Forests and Deforestation in Pakistan

• A forest, also known as woodland, is an area characterized by a high density of trees.
• Forests cover approximately 9.4% of the Earth's surface, or 30% of the total land area, though they once covered about 50%.
• Pakistan has the lowest forest cover in South Asia, requiring effective policies to prevent environmental disasters.
• Pakistan's forest cover area is 5.2%, Bhutan has 70%, Sri Lanka 37%, India 25% and Bangladesh 18%.
• Gilgit-Baltistan has the highest forest cover at 27%, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 13.9%, AJK at 11%, Sindh at 4.8%, Punjab at 3.1%, and Baluchistan at 2.9%.
• Since 1993, there has been a ban on deforestation, but forestland has been converted into commercial and residential areas.
• The government aimed to increase forest cover from 5.2% to 6% by 2016.

Types of Forests

• A large area dominated by trees is called a forest
• About 25% of the total area should be covered with forest according to standards.
• Pakistan's forests only dominate about 4-5% of the area.

Productive Forests

• These forests produce wood for furniture, herbs for medicines, etc.
• The thick canopy of these forests allows little sunlight to reach saplings.
• They can be natural or irrigated.
• They are also planted to maintain ecological balance.

Protective Forests

• Protective forests are planted to protect the environment.
• They are typically planted along roads, railways, and rivers.
• Their canopy is not as dense as that of production forests.
• They are mostly man-made (irrigated) but can be natural too.
• The main function is to protect the soil from erosion.
• They help keep the environment pleasant by lowering the temperature.

Alpine Forests

• Alpine forests are located in the north and northwestern mountains, above 4000 meters covered in snow.
• Trees in these forests have stunted growth due to low temperatures and less sunlight.
• Roots spread to absorb nutrition for better grip.
• Leaves are directed downwards to avoid snow accumulation.
• Used as fuel wood normally.
• Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral, and Dir are areas where alpine forests are found.

Coniferous Forests

• Coniferous forests are found between 1000 and 4000 meters.
• They are evergreen forests that grow 20-25 meters high due to optimal conditions.
• They are called coniferous forests because of their cone-like shape.
• These forests experience less leaf fall during autumn.
• Evergreen forests survive in low temperatures and have sloping branches to prevent snow accumulation.
• Murree, Abbotabad, Muzaffarabad, Swat, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Quetta are areas of coniferous forests.
• Cheerch and Deodar are species in these forests; wood is used for furniture and herbs for medicine.
• Good breeding and conserving centers for birds and wildlife.

Subtropical Scrub Forests

• These are located in the foothills of mountains and plains.
• Trees grow to a reasonable height and stay green for a long time due to good environmental conditions.
• These forests feature subtropical broad-leafed and tropical thorny species.
• Wood is used for furniture, sports goods, and fuel by locals.
• They are also used for grazing.
• Examples can be found in Gujrat, Sheikhpura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Kohat, and Mardan.

Tropical Thorn Forests (Rakh)

• Found in Punjab plains, southern and western Baluchistan, and Sindh plains.
• Trees do not grow tall (6-10 meters) due to lack of optimal conditions.
• Dominated by thorny bushes.
• Deep roots to search for water.
• Wood is used as fuel wood by the locals.

Riverain or Bela Forests

• These are found in the Active Flood Plains of the Indus River and its tributaries.
• Linear plantation along river banks.
• Trees grow to a good height due to optimum conditions.
• Species like Eucalyptus, Poplar, Shisham, and Babul are grown here.
• Wood is used for furniture, sports goods, and papermaking.
• Located in the upper Indus plain region.

Mangrove Forests

• These are found in coastal areas of Sindh and Baluchistan.
• They require salty water and marshy soil.
• Trees do not grow very tall because their roots are in the water. In better watered areas, they grow 6-8 metres.
• General height is 3 meters.

Irrigated Forests

• Irrigated forests are mainly planted by humans.
• They can be both productive and protective.
• Changa Manga, Chicha Watni, and Guddu barrages are examples.
• The British planted these to provide fuel wood for locomotives.
• Planted linearly along roads, railways, canals, etc.
• Used to protect the environment, provide wood for furniture and sports goods, for water logging, and for paper making.

Deforestation

• Deforestation is the removal of trees on a large scale.

Sustainable Forestry

• Sustainable forestry (SF) means managing forest resources to obtain the things we want from forests while conserving the natural environment.