Chilghoza forest to be preserved
The Balochistan Forest Department, under the flagship Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Plantation (TBTTP) project, has geared up efforts to preserve 1,000 acres of chilghoza forests located in the Sherani district with the aim to enhance forest cover and improve livelihoods through increasing productivity.
Balochistan, a land rich with minerals and fruits, has a large number of chilghoza forests at the Suleiman mountain range of Zhob and Sherani districts. The steep mountainous terrain of the area with arid ecology provides suitable climatic and topographical conditions for the growth of chilghoza plants.
Koh-i-Suleiman reserve of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) contains one of the world’s largest chilghoza forests sprawling over 58,000 acres, a Balochistan Forest Department official told APP.
The government has also planned to plant more chilghoza or pine forests and would distribute saplings of indigenous chilghoza plants among local communities in the targeted area of the province, he added.
He said apart from imparting knowledge about proper planting techniques the forest staff would also promote awareness among local communities on the importance of forests to control tree cutting.
He said that the Sherani area is blessed with chilghoza forests which are the major source of livelihood for the local communities and need to conserve these forests by providing alternative option for fuel and fodder.
He said the government would assist in plantation of ‘chilghoza’ and make an effort to make it a part of process of “Plant for Pakistan” drive under TBTTP project.
He said the authorities would make efforts to strengthen the regulatory body and sustainable management of chilghoza forests.
He said the identification and realization of issues related to forest degradation, high value of chilghoza would help contribute towards improving food security, and livelihoods of communities involved in growing chilghoza.
“It will also help promote value chain development for generating sustainable income for local communities from the chilghoza pine products,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2022.