UN Environment Program praises Pakistan’s efforts to restore ecosystems

Islamabad: Pakistan’s efforts to restore ecosystems were praised this week by the United Nations Environment Program.

Large-scale restoration initiatives, such as The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Project, are central to Pakistan’s efforts to support the UN Decade and promote ecosystem restoration, SAID UNEP’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Dechen Tsering in a statement.

He stated that “we are at a critical juncture in history, and Pakistan is leading the charge.”

According to a UN Development Programme (UNDP) report, Pakistan is particularly susceptible to increased variability of monsoons, receding Himalayan glaciers and extreme events including floods and droughts. The knock-on effect of these will be an increase in food and water insecurity.

The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami is not only helping restore ailing ecosystems and improve natural capital; it is also supporting livelihoods. The project is expected to create jobs for almost 85,000 daily wagers.

In addition, Pakistan’s protected areas initiative will create almost 7,000 long-term jobs, said the report.