UNIT 4
FOREST
A forest (also called woodland) is an area with a high density of trees. There are many
definitions of a forest, based on the various criteria. These plant communities cover
approximately 9.4% of the Earth's surface (or 30% of total land area), though they once
covered much more (about 50% of total land area).
Having the lowest forest cover even in South Asia is definitely a matter of grave concern but
simply regretting this harsh ground reality is not enough, as it requires effective policies to
avoid future environmental disasters at least for the sake of coming generations.
A documented report submitted to the Ministry of Environment stated that Pakistan has forest
cover of 5.2 per cent while this figure is 70 per cent in Bhutan, 37 per cent in Sri Lanka, 25 per
cent in India and 18 per cent in Bangladesh — all of them are third world countries having the
same problems as we face in Pakistan.
The latest data provided in the draft of National Forest Policy showed that Gilgit-Baltistan
has highest forest cover that is 27%, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 13.9%, AJK 11%, Sindh
4.8%, Punjab 3.1% and Baluchistan has 2.9%.
A report of the Ministry of Environment showed the fact that since 1993 there is an absolute
ban on deforestation, but maximum area of forestland was declared as non-forest and
converted into commercial and residential areas since then.
The intensity of situation can be gauged by only reviewing ‘brutal slaughtering’ of trees in
Murree and its adjoining areas where investors are keen to establish their commercial
businesses. The construction of Murree Expressway might be a good step but opportunists
found new possibilities for investment and thousands of trees have so far been removed along
this road by private housing societies.
The government has set a target to enhance forest cover from 5.2% to 6% by 2016 and it
needs concerted and consistent efforts to achieve desired results.
Key Points:
• A large stretch of area dominated by trees is called forest.
• About 25 % of the total area should be covered with forest.
• In Pakistan forest dominate only 4-5 % of the area.
Types of Forest:
(i) Productive Forests:
• The forest which produce wood for furniture, herbs for medicines etc.
• They are thick forest; the canopy is so thick that sapling hardly receives
sunlight.
• They can be natural or irrigated forests.
• They are also planted to maintain ecological balance.
(ii) Protective forest:
• These forests are planted to protect the environment.
• They are normally planted along both sides of roads, railways, rivers etc.
• The canopy is not as thick as that of production forests.
• They are mostly man made (irrigated) forests but they can be natural as well.
• Their main function is to protect the soil and to prevent it from eroding or
blowing away.
• They keep the environment pleasant by lowering the temperature and providing
shade.
Describe the distributions of both the areas with natural forests and the irrigated
forests shown on above mentioned map
Types of forests found in Pakistan:
(i) Alpine forests:
• They are located in north and north western mountains.
• These forests are located above 4000 meters.
• They are located in snow – covered areas.
• Trees have stunted growth due to low temperature and less sunlight.
• Roots spread sideways on the thin soil to absorb nutrition and to have better
grip on the ground.
• Used as fuel wood normally.
• Leaves are directed downwards to avoid snow accumulation.
• Gilgit, Skardu,chitral,Dir etc are some of the areas where alpine forests are
found.
(ii) Coniferous Forests:
• These forests are found at the height between 1000 meters and 4000 meters.
• Due to the availability of optimum environmental conditions, they are ever
green forests and rise to the height of 20- 25 meters.
• The top is cone like so these are called coniferous forests.
• Less leaves fall during autumn.
• Evergreen forests survive in low temperature.
• Sloping branches prevent snow accumulation.
• Murree, Abbotabad, Muzafarabad , swat, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad,
Quetta etc are some of the areas of coniferous forests.
• Cheerch, Deodar etc are some of the species of coniferous. Wood is used for
furniture making domestic fuel, Herbs are used for medicine.
• Good breeding and conserving centers for birds and wildlife.
• Add to the scenic beauty of the area.
(iii) Subtropical Scrub Forests:
• These forests are located at the foothills of mountains and in plain areas.
• Due to the availability of optimum environmental conditions the trees grow to
reasonable good height and remain green for long period of time.
• Sub tropical broad leafed and tropical thorny species.
• Shisham, Babool, Diar, Willow etc are some of the species.
• Wood is used for furniture making, sports goods, and fuel wood by the local
people.
• These forests are also used for grazing purpose.
• Gujrat, Sheikhpura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Peshawar, kohat mardan are some of the
places.
(iv) Tropical Thorn Forests (Rakh):
• These are found in Punjab plains, southern and western Baluchistan and in
Sindh plains.
• Due to lack of optimum conditions trees do not attain good height (6 to 10
meters).
• Trees are mainly thorny bushes.
• Deep roots to search for water
• Wood is used as fuel wood by the locals.
(V) Riverine or Bela Forests:
• These forests are found in the Active Flood Plains of river Indus and its
tributaries.
• Linear plantation along the banks of rivers.
• As the optimum environmental conditions are met so the trees grow to good
height.
• Species like Eucalyptus, Popular, Shisham, Babul etc are grown there.
• Wood from these forests is used in furniture making, sports goods making,
papermaking etc.
(vi) Mangrove Forests:
• These forests are found in coastal areas of Sindh and of Baluchistan.
• The conditions required by the mangrove forest are in the coastal areas.
• They grow in salty water of the sea and require marshy soil.
• These forests do not grow to good height as their roots remain in water all the
time. In better water areas, the trees rise to 6-8 meters but their general height
is 3 meters.
(Mangroves are salt tolerant trees adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They
contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system to cope with salt
water immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low oxygen conditions of
waterlogged mud).
(i) Name the type of natural vegetation shown and describe it,
(ii) State how this type of natural vegetation is used by the local people,
(iii) Explain how this type of natural vegetation is helpful to the fishing industry
(vii) Irrigated Forests:
• These forests were planted mainly by human.
• These can be both productive and protective forests.
• Changa Manga is such a forest; other locations are Chicha Watni Guddu barrages.
• The British planted these to provide fuel wood to run locomotives.
• These are planted in the linear style on both sides of roads, railways, canals etc.
• They are planted to protect environment, to protect wood for furniture, for sports
goods manufacturing, solution to water logging and also use for paper making.
Deforestation:
• The removal of trees on large scale is called Deforestation.
Effects of Deforestation
• Reckless cutting of trees for firewood or any other commercial purposes can result in
deforestation. The effects of this are extremely harmful and can result in destruction of
environment and loss of food and resources.
• Deforestation exposes the soil to the forces of wind and water which results in soil
erosion.
• With less vegetation the climate changes, resulting in less rainfall which may lead to
lower crop yields.
• Many wonderful species of plants and animals have been lost, and many others
remain endangered. More than 80% of the world's species remain in the Tropical
Rainforest.
• It is estimated that about 50 to 100 species of animals are being lost each day as a
result of destruction of their habitats.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY DEFORESTATION
• The following measures could be helpful to solve the problems caused by
deforestation.
• Supplying irrigation facilities to the deforested areas. Commercial species of trees,
which grow rapidly, should be planted.
• By reserving land for fuel wood plantation only, so the valuable species of trees could
be saved.
• Creating awareness among the people by NGO’s about the hazards of deforestation.
• By improving the techniques of raising nurseries and planting trees, so the deforested
areas could be regenerated in a short period.
Sustainable forestry:
• SF means that we should manage the forest resources in such a way as to ensure that
we will be able to obtain the things that we want from the forests on regular basis while
conserving the natural environment.
Practice Questions:
What actions can be taken to reduce deforestation? To what extent are these actions
possible in Pakistan?
With reference to Fig. 2, explain how deforestation can cause soil erosion.
State and explain three effects of deforestation in mountainous areas.
Soil erosion, no roots to hold the soil / less interception/Landslides/avalanches/Rocks / snow
no longer held back by trees/Leaching, no roots to bring minerals to surface / minerals washed
out of exposed soil /infertile soils/Silt blocks rivers/Water runs off slopes/Silt fills reservoirs /
Flooding/Runoff increased / less interception/Extinction / loss of species/Loss of habitat/Less
rainfall / lower humidity/Less transpiration/Less shade/Loss of branches and leaves/Less
tourism/Loss of scenic beauty/Shortage of firewood/No fuel for heating / domestic use.
Explain how forests can become a source of income for the people of rural
areas.
Firewood / charcoal/Named raw material e.g. timber / roots / leaves / fruit / nuts/for cottage /
small scale / craft / pharmaceutical industriesNamed product e.g. furniture, toys,
souvenirs/Forests attract tourism/Goods can be sold to tourists/Creates employment e.g.
forest guides /forest department / forestry
Explain how wood is used in industry and transport.
construction of building, bridges, etc. means of transport railway sleepers (not fuel), bridges,
lorry chassis/carts/chemical such as – resin, varnish, mazri (for mats), pharmaceuticals,
medicine, etc./farm/agricultural use such as fences, gates, implements/paper production from
pulp/sports goods such as bats, rackets, etc./crafts such as ornaments, beads, etc./furniture
such as chairs, tables, etc.
How can deforestation affect water supplies?
Too little: Muddy water undrinkable/polluted
Reduced evapotranspiration so less rain
Silt in reservoirs reduces storage
Silt blocks irrigation channels
Irregular flow/ comes in bursts/ Flooding/faster runoff
State and explain one way in which the damage done by deforestation can be
reduced
Ways: regeneration programmes/education / better managementForest reserves/legal
controls on commercial cutting / selective cutting/restricting use of heavy machinery/supply of
gas to Northern areas to reduce need for firewood/terracing/explanation: credit according to
way stated in answer.
Why are there irrigated plantations in the Indus Plain?
Irrigation available/Shade/Prevent erosion of banks/Reduces air pollution/For shade/Reduce
timber imports
Using examples, suggest why the Northern Areas of Pakistan are attractive to
tourists.
Examples – Kaghan, Swat, Gilgit valleys,
Chitral/mountain/scenery/Forests/recreation/photography/trekking/cooler climate than the
rest of Pakistan
State three reasons why deforestation occurs on mountainous areas?
Farming / growing food / fodder / cash crops, for firewood/For
timber/Mining/Roads/Overgrazing/Housing / urbanization / residential/Industry
Using Fig. 4.2 and your own knowledge, suggest how altitude affects the type and
amount of vegetation in Pakistan.
Q box Question:
Around 5 per cent of the land area of Pakistan is forested. To meet sustainable development
targets the amount of land covered by forest needs to increase to 25 per cent by 2030. Read
the following two views about possible uses of land in Pakistan:
Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your answer and refer to
examples you have studied. You should consider View A and View B in your answer.
Name the forest types shown at A, B and C:
A ………………………………………………………………………………………………
B ………………………………………………………………………………………………
C …………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]
Pie chart QUESTION: Using Fig. 2.1, name two areas in Pakistan where mangroves grow.
Complete the pie graph in Fig. 4.1 to show the percentage of total forest cover found in Gilgit-
Baltistan and Sindh. Use the information below and the key provided:
