Urbrest drive inaugurated in Hangu

PESHAWAR: Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forests, Environment and Wildlife Department Shahidullah Khan on Wednesday inaugurated Urbrest drive in Hangu district, stated to be the first in the country.

Urbrest is a word coined by joining the words “urban” and “forest” to refer to an initiative conceived by Muhammad Tayyab Abdullah, deputy commissioner Hangu, involving the plantation of micro forests on tracts of land measuring 1 to 4 kanals in urban and sub-urban localities.

In the words of deputy commissioner, the paradoxical intent of having tiny jungles in cities is to create support and advocacy in the urban dwellers of the dire need for afforestation by constantly giving them a little glimpse of their beauty.

In a pioneering initiative, two Urbrests were planted in Hangu, one in Jozara Union Council right at the entrance

of Hangu on the main Kohat-Hangu Road and the second in the deputy commissioner house in Hangu.

Around 300 high-quality pine trees were planted at both the sites. Both Urbrests have a resting spot in the middle, which can be used by visiting tourists for relaxation.

Shahidullah Khan discussed the significance of afforestation at the inauguration ceremony and committed that depending on its success in terms of public-response, the pilot initiative will be considered for replication in other cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Hangu DC Tayyab Abdullah commented that apart from adding to the scenic beauty of Hangu and being a tourist attraction, the Urbrests are a strong expression of the commitment of the district administration to replenish the lost treasure of forest plantations, as Hangu has unfortunately been a victim of significant deforestation due to large refugee influx in the past and lack of gasification.

Besides the plantation of the two Urbrests, the secretary forests also inaugurated plantation of 11,000 saplings on the land owned by Forest Department in Karbogha Union Council.

The land on which the saplings were planted has been recently retrieved through a massive anti-encroachment drive launched by the Hangu administration, retrieving as much as 213 Kanals of land owned by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department from the encroachers.

District Forest Officer Kohat, Shakeel Khan, explained that the Forest Department intends to plant trees on the retrieved land and vigilantly protect

their growth to guard against any further encroachment.