ABBOTTABAD: The forestry department has allotted 50 roadside spaces in the Galiyat region to street vendors to put up cabins as part of its livelihood improvement programme.

Forest secretary Syed Nazar Hussain Shah gave away letters for cabin allotment during a special ceremony at the Thai Forest School here on Thursday.

He asked allottees to ensure that the area is clean and tourists are well taken care of.

“Cabins will be installed along walking tracks across Galiyat. Their design is near completion,” he said.

The secretary said the initiative would improve livelihoods in the region contributing to the socioeconomic development of residents, and could be replicated in other tourist places in the province, including Naran, Kaghan and Malakand.

Roadside spaces allotted to them for setting up 50 cabins

He said allottees weren’t allowed to change cabin design, and those doing so would be dealt with strictly.

“We [the forest department] want to empower people, especially local communities and women, through various programmes,” he said.

Mr Shah said cabinet holders should not overcharge visitors and should treat them well.

Earlier, NGOGaliyat Tahafuz Movementchairman Sardar Sabir appreciated the forestry department’s initiative and said it would not only improve livelihoods but also help encourage local communities to protect forests.

He demanded the utilisation of the Forest Fund.

Later, chief conservator (Forest II) Yousaf Khan called for the scientific management of forests in the Galiyat region to “increase green cover.”

He said the trees older than 90 years would be chopped down as they’re hampering the growth of younger trees.

Mr Yousaf said the five-year scientific forest management plan would create jobs for over 22,000 people and generate Rs20.7 billion revenue.

Sardar Sabir of the GTM said forest harvesting would further damage forests due to a lack of equipment.

“There should be a different action plan for natural forests and reserve forests,” he said.

The Thai Forest School also hosted a farewell party for chief conservator Syed Muqtada Shah, who has retired after a service of more than 30 years in the forest department.

Mr Yousaf Khan presented a shield to him.

On the occasion, the outgoing chief conservator and former forest officers opposed forest harvesting “in the name of scientific forest management,” insisting the move would adversely affect the ecosystem.

They said authorities should prioritise forest protection.

Mr Shah said forest harvesting went against the forest policy, the forestry department’s mandate, and the cause of environmental conservation.

He and other speakers advocated sustainable forest conservation practices.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024