KARACHI:
Forests are essential to Pakistan’s environmental health and overall climate resilience, yet these vital resources are rapidly disappearing. Across the country, forests are being cut at alarming rates, mostly to accommodate expanding urban centers and commercial logging operations. In the short term, these practices may bring economic gains to a few, but in the long run, they are setting us up for catastrophic environmental consequences. Deforestation contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced biodiversity increases risks of natural disasters like floods and landslides, which Pakistan has seen rise in frequency and intensity over recent years.
Deforestation also significantly impacts the local communities and wildlife that rely on these forests. As habitats disappear, so do the species that depend on them, leading to a loss of biodiversity that has repercussions beyond national borders. Local communities, especially those involved in forest-based occupations, are deprived of sustainable livelihoods, further exacerbating their economic struggles. The government has made some efforts, including launching large-scale afforestation campaigns but progress has been slow.
For a sustainable future, we need comprehensive policies that regulate commercial logging and strictly enforce reforestation. Educating the public on the importance of sustainable practices is also crucial as individual actions collectively contribute to environmental health. We owe it to future generations to preserve Pakistan’s natural resources, and this starts by protecting our forests today.
Faraz Ahmed
Islamabad
