Ayubia-The Living Forest

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Ayubia-The Living Forest


Muhammad Ali Ijaz

 

[ghazi52]

Spread over 3,312 hectares in the Galliat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ayubia National Park was declared as a protected area by the government in 1984 to conserve its temperate forests and wildlife.

However, despite restrictions by the KP government, deforestation practices have continued in the area, mainly because of the demand for timber and fuel wood from major cities in the surroundings.

In the last 5 years, more than 140,000 trees, including 15,000+ fruit trees have been planted in Ayubia National Park to reduce land sliding and soil erosion.


So far, the forest cover has been improved by 4.62% in the park, according to a local vegetation survey report.


Since 2008, eight women farmers have been trained to raise forest nurseries in the park, out of which four have now been engaged by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department.

They go out for awareness drives in different villages, and spends some time at vocational centres where women of the community are learning stitching and crafts.

These vocational centres have been set up by WWF Pakistan and Coca-Cola, in the villages of Mohra, Lundimandri and Arifabad.

So far, almost 200 women have been trained at these centres in stitching and crafts.

The teachers and trainers running these facilities are all women from the area.

 

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[Sheikh Rauf]

View attachment 609039

what a beautiful scenery Subhan,Allah.

 

[ARMalik]

The disrespect for Nature and wild life is everywhere in Pakistan. Forests have been destroyed. Animals and birds have been hunted to extinction. There is no mercy for innocent animals.