Green Intervention in Pakistan

Sponsored by KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Republic of Korea

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 have brought increased awareness to critical issues such as the environ ment, employment, and health. These issues hold great significance, particularly for developing countries. Governments, organizations, institutions, and policymakers worldwide have prioritized the SDGs and are actively undertaking initiatives to support th e UN’s Social Progress Index (SPI). In Pakistan, while the other provinces participated in the afforestation project under the guidance of the Federal Government in 2019, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had already initiated the “Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project (BTTAP)” in 2013. The KP government took this important step towards addressing climate change by focusing on enhancing forest cover, conserving biodiversity, and establishing protected areas within the province. Under the KDIS Alumni Working Partner Program, we evaluated the short term impact of BTTAP on relevant employment and awareness, as well as the long term effects on health, environment, pollution, internal migration, and animal habitats. Our evaluation involved collecting data from the general pub lic, project stakeholders, and government officials. Additionally, we leverage the Pakistan Social Living Standard Measurement (PSLM) data, which offers comprehensive modules related to health and employment, as a valuable panel dataset. Although the evaluation of this project is in its early stages, we employ GIS mapping techniques to identify treatment areas. Moreover, we utilize the difference in difference and instrumental variable approaches with fixed effects using panel data to control f or time and group specific effects, ensuring a rigorous analysis of the project’s impact. We aim to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the BTTAP in addressing environmental concerns, promoting employment, an d improving the overall well being of communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The findings of our study contribute to the ongoing efforts towards achieving the SDGs and fostering sustainable development in the region.{:refdef: style=”text-align: center;”}Click here to view report