National Forest Policy on the cards
ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of Climate Change has drafted National Forest Policy (NFP) and further process of consultation on it was in its final stage, a senior official at the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) said on Sunday.
Talking to APP, the official said that the Federal government has finalised the draft of the National Forest Policy with the help of all the stakeholders.
“Revised version of draft policy document is expected to be presented soon before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in its meeting for consideration,” he added.
He said that on the direction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Climate Change was engaged actively with the provinces including Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and FATA and Capital Development Authority to finalise and harmonise the forestation plan which is being finalised through active consultations.
The Ministry with the collaboration of Capital Development Authority (CDA) was chalking out a policy for forestation and plantation of trees in the Islamabad, said the official.
“It would be broad based policy which would include protection of wild life,” he informed.
He said that the government was giving top priority to forestation and had taken number of steps, to stop deforestation in the country, adding, it was the responsibility of the provinces too, to stop deforestation.
It is pertinent to mention here that according to international law, all countries should reserve 12 per cent land for forests.
In Pakistan only 4.8 per cent land has been reserved for the purpose.
After the 18th Amendment, the environment subject was transferred to provinces.
The Provincial Ministries now have been taken on board to finalise the National Forest Policy, the official said.
” 
” 
” 
” 
