Despite a month of monsoon rains and temperatures soaring to 47°C (felt like 52°C) in June and July, Rahim Yar Khan’s forest department has yet to initiate any plantation drives. The district is experiencing environmental degradation due to shrinking forests from timber theft and inadequate irrigation.
The Rahim Yar Khan Forest Division, covering one sub-division and six ranges with 166 staff members, oversees plantations at several locations. These include:
- Walhar Reserved Forests (RFs) in Sadiqabad tehsil (4,632 acres gross, 3,250 acres planted)
- Abbasia RFs in Liaqatpur tehsil (6,749 acres gross, 4,430 acres planted)
- Abbasia Extension Protected Forests (PFs) (3,410 acres gross, 2,050 acres planted)
- Qasimwala PFs (5,763 acres gross, 3,000 acres planted)
- IL Abbasia PFs (8,400 acres gross, 1,262 acres planted)
- IL/Il Abbasia PFs (5,212 acres gross, 50 acres planted)
Historically, spring tree plantation campaigns aimed to increase tree cover, combat pollution and global warming, improve climate, provide wildlife habitats, and offer shade and resources. However, these efforts are failing as timber theft and irrigation issues plague the plantations.
Abdul Ghaffar from Walhar notes that the once-vast Walhar forest is now suffering from theft and inadequate water supply. The local forestry office is in poor condition and lacks proper maintenance.
In Abbasia and Qasimwala, timber theft is rampant due to their remote locations. Former Liaqatpur nazim Arshaad Gujjar claims that 70-80% of trees have been cut down with the complicity of forestry department officials. He suggests that monitoring key points could curb theft.
Gujjar also reports that wood-cutting machines and laborers, often protected by influential figures, are used to exploit the forests. If laborers are caught, they are often released due to their connections.
A block officer, speaking anonymously, mentioned a successful 2022 plantation campaign with 30,000 saplings planted, but cited a lack of budget and resources as barriers to further efforts. RYK Divisional Forest Officer Raja Javed Iqbal was unavailable for comment due to court commitments.
