The district has big potential for social and natural forestry. A large area of the district has vegetation. There are two state reserves in the district. The total area covering forest (social forest) is around 13,010 Ha.

There are two forestry reserves in the district. A forestry reserve can be defined as "any forest or waste-land which is the property of government, or over which the government has proprietary rights, or to the whole or any party of the forest-produce of which the government is entitled".

 An area of about 12,000 ha is declared as state forest. There are seven state forests. Important forest areas are Shin Garh State forest with an area of 1,500 Ha with largely pine-nut trees. The Suleiman mountain range has approximately 4,800 Ha. of forest. There are two private forests, around 1,000 Ha. with commercially grown pine-nut trees. There is block plantation in Kapip area state forest which is around 50 Ha. There is more block plantation in different places of the district covering around 100 Ha. There has been a number of other chunks of forestry, commercial and natural. Road side plantation has a length of 15 to 20 kilometres (along National Highways).

Commercial forestry in the district is for production of pine-nut and timber. The pine-nut forests are very profitable. The growth of forest for commercial timber forestry is in Sherani sub-division.

The major vegetation in the area other than agricultural area is classified into forest area which comprises block plantation, canal side plantation, road side plantation, and farm forestry. The major vegetation includes species of Eucalyptus, Acacia, Dalbergia, Zizyphis, Albizzia, Azadricha and Sesbania. Alkagae Camalerum, Kikar (acadia Arabica), Kandi, tamarix and Tali are rare. The growth of Meskat is common along canals area with water logging and salinity.

The cutting, marketing and processing is largely done by private enterprises. According to the Forestry Department, government auctioning of forest trees is through private contractors. Illegal cutting is common in rural areas. It mostly includes small trees and bushes for household fuel consumption.

The Department in Zhob district is headed by a Divisional Forest Officer who is stationed in Zhob city. Under him is one Range Officer, one Forester, 27 Forest Guards, 3 Game Watchers and clerical staff.

The district is known for a variety of wildlife species. It includes migratory and non-migratory species. The migratory birds include the sand grouse, pigeons, cranes, and ducks. Zhob district is a migratory corridor to a number of birds from Central Asia and Siberia. The outskirts of the district are staging areas for a variety of migratory wildlife birds, particularly the cranes. Each year a large number of cranes are trapped by professional hunters with the help of tamed cranes. Each year professional crane hunters are reported to have come to Zhob from NWFP, particularly Bannu.

Non-migratory birds include brown partridges, Chakoor, and Sesi. They used to be common in the area, but their numbers have reduced due to excessive shooting, poaching and netting by professional hunters. Zhob’s bushy and mountainous terrain are teemed with wolves, jackals, and foxes. Leopards and bears are found in the Suleiman range. There is no sanctuary in the district, nonetheless, a ban is imposed on shooting in the district by the district administration on behalf of higher authorities.

There is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) branch in the district to preserve the wildlife, natural forest and environment.

 Bee-keeping

 Bee-keeping is non-existent in Zhob district. Honey is secured from wild bee-hives. The area has potential for bee-keeping as there is plenty of wild vegetation and horticultural crops, particularly orchards.

The district is largely covered with forests. The area has potential for natural and social forestry. Forests are both privately and government owned. Most of the pine-nut forest in Shinghar and Suleiman range are privately owned. They are grown on commercial basis. Pine-nut forests are a source of livelihood for a large part of the population.They are not forests but trees that are individually owned. A family may have a number of trees divided among its members.

 Tree cutting is very common in the area. There is a lack of awareness about the negative effects of deforestation. The Forestry Department does not seem to be playing an effective role in the preservation of forests and plantations.

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