Introduction

Forestry plays a key role in conserving natural resources. Forestry is important for the rehabilitation and development of forest, range land improvement, watershed management, wildlife management and soil conservation. Forests also play a significant role directly or indirectly in supplying raw material for a number of industries like, sports goods, furniture, paper, sericulture etc. The dominating type of forest found in the district is natural forest. These can be found in Quetta (10,694 Ha) and at Urak (23,940 Ha).

The names of the major forests in Quetta are Karkhasa (4048 Ha), Takatu south (2894 Ha) and Hazargunji forest (2202 Ha). Major forests in Urak are Spin Karez (7260 Ha), Tagha Tarkhar (6125 Ha) and Zarghun central. In the absence of provincial and national statistics on forestry for two consecutive years, it is not possible to estimate the growth rates. According to the available information from the Forests Department, during 1996-97 192,000 trees of various kinds were planted by different departments in the district.

Source: Conservator of Forests Quetta

According to the latest estimates provided by the Conservator of Forests Quetta, the total forest area comprises 34,634 Ha. Recently 59 Ha in the shape of forest plantation have been added. Natural forest is dominant.

Forestry Reserve (state forests)

It is unfortunate that the ratio of planted forest in total forest reserve is negligible: i.e. it is only 50 Ha of the total 34,684 Ha. It is worth mentioning that the forestry activities, if judged from an economic point of view, are far below and need vast improvement.

Commercial Forestry

There is no tradition of private commercial forestry in the district. Farmers are reluctant to plant trees. The existing institutions have not been able to convince the farmers to grow this for commercial purposes. Therefore, all the plantation efforts can be associated with government involvement.

Major Vegetation

Artemisia is used for medicine purpose. The salt vegetation found in Ghaza and Karak is a source of salts for the livestock. Shkarai, Andropogo and Artemisia are also used by the animals. Pistachia which is found in the Zarghoon hills, is eaten by small ruminants. Some of the vegetation like camelarom (Z0Z), Juniper and Pistachio trees are used for fuel purpose. According to the estimates of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Quetta, the percentage-wise area under different types of vegetation in district Quetta is:

Local Name of Vegetation

Source: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Quetta

The soil of the district is sparsely covered with vegetation. Some types are found on the hills and damans, depending on rainfall. Nature has endowed the district with a variety of vegetation. Many areas are covered with bushes of Artemisia (Trkha sperah) and Haloxyon griffithi (Shorai). In winter their roots are used as fuel in the villages and their twiggy branches are used as feed for small ruminants. Tamarix gallica is used for fuel and for roofing of houses. Other vegetation found in the district: Ephedra intermedia (Humma), Sophora alopecuroides (Ghurezah), Menthe sylvestris (Shin shob), Eremurus Aucherianus (shezgi), Achillea sanlolina (Zawal), Carum bulbo castanum (Zira siyah), Alhagi camelorum (Zoz), Sisymbium sophia (Khakshir), Arnebia Cornuta (Kharorak), Caragana ambigua (Makhi), Scirpus wardianus (Lokhae), Saecharum ciliare (Sarghasae), Andro pogon annuatus (Murgha), Thymus (Spina maurai), Shkrae plantago major (Barang).

Out of the above mentioned vegetation’s, Carum Bulbo Castanum (Zira siyah) is fetching high value in the market. Further, Ephedra (Huma) and sicymbrium Sopihia (Khakshir) are found in large quantity and have medical value. A major proportion of the above mentioned vegetation is marketed. This vegetation, having medicinal value,

is largely used by villagers as they believe that the use of these vegetation has no side

effect moreover, they are easily available and cheap. Wood is not available for timber purpose, the only type of wood available for fire is Pistachia Khinjuk and temarex.

Cutting/Marketing/Processing

In the district, wood obtained from the forests is used for fuel purposes. There is no data available about the quantity of exploited wood. Historically, nomads have been involved in the exploitation of wood. In the recent past, locals have been found cutting the trees. It may be attributed to the high wood price, poor management of Forest Department, and above all, need of the poor who have no alternative as fuel.

It is worth mentioning that fuel and timber wood cutting / processing / marketing for commercial purpose are non existent in the district. However, it has been observed that wood from central Asia enters Chaman and then finds its way into the local market.

Department of Forestry Development

The Forest Department in the District is administratively controlled by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), based at Quetta, in who is under the Conservator of Forest. The Conservator of Forest is under the command of Chief Conservator of Forest in the province. There are two Range Forest Officers whose main responsibilities are to control and manage the affairs pertaining to forests in the district. There are two Deputy Rangers to assist the Range Forest Officer. Further, there is one Forester and 26 Forest Guards and 12 game watchers to assist him in the protection and development of forest.

Wild Life

The wild animals are similar to those found in other districts. They include wolf, fox and jackal. A few ravine deer can be seen. Mountain sheep, rabbit and markhor can be found on the northern hills. The common game birds include the chakoors, see-see, sand grouse, bustard, and pigeon ducks. Some of the natives have a superstition against pigeon shooting, believing that one who does so will become blind. Hyena, porcupine are also found in the district.

There are no statistics available to indicate the number of wild life species residing in the district. It is satisfying that Government of Balochistan has taken steps to protect wildlife in the district. For example at Hazargunji, a national park, covering an area of 15,555 Ha has been established. This area is declared as sanctuary for wildlife. It is worth mentioning that wildlife exist in the district, but with the passage of time their number have declined due to the following reasons:

There is as yet no comprehensive government policy for the protection of wild life. Due to illegal hunting and shooting incidents, birds have reduced and migrated to other places. Further, rapid population growth in the district has been an important reason for their decline.

Bee-keeping

The district is one of the most important horticultural areas of Balochistan. Nonetheless, bee keeping as a source of economic activity does not exist at a large scale. However, in recent years this activity has been initiated in the Urak valley.

The main reasons put forward by the residents for not getting involved in bee keeping activities were that bees produce honey only in the warm areas. In the cold areas, they are not productive at all. Bees do not survive in the cold weather of the district. Thus weather is not conducive for bee keeping. However, the area seems to have great potential for bee keeping due to abundant flora fruit like cherries, peach, apple and mulberry.

GO/NGO/Private Enterprise, etc. involvement in Forestry Development

The provincial government which is involved in the process of tree planting, also looks after wildlife and game ranches. Federal government also encourages tree plantation as a major environment policy issue. International donor agencies like Word Wildlife Fund (WWF) and FAO are involved in preserving wildlife. The role of NGOs (e.g. BRSP) exist to some extent in tree planting. As far as private enterprises are concerned, they don’t have a significant role on the commercial side with regard to forest in Quetta but private enterprises are involved in import of wood.

Conclusion and major Development Issues

Thirteen percent of the district is under forest. In view of the expectation of further urbanization of the district, its is of great importance to protect the existing forest as much as possible and even to undertake measures to promote tree plantation. Not only urbanization is a threat for the forests, also the cutting of wood for to be used as fuel.

To increase the potential of forest protection, the Forestry Department need to be strengthened. Also NGO's should increase their role in the field; creating awareness among the population involved and promoting community participation is something the NGO's might give priority in this respect.

 Protected areas as Hazargunji show how the vegetation can regenerate when an area is free from interference from humans and animals.

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