Forestry Nasirabad
Introduction
The forestry in the district is very limited. Before the establishment of canals the area consisted of unirrigated plains. After the construction of the canals, people are still not inclined to grow trees. The district has no state forest. Most planting is done on road sides and along the canals.
Actual data on forestry are not available. Different sources quote different figures.
Forestry Reserve (State Forests)
There is no forestry reserve in the district.
Commercial Forestry (Plantations)
There is no commercial forestry from either government side or private enterprise. The area has potential for commercial forestry as it can grow bamboo, tali kikar and eucalyptus. Eucalyptus and kikar are already grown around the highway. In addition, trees could be used as boundary demarcation or wind break.
Under a USAID funded project from 1986 to 1994, incentives were given for the cultivation of trees, by providing farmers with trees at the cost of Rs. 1.25 per plant, but the overall result was below expectation.
The natural forest in the command area along the canals has been reduced as parts of it have been cut for the cultivation of rice and wheat. Trees and bushes are cut by people for fuel consumption. Landlords illegally occupy parts of forest areas.
Major Vegetation
The major vegetation in the area other than agricultural area is classified into forest area, which comprises block plantation, canal and road side plantation and farm forestry. Major species are: 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 in the canal area with water logging and salinity.
Cutting/Marketing/Processing
The cutting, marketing and processing of trees is largely done by private enterprise. According to Forestry Department sources, the government auctioning of forest trees takes place through private contractors, specially during the widening of the canal. Illegal cutting is common in rural areas. It mostly concerns small trees and bushes that are used for household fuel consumption.
Department of Forestry Development
The district authorities on forestry come under a Divisional Forest Officer at D. M. Jamali, who is assisted by three Range Officers, two Foresters, twenty Forest Guards, gardeners, watchmen and clerical staff. There are three game watchers. The Deputy Director Office is at Dera Murad Jamali.
Wildlife
Wildlife in the area includes migratory and non-migratory species. Migratory birds include ducks and houbaras. In mustard seeds season, wild pigeons are common. Non-migratory birds include brown partridges. Brown partridges used to be common in the area, but their number has decreased, because of excessive shooting, poaching and netting by professional hunters. Netting and poaching of chickens is common. Quails migrate in the beginning of winter. Ducks are commonly found in marsh areas around the canal command area. The game watchers are responsible for the preservation of wild-life. Wild-life includes wolves and jackals, but not as much as there used to be.
Bee-keeping
Bee-keeping is an uncommon feature in the district. Honey is secured from natural sources of honey hives. The area has potential for bee-keeping, as there is plenty of vegetation and agricultural crops, but the population show not much interest.
GO/NGO/Private Enterprise, etc. involvement in Forestry Development
|
Coverage Forestry Services |
Local Govt. |
Prov. Govt. |
Fed. Govt. |
NGO |
Internat. Donor |
Private Entr. |
||
|
Tree planting |
- |
xxx |
- |
- |
- |
xxx |
||
|
Tree harvesting |
- |
xxx |
- |
- |
- |
xx |
||
|
Fuel wood cutting / processing |
- |
xx |
- |
- |
- |
xx |
||
|
Fuel wood marketing |
- |
xx |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||
|
Timber wood processing |
- |
xx |
- |
- |
- |
xx |
||
|
Sale of timber |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||
|
Game ranches |
- |
xx |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||
|
Bee-keeping |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
x |
||
|
Legend: |
- x xx xxx |
No involvement Minor involvement Substantial involvement Major involvement |
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Conclusion and major Development Issues
The district has potential for forestry because of the availability of water in the command area. Chances for social forestry in the area are there, but the landowners do not seem to be interested. The district has a limited forestry sector which stretches along the highway and the canals. There is no state forest.
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