PESHAWAR: A representative delegation from the Kohistan Forest Division, in the traditional and time-honoured form of a Jirga, today called on the Secretary for Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Junaid Khan, to deliberate upon pressing issues confronting forest owners and sustainable forest management in the Kohistan region.
The delegation comprised Members of the Provincial Assembly from Kohistan, Sajjadullah, Sardar Riaz and Fazal Haq, along with a 24-member representative body drawn from local stakeholders. The meeting reflected the collective voice of the region, echoing both concern for livelihoods and commitment to the protection of forest resources.
The Jirga was also attended by Mr Ahmad Jalil, Chief Conservator of Forests (Regions I & II), Mr Shoukat Fayaz, and senior officers of the Forest Department, lending institutional depth and technical insight to the deliberations.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted that under the prevailing policy framework, hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of timber, lawfully extracted from forests, remain scattered at various locations, while a significant quantity has already reached timber markets.
They cautioned that the government’s 20 per cent share, which forms part of this stock, is increasingly vulnerable to deterioration and decay due to procedural delays.
The Jirga strongly urged the restoration of the policy in its original form, stressing that prolonged uncertainty risks economic loss and resource wastage alike.
The delegation further observed that, under the guise of monitoring mechanisms, certain procedures are being repeated unnecessarily, resulting in avoidable depletion of both private assets and public resources. They advocated for a streamlined, one-time comprehensive monitoring process, emphasising efficiency, transparency and mutual trust.
Another key proposal placed before the Secretary was the segregation of the government’s 20 per cent share at the transit depot, with the immediate release of the owners’ share. This measure, the delegation noted, would ensure timely transportation to markets, ease financial pressure on forest owners, and uphold the spirit of equitable resource management.
Responding to the concerns, Junaid Khan assured the Jirga elders, particularly the Members of the Provincial Assembly, that any procedural bottlenecks or legal complexities impeding implementation would be addressed through focused consultation.
He advised that selected representatives of the Jirga engage with the Chief Conservator of Forests, Region-II, in the upcoming week to identify workable solutions.
The Secretary further announced that a second Jirga meeting would be convened to comprehensively review the current working plan and monitoring framework. Should the final recommendations necessitate approval from the Provincial Cabinet, a formal summary would be submitted to the provincial government without delay.
Reaffirming the department’s commitment, Junaid Khan assured full cooperation and institutional support to the Kohistan delegation.
He underscored the government’s resolve to address forest-related challenges not only in Kohistan but across the province, and to deploy all available resources toward the expansion of sustainable forest cover, safeguarding both livelihoods and landscapes for generations to come under the vision of Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, towards Green Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
