Report: Murtaza Zaib Zehri
Ziarat, a beautiful and spacious place in Balochistan, located 133 km from Quetta and seven thousand feet above sea level, is famous for its magnificent pine forests.
The cypress forests here are among the second largest cypress forests in the world and have been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations World Organization, UNESCO. But, due to local conditions and environmental changes, these valuable forests are under serious threat.
The significance of Ziarat’s cypress forests lies not only in their beauty but also in their ecological role. The cypress is considered an ancient and living passenger in the evolutionary journey of the planet’s biological history.
Some of the cypress trees here are estimated to be up to 5,000 years old, highlighting their historical and ecological importance.
These forests provide the basis for the natural beauty of the pilgrimage and improve the air quality here.
Cypress trees not only protect the land but also absorb carbon dioxide from the air, which is important for maintaining ecological balance.
Climate change and environmental issues
Ziarat has experienced changes in climatic conditions in recent years, due to which the condition of cypress forests has deteriorated.
Syed Gul Muhammad, a forester, told the Balochistan24 website that the growth of Ziarat cypress has decreased due to lack of rains and snowfall. Although cypress trees are very resilient, extreme weather conditions are hampering their growth.
According to the data, ancient and rare cypress trees in Ziarat are spread over an area of 88 thousand acres to 1 lakh acres. But this precious forest faces serious threats, including climate change, illegal logging, and local needs.
Local difficulties and illegal logging
Ziarat experiences severe winters, causing locals to cut down cypress trees as an alternative fuel. According to local volunteers, this practice is a serious problem for forest conservation.
A volunteer told the Balochistan24 website that there are needle gas pipelines but there is no gas supply, due to which people are forced to cut pine trees illegally.
This illegal logging has become a serious threat to the protection of forests. Due to indiscriminate felling of trees, the forest area is decreasing, and its natural state is deteriorating.
This conflict between the needs of local people and environmental protection is a major challenge for forests.
Government and local administration initiatives
Experts and local leaders have urged the government to take immediate and effective measures, including:
Strict enforcement of laws and strengthening of monitoring in forests are essential to curb illegal deforestation.
Local administration should set up check posts in forest areas and crack down on illegal activities.
A practical solution should be provided for alternative fuel supply keeping in mind the needs of the local people.
This solution can be in the form of electricity, gas, or biomass so that people do not have to resort to cutting down pine trees.
It is important to educate the local community about the importance and conservation of forests. Environmental education should be provided in schools, community centers, and local meetings so that people understand the importance of forest conservation.
Reforestation projects should be initiated to increase the number of cypress trees again. This includes replanting trees, restoring natural environments, and planting campaigns in forested areas.
World Heritage Conservation and Tourism Importance
Cypress forests of Ziarat are not only a local environment but also a part of world heritage. During summer, a large number of tourists visit Ziarat, who enjoy the natural beauty and freshness of the air.
Fahad Khan, a tourist from Karachi, told the Balochistan24 website that visiting Ziarat was a wonderful experience for him. He appreciated the climate and the beauty of the pine forests here.
Tourism here is also important to the local economy. If the condition of the forests does not improve, the tourism industry may also suffer.
Therefore, it is necessary to take urgent steps to protect the world heritage site so that the natural beauty of the pilgrimage can be maintained and the place becomes more attractive for tourists.
The present condition of the pine forests in Ziarat and their future threats are very alarming. Local conditions, climate change, and illegal logging have made the protection of these forests a major challenge.
The government, local administrations, and international organizations should work together to take effective forest conservation measures to preserve the pristine and rare status of pine forests and preserve their ecological benefits.
These joint efforts to restore and protect the forests will help in maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance of the pilgrimage.
