 Mehtab Abbasi
Pakistan is an arboreally deficient country, with merely 0.04 hectares of forest per person, compared to the global average of 1.0 hectares. According to official statistics, the republic’s aggregate arboreal expense is 4.2 million hectares, or 4.8% of its aggregate terrestrial expense. However, these statistics are subject to contention.
Data procured from Global Forest Watch suggests that Pakistan’s tree-covered terrain was a mere 648,000 hectares in 2010, constituting 0.74% of the total land area. Between 2001 and 2023, Pakistan witnessed a diminution of 9,940 hectares of tree cover, a 1% retrogression since 2000, which contributed to 2.88 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Pakistan’s deforestation rate of 2.37% per annum is the most elevated amongst Asian nations. Illicit intrusions and pervasive forest conflagrations are the principal factors precipitating deforestation.
The region of Murree and its adjacent areas, including the Galyat, are acutely afflicted by forest fires during both the summer and winter seasons. These blazes consume thousands of coniferous (pine) trees, resulting in a substantial reduction of the forest canopy. The Murree Forest Division (MFD), encompassing 47,285 acres, forms part of the Western Himalayan Eco-region, a region recognized as one of the Global 200 Ecoregions for its paramount ecological significance.
Beyond the devastation wrought by forest fires, illicit encroachments and haphazard housing development have usurped approximately 12,148 kanals (equivalent to 1,519 acres) of forested land in Murree over the passage of time. The incidence of fires in these forests frequently suggests deliberate ignition, with timber mafias resorting to arson to obfuscate clandestine logging operations. These conflagrations not only obliterate invaluable coniferous trees but also jeopardize vulnerable and rare wildlife species.
Historically, the safeguarding of Murree’s forests and the preservation of their natural splendor held a position of paramount importance for governing authorities. During the British colonial period, stringent measures were enacted to forestall deforestation and conserve indigenous wildlife. Subsequently, in 1964-65, President Muhammad Ayub Khan undertook substantial initiatives to protect the forests of Murree and the Galyat region. These endeavors encompassed the provision of complementary kerosene oil and stoves to local inhabitants to mitigate reliance on firewood as a fuel source. Furthermore, he established the Soil Conservation Department and inaugurated horticultural nurseries in every Union Council to promote afforestation efforts. Thousands of fruit-bearing plants, such as apples, apricots, and plums, were distributed amongst local communities to incentivize horticultural practices. Ayub Khan himself conducted personal visits to the area to supervise the progress of these projects.
In 2006, former military head of state General Pervez Musharraf inaugurated a multi-million rupee gasification project with the objective of mitigating deforestation. Regrettably, this facility serves only a limited urban demographic within Murree, leaving the majority of the population reliant on firewood due to the prohibitive cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The recurrent fire incidents plaguing Murree’s forests cannot be simply dismissed as natural occurrences. The preponderance of these fires are instigated by either the timber mafia or local residents seeking fresh grazing land for their livestock. The forest department’s evident inability to prevent such conflagrations underscores their negligence and dereliction of duty. Despite possessing a substantial workforce and adequate financial resources, the department demonstrates a marked inefficiency. Forest guards and staff, predominantly recruited from local communities, are frequently absent from their designated posts, while officers exploit their postings to indulge in Murree’s agreeable climate. A suspected collusion between the timber mafia and members of the forest department often eludes scrutiny by higher authorities.
The rapid propagation of fires within these forests is exacerbated by arid conditions and the abundance of desiccated pine needles, known locally as “Chimpothal,” which serve as readily combustible fuel. The forest staff, hampered by inadequate equipment and insufficient training, find themselves struggling to effectively control these rapidly spreading blazes.
To safeguard Murree’s forests and preserve their inherent natural beauty, the government must undertake immediate and decisive action. This necessitates educating local communities regarding fire prevention strategies, actively engaging them in monitoring and early warning systems, and initiating comprehensive reforestation projects. Strengthening existing legislation against illicit logging and rigorously enforcing these laws is crucial to protect the area’s invaluable natural resources. Forest personnel must receive training in contemporary techniques and be furnished with advanced equipment to facilitate continuous surveillance, particularly during the vulnerable dry summer months.
Furthermore, the governing bodies should investigate the potential utilization of pine needles as a viable energy source and for the production of stationery articles, thereby transforming a potential fire hazard into a sustainable and economically valuable resource.
The author is an Islamabad-based journalist that can be reached through [email protected]
