International Day of forests is being celebrated today in Pakistan and all over the world.

On this occasion, the President of UN Economic and Social Council and Pakistan Permanent Envoy to the United Nations, Munir Akram has called for urgent action to stop deforestation.

Munir Akram was addressing a virtual event to mark the day. During his speech, he said that we must take urgent action to stop deforestation and forest degradation and provide alternatives to rural populations dependent on wood-burning through renewable energy installation and job creation in rural areas.

He added that forest restoration would bring gains for both livelihoods and the environment. He also alarmed the listeners that the world’s forests are fast retreating.