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Project for thorn forests growth

LAHORE _ Thorn forests will be enhanced at the archaeological site of Harrapa in a bid to conserve the dying plant species in the Punjab province.

Dr. Amin U. Khan, Head of the Department of Botany, Government College Lahore, will initiate the work. WWF-Pakistan will provide funds for the execution of this project which will be completed within 18 months.

A Memorandum of Understanding has already been reached between the Director, Department of Archaeology Pakistan and Dr. Amin U. Khan.For the purpose, a the conservation of the rare thorn forests, a project has been sanctioned by the scientific committee WWF-Pakistan . The project will cost Rs. 1,55,000.

It is pertinent to note that the thorn forest community has become non-existent in arable regions of Punjab. Harrapa mound, a small area of great archaeological significance, is the only place left, in this proposed area, where the thorn community is intact in patches, and can be protected and enhanced.

The project is aimed at the enhancement of vegetation on derelict sites by re-vegitating the area and forwarding proposals for the derelict species on the mound and enhanced vegetation at the restored sites.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, a small area 20 by 20 has been marked for the initial experimentation. The fencing at the site will on the one hand protect the mound from trespassing and the same time conserves the endangered plant community. The project will demonstrate the principles of preservation as well.
Dr. Amin U. Khan has a wide knowledge of the endangered plant species. It is also note worthy that according to a survey carried out by some unofficial agencies, the deforestation is on rise and there is a strong need to create awareness about the dangers of deforestation among the communities directly or indirectly related with deforestation.

The project will also apprise people of the importance of endangered species especially the thorn forests. Similar steps are being taken in Islamabad where the CDA (Capital Development Authority, Directorate of Environment and some NGOs are joining hands to involve schoolteachers both in the urban and rural areas in the environmental awareness, especially the growing menace of deforestation.

Similar initiative are expected to be taken by the Wildlife and Forestry Department of the province to cope with the menace of deforestation in the province and fast disappearing species of plants and animals, as a result. It is generally believed that the officials of the departments, mentioned above, are involved in the ugly business of massive wood-cutting, therefor, it is high time that the people understand the importance of forests.

The Nation, 28 January, 2002