Daily Times

PESHAWAR: The Chief Minister Khyber (KP) Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervez Khattak underlined the need for extensive aforestation, proper conservation of water resources and step to control over pollution at the province.

He was addressing the concluding session of the 3-day workshop title “Thinking Climate Change Adaptation in Water and Farming, adapt – 2016”, held at Agriculture University Peshawar this morning. The closing session of the seminar was also addressed by Dr Zahoor Ahmad Swati, VC Agriculture University, Dr Muhammad Haneef, Dr Arjumand Nizami and Dr Akmal, Director Centre for Climatic Change Agriculture University Peshawar.

He called for relevant research and its transfer to the common man and adapting strategy to avoid the adverse effect of climate change thus making the future of the province safe and secure. Speaking at the conference, the Chief Minister said that climatic changes had already affected crops, orchards and further lowers down the water table in the province.

He emphasized the need of practical and timely steps to make aware the cultivators of the province against the un-favourable affect of climatic changes and to guide them to adopt preventive measures to mitigate impacts of the climatic hazards. Pervez Khattak lamented that though climatic changes were a national issue but there was negligence at all levels to handle the crisis. He asked the agriculture scientists for conducting indigenous research about the threats of climatic changes and ensures its proper extension to the cultivators to adapt ways and means to meet the challenge. Pervez on the occasion deplored over confining agriculture education and research to book shelves and denying access of the common man to it.

The Chief Minister while referring to the devastating floods of 2010 said that it was the result of the material lust and greedy interference of man into the natural environment. He said that corrupt mafia involved in ruthlessly in deforestation had illegally cut off trees worth 200 billion dollars in the past. He informed that due to the stern action of the present government against illegal cutting of the forests, wood worth Rs 10 billion had been recovered.

The Chief Minister said that under the directives of Chairman PTI Imran Khan, billion trees Tsunami project had been initiated in the province. He hoped that the project would bring 3 to 4 % positive impacts in the economy of the province. Earlier Dr Zahoor Ahmad Swati, VC Agriculture University said that climatic changes were affecting all aspects of life. Dr Muhammad Haneef informed that temperature of the province increased upto one degree in the last 25 years, resulting flash floods, droughts and disasters. Dr Arjumand Nizami underlined the need of capacity building, promotion of research, outreach and preparedness to cope with the challenge of climatic changes.

The session beside Advisor to CM Mian Khaleequr Rehman, Secretary Agriculture Naeem Khan was also attended by researchers, professors and students from all over the country.