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Pakistan creates 5,000 green jobs as it announces 15 national parks to protect green areas

Source: Unsplash/Rayaz Khan

In its latest move to generate jobs while boosting conservation and curbing the impacts of climate change, Pakistan has announced the creation of a National Parks Service, modelled on the U.S. agency.

Pakistan PM announces 15 national parks as part of ‘Protective Areas Initiative’

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the creation of 15 national parks across the country under the ‘Protective Area Initiative’ to protect and enhance forest cover, create green jobs and address the threat of climate change. Almost 5,000 direct green jobs will be created for the youth in the initial phase of the project. “This a major initiative which will benefit future generations” Khan said. Protecting green areas and parks will boost Pakistan’s efforts to address the challenge of climate change, he said, referring to the 10 billion trees plantation program that received global acclaim.

Pakistan’s economic stimulus package focused on 15 national parks will protect a diverse range of habitats, benefit both nature and people and create a pool of new jobs for unemployed youth.
Pakistan PM’s latest green scheme is a win/win. Pakistan’s economic stimulus package focused on 15 national parks will protect a diverse range of habitats, benefit both nature and people and create a pool of new jobs for unemployed youth. Source: Unsplash/Muhammad Khubaib Sarfraz

Imran Khan announces establishment of 15 national parks across Pakistan

In its latest bid to generate jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic while boosting conservation and curbing the impacts of climate change, Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan has announced the creation of Pakistan’s first National Parks Service, modeled on the US agency.

Under the initiative, the country aims to get more local communities involved in running national parks and earning an income as they protect nearby conservation areas.

The first phase of the Protected Areas Initiative, launched on July 2, will focus on 15 national parks that make up a total of 7,300 sq km (2,800 sq miles), spanning from Khunjerab in the north to the area around Astola Island in the south.

The project aims to create up to 5,000 new jobs, mainly for young people who will work as park guards and custodians, and boost eco-tourism in the country, authorities said when the initiative was announced. “The dual objective is to protect nature while also generating jobs for unemployed youth,” Malik Amin Aslam, climate change advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. 

The parks plan fits into Pakistan’s post-coronavirus “green stimulus” vision, which also includes hiring thousands of unemployed day labourers to plant trees as part of the country’s 10 Billion Tree Tsunami programme.

Scroll down for some stunning images of Pakistan’s varied landscapes and green spaces. We can’t blame Prime Minister Kahn for wanting to protect such breathtaking beauty.

Source: Reuters

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced to create 15 national parks across the country under the ‘Protective Area Initiative’ to protect and enhance forest cover, create green jobs and address the threat of climate change.
Lake (jheel) Saiful Muluk, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced to create 15 national parks across the country under the ‘Protective Area Initiative’ to protect and enhance forest cover, create green jobs and address the threat of climate change. Source: Unsplash/Yahya Ehsan
Of these 15 parks, nine are new national parks while government will strengthen ecological management in six others.
Deosai Lake, Astore, Pakistan Of these 15 parks, nine are new national parks while government will strengthen ecological management in six others. Source: Unsplash/Waqas Arshad
The initiative, which is part of the ‘Green Stimulus’ vision, aims to enhance the protected and conserved area to 15 percent to cover land area of over 7,300 sq. km, encompassing the mountains in the north to the scrub forests in the plains and a marine protected area in the southern part of the country.
Dudipatsar Lake, Pakistan The initiative, which is part of the ‘Green Stimulus’ vision, aims to enhance the protected and conserved area to 15 percent to cover land area of over 7,300 sq. km, encompassing the mountains in the north to the scrub forests in the plains and a marine protected area in the southern part of the country. Source: Unsplash/Abdul Rafay Shaikh
Almost 5,000 direct green jobs will be created for the youth in the initial phase of the project. “This a major initiative which will benefit future generations” PM Khan said. Protecting green areas and parks will boost Pakistan’s efforts to address the challenge of climate change, he said, referring to the 10 billion trees plantation program that received global acclaim.
Saif-ul-Maluk Lake, Naran, Pakistan Almost 5,000 direct green jobs will be created for the youth in the initial phase of the project. “This a major initiative which will benefit future generations” PM Khan said. Protecting green areas and parks will boost Pakistan’s efforts to address the challenge of climate change, he said, referring to the 10 billion trees plantation program that received global acclaim. Source: Unsplash/Kamran Ch
“Pakistan has a diverse landscape with 12 ecological climatic zones”, said PM Khan, while regretting that little has been done in the past decades to protect forests in the country. He also lamented the hunting of ibex, snow leopards and other endangered species, and said these animals must be protected with the support of local people.
Deosai National Park, Pakistan. “Pakistan has a diverse landscape with 12 ecological climatic zones”, said PM Khan, while regretting that little has been done in the past decades to protect forests in the country. He also lamented the hunting of ibex, snow leopards and other endangered species, and said these animals must be protected with the support of local people. Source: Unsplash/Mehtab Farooq
Highlighting the potential of eco-tourism in the country, the Prime Minister said the focus should be on sustainable tourism, which does not put pressure on the communities and ecosystem.
Murree, Pakistan Highlighting the potential of eco-tourism in the country, the Prime Minister said the focus should be on sustainable tourism, which does not put pressure on the communities and ecosystem. Source: Unsplash/Shuttergames
Advisor to PM on ‪Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, termed the latest initiative a “milestone effort to preserve nature”. The project aims to expand protective areas from 12% to 15% by 2023
with proper management.
Kalam, Northern Pakistan. Advisor to PM on ‪Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, termed the latest initiative a “milestone effort to preserve nature”. The project aims to expand protective areas from 12% to 15% by 2023
with proper management. Source: Unsplash/Uzair Kashif
At least seven national parks would be enlisted as IUCN’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, the gold standard for achieving excellence in conserving nature and cultural values.
Kumrat Valley, Pakistan At least seven national parks would be enlisted as IUCN’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, the gold standard for achieving excellence in conserving nature and cultural values. Source: Unsplash/Rayaz Khan
Under the programme, 5000 ‘guardians of nature’ would be offered jobs within the next three months. This is a win-win strategy as Pakistan will be protecting nature while creating new jobs to support those laid off during COVID-19.
Chitrāl, Pakistan. Under the programme, 5000 ‘guardians of nature’ would be offered jobs within the next three months. This is a win-win strategy as Pakistan will be protecting nature while creating new jobs to support those laid off during COVID-19. Source: Unsplash/Muhammad Usman
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