Urgency of forest management | Political Economy

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Over the past few years, Pakistan has gained international recognition for its ambitious forest restoration efforts. The Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was launched in 2014. It was later expanded to the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program.

The program achieved remarkable success by planting and naturally regenerating more than 1 billion trees on 350,000 hectares, recognized by the Bonn Challenge – a global initiative launched in 2011 by the German government and IUCN to target 350 million hectares by 2030. was started to restore the damaged land. A step towards ecological restoration and sustainable land management.

This large-scale deforestation is aligned with Pakistan’s climate policies by enhancing carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, strengthening the country’s commitment to global climate goals.

After success, the real test is to ensure that these efforts translate into sustainable environmental benefits. This requires attention to sustainable management practices. The initial enthusiasm around TBTTP can be attributed to the tangible benefits observed in many communities and regions, including improved forests and improved local landscapes that have positively impacted both the environment and local livelihoods. As of April 30, 2023, the province has established 6,081 enclosures and planted about 337.06 million trees since the inception of the project.

While the initial success of the TBTTP has been evident through significant improvements in forest cover and local landscapes. According to a recent survey, challenges, such as unauthorized logging, limited maintenance and insufficient community involvement hinder the long-term success of the project.

This is particularly evident in the districts of Deer Bala, Haripur and Buner, where a significant portion of the planted vegetation remains. Areas like Mansehra and Abbottabad have shown somewhat better results. According to a local community leader from Upper Dir, only 25 percent of the plants have grown in some areas. The rest, he says, have died due to lack of proper care and follow-up.

Illegal logging is a serious problem. Communities in TBTTP implementation districts report logging despite efforts at forest conservation measures. Villagers in Deer Bala and Haripur, in particular, have raised concerns about unequal access to forest resources. Such practices, if left unchecked, not only pose a threat to forest conservation but also undermine government-led conservation efforts.

An important theme emerging from this initiative is the willingness of local communities to engage in deforestation and forest management, provided they receive adequate support. Communities in various districts have shown that active involvement, with adequate resources and knowledge, enables them to play a significant role in environmental protection.

However, many communities feel neglected after the initial planning stage, as there is a lack of ongoing support from the government or the forest department. Reports from Neghbans (forest caretakers) show that many have not received salaries for more than a year, leading to frustration and reduced motivation to protect local forests. .

Reforestation and sustainable forest management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are critical to Pakistan’s broader ecosystem restoration goals and its ability to meet both national and international commitments.

Additionally, limited availability of local nurseries and challenges in access to seeds and plants have hampered continued reforestation efforts. Community-led reforestation initiatives can be greatly benefited by increased support from the Forest Department and other stakeholders in providing these resources.

In many districts, villagers reported a lack of follow-up support after initial planting, leading to the loss of most of the seedlings. This lack of engagement not only jeopardizes the success of deforestation programs, but also misses the opportunity to develop strong, environmentally conscious communities.

Reforestation efforts in KP require focus to ensure long-term success. It is no longer enough to plant a tree and declare success. Sustainable forest management requires a holistic approach, including ongoing maintenance/support, community involvement and prevention of illegal activities. There is a need for strong enforcement against

First, the government should prioritize continuous monitoring and maintenance of reforested areas. This includes interacting with local communities and training them in forest management practices while providing them with the resources and tools they need to care for the forests. Establishing local nurseries and ensuring a continuous supply of plants will empower communities to take greater responsibility for their environment.

Second, strong enforcement against illegal logging is paramount. There is a widespread perception among the communities that the Forest Department is not adequately addressing ongoing illegal activities. To address these concerns, transparent and effective enforcement measures should be implemented to protect forest resources and any or all violators should be held accountable.

District Forest Officers should strengthen their presence in the communities and seek necessary support from the provincial and federal governments.

Community involvement should be central to deforestation efforts. The success of any environmental initiative depends on the active participation of the people who live in and depend on these ecosystems. By involving communities in the planning, implementation and maintenance of forestry projects, government can ensure that deforestation efforts are sustainable and widely supported.

Reforestation and sustainable forest management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are critical to Pakistan’s broader ecosystem restoration goals and its ability to meet national and international climate commitments. As the world turns its attention to important milestones on biodiversity, such as COP16 and the upcoming COP29, Pakistan has an important opportunity to advance its climate commitments and demonstrate leadership in support of global sustainability goals. is

By strengthening governance, promoting community-driven conservation and ensuring strong protection against illegal activities, Pakistan can play an important role in the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. However, for these efforts to achieve long-term impact, it will be necessary to secure ongoing climate finance, make strategic investments and foster international cooperation. Pakistan must remain an active and committed partner in global climate and ecosystem restoration efforts.

Economist Mubeen Ali Khan is a graduate of the University of Liverpool.

Dr Hina Aslam is a Hoffman Fellow at the World Economic Forum and a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian National University.