We Vs Environment

Deforestation rate in Pakistan highest in the world

ISLAMABAD (December 04 2007): Deforestation rate in Pakistan, estimated at 0.2 per cent to 0.5 per cent annually, is the highest in the world, which accounts for a 4-6 per cent decline in its wood biomass per annum. The total natural forest cover has reduced from 3.59 million hectares to 3.32 million hectares at an average rate of 27,000 hectares annually.

The decline in natural forests is attributed greatly to the dependence of a major proportion of rural population for fuel and construction on wood. The natural resource is decreasing at such an alarming speed that all the forest area will be consumed within the next 15 years.

Three sectors consume wood in Pakistan ie domestic rural use, industrial sector and commercial establishments. In this regard, the household sector has emerged as the largest consumer with 81.8 percent followed by industrial entrepreneurs 14.9 percent and the commercial sector 3.3 percent. The annual wood consumption in Pakistan is 43.761 million meters against the annual forest growth of 14.4 million cubic meters. So, it has to suffer a loss of 29.361million cubic meters per annum.

The unchecked cutting of trees has resulted in rapid deforestation and now the forest cover is less than 5 per cent. With one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, Pakistan's forests are in urgent need of protection and conservation. The major threat to Pakistan 's forests is uncontrolled and unsustainable cutting for living purposes and timber products. There is dire need to find out alternate and sustainable livelihood methods to ease pressures on this precious natural resource.