PA committee reviews tree plantation, environment initiatives in KP
PESHAWAR
A meeting of the Standing Committee on Forests, Environment, Wildlife, and Climate Change of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of MPA Iftikhar Ali Mashwani. The meeting, attended by committee members, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Forests and Environment Pir Musawar Khan, and senior officials from the Forest Department, discussed various key issues concerning the province’s forest and environmental policies.
A detailed briefing was provided on the responsibilities, performance, and future goals of the Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) and the Forest Development Corporation (FDC), including the implementation of the windfall policy and scientific management strategies. The committee also discussed the establishment of a tribunal for the Forest and Environment Department, the auctioning of timber at the Chakdara depot, and ongoing plantation initiatives.
Secretary Forests Shahid Zaman updated the committee on the successful completion of several plantation campaigns, which have garnered international recognition.
He emphasized that the department continues to engage with international organizations on various environmental projects. Zaman also assured that a comprehensive briefing on the achievements and future plans of the Forest Department will be provided at the next meeting.
Chairman Mashwani issued directives for the establishment of depots and the issuance of licenses for businesses involved in the white tree trade in Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, and Peshawar. He emphasized that this initiative would facilitate the business community while generating substantial revenue for the provincial government. Secretary Forests assured the committee that these initiatives would be prioritized.
The committee also directed the relevant authorities to present the Forest Development Corporation (FDC) Act in the next meeting and take necessary steps for increased tree plantation along major highways, including the Hazara Motorway.
