LAHORE (PR) - A shocking over 61,000 hectares of forest land has been converted into non forest uses since 1947 which is 18.5 per cent of the forest land. It was revealed by the Chairman Scientific Committee of WWF Pakistan, Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik. He was launching a report based on the findings of the study commissioned by the scientific committee to compile data on the conversion of forest to other uses. Pakistan has only 2.5 per cent of forest cover with an alarming rate of deforestation. Former Forest IG Dr Bashir Ahmad Wani said the largest conversions of forest land have taken place in Punjab and Sindh, corresponding to 99,711 acres and 27,874 acres respectively. and this is distressing as the government continues to convert more forest land. Other panellists included Dr Ministry of Environment, Syed Mehmood Nasir, MoE, Ali Hassan Habib, DG, WWF Pakistan, Dr Abdul Aleem Chaudhry and many other eminent scientists of Pakistan.