Islamabad, Nov 3: As the second phase financing for Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project (BTASP), the Federal Republic of Germany pledged Euro 20 million for the programme.
Therefore, and as required by law, an agreement was prepared following ratification by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema.
Esther Gravenkotter, Director of the German Development Bank KfW, and Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, represented their respective governments.
The project is part of the larger German-Pakistan Climate and Energy Initiative announced during the COP26 Summit.
The German government through a Pak-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP) is on the forefront helping Pakistan in minimizing risks associated with climate change.
Through this programme, funding form the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW has now hit Euro 33.5 million.
In collaboration with the KP CCFEWD, the first priority for the proposed BTASP, worth EUR 13.5 million has been initiated.
The BTASP will assist in the protection and sustainable use of the forests of KP.
The project will envisage new plantation of 10,000 hectors – capacity building of Forest Departments including development of Management Information System.
Another of the actions proposed by the BTASP will be to mobilise the communities as the main partners for the protection of forests.
The project will also promote nature-based livelihood that seeks to address poverty.
There is great engagement and active portfolio of the KfW Ministry of the Government of Pakistan with a focus on renewable energies.
On the occasion, Dr Niaz said that the project will go a long way in supporting the country’s effort towards climate change, conservation of biological diversity and vision 2030 of sustainable development.
