By Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: Deputy Commissioner Sherani Muhammad Ramzan Palal has said that forests are the integral part of nature. Efforts are underway not only to prevent deforestation in Sherani district, but also environment-friendly trees are being planted alternatively. He called for the promotion of agro forestry to protect pine-nuts and olive forests in the district.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Chilghoza processing unit provided by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

District Forest Officer Sherani Attiq Kakar, Forest department officials Hayat Sherani, Muhammad Dawood, tribal leader Sardar Abdul Rahim Hariphal, Muhammad Hashim Sherani, Haji Masood Sherani, Haji Yar Muhammad Sherani, Abdul Sattar Sherani, Jallat Babukarkhail and traders also attended the event.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ramzan Palal flanked by Value Chain Specialist FAO Yahya Khan Musakhail cut the ribbon to inaugurate a state-of-the-art processing unit. Yahya Musakhail gave a detailed briefing to the Deputy Commissioner on processing including cleaning, roasting and packaging of cone nuts at the facility. He said besides block plantation small grants will also be given to people involved in Chilghoza business.

“Financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by FAO, the project is aimed at reversing deforestation and forest degradation. DFO Attiq also welcomed the installation of the unit and said all available resources would be utilized to stop deforestation and plant more trees in the district.

The notables thanked FAO for setting up the processing unit. They said the increasing population, illiteracy, poverty and unemployment in the area are the major causes behind deforestation in the district. The installation of processing unit will make it easier for the traders to access the market.