BehramjeeJehangirjee Rajkotwala in 1893. Parks cannot bedestroyed. This has been ruled by the incumbentchief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, andother wise judges.“The affected and the aggrieved people ofPakistan, and particularly those who will beaffected, intend moving the courts, seeking thepreservation of trees and this park.“I spoke to you yesterday and you promised thatyou would ensure that the philistines do not chopthe trees. Thank you. The nazims of all sortsresident in Karachi are away cutting ribbons. Icannot reach them. Help!”Copies were sent to the chief justice of Pakistan(who can hear the trees) and to the chief justice ofSindh. The CJP took suo moto action and onMarch 27, 2006 passed the following order:“Treat as petition u/s 184(3) of the Constitution.Fix it in Court on 05.04.06. Notice to ChiefSecretary, Government of Sindh, City Nazim,Advocate-General, Attorney General for Pakistanmay please be issued. In the meantime, ChiefSecretary is directed to ensure that no tree ofJehangir Park is cut down nor park is used for anyother purpose pending decision on petition.”The case came up for hearing in Islamabad onApril 5 (Suo Motu Case 03/06) and as read aheadline on April 6 in this newspaper ‘Parking lotplan dropped’. The CDGK, once more in its finitewisdom, had informed the Supreme Court bench,headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry sittingwith Justices Mian Shakirullah Jan and SyedJamshed Ali that it had “abandoned its plan tobuild a multi-storey car parking facility inJehangir Park grounds”.In its order, the court directed “...that although theproject has been abandoned for the reasonsmentioned in the statement, the city governmentis restrained from converting the same in future toany other use save in accordance with the law.However, in terms of the judgment which hasPakistan Forest Digest 87 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutebeen relied upon, the city district government isordered to restore the status of the public park anddevelop the same accordingly”.CJP Chaudhry had the previous year acted indefence of Islamabad’s environment where acitizens’ park was to be converted into acommercial mini-golf course, so that a handful ofpersons, from the public and private sectors, couldmake a lot of money.Having heard Constitutional Petition 36/05, CJPIftikhar Chaudhry and Justices Mian ShakirullahJan and Saiyed Saeed Ashhad ordered:“Under Article 26 of the Constitution, it is thefundamental rights of the citizens to have accessto public places of entertainment or resorts. Asper the socio-financial status of the citizens ofPakistan the majority of the public is not in aposition to afford the luxury of joining mini-golfcourses along with their children and subject tothe payment of tickets, etc.”Moving on to Oct 28, 2009, the NGO-Shehriwrote a letter to Mr Javed Hanif, districtcoordination officer, CDGK: “Re : Jehangir Parkin Saddar. Judgment of Supreme Court in SuoMoto Case No.3 of 2006. We draw your attentionto the operative part of the above judgment (copyattached) delivered by the Hon’ble Chief Justiceof the Supreme Court on 5th April 2006, ‘...theCity District Government is directed to restore thestatus of the public park and develop the sameaccordingly’.“Over the past 3-1/2 years, the directive has beenobserved in the breach. The condition of JehangirPark continues to deteriorate every dayas can be seen from the attachedphotographs. You are requested toensure that your Parks Directorundertakes development and upgradingof the park for the benefit of the citizensof Karachi in compliance with the order.”A second letter on the same subject was writtenby Shehri to the chief secretary of Sindh on Jan23, 2010: “May we request you to assist theCDGK in restoring and developing JehangirPark? We understand from Minister ShaziaMarri’s statement reported in the press on 29/5/09that the provincial and federal governments haveearmarked Rs.100 million for the purpose.”Attached to this letter was a copy of the letterwritten to the DCO-CDGK on Oct 28, 2009 andthe chief secretary was advised that the SC orderhad not yet been complied with.Today, Jehangir Park stands desolate, untended,uncared for. One is sadly reminded of the famousUS Supreme Court case Worcester v Georgia 31US (6Pet) 515 (1832). When the court, underChief Justice John Marshall, ruled that the state ofGeorgia had no right to forcibly remove theCherokee from their land, President AndrewJackson, acting on behalf of the state of Georgia,is said to have replied: “John Marshall has madehis decision, now let him enforce it.”Chief Justice Chaudhry has done his bit, now letthe government of Sindh and the administration ofKarachi enforce his order. In this land of ‘thepure’ there will always be more grabbers thansavers. Can the ‘meek’ not speak up?The dying mango orchards of SindhDawn Islamabad, July, 26, 2010By Naseem Sharif and DrJaskaniMANGO is grown over an areaof 94,000 hectares in thecountry, while its production is916,800 tons. Its area in Sindhis about 43,500 hectares, withan output of 320,700 tons,which is about 46.2 and 34.9per cent of the total area andproduction respectively.According to the ExportPromotion Bureau, 47.6 millionkg and 31,000 kg of fresh anddried mangoes worth $11,589.6and $21,300 respectively wereexported in 2009, mainly toDubai, Saudi Arabia, the UK,Germany, France, Holland,Pakistan Forest Digest 88 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteSwitzerland, Italy, Singaporeand Malaysia.Among mango-growingcountries, Pakistan offers awide range of choice of morethan 100 varieties of the fruit.Some of the famous varietiesare Sindhri, Dusheri, SummerBehist, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratoleand Langra. At present, onelate-season, five mid-seasonand six early-season varietiesof mango are cultivatedcommercially in Sindh.The present situation of mangoorchards in Sindh needs specialattention, as they are sufferingfrom unknown diseasesresulting in death of trees.These diseases are caused dueto low or high temperature,unfavourable oxygen and soilmoisture ratios, atmosphericgases and deficiencies orexcessive nutrients.Mango suffers from a numberof diseases caused by differentorganisms which affectdifferent parts of the plant at allstages of their growth anddevelopment. Powdery mildew,sooty mould, fruit rot, leafblight, anthracnose, stem blightor die back, and root rot are thefungal diseases. Bacterial leafspot and malformation ofmango inflorescence (causestill not confirmed) are theother diseases. No informationabout the extent of damage toplants due to these diseases isavailable. But some of themhave considerably damaged theorchards and affected fruitgrowth.It is clear from symptoms ofanthracnose, stem blight or dieback and root rot that thepresent problem is not becauseof any one disease. It is acomplicated case which mostlyemerges due to combine attackof various diseases. Hightemperature, high relativehumidity and weak plants arethe main contributing factors inthe spread of anthracnose anddie back, while root rot, causedby Fusarium species, maydevelop preferably on weakplants, in high soil temperatureand drought conditions.Dying of trees or decline isgenerally observed in neglectedorchards. Shortage of irrigationwater is the main cause ofgrowth and spread of diseasesresulting in retarded growth oftrees and damage to orchards.Almost all varieties aresusceptible to these diseases.Now it is the responsibility ofthe researchers to identify theactual cause of the problem andfind out ways to control themeffectively. There is a need toapply an integrated diseasemanagement principle andapply different fungicidestogether with suitableinsecticides, whereas, variouscultural practices may also behelpful in checking the spreadof such diseases.Use of fungicides is not theonly way to solve the problem.Fungicides use increase thecost of production, risk healthof workers and decrease fruitquality because of toxic residuethat may remain present in thefruit due to their use.The following integrateddisease management principlesshould be applied to solve theproblem:Only healthy seeds,seedlings and plantsshould be used forplanting, budding orgrafting. Irrigationmust be applied as perrequirement and not subject toavailability. Application ofnitrogen and other fertilisersshould be proper and balancedbased on the type of soil, ageand need of the trees. Propersanitation of orchards andpruning of trees may reduceinfestation of trees and checkspread of the fungus and helpin the growth and developmentof orchards. Diseased plants orplant parts should be cut,removed and burnt to check thespread of the disease. Easilyavailable broad spectrumfungicides should be used incombination with insecticideswith proper dose.Moreover, modern mangoproduction technology must beadopted as perrecommendations ofresearchers. Encouragingresults could be obtained afterconsulting pathologists andentomologists.The major constraints formango growers in Sindh are:the challenging agri-ecologicalconditions – high summertemperatures, alkaline soils andlow organic matter; pooragronomic practices leading tolow yields and poor quality;inefficient production andirrigation practices; unreliablesupply of pest and disease-free,high quality planting material;current marketing systemswhich relies upon harvestcontractors and middlemenbuying the crop in advance;Pakistan Forest Digest 89 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteweak linkages, support andcapacity of researchorganisations.The other factors are: weaklinkages between research andextension; lack of technicalinformation; small scale offarms; lack of investment inproduction technology; lack ofskilled labour; expensiveproduction inputs; poorinternational awareness of localbrands; difficulties in meetinggood agriculturalpractice and sanitaryand phyto-sanitaryrequirements.National Park, not a city parkMargallah Hills National Park needsinformation centreDaily Times, Islamabad, September 05, 2010ISLAMABAD: The residentsof Islamabad are lucky to havethe Margallah Hills NationalPark at a stone’s throw fromthe city. Comprising theMargallah hills, Shakarparianand the Rawal Lake, the areawas designated as a NationalPark in 1980 keeping in viewthe splendor of the lush greenhills and the unique Sino-Himalayan flora and faunafound here. Unlike a wildlifesanctuary, where closing allpublic access protects preciousplants and animals, a NationalPark welcomes visitorsallowing them to learn, enjoyand experience the beauty of anarea.While visitors are welcome tothe National Park, it is vital thatthey understand the basicprinciples of conservation andadopt their movement andactivities to minimise theirimpact on the park’sbiodiversity. A visitorinformation centre is thus animportant part of any nationalpark. Unfortunately, untilrecently, the Margallah HillsNational Park lacked such acentre even though severalhundred visitors come to theMargallahs every day. Otherthan a few ‘don’t feed themonkeys’ signboards, there ishardly any guidance availableon how to protect the wildlifeof the national park. Mostpeople do know that hunting isnot permitted within nationalpark boundaries. But very fewvisitors understand properhiking, trekking and campingprocedures, how to avoid forestfires, how to prevent the spreadof invasive plant species, howto dispose of waste materialetc. An information center thatguides visitors about the park’smanagement procedures,conservation principles andrelevant rules and regulations,is a vital part of any nationalpark!In view of this, The HimalayanWildlife Foundation (HWF) setup a Visitor Information Centrein the Darra Jangla valley earlylast year. Covering an area ofapproximately 700 square feet,the information centre, isstrategically located at theentrance of one of the populartrails of the Margallahs - Trail5. Funding for the project hasbeen provided by the oilcompany BHP Billiton whilethe operation and managementof the company is the jointresponsibility of CDA andHWF. Visitors that intend to gointo the park for nature walksand camping are received hereand briefed about the naturalresources of the park, facilitiesavailable, as well as theguidelines, rules and ethics foractivities while in the NationalPark area. The aim is tomaximize the recreational andeducational benefit of thenational park while ensuringthat visitor activities are not athreat to its ecological integrity.In a span of less than one year,presentations have been madeto several hundred studentsfrom both government andprivate schools. In addition,training events have beenorganized for the students andteachers of the Pakistan GirlGuide Association as well asstaff members of variousenvironmental organizationsand NGOs. Subjects covered inthese trainings include theecosystems of Pakistan,national park management,Pakistan Forest Digest 90 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutebiodiversity conservation aswell as identification of nativeand invasive alien plantspecies. Perhaps the mostimportant training organized bythe Center has been for the socalled ‘custodians’ of theMargallah Hills National Park– the CDA staff. Seminars,workshops and short courses ona wide range of topics havebeen arranged for the forestguards, fire-fighting staff andnational park staff members ofthe CDA.“Unfortunately, even CDAstaff members do not know thedifference between a city parkand a national park’, saysShadmeena Khan, ParkManager of the Darra JanglanValley Conservation Project.“Sometimes, we getsuggestions from senior CDAofficial on planting exoticflower yielding bushes. Theyneed to understand thatplanting new species will upsetthe delicate balance of natureand destroy the localecosystem. The essence of anational park is to preserve thenaturalness of the area.Management of the park isnecessary but in a way that itmaintains the ecologicalintegrity of the park and doesnot interfere with the existingflora-fauna interactions”explains Shadmeena. “Makingflower beds and preeningshrubs might be essential to acity park but are definitely notpermissible in an areadesignated as a national park.”According to Vaqar Zakaria,Director of the HFW, “theproximity of the MargallahHills National Park to a majorurban center as well as thepresence of rural settlementsaround it makes it vulnerable toexploitation and degradation.The idea of a national park isnot to exclude visitorsfor environmentalconservation, but torealize that they arean integral part of it.The purpose of theInformation Center is to guidethese visitors about necessarysteps that need to be taken toensure protection of theMargallah Hills ecology.”The establishment of theVisitor Information Centre is acommendable step taken by theHWF and BHP Billiton. Thegovernment should encouragesuch ventures and support thedevelopment of such facilitiesin all national parks of thecountry. This will ensuregreater learning opportunitiesand maximize the learning andrecreational experience ofsimilar protected areas. fareehairfan ovaisPindi park renovation work stalledDawn Islamabad, September 05, 2010By Ahmad HassanISLAMABAD, Sept 4:Rawalpindi Public Park, alsoknown as Nawaz Sharif Park, isa picture of neglect becausedevelopment and renovationwork has stalled.This is despite that the districtadministration has beenallocating funds and awardingannual contracts for therefurbishing, renovation andrepair of the park.Opened in 1991, the park,sometimes also known asShamsabad Public Park, islocated on Benazir BhuttoRoad opposite the RawalpindiCricket Stadium.Renovation work at the parkwas contracted to a Lahore firmin early March.The work was supposed to becompleted by August but thecontractor had abandoned thework halfway for sometimenow, stating lack of paymentsas the reason.Executive District Officer(Finance and Planning?),Rawalpindidistrictadministration, Saqib Mannan,talking to Dawn, claimed that50 per cent of the developmentand renovation work has beendone. He said the contractorhad been warned to resumework and complete it beforeEidul Fitr.However, the EDO admittedthat only Rs1.7 million out ofRs20 million had been paid tothe contractor so far.Pakistan Forest Digest 91 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteTehsil Municipal AdministratorTalat Hussian Gondal said thatthe district administration wasnot satisfied with the pace ofdevelopment work in the park.Meanwhile, after failing to getdevelopment funds from thegovernment of Punjab, themunicipal administration hasasked Rawal TownAdministration to lend supportby releasing Rs20 million tocomplete the project.Rawalpindi Public Park is theonly recreational site where theresidents of Shamsabad,Sadiqabad, Cricket StadiumDouble Road and otheradjacent areas can enjoy theirmorning walk, jog andexercise. But it now looks likea place which has no owner.The refurbishing of the walkingtrack has not been done to thesatisfaction of residents who gothere for their daily walk andfitness programme. Theycomplained that the black sandwas too light and dusty, whichis injurious to health.Sajid, 36, a regular walker whohas been active in inviting theattention of the districtadministration in improvingfacilities in the park, said thatthe latest development andrenovation work was poorlyplanned and negligentlyexecuted.An old walker, Haji Riaz, 69,complained of the unevenwalking track which ishazardous for senior walkerslike him.Haji Wali, 74, said he had greatexpectations from the PML-Ngovernment to give this parktop priority as it wasconstructed during MianNawaz Sharif's rule but he wasdisappointed.The original master plan of thepark is also being compromisedin the name of economy.A large fountainstructure is beingreplaced by a smallerone and thesurrounding area isbeing turned into asitting place for visitors, but theconstruction and colour of thenew fountain is substandard.The umbrella structures aroundthe park made of old wood hasstarted crumbling even beforebeing given their final touches.Dust bins, stolen a long timeago, also badly needreplacement as paper, ediblesand shopping bags are litteredevery where.Most neglected is the park'sbackyard. It is a picture ofunsightliness consisting ofclogged-up ditches, dried upponds, uncut grass and a publiclavatory which has long beenunused because of seepage.English translation from Urdu NewsPeshawar gardens are ruined, chiefsecretary should note: High CourtThe country’s gardens are our common assets, but actually the government isresponsible, remarks by Ejaz AfzelDaily AAJ, Peshawar, July 14, 2010Peshawar (News Reporter)Chief Justice Peshawar HighCourt has said, “ChiefSecretary is a governmentservant and to look after thegardens of the province is hisresponsibility, because thoseare the only source ofrecreation for the poor people,which are fast diminishing, andthe indifference of governmentofficers is regrettable.” Thesewere the remarks in a suo motuaction taken by the courtregarding the dilapidatedPakistan Forest Digest 92 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutecondition of gardens. Theapplication was filed by acitizen Shakeel Waheedullah.The two members benchcomprised Chief Justice EjazAfzal Khan and Justice MazherAlam Miankhel. AdditionalAdvocate General NaveedAkhtar told the court, “Thecomments of Secretary localgovernment have been receivedbut as yet the comments are notfiled, some time kindly begranted.” At that occasion theChief Justice said thatgovernment’s gardensare our commonassets but thegovernment is moreresponsible to protectthem.Save the Apple trees in ChitralDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, August 21, 2010Dad Bedad, Dr Anayatullah FaiziThe recent floods in Pakistan have been declaredthe biggest natural calamity of the history.International media in their analyses termed itbigger calamity than Tsunami, Katerina and othernatural disasters. Some losses cannot berecompensed in fifty years, e.g. the destructionwhich occurred in Kalam to Mangora and Swat,those losses can never be repaid in fifty years. Onthe other hand in Chakdara and Timer grah, thereconstruction of bridges will complete in 5 years.The lands can be made cultivable in two years;the garden will be able to yield fruit in next tenyears. Same is the situation of destruction inPeshawar, Charsadda and Nowshehra’s richagricultural lands. Governor Punjab SalmanTaseer, PML-N’s leader Nawaz Sharif SyedMunawwar Hassan, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami,Chairman Tehrik-e-Insaf, Imran Khan and formerprime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali hassaid at different occasions that if proper protectivemeasures had been taken, the huge losses could beaverted. If these leaders’ views are givenimportance and an investigation is launched,certainly the negligence of various departmentscan be exposed. For Chitral, it is 100 per centcorrect that with effective and timely protectivemeasure losses could be averted. For instanceAngar Ghon Water supply scheme for thepopulation of 80,000 came under flood first timein 2005 and second time in 2007. If the protectivedykes were constructed according to highstandards to protect the water source, 80,000people of Chitral would not have to beg for waterfor three weeks. The month of Ramazan and Eiddays were like the days in “Karbal”. Themanagement was sleeping for five years, on fifthyear, the water project constructed with thecollaboration of Germany, was swept away byfloods. Wealthy people are bringing water in 500gallons tank on their vehicles and the lesserfortunate people are requesting them for waterholding cans and buckets. At some spots,Muncipality’s fire Brigade is distributing water.The disaster has not occurred in one day, it is theresult of five years of negligence. Second case isof blockage of Chitral Mastoj Road wherepopulation of 150,000 lives is cut off from otherareas. Traffic is suspended at Chitral Gilgit Road,the road was broken at Ration point in year 2005,second time in 2007. It was not repaired secondtime and even protective embankments were notconstructed. The management was sleeping andpeople’s complains were ignored, and finally theflood of 2010 washed away the road completely.It is said, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Same isthe case of apple gardens, the apple gardens inBoni were under threat since year 2005, the waterlevel of stream came at the level of village afterfloods, bigger destruction was looming, peoplewere yelling, but nobody listened. The airport,sub jail, grain godowns and villages in Chitraltown were under erosion threat since 2007. InNovember, Chief Minister Ameer Haider KhanHoti granted 3 million rupees to erectembankment to protect lands of two villages andthree state installations, but embankments werenot constructed in 2009, if the embankments arenot constructed next year those buildings andvillages will be under dangerous threat.The saddest part of this calamity for me is thatapples vanished from markets, the flood of 2005wiped away the apple gardens from Brape. In2007, there was flood at Sanoghar which washedaway gardens of Black currants. The 2010 floodPakistan Forest Digest 93 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutehas finished the apple gardens for one year. Ifthere is flood next year it would wash awayanother centre of apple gardens. Haji GhulamMuhammad is trying desperately to save the applegardens but of no use. The apple of Boni is called‘Choorposh’, it is one the 66 kinds of apple, thisplant exists only in Chitral. The apple of that kindis unmatchable regarding its colour and taste, it isin great demand — from Mandkhela to Lahoremarkets. These gardens of Boni dried up in 2010floods due to scarcity of irrigation of gardens.Realising the past record of government, the applegardens would be no more if there is anotherflood in lake. The agriculture department will notmove to act and the NGOs will be silentspectators. This year, 12,000 members of 900families left their houses and took shelter inmountains between July 26 to August 15, whenthey returned after three weeks, the apple gardenswere died up with thirst. Not a single drop ofwater was available in canal and taps. The risk offlood has increased three times the previousfloods. There is only one solution that the threekilometre long stream should be excavated withheavy machinery to drop its water levelto the level of year 2005. The protectiveembankments should be constructed onboth sides; dykes should be constructedfor Jinnak Coach, Girls Degree Collegeand Chitral Gilgit road. In this way theapple garden s of Boni can be saved in June nextyear when there is normally a chance of flood. In1984, when there was flood, governor, GeneralFazl Haque came to the flooded area and orderedto channelize the stream and construction ofdykes. The governor spent whole day in DegreeCollege with flood victims, and embankmentswere constructed in five months. Geneera FazlHaq provided six bulldozers to district councilChitral, every bulldozer was worth 15 millionrupees.Now nothing has left of those dozers, every parthas been disposed of in scrap market. We cannotrecreate ruler like General Fazl Haque but we canask our rulers to come forward and save their partof job.Kund National Park has been ruinedImmediate action needed to restoreDaily AAJ, Peshawar, August 31, 2010Report and pix: Asif WadoodThe heavy rainfalls have devastated our countryand have pushed us back to the days of 50 yearsback. The heart-rending events cannot beforgotten for centuries. One trembles recallingthose horrible scenes. We have seen flood turninginto terrible killer, but the whole nation hassuffered the calamity in one way or other. Thefloods have affected many; somewhere it haswiped away lands and property and at other partsit swallowed the dear-ones.In Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa where school, colleges,hospitals, roads and other public buildings wereaffected, at the same time Kund National Parkbuilt on an island was also demolished. The bestrecreational park was snatched from people. Thewreckage gives the impression as though someenemy has demolished the area withindiscriminate bombing, nothing has been left ofthat park, no children’s voices anymore; no morefolk dances on the boats traversing to the island inthe river and no sweet songs. Swings, water slidesand dodgem cars shops, restaurants and theprotecting walls for the park; everything has beenwashed away by floods. There was a small zoofor the visitors which included a leopard that alsowent into flood, only his dead body was foundafter the water level fell. The PeshawarDevelopment Authority constructed the park withthe cost of 25 million rupees whereas the roadfrom Jahangeera to Kund park was constructed byWorks Department with the cost of 7 millionrupees. The provincial government transferredthat park to tourism department.In 1996, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto gave dinner inthe honour of the American ambassador inPakistan, but owing to some reasons the dinnerwas cancelled hours before the schedule. AlmostPakistan Forest Digest 94 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteevery government functionary has visited thepark. Aftab Sherpao, General Fazl Haque, MeerAfzal and so on. The water flowing beside thepark used to create a magical ambience. Thetourist used to swarm the park whether it waswinter or summer or any season. The tourist fromall parts of the country used to visit the park. Theroutine continued till the terrorist incidents, butafter terrorism the number of visitors significantlydecreased. On holidays this park used to bepacked with the visitors. The park built on 1500kanals was of unique kind. The provincialgovernment acquired that land under the landacquisition act of 1894 in district Swabi.Now long time a large amount of money will beneeded to restore the park, the floods not onlyresulted in demolition of whole infra structure butrendered large number employees jobless whobelong to poor families. The houses in the areaare built at higher level so the people travellingfrom PK to Punjab are quite aware ofthe park. The parks one part was indistrict Swabi and other part in districtNowshehra. The western side of thepark touchedRiver Indus while otherend touched River Qabul. Accordingarchaeologists, Kund is a Sanskrit word, whichmeans pond or water. If you go to the eastern sideof park, you would notice number of small ponds,theses ponds were used in marble industry. Thewater is clean, then there is Kund Khor wherewater comes in monsoon. In ancient days Kundhad thick forests, in 1581, Mughal emporer Akberconstruct a boat bridge and Attock Fort, G T roadwas built by Sher Shah Soori and Jahangeera Wasbuilt by king Jahangeer. The British constructedKund Rest house but the park was built byprovincial government in February 1991 and wasopened to public in August 1991. There are twoguest houses in that area. One was built by theBritish and other was built after independence. Abig boat connects the park with G T Road. Thetourists and local residents used that boat for theirpurpose. On southern side of rest houses, agraveyard can be seen. There is tomb of HazratBaba Jee which was constructed 1988. In KundKhor one can see the remains of ancient dykesmade of stones. The dykes were useful in makingponds, people used to come for the treatment ofchildren’s ailments, one can find children clothesat those spot. At the moment state machinery isbusy rehabilitating the displaced people, after thatgovernment will attend to the restoration of park.Great Historical Park of Peshawar, WazeerBagh is in state of ruinsThe Garden built in 1802 was a place for ‘Mushairas’, it was built by SirdarMuhammad Fateh KhanA british tourist, Alexander Bruns stayed there and constructed a ‘Baradari’Daily AAJ, Peshawar, August 31, 2010Imraniat By Imran RasheedimranPeshawar’s great historicalgarden, Wazeer Bagh wasconstructed by Sirdar FatehMuhammad Khan, popularlyknown as Wazeer, in 1802-3.Sirdar Fateh Muhammad wasthe most intelligent one amonghis brother, he was minister ofDurrani ruler, Shah Mehmoodwho was the son of second wifeof Taimur Shah Durrani. SirdarFateh Muhammad helped twiceShah Muhammad in getting hisrule back in the power strugglebetween Taimur Shaha’s sonsby his tactical moves andPakistan Forest Digest 95 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteintelligence. People called him‘the king maker’. Sir OlfCheiro writes in his book‘Pathans’ that Sirdar FatehMuhammad is known inPeshawar due that Garden. Thegarden became famous for thegatherings on the occasions ofWars and fairs. The youngerstep brother of Sirdar Fateh,Sultan Muhammad Khanresided in that Garden duringrule on Peshawar with hisfamily. Sirdar FatehMuhammad was excellentadministrator, whenever ShahMehmood became king, thestate affairs were in his handswhich eventually became thereasons for his murder. All thecourtesans including Shah’ssons were after his life. ShahMemood who became kingtwice just because of SirdarFateh Muhammad, killed himin 1818 on the fake reportingand slanders by his son KamranMirza. Kamran Mirza falselyblamed Sirdar FatehMuhammad that during Haratexpedition, one Sick sirdar ofhis army tried to get physicalwith a lady of Royal family. SirOlf Cheiro writes in his book‘The pathans 1958’ that thetrees in the garden areWazeer’s memories, a sadplace where his spirit stillwanders. In south of the city,Wazeer Bagh was spread onhundreds of acres, the footpathswere made. Water pondsbearing beautiful fish gavebeautiful scene. In 1832, aBritish tourist, AlexanderBruns stayed in Peshawar onhis way to Bukhara, he spentsome time in this garden. Thegardens splendour continued toexist till the rule of Sirdars, butafter when Sikhs conqueredPeshawar, it lost the beauty itused to have. When the Britishtook back Peshawar theyrestored the beauty of thegarden, they used it for horseriding. The province’s firstpolitical agent, Colonel Robertwrites in his book ‘Eighteenyears in the Khyber’ that thehorse ride in the garden abeautiful experience.” DrAmjad Husdsain writes in hisbook’Aalim mein Intikhab’ thatthe garden had eight parts,intersected with 6 feet widebrick passages made with‘wazeeri bricks’ whichbordered the wholegarden with flowers.Different fruit bearingtrees were planted indifferent parts of thegarden. The gardenhas all kinds of flowers butRose has its own attraction.Once it was a famous picnicspot, people used to come ingroups, they used to playcricket, hockey and football,Mushairas were held, the pondswhich give deserted look now,were filled with clear water andbeautiful fish. The royaltiesused to sit beside the ponds,afterwards people used to holdmusical functions and Chesscompetitions. The badluck ofgarden started after thepartition when mushroomgrowth of settlement startedaround the garden. The gardenbegan to shrink; sometimes forthe graveyard and at otheroccasion for the construction ofcollege. At times land grabbersattack the garden and at otherinstance state functionaries soldout it partially. The fire brigadeused it for its firehouse andcorporation used it forworkshops and warehouse. Onsome occasions it wasdestroyed to lay sewerage linesand sometimes for Eidgah andJanazgah. Eventually the areahas shrunk to merely 100kanals. Pons are dried up andfish abandoned the ponds. Thepresent condition gives thedeserted look, nobody acnimagine what it was used to bein past when it had mystifiedthe people at large by itscaptivating beauty andsplendour, now spirit of SirdarFateh Muhammad roamsaround to mourn thedilapidated condition of thegarden.Pakistan Forest Digest 96 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteThe first recreational spot for thewomen in Peshawar, PurdagahThis recreational park was part of historical royal garden, in evenings therewas hustle and bustle, the women put stalls here in Eid and other occasionsThe buildings for doctors and nurses have been built on Wireless GroundBagh near Qila Bala HassarDaily Aaj, Peshawar, September 10, 2010Imraniat By Imran RasheedimranPurdagah has no separateidentity; actually it is part ofRoyal Garden which was setaside for women and namePurdagah was given to it. Thisis the first Park, club andcommunity centre for womenin KP province. This is hundredyears old, before Purdagah,there was a zoo in Royalgarden which due to financialcrises was shut down. Amongother tradition of Peshawarvalley, the people of the areaare very religious and strictlyobey Islamic traditions;‘purdah’ has its specialimportance. Initially it was veryconservative society, womenwere not allowed to go outeven for their essential needs,education was a banned thingand no recreational facility wasavailable to them. Now therehas been some change in thesociety, considering the needsof this part of society, a largearea of royal garden has beenallocated for the women only.Three sides of the purdagah hasbeen enclosed with very highboundary walls whereas theforth side is already covered, adifferent entrance has beenconstructed for this ladies park.The ladies come in the evening,especially on eid and otheroccasions there is a lot ofactivity in the garden. Thereused to be fun fairs andrecreational events in the parkbut afterwards that werediscontinued owing to thereason that schools andcolleges hold those occasionswithin their own premises.Wireless ground baghWireless ground bagh wasunder the Qila Bala Hassar initswestern side. Now at that siteFlats for the staff of LadyReading Hospital, hostels fordoctors and nurses have beenbuilt. Historically it was part ofPeshawar’s great ShalamarGarden which was demolishedby Sikhs during their rule.In twentieth century, whenTelephone and wireless servicestarted, offices, colonies andother buildings wereconstructed on its parts, so itwas popularly called aswireless ground. There was anatural spring in the gardenwhich used to give hot water inwinters, people used to comehere. With the passage of timethe garden became a desertedplace, different political partiesstarted to hold their publicmeetings. The Ameer ofPakistan Forest Digest 97 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteJamaat-e-Islami, MaulanaMaududi once addressed apublic assembly here. Twodecades back when LadyReading Hospital was upgradedto post graduate level there wasissue of residences for the staff,so the residential flats wereconstructed on empty stretch,the issue of residences wassolved but Peshawarwas deprived of itshistorical spot.The new swings will be installed in AyubPark with the amount of 3.4 millionrupeesThe children will enjoy it free of cost, in current year plants worth 1.3 millionrupees will be plantedEvery kind of exhibition is banned at the park entrance: Colonel (r) TariqMasoodDaily Jang, Rawalpindi, September 20, 2010Rawalpindi (Sajid Chaudhary) “The new swingsare being installed in Ayub Park with the amountof 3.4 million rupees. The children will enjoy itfree of cost. The maximum part of the park isdeveloped for public recreation; the entry fee forchildren in ‘Jungle World’ is being lowered.Every kind of exhibition is banned at the parkentrances.” The director business developmentArmy Heritage Foundation, Col (r) Tariq Masoodsaid while talking to Daily Jang. He said that newswings had been installed to offer betterrecreation to the visitors, and to develop betteratmosphere, new plants were being planted withthe an amount of 1.3 million. Four nurseries werebeing developed in the park; to reduce the crowdin the ‘Jungle World’ swings were being installedin other parts of the park, so that the visitorsshould enjoy other areas of the park also.” Ajogging track and tennis court is being constructedin the park”, Col Masood added.Pakistan Forest Digest 98 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

MiscellaneousChapter 10

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteChapter 10MiscellaneousDeforestation plays havoc with MurreePakistan Observer Islamabad, July 08, 2010Islamabad—The so-called‘Queen of the Hills’, agrandiose title which it hasn’tbeen worthy of for many years,appears to be in the last,desperate throes of commercialsuicide. Everything revolvesaround a terrifying lust formoney, money and moremoney.The fact that gross overcommercialismis killing thegoose of tourism, which laysthe golden eggs on which thefinancial survival of the ‘city’depends, is not given seriousconsideration.The lust for money is turningthe tourist retreat into anenvironmental disaster rapidlygetting out of hand.Muzamil who came there withhis family told this agency thatthe air, once fragrantly freshand exhilarating, is redolentwith exhaust fumes, greasysmoke from fast food joints andthe stench, on a hot day, ofrotting garbage and a chokedsewage system. Another touristFahad said “We come here toenjoy weather but excess ofplazas had played havoc withMurree”.`Plaza’ is a word on everyone’slips, from down in SunnyBank, up the winding road tothe main bus terminal (which itis now difficult to locateamongst a maze of shoppingarcades and monstrous hotels),all the way along to and up thefamous ‘Mall’ which hasn’tescaped devastation either, hemaintained.New hotels and shoppingplazas have wrecked the oldtime ambiance, with cybercafes and amusement arcadesadding to the mess.It is not unusual for beggars togo into one of the numerousshops, rattling a mug or tinbowl full of coins, to requestthe shopkeeper to change this‘weight’ into easier carriedrupee notes as this business isbooming.Pindi and Kashmir Points, onceattractive spot for tourists arenow nerve-wrackingexperiences.Samina,who was there with herfamily said “the cold drink andfast food vendors, the pushytaxi wallas and the ever-presenthotel touts, there is no escapeand they will hassle you sooneror later”.The number of hotels hasincreased at a pace whichoutstrips the number of touristslooking for a bed for the night,for most, one night is more thanenough.Fixed room rates are a myth ascustomers are well aware.Negotiation is the name of thegame, whatever the season,although reductions are mucheasier to obtain at a quietertime of year.—APPPakistan Forest Digest 99 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteLetter to EditorOzone depleting inhalersDawn Islamabad, July 24, 2010This is with reference to arecent report published inDawn regarding the phasingoutof ozone depleting inhalers.I appreciate the Ministry ofEnvironment’s initiative tophase out the ozone depletinginhalers by assisting localindustries into not using theozone depleting substances andby providing them withfinancial help.This support is extended by theministry with the assistance ofthe UNDP, the UNIDO, theUNEP and the World Bankalong with the financial andtechnical support of theMultilateral Fund Secretariat.However, one MNCrepresentative has reportedlysaid at a seminar that they havealready moved from CFC toHFA inhalers.Here I would like to point outthat the non-CFC containinginhalers are not only beneficialfor the environment but are alsomore effective for patients.The particle produced by non-CFC (HFA)-based MeteredDose Inhalers (MDIs) is finerand softer and is generated at aslower speed.Consequently, throat depositiongets lesser with the HFA-basedMDIs and delivery to lowerairways doubled compared tothat of the CFC-based MDIs.It is no surprise that the majorconclusion of a studycomparing the two differentpropellant-based MDIs was thatonly 50 per cent of the usualdose in HFA MDIs would berequired to produce theequivalent clinical effect ascompared to CFC MDIs.Keeping all these benefits inmind, it’s high time we createdawareness among the doctors,patients and the general publicto protect our ozone layer.DR SYED ASIF IQBALHASHMIKarachiMoringa as green fodderDawn Islamabad, July 26, 2010By Hafeez ur RehmanTHE prolonged dry spell,usually from December throughMay, directly affects thegrasslands and farming areaswhich create scarcity of greenfodder for livestock.Use of fodder trees and shrubforages during such period isone of the potential strategiesof smallholders for regularsupply of high quality feed totheir ruminants.Adequate and regular supply offodder round the year isessential for development ofdairy and livestock where lessthan 54 to 60 per cent animalsare underfed and the nutritionalstress reduces theirperformance.The role of multi-purpose treesand shrubs in the nutrition offarm animals is becomingpopular. Among such trees,Moringa oleifera is a highlyvaluable and multipurpose treelocally called Suhanjna. It is anative to the sub-Himalayantracts of India, Pakistan,Bangladesh and Afghanistanand is planted around theworld. The tree is cultivated asvegetative annual crop and isevergreen and fast growingwith high capability to re-growafter pruning.The tree has the capacity toproduce high quantities of freshbiomass per unit area even athigh planting densities and givedry matter yield from 4.2 to 8.3ton per hectare with a cuttingfrequency of 40 days intervaland even can be harvested after15 days.Almost every part of the plantis nutritious specially its leavesare a rich source of highlyPakistan Forest Digest 100 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Institutedigestible protein, calcium, ironand vitamin C essential forlivestock. The dry leavescontain seven times morevitamin C than orange, 10times more vitamin A thancarrot, 17 times calcium thanmilk, 15 times potassium thanbananas, 25 times iron thanspinach and nine times proteinsthan yogurt. Beside these, theplant is also rich in vitamin B-complex, chromium, copper,magnesium, manganese,phosphorus and zinc.Unlike other forages, moringais adaptive to harsh and drierenvironments of the arid/semiaridzones as well as in the hillsand uplands of the humid partsduring summer. Dairy animalslike cows, buffaloes and sheep,if supplemented with greenleaves and stems of Moringa,produce 43-65 per cent moremilk. Cattle fed on moringaleaves also show rapid gain inweight.However, the fodder should bemixed with molasses,sugarcane, young elephantgrass, sweet (young) sorghumplants, or whatever else islocally available.The high protein content ofmoringa leaves must bebalanced with other energyfood. Care must be taken toavoid excessive protein intakeas too much protein in a cattlefeed can be fatal. If it is to beused as a fresh fodder, thesludge should be taken aftersedimentation and mixed withdry fodder until it is a semidrymass. The mass should bepressed through a meat grinderand made into pellets.As a tree, it can be growneasily from seeds or cuttingswhich can flourish quicklyeven under poor soil conditionsand start flowering eightmonths after planting. If thetree is propagated by plantingstem cuttings, then the cuttingsshould be from the woody partsof the branches. It should bewood from the previous year.They can be cured for threedays in the shade and thenplanted in a nursery or in thefield.For intensive production ofleaves, plants should be 10-20cm apart. Closer spacing allowsharvest of young edible shootsevery two to three weeks.Addition of a balanced fertiliseror compost to infertile soilenhances root development.Regular irrigationkeeps the soil moistwhich promotesgrowth.Intensive moringa cultivationyields up to 650 metric tons ofgreen matter per hectare morethan any other green manurecrop like beans which yield upto 110 tons/hectare of greenmatter in pure stands.The vigorous and re-growthnature of moringa plant canproduce 3-5 new shoots aftereach cutting and up to nineharvests can be obtainedannually.Despite its potential benefits inagriculture, moringa cultivationon large scale is alwaysignored. Researchers shouldtake initiative to explore thepossibility for its extensive usein agricultural crops in order toget high economic returns.Pakistan Forest Digest 101 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy InstituteEnglish translation from Urdu NewsForest Home, a magical experienceDaily AAJ, Peshawar, July 01, 2010Hazar Dastan By Mustanser Hussain TararWhen we were in the middle of the steel bridge ofFall Creek, a landcruiser came and stopped nearus, Memoona and I was there as usual for a walk,it was normal for us that a driver would say‘morning’ but it was the first time that someonestopped for us. A thick-necked American driversaid in American accent which I could notunderstand, “I am sorry” I said. what did you say,I asked. “I asked if there is any Trout fish in thewater”, he asked. “Trout fish”, I asked withsurprise. “Yes, trout”, he said. “I don’t know, weare stranger here, ask some local dweller of thearea”, I said. By the way, I have read a lot aboutCarnel, there was no reference of trout, you tryyour luck.” I repeated. That healthy Americanwent away without a smile on his face. Memoonasaid worriedly that the American was from secretagency and was checking us that why we arestrolling on the bridge in early morning, trout wasjust an excuse, otherwise he would have askedsomeone else, how could anybody find trout inthese shallow waters.Memoona’s analysis could not be rejectedoutrightly. It was possible that American wasfond of hunting trout and he found us there, so heasked us, or might it was other way round and hewas just checking us. What Pakistani man, Faiseldid in US is enough for any foreigner to takeeveryone of us as terrorist, so we shouldn’t object.Whenever any Pakistan does anything like that,whole Pakistani community has to bear the brunt.While visiting BB lake and seeing waterfalls, wediscovered ‘Forest home’ which is deceptivelybeautiful. We were captivated by its charm. Aroad adjacent to Sameer’s house went downwardwhere a long line of elegant and ancient housebegan. Right side of the house view creek waterswhereas left side had its lawns on the mountains.The first house was owned by some person in1794, that person must have been crazy of thescenic beauty, who came and resided on the riverbank where there was no electricity and anymeans of transportation. How could he survive inthe snow covered area alone if he was unmarriedand issueless? We used to cross the steel bridgeand go to other end of the bridge, again there wererow of beautiful houses. Memoona used to standbesides the railing of bridge and would say “gowherever you want to, I am tired.” I would crossthe bridge to go deep in the jungle, where I usedto listen birds chirping, and feel the fragrance oftrees, once I was standing in the jungle when Iheard a strange mechanical sound, I was surprisedfor a while, again there was that same sound, Iwas scared, you just imagine if you are alone in ajungle, a squirrel comes to you with open mouth,what would be your feelings. A person like mefrightened and imagine how a common manwould feel in those moments. Anyhow, I neverwent to that jungle again, it was not wise to bekilled by some violent animal. While strolling inthe lawns of forest home we had memorised allthe flowers, we remembered every flowerblooming and withering. There were five darkcoloured tulips in the forest home, when the lasttulip withered we decided to leave the foresthome. Every house of forest homes was dreamhouse for me, but three of them captivated me.One of them was strange house looked like atomb; a plaque was hanging on the door. Therewas inscription “This reminds me of my wife whodied in 1938”, this was part of the house. It wasnot possible that the loving husband living in thathouse would be alive yet, but it might havecarried some secrets of jungle. The curtains on thewindows were drawn and very room had electricbulb inside. At night I often saw light coming outof the room assured us that the husband of theexpired lady would be inside the house. Thereused to be some toy lights outside the house, anaverage car and a sports expensive car wereparked outside the house. One day I went alone tosee that house, it was not a pleasant experience,an ancient and deserted house was giving quitescar look. The lights in the house were on, I wasterrified, I decided to return immediately. On myPakistan Forest Digest 102 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteway back I saw a thin old man smoking pipe andgazing into the sky. I started conversation withhim with his permission. He said he was acomputer lab designer, after retirement he boughtthe house in 1990. “I live with my wife, ourdaughter occasionally visits us, otherwise I workin the lawns take care of plants and smoke pipe.”The old man said.”Look at that tree which hasladder attached to it. I climb the ladder to cut thebranches of the tree because I don’t like the tree, Ican cut the whole tree, but it might fell in theriver, and I do not want to create hurdle in theriver.” The ladder was almost 40/50 feet high. Iwas surprised and asked, “How can you climb sohigh and cut the branches, don’t you get scared ofheight.” He dragged on the pipe, after many longpuffs, he said,”I am not afraid of height and I amnot so old, I am not yet eighty.One day I met his wife by chance, she was justthe same, and smart, thin and no trace of extra faton her body. She said that her husbandMike told her that you like the house,thank you.The third which I liked was locked,grass had grown to its windows and aboard was hanging with lettering “For Sale” or“To let” was almost near to fall down. I becamefan of that house, I was sure when I would goback to my house in Lahore, in load—sheddingdays during unbearable heat that house wouldhaunt me.I said to my wife, “Darling If I had money Iwould buy that house.” My wife is tired of thesethings. She says irritatingly, “You might havebought about one dozen houses, Hunza, Khaplu,Chitral and so on, you buy house in Cornel andstay there to catch trout, I don’t object.”I think in the presence of wife and in the old age,one should abstain to dream.Sangi Foundation personnel are ready toembezzle millions of rupeesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, July, 28, 2010Batgram (Crime Reporter) The SangiFoundation personnel have started to visittourist resorts to embezzle millions ofrupees.The NGO Sangi Foundation workingin Allai has started to misappropriate thefunds meant for reconstruction anddevelopment work. The NGO workers,according to reports, are staying in luxuryhotels and pay huge amounts. We demandthat workers of Sangi Foundation are stoppedfrom wasting the funds meant for thedevelopment in the area.Haji Wakeel Khan elected as PresidentDargai Timber MarketMukarram Khan, general Secreatry, Anwar Shah, senior vice president andHaji Abdullah are vice presidentDaily Mashriq, Peshawar, July 17, 2010Dargai(MashriqCorrespondent) Dargai timbermarket elections are complete.Haji Wakeel Khan has beenelected as President whereasMukarram Khan as generalSecretary, Anwar Shah assenior vice president and HajiAbdullah as vice presidentwere elected in the elections.The office holders were electedfor 1 ½ years. After election aPakistan Forest Digest 103 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010

SDPISustainable Development Policy Instituteceremony was held. Theelected members addressed theceremony; they said they wouldwork hard to revivethe timber market.Domel Forest rest House broke downbefore completion10 million rupees wasted, resentment in public circlesDaily Shamal, Abbottabad, September 20, 2010SERN (Special Reporter) Thebuilding of Domel Forest RestHouse caved in before itsformal completion due to faultyconstruction. People are highlycharged, they said it was thefault of forest department andthe contractor. 10 millionrupees wasted by corruption.First rainfall exposed theirregularity. The people toldSern Valley union of journalistsin Jabori that the contractorused sand and stone from theriver. They demanded thataction should be taken thecontractor.Pakistan Forest Digest 104 Vol. 1, No. 2, July - September, 2010