Social Voting

It is impossible to sum up the significance of forests in just a few words. Forests  have strong effects on our daily lives in so many ways, even in the midst of a busy, noisy, concrete city centre. In spite of our reliance on forests, we are not  yet doing well to save and increase them. The forest are rapidly reducing day by day.

The role of forests is extremely vital in the economy of a country. There is very shortage of forests in Pakistan. There is 4.01 million hectares area which is covered by forests in Pakistan and it is also about 5 percent of the total land area.  Out of this eighty-five percent is a public forest including 40 percent coniferous and scrub forests  situated on the northern hills and mountains. The balance is made up of irrigated plantations and Rive-rain forests along major rivers on Indus plains, mangrove forests on the Indus delta and trees planted on farmlands. Despite the fact that the forest resources are insufficient however, they play a vital role in  the economy of Pakistan by providing employment to half a million people and fulfilling one-third energy requirements of the country. Forest and Rangelands support about 30 million herds of livestock. The role of forests is very significant in soil conservation, regulating flow of water for irrigation and power generation, decrease of sedimentation in water conveyances and reservoirs, employment and maintenance of ecological balance.

As to Rain and snow in heavy quantity fall on the northern mountains of Pakistan. these areas are the main source of water of rivers. The forest also stop soil erosion as they reduce the speed of rainwater on the slopes of mountains. They are  also a regular source of irrigation the plains.

Forest supply wood as a fuel in place of coal. They are also a souce of provision of timber, firewood, gum and other useful things which are very essential for the trade  and commerce of country.

Forest make the climate of an area very pleasant by reducing heat and pollution.

By rainfall the temperature is reduced by forests and air becomes moist. Forests also increase the rainfall.

As the forest keep the soil intact therfore,  soil fertility remains uneffected.

Because rivers carry huge amount of sand and silt which fill our dams and lakes and destroy hydroelectric power projects, the presence of forests stop the sand and silt.

Forests are very useful in water logged and salinity effected areas. Trees absorb water from the soil and lower water level of underground reserves. The forests are supportive in stopping of floods and safety of dams.

Tourism is also promoted by the forests, there are many places in the northern and north-western mountainous areas of Pakistan which are covered with forests and casuse for the attraction of the tourists.

Forests are very important for wild life. In forests animals of hunting are found which is  not only a source of provision of meat to us but hunting also.

Forests provide employment to a large part of population in Pakistan.

Forests provide different kinds of fruits to us  and fodder to animals.

Total  area covered by the forests in Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan is 0.48, 1.33, 0.84 and 1.36 million hectares respectively. As an Agricultural country the reliance of Pakistan on constant provisiton of water and fertile soil. It is only possible through the intactness of our forests and watersheds in the high hills. Due to lack of  forests Pakistan is facing timber and fire wood shortage to the tune of about 29 million cubic meters. There is dire need to increase the area under tree cover, not only to meet material needs of growing population but also to enhance environmental and ecological services being provided by the forests.

By Increasing  in the forest we will definitely  step forward for the betterment of economy of our country.