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Future of
GREEN GOLD in Chitral
By Ghani Ur Raham
Definition of
development has been changed with the passage of time as well as
with the introduction of new ideas in the process. During
classical era increase in National GDP or Real Per-Capita Income
was regarded as pre-requisite for economic development. But
externalities and after affect of the development in the form of
environmental degradation, water and air pollution were often
ignored. Amid these thoughts sustainable development approach came
forward in which development has been redefined as socioeconomic
development where development must be environmental friendly, bring
positive change in society and externalities of the process should
minimum. In this connection environmental degradation and issues
relating to pollution have been addressed. First defense line of
environment that is forest has been termed as “GREEN GOLD”
in new development scenario. It is internationally recognized fact
among the expert that 20% area of any country should contain forest
for viable development and clean environment. Unfortunately here in
Pakistan we have only 4% forest which is not encouraging for
sustainable development. Under Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
Pakistani government is committed to increase its area under forest
up to 15% in next few years.
District
Chitral is the most attractive point for international tourists due
to green forest spread in southern Chitral, and Kalash valleys.
There are tourists’ resorts in southern Chitral as well especially
in Shishikuh, Jinjirate Kuh and Ursoon but infrastructure in the
said areas has not been developed by concern department for tourism
purpose. Besides tourism purpose forest plays dominant role in
socioeconomic life of District Chitral. Forests are the only source
of fuel wood as well as timber in district Chitral because there
are no other source of fuel and material for building construction.
Majority of population in Chitral are dependent on forest for their
requirements of timber and fuel and this dependency exert
tremendous pressure on forest which result deforestation and
decrease in size of forest. Increase in population is also a big
cause in forest degradation. Presently size of forest in Chitral is
decreasing at fast rate, if this trend continued without break
future of our Green Gold seems very grim. Timber mafia in
the grab of contractor, businessmen and smugglers also pose serious
threat to the forest of
Chitral. Especially during issuance of Tree Permit (TP) supply of timber under
government bidding program (Marking) limit of legal sanction for
timber supply is crossed by the TP holder and contractor who
acquire the bid during tender. When a person acquire permit for 100
feet of timber he hands over the said TP to specialized timber
machine owner for supply of the wood. And owner of timber machine
supply 300-400 feet against 100 feet legally sanctioned by forest
department. Hence dealing in timber has become the most profitable
and attractive business in district Chitral. Official of Forest
Department posted in various check-posts are also aware of the
whole exercise but indifferent attitude of these officials towards
ruthless cutting of forest is behind our perception. If these
officials posted in various forest check-posts would have Argus
-eye on timber mafia there would have been totally different
situation in district Chitral. D.F.O (Forest)
Chitral is honest, committed and dedicated person and he is
sensitive regarding protection of forest in Chitral but without
support of local community he cannot succeed in his noble mission.
In this connection it has become primary duty of every Chitrali to
extend helping hand to forest department especially D.F.O Chitral
in order to control deforestation and illegal timber business. If
local community and forest department work in coordination of each
other Green Gold of Chitral will be protected from any future
hazards. Local community can play very positive role in
protecting and promoting of forest in their own areas if they have
been properly educated by Non-Government Organization and forest
department. To protect forest of district Chitral from imminent
catastrophe following measures should be taken by all the
stake-holder including forest department.
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Promotion and protection of forest should be made under
participatory approach with involvement of local community in the
whole process through formation of Forest Protection Committee (FPC)
at village level. Forest Department and other organizations
interested in protection of forest and environment should come
forward and educate community through workshops, seminars and
directly involving local community in protection process.
Involvement of local community in protection and promotion of
forest will be cost effective and sustainable approach to control
deforestation in district Chitral. Grazing at village level is
also affecting forest and it could be controlled and regulated by
educating community members through Forest Protection Committee.
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Annually Forest
department and government of Pakistan starts plantation program
in various areas but grooming of plants and increase in forest
area due to these plantation campaign is not visible anywhere in
Chitral and rest of Pakistan. But due to lack of proper care
from forest department and local community 90% of the plants
wastes in the process. To make the process successful local
community and F.P.C should be involved in the process of caring
and protecting of the new plants. If local community is involved
in the process then success of plantation and increase in size of
forest will be become imminent in district Chitral.
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Timber Mafia and smugglers are also potential threat for future of
forest in district Chitral. This menace can also be controlled by
FPC at community level. It is also obligatory that FPC should be
educated regarding importance of forest for development of our
country. Coordination between FPC and Forest Department can
control timber mafia for fulfilling their ill design on
sustainable basis.
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Forest Department and Forest Guards posted in various check-posts
play very active role in protection of forest in Chitral. They
also need capacity building program and refresher courses to meet
new challenges in protecting and promoting of forest in district
Chitral. They should be monitored by D.F.O Chitral and Forest
Protection Committee in controlling smugglers at check-posts.
Especially owners of timber machine deceive Forest Guards in the
grab of Tree Permit and they carry timber in excess of the TP and
sell in black market. Forest Guards should strictly verify the
quantity of timber and TP if someone found carrying timber in
excess of TP then strict action should be taken against the
culprits according to the forest rules.
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There are also reports that limit are also crossed during marking
by forest contractor and influential people who deceive forest
department. Highest possible scrutiny and cross verification
should be made by forest department in order to control excessive
marking than the specified limit.
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Prosecution of Cases registered under forest rule are not properly
supervised by forest department officials and persecution
authority, that is why majority of culprits are not convicted and
punished which encourage timber mafia and smugglers in district
Chitral. It is utmost important that maximum possible care and
struggle should be made by forest department in registering cases
and convicting member of timber mafia in the court of law. If
once member of timber mafia is convicted and punished then
smuggling will discourage in district Chitral.
If these steps are taken
by Forest Department Chitral, local community, political leaders
and Non-Government organizations working in Chitral it will bring
positive change in future of Green Gold in the district. Otherwise
it will be too late to protect our forest amid the challenges
posing serious threats to our forest and beauty of Chitral. Let us
move and work together to protect and promote our GREEN GOLD.
Feedback please contact:
ghani.economist@gmail.com
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