ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser to the Chief Minister on Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife, Pir Musawir Khan, visited Hazara Division to review ongoing forest conservation initiatives, nursery development, watershed management and environmental protection projects, in line with the directives of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
The visit focused on strengthening forest conservation efforts, promoting sustainable natural resource management and assessing the progress of key development projects across the region.
Upon his arrival, Chief Conservator Forest Hazara Division Asghar Khan welcomed the adviser and briefed him on ongoing initiatives related to forest protection, afforestation, wildlife conservation, watershed management, environmental improvement and ecotourism development. The briefing also covered the major challenges facing the forestry sector and future strategies to address them.
Conservator Forest Lower Hazara Hayat Ali, Divisional Forest Officer Galliyat Bilal Ahmad and other senior officials were also present during the briefing.
During the visit, Pir Musawir Khan inspected the Nikpah Nursery in Galliyat and the Dawar Watershed Project, where he reviewed the availability of saplings, nursery management practices, maintenance standards, protective measures and future development requirements.
He directed the relevant authorities to modernize forest nurseries in line with contemporary standards to increase the production of high-quality saplings and ensure the success of future afforestation campaigns.
The adviser also planted a commemorative sapling and said every tree planted represents an investment in a greener, safer and more prosperous future for coming generations.
He emphasized that forests are far more than collections of trees, describing them as natural shields against disasters, vital habitats for biodiversity, protectors of water resources and one of the most effective tools for mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Pir Musawir Khan instructed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward illegal logging, negligence in forest management, encroachment on forest land and shortcomings in wildlife protection and nursery maintenance.
He reaffirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is fully committed to conserving forests, promoting environmentally sustainable development and safeguarding natural resources through all available means.
“Forests and wildlife are among our most valuable national assets, and protecting them is a shared responsibility,” he said, adding that practical measures to preserve the province’s natural beauty, biodiversity and ecological resources would be further accelerated in accordance with the chief minister’s vision.
The adviser noted that protecting the scenic landscapes, dense forests and tourist attractions of Galliyat and Hazara would not only strengthen domestic and international tourism but also create new economic opportunities, generate local employment and support sustainable, environment-friendly development.
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