KP unveils ambitious decade-long plan for forests and wildlife protection

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Apr, 2026) A meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Junaid Khan, Secretary, Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to deliberate upon and approve the Working Plan for Khwara Reserved Forests, Nizampur, for the implementation period 2026–2036.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Ahmad Jalil, Chief Conservator Forests Region-I, senior officers of the Forest and Wildlife Departments, and technical experts.

The Working Plan, spanning an area of 5,236 hectares, presents a comprehensive and science-based framework for the sustainable management of scrub forests located in the Nizampur Forest Sub-Division of Peshawar Forest Division.

The plan has been formulated after a rigorous consultative and technical review process, incorporating field data, ecological assessments, and recommendations of the Technical Review Committee.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the area, now notified as a National Park, holds significant ecological and environmental value.

The plan, therefore, emphasizes a balanced approach combining forest conservation, wildlife protection, and eco-tourism development.

Key interventions include scrub improvement through afforestation with indigenous species, soil and water conservation measures, enrichment planting, and rehabilitation of degraded forest patches.

The forum was informed that the plan introduces two major management components: the Scrub Improvement Working Circle and the Wildlife-cum-Eco-Tourism Working Circle. These components aim to restore vegetative cover, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen habitats for wildlife, while also creating opportunities for regulated eco-tourism and community engagement.

Special attention has been given to addressing key challenges such as forest fires, overgrazing, and unsustainable fuelwood collection. The plan proposes practical measures including community awareness, provision of alternative energy sources, capacity building of local stakeholders, and strengthening of field protection mechanisms.

The Secretary emphasized the need for close coordination between the Forest and Wildlife Departments to ensure effective implementation of the plan.

He further underscored the importance of involving local communities as key partners in conservation efforts, noting that sustainable outcomes can only be achieved through inclusive and participatory approaches.

The Working Plan also aligns with ongoing flagship initiatives such as the 10-Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, ensuring that improvement activities are integrated within existing frameworks for maximum impact and resource optimization.

After detailed deliberations, the Secretary formally approved the Working Plan, terming it a forward-looking and pragmatic roadmap for ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management in the Nizampur area.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensure timely and effective implementation of the plan, paving the way for enhanced environmental resilience and long-term conservation of the province’s valuable natural assets.

APP/aqk