Forests must be central to economy, climate resilience: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP): As the world observes the International Day of Forests on March 21, Pakistan has underscored the need to place forests at the centre of economic planning and climate resilience strategies.
Talking to APP, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said this year’s global theme, “Forests and economies,” highlights the growing recognition of forests as key drivers of livelihoods, economic activity and environmental stability.
The day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, aims to raise awareness about the importance of forests and trees outside traditional forest areas.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, forests support the livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people worldwide and play a vital role in agriculture, water security and renewable resource supply.
Shaikh said Pakistan, increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts and land degradation, must treat forests as a frontline defence against climate change. “Forests are the lungs of the Earth and a critical national asset,” he said.
He stressed that forests should not be seen merely as sources of timber, noting that they support agriculture, secure water resources, generate green jobs and enable ecotourism and nature-based enterprises. “If forests are undervalued in economic planning, the country pays a far higher price through floods, soil erosion and ecological decline,” he warned.
Citing FAO studies, he said non-wood forest products and ecosystem services generate over $9 billion annually worldwide, reflecting their vast economic potential.
Referring to Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy 2021, he said forests are central to mitigation and adaptation strategies, including ecosystem restoration, mangrove rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation. The policy also calls for stronger governance, curbing illegal logging and utilising climate finance tools such as REDD+.
Pakistan’s latest climate commitment under the Paris Agreement — its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 submitted to the UNFCCC in 2025 — further integrates forests into national climate planning through nature-based solutions and sustainable land management.
The updated targets aim to increase forest cover from 5.4pc to 6.5pc by 2030, signalling a shift towards recognising forests as multifunctional assets.
Shaikh emphasised that real progress would depend on sustained protection and enforcement. “Investing in forests is investing in safer communities, stronger livelihoods and long-term climate resilience,” he said, adding that forests must be treated as central to sustainable development.