Shisham trees face threat of extinction

The gradual disappearance of shisham trees, an indigenous species vital to the subcontinent’s ecology, has become a cause for concern in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), primarily due to the prevalence of dieback disease. This alarming trend has prompted environmentalists to advocate for advanced research studies to save this economically beneficial species from the brink of extinction.

Former Forests Conservator Gulzar Rehman has raised the alarm about the endangerment of shisham trees in several districts of KP, including Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, and Swabi. These areas have witnessed a high infestation rate of dieback, also known as cancer, posing a significant threat to the survival of shisham trees.

Rehman emphasized the urgent need for advanced research and investigations to combat this devastating disease, which often targets shisham trees at a young age.

The problem of dieback in shisham is not a recent phenomenon; it has been documented since the early 1900s. In his book ‘Pathology of Trees Volume-II,’ renowned pathologist Dr. AH Khan revealed that dieback in shisham was first observed in the subcontinent in the early 1900s.

Various fungi, including Ganoderma lucidum, were identified as contributing factors to the decline of shisham trees. The introduction of shisham in 1866, initially intended for producing coal for the railways, turned out to be a multifaceted boon for farmers and the middle class due to its diverse range of uses and benefits.

However, recent outbreaks of dieback have led to significant economic losses for farmers who rely on shisham trees for financial stability. Kamal Ahmed, a farmer from Mohib Banda in Nowshera district, recounted how he had planted shisham trees with the hope of securing his family’s future.

Yet, last year, he faced a great financial setback when 12 of his shisham trees fell victim to the disease. Such losses have prompted farmers like Ahmed to consider alternative tree species like Mulberry and Poplar, which are less susceptible to dieback.

The impact of dieback on shisham trees is evident in various regions of KP, where once-lush landscapes adorned with shisham trees now present a dismal sight of dried-up vegetation. The upper Swat canal, Michi canal in Dargai Malakand, and Harichand in Charsadda are just a few examples of areas where shisham trees have succumbed to the disease.

Dr Mumtaz Malik, Secretary of Environment and Forests, highlighted the global nature of the dieback problem, with similar occurrences reported in neighboring countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
He attributed the spread of dieback in shisham trees to factors such as the expansion of shisham trees into areas beyond their natural habitats, leaving them vulnerable to the deadly disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2024