Forests are vital for the ecological balance. They play an important role in range land improvement, watershed management, wildlife management and soil conservation. There are two types of forest found in the district, natural forest and planted forest. Dasht Baddu Chiltan, Shaikh Wasil, Muhammad Shahi, Narwari and Zarkhu are natural forests. Planted forests can be found in many parts of the district

It is unfortunate that reliable data on forestry is limited on the district level. The forest area of district Mastung is in most cases is combined with Kalat district, but these data is not reliable. For example, according to Agriculture Statistics of Balochistan 1994-95, Kalat and Mastung together have 63,181 hectares of forest. According to the information provided by the Extra Assistant Director of Agriculture Extension Mastung there is 14,350 hectares of forest in Mastung. The Executive Engineer Irrigation Division Mastung has confirmed the above figures. However, other sources give different figures.

The sand dunes in Mastung valley have made local land un-productive and sterile. The sand causes serious damage to farm land and infrastructure. The sand dunes are moving forward at an alarming rate. They are a constant threat for the environment. The Soil Conservation Wing of the Balochistan Forest Department has set up a programme to stabilise the dunes by planting various types of suitable trees; e.g. Tamarix gallica, Arundo donex and Calligonum. Their major aim is to stop desertification of the valley, which is essential for sustainable development. The techniques used are cheap and easy. The planted trees also provide firewood and building material for future local use.

The recent availability of Sui gas to Mastung has decreased the pressure on vegetation. The absence of time series data make it difficult to compute provincial as well as national growth rate. However, looking at the available data, it would seem that the growth rate in forestry is very slow and needs substantial efforts both on the part of government. Plantations have increased from 20 acres to 70 acres, but much more is needed.

The following forests in Mastung district are Estate protected forests:

Further government is trying to increase the proportion of the planted forest in the total forest. Therefore, the following areas within the district have been planted and declared protected forest:

fuel and for the construction of houses. Out of the abovementioned vegetations some are used as spices, e.g. cumin. Some of the vegetation have medicinal value and they are easily available and are cheap.

There is no data available about the proportion of natural forest in total forest. However, it can be safely concluded that the proportion of the planted forests is less than natural forest.

Plantation by the private sector is negligible. All the plantation efforts are done by government. Government is not involved in commercial forestry activities. However, limited private commercial activities in the forestry sector have been observed in Mastung, Pringabad and Shamsabad.

Nature has endowed the district of Mastung with a variety of vegetation. Many areas are covered with bushes of Artemisia and Halloxyon Griffithi. Where water is available or after rainfall, Tamarix and species of sulsola grow. Cumin, Arafetider (hing), Hyssup, peganum hurmalu are also present. The major vegetation in the district is tamarix gallica, which is used for fuel and for roofing houses. Wood is not available for timber, the type of wood available for fuel is juniper, pistachio, Khinjuk and Tamarix. Major vegetation include Huloxylon salicornicum, Artemisia Mastima, Klpinea linearis, Heliotropium Dasgcaspum, Othnopsis. Livestock eat them; they are used as 

All activities of cutting, marketing and processing are done by the private sector. Wood obtained from the forests is mainly used for fuel purposes. There are no data available about the quantity of the wood exploited.

The Forest Department in the District is administratively controlled by a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kalat Division. At the district level a Range Officer, with limited staff, supervises all the forestry activities.

The wild animals are mostly the same as those found in other districts, like wolf, fox and jackal. Mastung is famous for its wild goats (Markhor), chikoors, see see and other predators. In Chiltan Hazargunji Markhor are protected by law. There are no statistics available to indicate the number of wildlife species living in district Mastung, but with the passage of time their numbers have declined due to the fact that there is no clear-cut government policy for the protection of wild life and illegal hunting.

Bee keeping is not common in Mastung district. Honey is obtained from natural resources, particularly from mulberry trees. Government and the private sector could promote bee-keeping and turn it into a commercial activity.

The role of the local government in forestry development is zero. The provincial government is involved in tree planting and also takes care of wildlife and game ranches. It is the policy of the federal government to encourage tree plantation as a major environment policy issue. International donor agencies like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are involved in wildlife preservation. NGOs play a role in tree plantation. Private enterprise exploits the forest resources for fuel purposes.

FAO, with assistance from the Italian government, works together with the Forest Department in the Participatory Upland Conservation and Development Project. The project promotes an integrated approach to watershed management and aims at: rangeland rehabilitation improvement of both rain fed and irrigated farming systems women’s development.

The wildlife management is very poor and needs substantial improvement. Forestry has much potential in the area. Sand dunes are moving forward at an alarming rate. There is urgent need to stabilise the dunes by planting various types of suitable trees. Social awareness among the population is needed to promote forestry in the area.

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