Afforestation Project in Pakistan
Our afforestation initiative began its journey on October 25, 2022. Since that starting point, we have made significant advancements.
PROJECT GOALS
This project showcases green interventions in the country.
PACT Capital AG conducts a green field afforestation project in four areas of Pakistan. The project will be implemented in AJK, GB, KPK & Punjab, which are the most prominent northern geographic areas of Pakistan. The afforestation project will initially cover an area of 5,000 hectares of land with a scalability option for extension up to 20,000 hectares. The region is characterized by a wealth of natural resource, high mountains, alpine climate and a variety of weather conditions affecting local communities.
PROJECT BENEFITS & SDGS
The Project Will Serve to:
Reducing the effects of desertification and deforestation.
Promotes ecosystem health and provides grazing lands for livestock.
Assist in the CO2 absorption from the air and improve air quality.
Creates job opportunities fro the members of the local community.
Supply forest products including the produce of the forest floor.
tCO2e reductions each year
Project Challenge
Challenge
Pakistan is under-represented in carbon markets; this project showcases green interventions in the country. AJK & GB land parcels were never planted due to scarcity of resources, access issues due to the land terrain as well as broken water channels. In addition to planting on virgin lands (AJK, GB), the project also focuses on reforestation (South Punjab, KPK). The region is characterized by a wealth of natural resource, high mountains, alpine climate and a variety of weather conditions affecting local communities.
Project Actions
Actions Taken
The afforestation project will initially cover an area of 5,000 hectares of land with a scalability option for extension up to 20,000 hectares. The project aims to plant ~14 million indigenous specie trees of which ~4.2 million have already been planted. These Multi Purpose Trees will include native species such as Populus Nigera, Populus Hybrid, Populus Deltoides & Acacia (Keeker).
Project Results
Results
Since the project’s starting point, we have made considerable advancements. As of April 30, 2023, the progress of our project is as follows:
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), we have successfully cultivated 1,200,000 trees, covering an area of 405 hectares.
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), we’ve planted 600,000 trees across an expanse of 202 hectares.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), we’ve seen remarkable progress with 2,400,000 trees spread across 810 hectares.
In terms of future growth, we’re excited to share that our expansion into Punjab, along with the second phase in AJK, is scheduled to begin between August and September 2023.
With these developments in motion, we are projecting the completion of plantations across 5,000 hectares by the first quarter of 2024.
PROJECT LEAD
Fatima Khushnud
Fatima has over 20 years of work experience in the renewable energy and sustainability field with select roles as Vice President of Business Development at Engro and CEO of Independent Power Producers Association in Pakistan. She has a deep understanding of energy and carbon markets having been involved in the lifecycle of large industrial projects and processes. Having been exposed to both private and public roles, Fatima brings a unique sectoral exposure necessary to navigate on the environmental commodities market.