High-Level Forum in Peshawar Addresses Forest Governance and Sustainable Management
A significant Open Kutcheri focusing on forest governance and sustainable management was convened in Peshawar under the leadership of Junaid Khan, Secretary of the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment & Wildlife Department for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This high-level gathering aimed to strengthen direct interaction with forest owners, ensure timely resolution of pressing issues, and build a foundation of trust and cooperation among all stakeholders involved in forestry activities across the province.
Key Participants and Grassroots Representation
The meeting saw participation from senior officials including Additional Secretary Ahmad Kamal, Chief Conservators of Forest Regions I, II, and III—Ahmad Jalil, Shoukat Fayaz, and Asghar Khan respectively—along with concerned Conservators. Representatives of forest owners from Malakand and Hazara Divisions were also present, providing valuable insights from the ground. To highlight grassroots challenges, Member of Provincial Assembly Zubair Khan from Alai Battagram and social activist Sher Zameen from Arandu, Chitral, actively contributed to the discussions, ensuring community voices were heard.
Addressing Forest Owners' Concerns and Historical Constraints
Forest owners raised several critical issues during the forum, including:
- Expiring and near-completed Working Plans that require urgent attention.
- Challenges related to monitoring processes and administrative bottlenecks.
- Concerns about woodlots and overall forest management efficiency.
In response, Secretary Junaid Khan assured participants of the government's unwavering commitment to transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and expedited decision-making. He emphasized that monitoring should be viewed as a tool for accountability and systemic improvement, rather than a source of legal complications. Addressing historical constraints, he noted that the 1992 ban on scientific forest harvesting had significantly hindered both effective forest management and financial stability for stakeholders. He clarified that temporary suspensions introduced in June 2024 were corrective measures following complaints of irregularities and were lifted in November 2024 after necessary rectifications were made.
Progress on Working Plans and Regional Updates
The forum was informed about the status of Working Plans in Northern Forest Region II, where 13 out of 24 plans are currently operational, nine are under approval, and two are in the preparation phase. Since 2015, approximately 11.722 million cubic feet of timber has been marked, with delays primarily attributed to ongoing court cases and local disputes. Secretary Junaid Khan directed that expired Working Plans be reviewed as a top priority and allocated sufficient funds to the Forestry Planning & Monitoring Circle to address these issues promptly. A special committee will be established to facilitate extensions for near-expiry plans, aiming to maintain confidence among forest owners and ensure continuity in management efforts.
Local Concerns and Community Engagement Initiatives
On local concerns, Sher Zameen highlighted a longstanding issue in Arandu Gol, Chitral, where valuable trees have been decaying for decades despite protection efforts by local communities. The secretary confirmed that this matter is under provincial consideration and will soon be presented before the cabinet for further action. He underscored the pivotal role of the Forestry Planning & Monitoring Circle as the backbone of forest oversight, noting that modernization through digitization, geo-referencing, and the Forest Development Fund is actively underway. He reiterated that Sections 36 and 44 of the Forest Ordinance, 2002, strictly prohibit land-use changes in forest areas, while communities are being engaged for the sustainable management of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Additionally, eco-tourism rules and mining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being formulated to promote local economic opportunities without compromising environmental integrity.
Historical Context and Future Collaboration
Secretary Junaid Khan highlighted the historical role of the Forest Development Corporation in revenue generation and scientific harvesting, mentioning that an international performance review was conducted in September 2023, incorporating valuable feedback from forest communities. Concluding the forum, he reaffirmed that monitoring is central to transparency, accountability, and good governance in forestry. He stressed that collaboration between the government, forest owners, and local communities is essential for success and warned that forests are not merely natural resources but custodians of biodiversity, climate regulators, and symbols of national heritage that require collective stewardship.
