Pakistan joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of Forests
2024. This year’s theme ‘Forests and Innovations: New solutions for a better world,’ highlights
the need to harness technological innovations to address the growing threats to our forests.
Innovations can help us sustainably restore, protect, manage, and use our forests in the most
efficient manner by hampering risks of deforestation, habitat degradation, and climate change.
Pakistan’s total area under forest cover is less than 5 percent, and around 1.5 percent of
these forests are lost every year. This has profound impacts on Pakistan’s biodiversity,
environment and agriculture. Being one of the most climate-impacted countries in the world,
climate change events are becoming more frequent and massively devastating for Pakistan,
pointing to the urgent need to conserve our indigenous forests. This has become critical to our
survival as a nation.
Our government is embarking on the next phase of our ambitious Green Pakistan
Initiative which was first launched by PMLN-led government in 2016 to improve forest cover and
concerted efforts were made for conservation of biodiversity in Pakistan. In its next phase, the
Green Pakistan Initiative aims to improve the forest cover, preserve wildlife habitats and help
carbon sequestration.
Given the important role that forests play in the environment, let us resolve to protect
and conserve them. I would reaffirm Government of Pakistan's firm commitment to undertake all
necessary steps to preserve and improve forest cover in Pakistan. We will ensure that our
crucial forest ecosystems all over Pakistan are protected as they are the lifeline of livelihood and
environmental well-being of our nation. I call upon the provincial governments, civil society and
all our citizens to become our partners in our quest for Green Pakistan.
Today is about investing in our future. I urge the nation to synergize their efforts in
safeguarding this invaluable resource and ensure its effective stewardship for our next
generation.
Plant today for a prosperous tomorrow!
Pakistan Paindabad!
