Introduction

Pakistan Forestry Facts

• Pakistan has 4.2 million ha covered by forests which make only 4.8% of the total land area. Thus Pakistan is a forest deficient country, with only 0.03 ha of forest per capital of population compared to the world average of 1.0 ha. The area of public forests (85% of the total forest area) cannot keep pace with population and livestock pressure.
• Pakistan imports wood pulp and paper products each year which cost more than Rs. 8.00 billion. This import burden can be reduced if more trees are grown on private farm lands. Each year forests meet entire needs of 3.5 million cubic meters industrial wood. Forests provide employment to 500,00 workers in cottage and small wood based industries.
• Natural forests meet 10% whereas private farm lands meet 90% of firewood requirements in the country. Every year we use 26 million cubic meter of firewood for heating and cooking purpose. Thus trees planted during tree planting campaigns are utilized for meeting timber and fire wood requirements in the country.
• Forests and trees are the vital component of our environment. They purify air, protect soil, filter water and provide home to thousands of species of animals and plants. Just think how trees contribute to the quality of life on earth, they are so important, that life, as we all know it, would cease to exist without them.
• Trees remove excess carbon dioxide from the air and replenish oxygen for us to breath. Trees lessen the impact of global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A healthy tree removes between 25 and 45 pounds of carbon from the air every year and plays its role as natural “carbon sink”.
• Trees filter water to make our rivers, streams and lakes cleaner. Their roots help to filter groundwater, trapping nutrients and pollutants. Trees hold soil in place and remove water from the ground. They intercept raindrops with their leaves to protect soil. Trees help to prevent floods by slowing down the movement of rainwater on the ground, allowing it to seep into the soil more slowly.
• Deforestation affects the quality of water, air and soil, it also destroys the habitat of species that live in forests. It is believed that 4 billion trees are put down every year around the world.
• Massive tree plantation will not be successful unless we all as a nation, including farmers, workers, students, professionals, housewives and more importantly our younger generation, remain involved in these tree-planting campaigns. We have got to plant and save trees for our present and future and to protect our environment