ISLAMABAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday called for the need to harness technological innovations to preserve and improve forest cover in Pakistan amid growing threats of deforestation and climate change.

"Innovations can help us sustainably restore, protect, manage and use our forests in the most efficient manner by hampering risks of deforestation, habitat degradation and climate change," the prime minister said in his message on the International Day of Forests being observed Thursday.

He said that the total area under forest cover in Pakistan is less than 5 percent, and around 1.5 percent of these forests are lost every year, highlighting the profound impacts on the country's biodiversity, environment and agriculture due to deforestation.

"Being one of the most climate-impacted countries in the world, climate change events are becoming more frequent and massively devastating for Pakistan...There is an urgent need to conserve our indigenous forests," he said.

Commenting on the country's initiatives, Sharif underlined that the incumbent government is embarking on the next phase of the Green Pakistan Initiative to improve forest cover, saying concerted efforts are being made to conserve biodiversity in Pakistan.

"The Green Pakistan Initiative aims to improve the forest cover, preserve wildlife habitats and help carbon sequestration. Given the important role that forests play in the environment, let us resolve to protect and conserve them," he said.

The prime minister also called upon the stakeholders to synergize their efforts in safeguarding invaluable resources and ensure effective stewardship for the next generation. Enditem

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