People belonging to irrigation, farming and Forests Department rely on tropical forests for their livelihoods. Forests play an important role in strengthening the economy of any country besides meeting a number of other human needs. They are also crucial in maintaining fast changing weather patterns that is why they need to be preserves for increasing forest cover in Balochistan. According to the Forest Department, the forestland and state protected forest area is 2,306,910 hectares. Juniper, chilgoza pine, olive pistachio, olive acacia, desert, mangrove, Aaien and tropical desert thom forests are located in different districts of Balochistan. Similarly, Balochistan has both tropical thorn and mangrove forests in Gwadar, Pasni and Lasbela. In the north, Zhob and Sherani districts have unique forests of pine nuts and olives which are extremely valuable. The incessant cutting of forests shows its impact on climate change when rare species of trees are cut down. Similarly, illegal cutting of trees is also seriously affecting wildlife and wild herbs. Experts say deforestation is an important factor in global climate change contributing to around 18 percent of all Co2 emissions worldwide. Besides, it is a root cause of loss of biodiversity and of diminished water quality and quantity. The year 2011 was declared as the year of forests in Balochistan but it had impact, because it was not taken seriously nor steps were taken to augment forestry cover.
Now, there is a need for taking effective action to established forests. A fine of Rs 5 at least needs to be enforced to a person found chopping off a tree. Serious steps are needed to preserve the juniper forests of Ziarat. The forests of pine nuts and olives in northern areas need special care of the government. Despite the initiation of the Green & Clean Pakistan campaign, no solid measures seem to have been taken for forest preservation.
The writer can be reached at sarfirazs032121@gmail.com
Published in Daily Times, March 2nd 2019.
Systems Limited, Pakistan’s premier provider of IT and IT Enabled Services, had the distinct honor…
Being a journalist in Pakistan means you must be willing to live with a Damoclean…
Pakistan's historic lunar payload - regardless of how small it may be when compared to…
Barack Obama's rise to the presidency in 2009 gave hope to millions across the globe.…
Pakistan is neither a jungle nor are the ways of the jungle followed here. There…
Leave a Comment