By year’s end, the lush green land won’t be far from becoming KPK’s future. Pakistan deforestation will be overtaken by a billion trees. One of the most remarkable government initiatives in Pakistani history is the Billion Trees Tsunami project, which was introduced in 2014 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by cricket legend turned politician Imran Khan. Preventing deforestation and encouraging afforestation is a commendable initiative towards a healthier future.
Purpose of the Project
Pakistan’s government launched this project to mitigate the effects of global warming because the country is ranked seventh among nations most likely to be affected by climate change. By transforming the deforested areas of KPK into the verdant, lush land that it was previously recognized for, the project seeks to restore the natural beauty of the province. The country’s citizens must be shielded from the damaging effects of climate change by this afforestation project if future generations are to have a better and healthier future.
Importance of Forests in Pakistan
Beyond just serving as a natural symbol, forests offer much more. They serve as our innate defense against the shifting climate. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees lessen the detrimental effects that carbon dioxide has on local life. We’ve found that planting trees along riverbanks keeps the rivers healthy. Most significantly, though, widespread deforestation is one of the main causes of the melting glaciers in the mountains. Thus, the Billion Tree campaign holds great importance for our future. As stated by Imran Khan.
Current Forest Coverage in Pakistan
Less than 2% of Pakistan’s land is covered in forests, according to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization report. This is nothing in comparison to the current population explosion. The goal of the reforestation project is to extend the region’s forest cover by a minimum of 2% within the shortest amount of time. With more to come, the project has already added to Pakistan’s forty percent forested lands.
Broader Goals
In addition to eradicating deforestation from Pakistan, the project aims to preserve other natural resources by boosting the production of wood, fuel, and fodder. The goal is to increase revenue from forest products and services in order to improve living conditions in the community.
Public Involvement
Since nothing can be accomplished without the involvement of Pakistani citizens, Rab Nawaz, senior director of programs for WWF-Pakistan, expressed his gratitude for the project and claimed that the Billion Trees Tsunami should be credited for both the mass planting and the shift in public opinion. Nothing is insurmountable. We can accomplish everything if we work together. To ensure that we can proudly pass on a healthier and better Pakistan to our children, the tree-planting initiative should be implemented throughout all of Pakistan, not just in KPK.
