Faiza Tehseen

There is a dire need to make vertical plantations a part of construction codes at all levels in Pakistan. Adopting strict measures for vertical forestation/plantations can effectively contribute towards lowering climate change impacts. Conservator Forests Quetta/Project Director – UPGG Wildlife and REDD+ Expert Muhammad Niaz Khan Kakar expressed these views while talking to WealthPK. “Urban wildlife will also return through vertical forestation.

To serve this purpose, a proper law is required. It will also be good if the government takes the initiative by taking a start from the official buildings. Focus on vertical forestry will cut the cost of fuel consumed in keeping the buildings cool. By getting rid of heavy chilling units, carbon emissions could be reduced to a large extent,” he said. The buildings with systematic vertical forestation need less air-conditioning. Naturally, the temperature falls to about 5⁰ centigrade in any building with a particular number of plantations. The whole of Europe and Singapore are examples of vertical forestation. New buildings are designed there keeping in mind vertical forestation. Kakar said, “To avoid energy crisis, overcome the impacts of climate change and ensure sustainable socio-economic benefits, vertical forestation is necessary. People can grow vegetables, aromatic herbs, and medicinal plants. They can even do floral plantations for serenity or cut flower business. Balconies and backyards of even small houses can also become beautiful and profit-oriented in this way”.

The megacities in Pakistan are just like concrete jungles. Therefore, there is a need to adopt a mechanized system of vertical urban forestation. This will not only improve the quality of air but also help decrease noise pollution. He also emphasized the need for proper architectural designs to make the buildings suitable for urban forestation. It is important to do because the weight of soil, plantation, weight of soil after watering, installation of proper water ducts, standard number, weight, and type of plant on each floor are also subject to be addressed under proper civil engineering. Talking to WealthPK, Ejaz Nizamani, former conservator and ex-secretary of Sindh Forests and Wildlife Department (SFWD) said, “The concept of vertical forests developed in China integrates multi-layered and dense vegetation in the urban high-rises. This kind of green structure improves the air quality, enhances biodiversity in cities, and reduces the urban heat. Nanjing and Chengdu are the examples of rich vertical forestation in the urban areas of China.”

He said the government policies were well responded to in China, as the government managed the ‘enabling modes’ very well in its working framework. Around 80% of solar panels are manufactured in China and it was made possible due to the enabling policies of their government. Pakistan lacks those enabling policies. “In such countries as China, it is a regular practice that governments take the initiative to enable investors and businesses. These initiatives are further supported by the government in both finance and technology, including training. “Similarly, if you plant a forest, there must be a government policy, addressing that any carbon emissions should be accommodated. To make the system operational and well-addressed, the government needs to weave ‘enabling policies’, which will help drive the mechanism perfectly. Only then vertical forestation in the urban areas can be popularized and made successful in Pakistan,” Nizamani said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk