Punjab’s forests have faced alarming devastation over the past three years, with more than 6,000 acres of green cover destroyed by recurring wildfires. Official data shows that 268 forest fire incidents were reported in the province, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all such cases nationwide. In total, Pakistan witnessed 479 fire incidents that damaged nearly 15,500 acres of forest land, highlighting an escalating environmental challenge fueled by human and climatic factors.
The year 2024 emerged as the worst for forest fires in recent memory, marking an unprecedented rise in destruction. In contrast, only four incidents were reported in 2023, burning just 25 acres. However, 2024 saw a surge with 165 fires consuming around 3,363 acres. The crisis continued into 2025, with 97 more incidents so far destroying nearly 2,729 acres of forest cover. Experts warn that without urgent preventive measures, Pakistan’s limited forest reserves may face irreversible damage in the coming years.
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Beyond Punjab, several other provinces have suffered severe wildfire losses as well. Balochistan endured two major fires in 2024 that burned 590 acres, followed by 14 incidents this year that wiped out 4,629 acres. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 60 fires in 2024 that destroyed 1,235 acres but no incidents this year. Meanwhile, Sindh recorded five fires in total, burning 63 acres, and Islamabad witnessed 48 incidents across 2024 and 2025, which damaged 336 acres combined.
Experts attribute this growing threat to multiple factors, including climate change, illegal logging, negligence, and prolonged dry spells that make forests more vulnerable to ignition. The increasing frequency and scale of fires underline Pakistan’s fragile environmental management system, which remains underfunded and understaffed. Environmentalists urge authorities to prioritize forest protection as a national emergency to safeguard biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.
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To counter the crisis, the Forest Department has proposed several preventive measures, such as awareness campaigns for local communities, advanced monitoring through satellite technology, and restoration of fire lines across vulnerable regions. Officials stress that proactive efforts, rather than reactive firefighting, are crucial to limiting future losses. As Pakistan’s forests continue to shrink, timely intervention could mean the difference between preserving natural ecosystems and facing widespread ecological collapse.