World Forest Day observed in GB

GILGIT: World Forest Day was celebrated across Gilgit-Baltistan, unlike past, with a very committed and enthusiastic manner as number of events were organised to raise awareness and sensitise mountainous communities regarding the significance of afforestation and the importance of conservation of natural resources, says a press release on Wednesday.

The regional forest department arranged various gatherings of conservationists, notables, and significant personalities of the area at a number of points in the region to take them along in the journey of afforestation as envisaged by the government.

Secretary Forest and Wild Life Asifullah Khan told reporters that his department was set to bring a green revolution in this mountainous terrain where afforestation was needed not only for the region but for the whole country could benefit.

He explained the importance of creating awareness in masses about the significance of sustaining forests and encourage dwellers to engage in tree plantation activities even at the household level. He was of the view that Pakistan being one of the top most countries affected by climate change needs to work hard to cope with the situation, adding that the consequences are apparent in the form of extreme weathering events such as floods, heatwaves and cyclones over the past two decades.

Deforestation, however, creates an imbalance in the natural climate by increasing carbon dioxide, which leads to global warming, thus,