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The total area of forests in Pakistan is 4.224 million ha which is 4.8% of the total land
area. However, it may be mentioned here that the farmland trees and linear planting along
roadsides, canal sides and railway sides covering an estimated area of 466,000 ha and
16,000 ha respectively do not constitute forests within the context of legal, ecological or
silvicultural/management definition of forests. The situation is also similar, but to a lesser
extent, in the case of miscellaneous plantations over an area of 155,000 ha. If the area of
these three categories of plantations is excluded from total forest area of 4.224 million ha,
then the latter is reduced to 3.587 million ha which is approximately 4.1 % of the total
area.
As recognition of the multiple values of forests has grown, so have concerns for their
disappearance. In Pakistan, subtropical, temperate, riverain and mangrove forests are
being lost because of questionable land use practices and the ever-increasing demand for
timber and firewood. As a result, more responsible management approaches are being
demanded that can accommodate complex economic and ecological needs. Designation
of selected forestlands as national parks, area for agro-forestry practices and the
development of plantations and a forestation practices are needs of the hour.
Total Forest Area under the control of the Forest Departments (including Azad Kashmir
and the Northern Areas) is 4.26 million hectares. The per capita forest area is only 0.037
ha compared to the world average of ONE ha. Main reason for this is that more than 70%
land area of Pakistan is Arid and semi-Arid with annual rainfall of 250-500 mm: too low
and erratic to sustain natural vegetation and to plan a forestation/regeneration
programmer.
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Sub-alpine forests
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Alpine scrub
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DISTRIBUTION: These forests occur at elevation 0-20 ft. These are more or less
gregarious forests of low height which occur in the Arabian Sea around the coast of
Karachi and Pasni in Balochistan and along the coast of Gawader.
FLORISTIC: The main species is Avicennia marina (timer) (99%). Other species
like Rhizophora have disappeared over a period of time due to heavy cutting. According
to latest estimates, these forests cover an area of 207,000 ha.Ceriops tagal.also present.
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DISTRIBUTION: these forests occur at elevation 1200 ft. The types of forest
naturally growing over the whole of Indus plain except for the driest parts and area
covered by annual inundation. They are most widespread in the Punjab plains but also
occupy small areas in southern Sindh and western Balochistan.
Locality factor; Means annual temperature varies from 75F TO 80F while mean
annual rainfall is 30 inch down to 5 inch with variation from year to year.
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DISTRIBUTION: This type does not occur extensively in Pakistan but there are
limited areas in the Rawalpindi foothills carrying this vegetation type, all much adversely
affected by close proximity to habitation or cultivation. The forests occur at elevation
1200-2000 ft.
LOCALITY FACTORS: The spring is hot and dry but there is much rain in late
summer up to 37 inches in the year.
FLORISTIC: The chief tree species are Lannea (Kamlai, Kembal) Bombax ceiba
(Semal), Sterculia, Flacourtia (Kakoh, Kangu), Mallotus (Kamila, Raiuni) and Acacia
catechu (Kath). Common shrubs are Adhatoda (Bankar, Basuti, Bansha), Gymnosporia
(Putaki) and Indigofera (Kathi, Kainthi), dalbergia sissio (shisham).
theses are known as scrub forests. These forest consist of branchy trees forming a
canopy if complete closure or scattered trees with a shrub growth. These trees and shrubs
are mostly thorny and evergreen, but some ,like olive and pomegranate are not thorny.
Distribution; These scrub forest occurs at height of 1500-5000 feet. These forests
found in Gujrat, Margalla Hills, Attock and Malakand. Actully broadly speaking, these
forests occur throughout the country at suitable elevation merging downwards with the
sub-tropical pine forest.
LOCALITY FACTORS; Temperature runs high in summer and long dry seasons.
FLORISTIC; Olea cuspidata (Kau) and Acacia modesta (Phulai), Dodonaea viscose
(snatha). Acacia modesta (phulai).Pistacia integerrima.
variously burnt unless special protection measures are taken. These are open inflammable
pine forests sometimes with, but often without, a dry evergreen shrub layer and little or
no Underwood.
LOCALITY FACTORS; Mean annual temperature lies between 60F0 to 72F0 and
monsoon rainfall is usually 30-50 inches.
FLORISTIC; Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), quercus incana, (white oak) Pyrus
pashia, pistacia integerrima,
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deciduous broad-leaved trees fall in this category. Their undergrowth is rarely dense, and
consists of both evergreen and deciduous species.
Distribution; These forests occur between 4500 feet to 10,000 feet elevation. Mainly
these are found in Murry, Kaghan, AJK, and Nathiagali.Shogran.
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These are open evergreen forest with open scrub undergrowth. Both coniferous and
broad-leaved species are present. This type occurs on the inner ranges throughout their
length and are mainly represented in the north-west.
LOCALITY FACTORS: The annual total rainfall is less than 30 inches and this
type of forest it confined to hilly country and most it on steep rocky slopes.
(8) SUB-ALPINE FORESTS: In sub alpine forests Abis pindrow and pinus
wallichina stand singly and in groups over in irregular and sometimes dense, lower story
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is of broad leaved trees in which Betula utilus is typically dominated at higher elevation.
(Betula utilus {(birch),} in early days the barks of Betula utilus was used as writing
material because at that time paper was not invented.
(9) ALPINE SCRUB: At this zone quite a limited no. of species exists. The stems
are generally flexible and adapted to snow pressure. Good herbaceous flora is also
present. Under this type are included shrub formations 1 m to 2 m high extending 150 m
or more above the sub-alpine forests.
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DISTRIBUTION: Generally about 1100 ft. Altitude and above. Alpine are present in
Kashmir.Hazara, Upper DIR.
FLORISTIC: The characteristic genera are Salix, Lonicera (Phut), Berberis (Sumbul,
Sumblue), Cotoneaster with Juniperus and occasionally Rhododendron or Ephedra
(Asmania).
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