The Loralai district is not very suitable for forestry due to limited rainfall and the nature of the terrain. The area comprises steep mountain slopes from 1,500 to 3,000 meters of elevation. The annual rainfall ranges from 250 to 350 mm. Part of the area is under coniferous forest and part serves as range lands. The high mountain area includes the Sulaiman range.

The district can be classified as a semi-arid zone with high and low mountains, gravelly fairs and terraces, piedmont plains etc.

The percentage of the area under forest is negligible. Of the total district area 44,397 ha is reserved for forest, (4.5% of the geographical area); out of this, 23,092 ha is range land and 18,305 ha is coniferous. An area of 22,416 ha is hill plate scrub.⁵²

All forest land is declared state forest by the provincial government.

Due to scanty rainfall and shortage of water, commercial forestry is negligible. Commercial forestry at private level is also limited. A total of 5000 trees, comprising Eucalyptus, Chiel (Quetta Pam) and Morpanki were provided to the local people at a nominal price of Rs.4 per tree. The same types of trees, numbering 5000 were distributed to the Army.⁵³

The major trees found in the higher hills are Juniper and Pistachio. Olives grow in the lower hills. Acacia Modesta is found at the east end of Bori Valley. Other trees found are Khinjak, Glidetovbia Tricanthois and Ulnus Pennataramosa (Alder).

The wild bushes include Gangu (Orthonopsis Intermedia), Gandenae (Nerium Ordorum) and Leghunae (Daphne Oleoides). Tirkha (Artemisia) is found in the high lands, while Makhae (Caragana) grows in all hills. Oman (Ephedra) grows in hills and is collected for commercial purposes. The low shrubs comprise Cynodon Dactylom (Khabal), Desmostachya Bipinata (Dab), Peganum Barmala (Harnal, Spand), Haloxylon Griffithi (Lana), Rosa Beggeriana (Surai), Nannborbops Ritehiana (Mazari), Acacia Modesta (Phulai).

Due to population pressure and increasing livestock numbers, many species of rangeland and vegetation are disappearing. The sustainable development of livestock is not possible with the continuing depletion of rangelands.

Due to the small area under forest and semiarid nature of the area there is no cutting/marketing of the forest in the district. Trees have been cut and used as fuel by the local people and there are not many trees left to be used as fuel.

The Forest Department is responsible for the forestry development at provincial level, but the staff is stationed in each district.

In Loralai district there is one District Forest Officer with 8 Foresters, 29 Forest Guards and support staff.

Wildlife in the district is threatened by extinction. The wild animals of the district are Wolf, Jackal, Hyena and Fox, all of which are common throughout the district. Markhors are found in high hills and a few deer can be seen within the valleys and plains. Game birds found are chikor, partridges, sisi, sand grouse and khargat, geese and ducks visit the swampy area and streams in winter.

Wild animals and livestock are competing for forage and water and the losers are the wild animals. They are forced to retreat to the most inhospitable habitats. In addition there is always the threat of being hunted. With the increase of population and transport facilities most of the species are disappearing.

Due to the arid nature and scanty rainfall, there is a subsequent lack of flowers and vegetation. Thus, bee keeping is almost negligible.

As will be clear from the table, (provincial) government involvement in Forestry is almost negligible, tree planting drives set aside. The only actors, which are really involved in this sector (of little importance), are the private enterprises.

Due to shortage of water and low precipitation, growth of forestry is very low. Trees and bushes are cut by the local people and used as fuel. The lack of substitutes to be used as fuel and high cost of other fuel sources, leave people with no choice but to use trees and bushes for cooking and heating purposes. The scope for commercial forestry is also very limited.

Game birds and wildlife are diminishing and some of the species are at the verge of extinction. Although government has banned hunting and cutting trees, these practices never stop. All forest land has been declared state forest by the government. But due to the increasing pressure of livestock and human population, the condition of the forests has deteriorated continuously. The number of trees has diminished tremendously. The administrative staff does not pay enough attention towards improvement of the forest by making better management or work plans for the forest area. The number of forest guards is not sufficient to control and patrol the vast territory under their control. Lack of facilities like motorcycles, vehicles, make their job even more difficult. The forest guards are also influenced by the tribal chiefs, illegal wood cutters and armed outlaws.

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