Daily Times

LAHORE: World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Pakistan is set to launch a plantation drive titled ‘Rung Do’ to combat increasing deforestation across the country, it was announced on Sunday.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan told Daily Times that the body plans to launch a massive plantation drive campaign, Rung Do, to tackle deforestation. He added that the campaign, which will begin from August 14, aims to plant 1.4 million trees in one year.

He said that WWF-Pakistan promotes a sustainable forest ecosystem to benefit biodiversity and forest-dependent communities. The organisation has implemented sustainable forest management which includes enhanced forestry planning and monitoring systems.

As per World Wildlife Fund Pakistan (WWF), more than 61,000 hectares of forest land has been made barren for commercial use.

Naqi said that the campaign will bring several benefits as it is meant to have a positive impact on the environment of Pakistan. According to a study by WWF, one hectare (ha) of forest cover comprises of 1000 plants and a total of 1.4 million plants will contribute 1400 hectares to the country’s current forest cover.

WWF-Pakistan DG added: “When we speak about addressing environmental challenges, often the suggested solutions require policy changes at the government level. But what sets this campaign apart is that this time the masses are in control to bring about a measurable change by a simple act of planting a tree.”

“Through Rung Do Pakistan we are encouraging individual action to plant trees in cities and villages across length and breadth of the country. WWF-Pakistan is stressing on only planting indigenous trees, which not only provide a shelter to various birds and insect species but benefit local ecosystems as well. I also appeal the citizens to plant more trees this year and help raise awareness about the causes.”

A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report revealed that Pakistan falls under the category of ‘forest deficit countries’ and that the country’s forest cover has declined to two per cent in the recent years.

UNDP said deforestation has become a serious issue in the country and the figures are really alarming. Pakistan has lost approximately 43,000 hectares of forests and has the highest deforestation rate in Asia. Therefore, the emission of greenhouse gases is rapidly increasing.

According to WWF, a single tree has the capability to absorb 50 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. As the ‘Rung Do’ campaign will plant 1.4 million trees which will have the tendency to absorb at an average of 70 million pounds of carbon dioxide.