Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General Forests on
Thursday unveiled that forestry never remained a subject of ‘Concurrent
list’ and is being confused with the 18th amendment and devolution of
powers from centre towards provinces.

He made these comments during the question answer session followed by a
consultative seminar titled ‘Climate Resilient Economic Development;
Making use of Natural and human Capitals’ here organised by Sustainable
Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

The Inspector General Forests, from Climate Change Division, Syed
Mahmood Nasir quoting the example of neighbouring India mentioned that
India in 1976, made a constitutional amendment and brought the forestry
from a provincial subject into the concurrent list, however
unfortunately Pakistan recently did the opposite that would deteriorate
the situation.

To a question regarding the legality of the issue Syed Mahmood Nasir
observed that during the British rule the Forestry manuals were created
and implemented following which the role of Federal government was
defined under forestry manuals.

Elaborating further he maintained that the current lack of coordination
between the Center and the provinces has resulted into a contradicting
reports on forestry in Pakistan by the Center and the provinces, however
no one stood accountable for that.

Syed Mahmood Nasir maintained Indian Parliament has a law to compile a
detailed report on status of forestry and the relevant issues after
every two years and to present it before the Parliament.
He pointed out that the major challenge being faced is the
unavailability of some real time mechanism to monitor the ongoing
forestry related changes.

Inspector General Forests urged that fisheries are an ignorant chapter
in Pakistan’s environment related issues specially the natural capital,
however it should be focused and considered a part of natural capital.

Source: http://thefrontierpost.com/article/186698/