KP to lift ban on cutting forests

PESHAWAR, Nov 18: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has decided to lift the over two decades long ban on forest harvesting besides managing forests along scientific lines in line with a working plan made by the government. “Now, forests will be managed under the government’s approved working plan,” information minister Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani told reporters after the cabinet meeting, which took place at the Civil Secretariat here with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in the chair. The federal government has completely banned the harvesting of forests since 1993. However, since then, a number of adhoc policies have been approved to allow the harvesting of both dry standing trees and those felled by winds. “Now, timber mafia will be eliminated with the execution of the working plan about the harvesting of forests,” Ghani said, adding that the move would also help benefit forest owners. The minister said the illegally harvested forest wood would be released after payment of fine to the relevant authorities. He said a committee had been formed to determine the amount of fine for the illegal harvesting of forests and that it would submit its report to the government on November 18. In future, forests to be managed under govt approved working plan The minister said the cabinet also approved ‘The Motion Picture Film CDs Video Stage Drama and Shows Bill 2014’. “A censor board will be established under the law, which is aimed at regulating cinema, CDs etc. Without the approval of the board, stage shows, CDs, video dramas and movies will not be allowed to screen. It would help eliminate obscenity and vulgarity,” he said. According to Ghani, the cabinet also decided to regularise 500 doctors working at health facilities in the province on adhoc basis and that a proposed law will soon be tabled in the provincial assembly for approval.]]>