711.35mn sapling planted under 10BTAP: CCF
PESHAWAR (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department here Saturday said that 711.35 million saplings of different species were planted under 10 billion trees afforestration project (10BTAP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ahmad Jalil, Chief Conservator Forest-1 said that under the 10-BTTP/UGPP, 711.35 million plants have been successfully raised through multiple interventions including form forestry and enclousers.
In a statement here, he said performance across key targets remains robust, with the department achieving 98.08% of its enclosures target and 85.53% of its farm forestry/free distribution target, cementing the programme’s position as a flagship global initiative in landscape restoration
Jalil presented a detailed review of the Forest Department’s recent performance, highlighting key milestones and outlining forward-looking strategic priorities.
He highlighted broad spectrum of themes—from forest conservation, sustainable ecosystem management, and land-use dynamics to the remarkable achievements realized under the landmark Billion Tree Afforestation Programme (BTAP) and the 10-Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (10-BTTP/UGPP).
He also underscored the department’s rigorous measures against illegal timber operations, ongoing developmental undertakings, and the comprehensive roadmap laid out for institutional strengthening.
Reaffirming the department’s mission, Jalil emphasized that its work remains firmly anchored in the conservation, development, and sustainable management of forests and renewable natural resources—an endeavour vital to the ecological balance, economic growth, and social well-being of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and the wider world.
Reflecting on the region’s forestry legacy, he said that structured, modern Forest Management began in back 1867 with the establishment of the Imperial Forest Service (IFS) during the British era.
What once served to supply timber for railways and cantonments has evolved into a dynamic, multi-layered institutional framework dedicated to protecting and regenerating KP’s natural landscapes.
Ahmad Jalil detailed the legal classification of forest lands in the KP Province, state-owned Protected Forests make up the largest share at 0.512 million hectares— 58% of the departmental forest estate — while Guzara Forests, primarily privately owned, constitute 0.239 million hectares or 27% of the total.
He said that the department’s sanctioned strength stands at 7425 posts, of which 5228 are filled and 2197 remain vacant.
A substantial shortfall persists particularly among Forest Guards, where 1,462 of 3,533 sanctioned posts are vacant —an operational gap requiring urgent attention on promotions and filling of vacant positions.
Updating the forum on strategic planning, he noted that 42 Working Plans are currently under process, which includes 27 approved, 11 under approval, and four in preparation as of October 2025.
