Pakistan is quietly losing one of its most valuable resources: its forests. These forests are essential for clean air, wildlife protection and preventing floods, yet they are disappearing faster than ever. Illegal cutting, urbanisation and overgrazing are the main causes of loss of biodiversity, rise in temperature and increased risk of floods. In 2023, only 4.7 per cent of Pakistan’s land area was classified as forest, making it one of the most forest-poor countries. Illegal logging and urbanisation are major threats and addressing these issues in a highly populated country is difficult.
Efforts like the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami were a step in the right direction, but weak management has limited their success. Without proper planning and accountability, such initiatives cannot bring lasting change. Protecting forests is also not just the government’s responsibility. It requires public awareness and collective action. If we fail to act now, the environmental cost will be far greater in the future.
Abdul Hannan
Karachi
