A large-scale deforestation event has been detected in the Sheringal area of Upper Dir after high resolution satellite data revealed extensive tree cover loss between 2019 and 2026.
According to the findings, nearly 66.58 hectares of natural forest have been cleared across 13 hotspot locations near Jatkool village in Sheringal. Environmental experts warned that the conversion of forest land into barren soil could lead to severe ecological degradation, threatening local wildlife, natural habitats and biodiversity.
Also read: Massive Deforestation Event In Upper Dir
Experts further cautioned that widespread tree cutting could increase the risk of landslides, soil erosion and water degradation in the mountainous region.
Samar Bilour of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government over the issue in a post on X.
She said that despite PTI’s claims of planting billions of trees under the Billion Tree Tsunami project, forests in Sheringal, Upper Dir had disappeared between 2019 and 2026. She added that satellite imagery clearly showed massive deforestation and ruthless cutting of mature trees in the area.
The Billion Tree Project was initiated by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan.
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