Empowering Pakistan's Forestry with Grassroots Solutions

Pakistan faces a pressing dual challenge, meeting its growing demand for timber and fuelwood while also combating climate change and reversing decades of forest degradation. Forests play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustaining rural livelihoods, yet the country’s forest cover remains alarmingly low at just 5.1% of total land area (FAO, 2020), far short of the 25% recommended for ecological stability.

While state-managed forests have largely stagnated, showing no significant increase in forest cover over the past two decades despite vast land holdings, legal authority, and substantial budgets (World Bank, 2021), farm forestry and social forestry have emerged as resilient, community-driven solutions. Farm forestry where farmers integrate trees into agricultural landscapes already supplies an estimated 60% of the nation’s timber and 90% of its fuelwood (PFFA, 2022). Social forestry initiatives, often led by communities and NGOs, not only supplement wood production but also restore degraded lands, improve microclimates, and generate income for marginalized groups.

The stark contrast in outcomes highlights a critical policy gap. State forestry has been hampered by bureaucratic inefficiencies, restrictive regulations, and a lack of innovation, while farm and social forestry thrive despite limited institutional backing. Providing farmers and communities with targeted incentives such as subsidized seedlings, technical training, secure land tenure, and streamlined market access could rapidly scale up tree planting efforts.

By empowering local stakeholders, Pakistan can meet its wood demand sustainably, reduce dependence on dwindling natural forests, and enhance resilience to climate change. Strengthening farm and social forestry is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity one that can create rural jobs, improve livelihoods, and bring the country closer to its climate and biodiversity goals. The path to a greener Pakistan lies in putting trees back into the hands of the people.

Pakistan’s Forestry Crisis: Rising Demand and Climate Pressures

Pakistan’s forestry sector is under mounting strain as population growth, at 2.4% annually (UN, 2023), and rapid urbanization fuel an annual 3–4% increase in wood demand (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2023). This demand surge is occurring alongside intensifying climate pressures, erratic monsoon patterns, and prolonged droughts (IPCC, 2022) that are degrading ecosystems, accelerating soil erosion, and threatening rural livelihoods. Forests, vital for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and watershed regulation, now cover just 5.1% of the country’s land area (FAO, 2020), far below the recommended 25% for ecological stability. Historically, the Forest Department has been the custodian of the nation’s food supply and conservation efforts. Yet, despite its budget allocations, professional staff, and extensive land holdings, it has failed to meaningfully expand forest cover due to weak governance, corruption, illegal logging, and the absence of effective community engagement (IUCN, 2021).

In stark contrast, farm forestry where farmers integrate fast-growing species such as eucalyptus, poplar, shisham, and mulberry into agricultural land has emerged as the backbone of Pakistan’s wood supply. Without formal incentives, it now contributes around 60% of the country’s timber and 90% of its fuelwood, sustaining over 2 million rural households (Pakistan Farm Forestry Association, 2022). These trees provide not only timber and fuel but also fodder, fruit, and shade, making them integral to diversified farm incomes and climate adaptation strategies. Similarly, social forestry community-led restoration of degraded lands, roadside plantations, and village commons has shown impressive results. Initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami (2014–2017) demonstrated that local ownership and participation can accelerate reforestation, improve soil fertility, enhance water retention, and bolster carbon sequestration (KP Government, 2018). However, these successes require secure land tenure, equitable benefit-sharing, and sustained technical support to remain viable in the long term.

Comparative performance indicators underscore the contrast: while farm forestry continues to expand on private land, state-managed forests have seen virtually no net gain in cover over the past two decades (World Bank, 2021). This disparity reveals a clear policy lesson decentralized forestry systems aligned with local livelihoods are more adaptive, efficient, and resilient than centralized bureaucratic models. By empowering farmers and communities with targeted incentives, improved market access, and technical assistance, Pakistan can meet its rising wood demands, strengthen climate resilience, and alleviate pressure on dwindling natural forests. The path forward lies not in expanding state control, but in recognizing and scaling the quiet revolution already happening in the hands of rural stewards.

Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Forestry in Pakistan

While farm and social forestry have become vital to meeting Pakistan’s timber and fuelwood needs, their potential is constrained by systemic and structural challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of formal recognition in national forest accounts, which undervalues their contribution and limits resource allocation for their growth. Without being integrated into official forestry statistics and policy frameworks, these community-driven models remain outside the purview of strategic planning.

Unclear land and tree tenure rights further discourage long-term investment in forestry by farmers and communities. When ownership and harvesting rights are uncertain, individuals are less likely to plant trees that take years to mature. Additionally, limited market access, coupled with the dominance of middlemen in the timber trade, significantly reduces farmers’ profit margins. This weakens incentives for sustainable tree management and replanting.

Another concern is the over-reliance on exotic species like eucalyptus, which, while fast-growing and economically attractive, have been linked to soil degradation and depletion of groundwater. Such monocultures undermine ecological sustainability, especially in already water-stressed regions.

To address these barriers, policymakers must formalize farm forestry in the upcoming National Forest Policy 2025, ensuring it receives institutional recognition and support. Strengthening land and tree tenure rights will provide the security needed for long-term investments in diverse forestry systems. Expanding extension services and establishing nurseries for indigenous species will improve access to high-quality planting material while promoting biodiversity. Market reforms such as cooperative marketing platforms can connect smallholders directly with buyers, ensuring fair prices.

Lastly, promoting agroforestry models that integrate climate-resilient, multi-purpose indigenous species will not only secure livelihoods but also restore degraded landscapes. With the right policy environment, farm and social forestry can become cornerstones of Pakistan’s climate resilience and rural prosperity.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s forestry future depends on recognizing and scaling the grassroots solutions that are already delivering results. Farm and social forestry have demonstrated that when tree planting is embedded in local livelihoods, it thrives producing the bulk of the nation’s timber and fuelwood, restoring degraded landscapes, and supporting millions of rural households. These models work because they align ecological restoration with economic incentives, making trees an asset rather than a burden for farmers and communities.

In contrast, decades of centralized, state-managed forestry have yielded little measurable increase in forest cover, underscoring the limitations of top-down approaches. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, weak enforcement, and a lack of community engagement have hindered progress, even in the face of growing environmental urgency. With wood demand rising and climate pressures intensifying, Pakistan cannot afford to ignore the proven capacity of its rural stewards.

The path forward lies in integrating farm and social forestry into national policy, securing land and tree tenure, improving market access, and diversifying species selection toward climate-resilient indigenous trees. By empowering local actors with the tools, rights, and markets they need, Pakistan can meet its timber needs sustainably, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. In doing so, the country can turn its forestry crisis into a green growth opportunity.

References: FAO; IPCC; IUCN; KP Government; PFFA; World Bank; Pakistan Economic Survey; UN; Pakistan Farm Forestry Association

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Forestry and Range Management, University of Agriculture and can be reached at astisham3@gmail.com

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