Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : Azad Kashmir Forest Minister Ch. Muhammad Akmal Sargala has said that forests are the jewel of the earth and the survival of forests is necessary for the survival of humanity.
The government is taking all measures to protect the forests. It is the first religious duty of everyone. We are trying to make the white mountains and areas green with plantations. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful region. Forests play an important role in its beauty. Forest Protection Committees have been formed so that the people can also play their role in the protection of forests and wildlife in collaboration with the Forest Department, he said.
Forests are very important for the development of cities and the presence of forests in a city increases the prosperity and beauty of the city and the health and well-being of the residents. But in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, the forest area is less than 4%. Experts say that due to the growing population, the forests are being cut down and converted into residential areas. Trees should be planted to deal with the damage of climate change. The United Nations says that it is important to have trees in large and crowded cities to reduce the heat and air pollution caused by climate change, he said.
Valuable plants and herbs are also found, which are used in the preparation of medicine, while these forests are also very helpful in keeping ponds, springs, and underground water reservoirs safe and continuous for the local population and provide protection from storms and floods in the sea. He expressed these views while talking to journalists on the occasion of World Forestry Day.
He said that on the occasion of World Day of Forests, we all must raise awareness among the people about the importance of forests. On the occasion of World Day of Forests, plant more trees and save the environment on this day. But the love of trees is expressed by planting millions of new trees, so why don’t we all plant a tree in the name of our loved ones and parents on this day?
He said that according to experts, flowers and plants have profound effects on human personality and psychology. The existence of shade trees is not only useful and refreshing for human health, but it is also a means of protection from climate change.
The area of ??natural forests is decreasing every year by 27,000 hectares. According to the international organization ICUN, Pakistan is among the 10 countries in the world that can be more affected by climate change. There is an urgent need to stop the erosion of the forest, but there is a dire need for large-scale plantations with the cooperation of the people, he said.
In Europe and other developed countries, permission from the government is required to cut even a branch of a tree, but we have an indiscriminate cutting of trees, which is mainly due to a lack of awareness among people about the benefits of forests. Awareness will be raised among the people regarding the importance of forests so that they can protect the trees like their children, then we can make this region green, he said.