Expand Forests 12% to Save Pakistan
Khurram Shahzad
Pakistan is severely affected by Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Rising Temperatures. Tress help in reducing these causes. Ideal tree cover for a country is generally considered to be 25% of the land area. However, Pakistan's current forest cover is significantly lower, with only 4.5% of its land area covered by forests. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 15.6%, Sindh 4.5%, Punjab 2.7% and Balochistan 2.1% of the province's land under forest cover. This disparity highlights the need for increased afforestation efforts in Pakistan. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) suggests that 25% of a country's area should ideally be covered by forests.
The forestry sector of Pakistan is a main source of lumber, paper, fuelwood, latex, medicine as well as food and provide ecotourism and wildlife conservation purposes. They play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Forests also support livelihoods for millions of people, particularly in rural areas, through resources like timber, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products. Trees are often called the lungs of our planet, and for good reason. Beyond producing oxygen, their importance lies in their remarkable ability to combat climate change and support ecosystems. Trees play a vital role in the environment by improving air quality, reducing pollution, and providing essential habitats for wildlife. Their benefits are vast, making trees indispensable for maintaining ecological balance and sustaining life on Earth. Trees also provide shade, timber, fuel, and fruit, making them indispensable for humans and wildlife. Despite these benefits, deforestation continues to threaten their ecological and cultural significance. Protecting trees is crucial, as they contribute to combating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity. Major benefits of Trees for the Environment include Slow Down Global Warming, Generate Oxygen, Prevent Soil Erosion, Reduce Air Pollution, Improve Soil Quality, Source of Food for Wildlife, Protect Crops from the Weather, Help Regulate the Water Cycle, Help in Marking Seasons, Important for Human Health, Contribute to Urban Cooling, Reduce Energy Cost, Clean Air and Water and Reduce Flooding.
Though Pakistan has several policies and laws in place aimed at protecting and promoting trees and forests including Cutting of Trees (Prohibition) Act, 1992, which restricts tree felling, especially in designated areas. The Pakistan National Forest Policy, 2015, the latest of all policy documents, recommends incorporation of obligations contained in international conventions on environment, and has included in its objectives the facilitation of implementation of international commitments related to forestry, biodiversity and climate change. Inspite of all above policies and laws, Pakistan could not achive the target of national forest policy mandating a minimum threshold of 12% forest cover as recommended by international environmental bodies.
The protected areas serve the purpose of conserving the forests and wildlife of Pakistan. National Conservation Strategy of 1993 was a major landmark to start conservation of natural resources and wildlife in Pakistan. Resource-managed man-made forests like Changa Manga, Kamalia plantation and Chichawatni plantation have also been planted to serve purpose and conserve forests. Through conservation, a large region of Thal desert has been afforested. Natural protected forests in Pakistan are Birir Valley Coniferous Forest in Chitral District (also called 'Deodar Chilghoza Oak Forest'), Jhangar Scrub Forest in Chakwal District, Sulaiman Coniferous Forest in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (also called 'Sulaiman Chilgoza Pine Forest'), Ziarat Juniper Forest in Ziarat District and Artificial resource managed forests are Changa Manga Forest in Qasoor District, Chichawatni Plantation in Sahiwal District and Khipro Reserve Forest in Sanghar District.
Eucalyptus (Safeeda) Tree consumes three times more water in arid and semi-arid environment as compared to local trees, exacerbating Pakistan’s water shortage and rapid ground water level depletion. About 80% of Pakistan’s area falls within semi-arid and arid climates, marking the situation more critical. Eucalyptus is a native tree of Australia, and it is also cultivated in areas distant from human populations and forests, as well as in saline areas. According to a research, it requires about 29 liters of water daily hence, it harms underground water reserves and springs. All trees of Eucalyptus (Safeeda) should be replaced with native species that require less water.
Pakistan should make and implement policy on war footing basis to enhance the performance of Federal and all provincial Departments and administration relates to Forest and Climate Change with the task to complete the minimum 12% trees of district wise areas. For tourist Districts, it should be upto 25% to 33% to save the future of peoples of Pakistan.
The writer is a Herbal Physician. He can be reached at: [email protected]. |