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Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Timber traders urged to help grow forests
Listen to article Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has urged timber traders to play a proactive role in forest growth, while assuring government support for key trade-related challenges. He was speaking during a meeting with a delegation of the All Pakistan Timber Traders Association, led by its Chairman Muhammad Sharjil Goplani. The delegation highlighted their pressing issues including banking hurdles, permit delays, shipment complications, documentation bottlenecks and challenges linked to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP). Chairman Goplani pointed out that Pakistan heavily relies on timber imports to meet national demand, with the United States being the largest supplier, followed by Germany, Sweden, Finland, the Philippines and Canada. "Only 1.9% of our land has forest cover, which is far below national consumption needs," he said. Responding to their concerns, Jam Kamal assured the delegation that the government was fully committed to addressing the challenges. He directed the relevant departments to take swift action to resolve permit and documentation problems. At the same time, the minister emphasised the urgency of enhancing the local forest cover. "We must take this responsibility for the sake of our next generation," he remarked and urged the association to consider forest development as part of their long-term strategy and offered full facilitation from the government. He instructed the departments concerned to conduct surveys in various parts of Balochistan, particularly in flood-prone and non-arable land – to assess their suitability for forest plantations. He identified some areas with untapped potential, suggesting the plantation of fast-growing tree varieties like Cano, Safeda and Subabul (Subrus). The association told the minister that timber is treated as an essential item and currently enjoys exemption from customs duties – a critical policy supporting the construction and furniture industries.
Business Recorder
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt urges timber traders to grow forests
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has urged the timber trade sector to play a proactive role in forest growth, while assuring government support on key trade-related challenges. The minister made these remarks while speaking during a detailed meeting with a delegation of the All Pakistan Timber Traders Association (APTTA), led by Chairman Muhammad Sharjil Goplani, read a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday. The delegation highlighted pressing issues, including banking hurdles, permit delays, shipment complications, documentation bottlenecks, and challenges linked to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP). Chairman Goplani informed the minister that Pakistan heavily relies on timber imports to meet national demand, with the United States being the largest supplier, followed by Germany, Sweden, Finland, the Philippines, and Canada. 'Only 1.9% of our land is forested, which is far below national consumption needs,' he said. Responding to the concerns, Jam Kamal assured the delegation that the government is fully committed to addressing their issues. He directed the relevant departments to take swift action to resolve permit and documentation challenges. At the same time, the minister emphasised the urgency of enhancing local forest cover. 'We must take this responsibility for the sake of our next generation,' he remarked. He urged the association to consider forest development as part of their long-term strategy and offered full facilitation from the government. He instructed concerned departments to conduct surveys in various parts of Balochistan — particularly in flood-prone and non-arable lands — to assess their suitability for forest plantations. He identified some areas with untapped potential, suggesting the plantation of fast-growing tree varieties like Cano, Safeda, and Subabul (Subrus). The association also informed the minister that timber is treated as an essential item and currently enjoys exemption from customs duties.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Illegal tree felling for RFD project continues
In yet another instance of illegal tree felling, as many as 50 trees have been allegedly hacked in the Pimple-Nilakh area for the Riverfront Development (RFD) project in the twin city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. A written complaint in this regard has been submitted to the Sangvi police station by green activist, Prashant Raul, stating that trees have been axed illegally by the contractor of the RFD project at two locations along the Mula River in Pimple-Nilakh namely Ingawle Ghat and Dada Ghat. The complaint states that action should be taken as per the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act 1975, informed civic activist Raju Savle. Raul said, 'We visited the location on Saturday, April 19, and saw multiple trees chopped, uprooted and removed for the movement of vehicles of the RFD contractors. More than 50 trees have been cut illegally. We even called the beat marshals and informed Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials about the same. However, no action was taken by any of the departments due to which a written complaint has been submitted by us.' Mahesh Bansode, senior police inspector attached to Sangvi police station said, 'The civic body and tree authority have more powers to take action in such cases. We will send the complaint to the PCMC requesting it to conduct a panchnama. Once the investigation report from the PCMC is received, further appropriate action will be taken by us.' Umesh Dhakne, assistant commissioner, garden department, PCMC, said, 'We will look into the issue and take appropriate action in this case. A team will be asked to conduct a panchnama and further action will depend on what is found during the investigation. In past incidents, we have taken action against the culprits and also warned the contractor/s against cutting trees illegally.' This isn't the first such instance of illegal tree felling for the RFD project. Earlier on January 13 this year, RFD contractor Shankar Rathod of Ayyappa Construction was seen cutting the branches of trees of varying thickness without permission in the same area of Pimple-Nilakh. Branches of over 12 trees including two thorny Babul, three Subabul, five Karanj, one Umber, and one Vilayati Chincha were chopped without permission. On March 24, 2025, the PCMC filed a non-cognisable complaint at Sangvi police station stating that an unknown person was seen illegally cutting trees in the Mula River area near Pimple-Nilakh and Panchsheel Nagar (alongside Ingwale Chowk) on March 8. A total 21 trees were felled without permission, including three Subabul, one Neem, and 17 thorny Babul trees.
