ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change was informed on Tuesday that 200 hectares of forest area had been affected in the current year, which was a rare occurrence.
It was revealed that most affected area was private forest land, as trees were cut to store wood for the winters.
These areas lack fuel and energy supply, while some also set forest fires for adventure, as the committee showed grave concerns over increase in forest fire incidents in the province.
Chaired by Senator Sitara Ayaz, the meeting was attended by Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Asad Junejo, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Samina Saeed, Senator Maulvi Faiz Muhammad, Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Senator Faisal Javed, Senator Gul Bashra, Senator Muhammad Akram and senior officials from the Ministry for Climate Change.
Sitara directed that joint efforts must be made in coordination with PDMA and NDMA to control such incidents without discriminating between government and private land.
While asserting planting trees wasn’t enough to protect the environment, she said conservation of trees and foliage was imperative and added that the committee would have a follow-up on the issue in the next meeting.
Climate Change Secretary Hassan Nasir said a regulation framework must be developed to control the trend.
The committee was of the opinion that citizens must also take responsibility for the environment.
The CDA chairman briefed the meeting on implementation of the resolution passed by the Senate on April 19. The House had recommended reinstating green belts in Islamabad.
The committee was informed that the CDA will conduct a massive plantation drive and was currently in the process of removing all illegal structures contributing to loss of greenery in Islamabad.
The meeting directed that a detailed briefing on slums should be given in the next meeting.
Meanwhile, the panel took strict notice of absence of advisor on climate change.
It was revealed that most affected area was private forest land, as trees were cut to store wood for the winters.
These areas lack fuel and energy supply, while some also set forest fires for adventure, as the committee showed grave concerns over increase in forest fire incidents in the province.
Chaired by Senator Sitara Ayaz, the meeting was attended by Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Asad Junejo, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Samina Saeed, Senator Maulvi Faiz Muhammad, Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Senator Faisal Javed, Senator Gul Bashra, Senator Muhammad Akram and senior officials from the Ministry for Climate Change.
Sitara directed that joint efforts must be made in coordination with PDMA and NDMA to control such incidents without discriminating between government and private land.
While asserting planting trees wasn’t enough to protect the environment, she said conservation of trees and foliage was imperative and added that the committee would have a follow-up on the issue in the next meeting.
Climate Change Secretary Hassan Nasir said a regulation framework must be developed to control the trend.
The committee was of the opinion that citizens must also take responsibility for the environment.
The CDA chairman briefed the meeting on implementation of the resolution passed by the Senate on April 19. The House had recommended reinstating green belts in Islamabad.
The committee was informed that the CDA will conduct a massive plantation drive and was currently in the process of removing all illegal structures contributing to loss of greenery in Islamabad.
The meeting directed that a detailed briefing on slums should be given in the next meeting.
Meanwhile, the panel took strict notice of absence of advisor on climate change.