Tribesmen vow to end deforestation in Zhob, Sherani districts
Ali Khan Mandokhail :
ZHOB: Tribesmen from Balochistan’s Zhob and Sherani districts have vowed to play their role to end deforestation to mitigate the impacts of global warming. Ashar, a newly launched movement organized a tribal jirga to create awareness among the people regarding the looming threat of climate change and global warming.
“This is a sacred movement launched by youth of the area”, Dostain Khan Jamaldini, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Balochistan told the participants of the Jirga. Senior bureaucrat Dr. Omar Khan Babar, Niaz Khan Kakar, the Forest Chief. Salmeen Khapalwak, Dr. Wakeel Sherani, Aimal Sarwan, and Zafar Kakar had organized the event to create awareness among the tribesmen about the importance of trees and forests.
Deforestation put the lives of people in danger
The speakers lamented that deforestation has put the lives of people in danger. They demanded of the provincial and federal governments to make sure provision of gas supply to the area. “We salute these tribesmen for the commitment to protect the environment”, Dr. Omar Khan Babar said on the occasion.
In their stormy speeches, the speakers lashed out at the government for its failure to provide natural gas supply to the people of the area. They demanded of the Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo led government to announce a special package for the area regarding the preservation of the natural and ancient forests located in district Zhob and Sherani.
IUCN asked to play its role
Religious scholars present in the Jirga gave urged the people to stop deforestation since it was against Islam. They termed the Ashar movement a Jihad for the preservation of nature. The speakers demanded of the International Union for Conservation of the Nature (IUCN) to break its silence and take practical steps for the preservation of thousands of years old ancient trees located in the two districts.
