Investor Presentaiton

Punjab Forest Policy, 2019 Before discussing the changes that occurred in the management system over a period of time, it should be appropriate to mention that irrigated plantations have become the primary source of fuelwood production for domestic and commercial purposes. Plantations not only supported the wood based industries, but also provided raw material for various small scale local furniture industries, which flourished around the plantations in the province. With the increase in population and expanding wood based industries several fast growing and short rotation tree species were introduced in these plantations. These species were raised as monoculture as well as under storey forest of Dalbergia sisso (Shisham) areas. The major species introduced include Poplar, Eucalyptus and Mulberry. The introduction of Poplar was to support match and allied industry, while Mulberry Plantations provided raw material to the sports industry. Eucalyptus was raised on marginal land effected by salinity and water logging caused by inefficient management of canal water. All the major irrigated plantations in Punjab are managed under an approved Management Plans, prepared for a period of 10 to 20 years. The Management Plans had been expired after the notified period of their implementation, while new plans could not be timely prepared due to inadequate trained human resource in the Department. Since 2009, a separate wing was created in the Department not only to prepare new Management Plans for all types of forests but also to conduct monitoring and evaluation of forest activities in the province. In the newly developed Management Plans, there is a great shift from the previous management practices. Initially, the working circle used to correspond to species and its management. But as per new objectives, certain areas are designated as Environment Working Circle, to be afforested through indigenous tree species. Such working circle shall not be prescribed for main felling in future, rather kept for environmental services. In contrary to earlier practice of monoculture, several indigenous tree species shall be planted for conservation of biodiversity. At present, the main felling is being discouraged in the prescriptions of the Management Plan, to reduce the existing wide gap between the planted and unplanted areas in the irrigated plantations. 2.4 Riverain Forests Punjab is land of five rivers. The major alive rivers are Ravi, Chenab, Jehlum and Indus. These forests over an area of 143548 acres are mainly along the above mentioned four rivers in various districts under the administrative control of Forest Department. Few forests along river Ravi falls in Lahore and Sheikhupura district. However, in case of Chenab, there are several riverain forests along both sides of river located in Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat district. But only few forest are present along river Jehlum. Indus is the biggest river which provide irrigation water, besides being a source of hydral power generation. The riverain forests located on the either side of Indus river are not only greater in number, but also constitute larger area. The riverain forests of Indus river are mainly located in Muzaffargarh, D.G. Khan and Layyah district of the province. 7 | Page

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