Muhammad Junaid Dayar, Project Director of the Up-Scaling Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP), met with Suriya Bibi, Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, to review plantation and conservation plans for Spring 2026 in Chitral. The discussion centred on site-specific planning for remote and mountainous terrain and on ensuring strong community engagement in the forthcoming Chitral plantation efforts.
The meeting updated the Deputy Speaker on ongoing interventions under the Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) and the 10-BTTP component of UGPP, with particular attention to ecological restoration and climate resilience. Project teams outlined priorities for restoring degraded forest areas, strengthening biodiversity and implementing sustainable land management practices across Upper Chitral.
Mr. Dayar highlighted Phase II of the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Programme (BTASP), a KfW-funded initiative, and its role in scaling up restoration across fragile landscapes. Emphasis was placed on aligning the Chitral plantation work with national climate adaptation goals and international environmental commitments while tailoring approaches for steep slopes and isolated communities.
Discussions also focused on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) as a means to enhance rural livelihoods. By promoting value chains for medicinal plants, wild fruits and other forest-based resources, officials aim to combine conservation with income generation so that Chitral plantation activities deliver both ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Ms. Suriya Bibi praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department and reaffirmed her support for close coordination with the PMU UGPP to ensure transparent, inclusive and effective implementation, especially in far-flung areas of Upper Chitral. Both parties pledged to strengthen sustainable forestry, safeguard fragile ecosystems and turn environmental stewardship into tangible prosperity for local communities.
