Chilgoza Forest Fires – Natural Causes, Climate Change, or Negligence?
Yahya Musakhel, Manager Business Development, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
Executive Summary
Chilgoza (Pinus gerardiana) forests are not only a vital ecological resource but also a significant contributor to local and national economies. These forests provide livelihoods to the local communities, serve as grazing lands, protect watersheds, and contribute to biodiversity. However, in recent years, wildfires have devastated these forests, particularly in the Koh-e-Suleiman range, which holds the world’s largest pure stand of Chilgoza forests. Fires in 2022, 2023, and 2024 inflicted heavy losses on biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the economy. These wildfires were driven by a combination of climatic factors, human activities, and insufficient preventive measures.
Introduction
Forest fires are an escalating concern worldwide, driven by both natural
factors and human activities. These fires cause severe damage to ecosystems,
biodiversity, and the climate by releasing greenhouse gases and aerosols.
Chilgoza forests, found in the Suleiman Range of Pakistan, are particularly
vulnerable. Their economic significance, coupled with their role in sustaining
local communities and biodiversity, makes their conservation a national
priority.
The Suleiman Range, spreading across Balochistan and parts of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP), is home to approximately 89,000 hectares of Chilgoza forests.
These forests produce highly valued pine nuts, which are a major source of
income for local communities and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s foreign
exchange. The Chilgoza tree also provides ecological services such as soil
conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitat for wildlife.
However, these forests are under threat. Recent wildfires in the region
have caused unprecedented destruction, raising critical questions about whether
these fires are the result of natural processes, climate change, or human
failure.
Historical Context of Chilgoza Forest Fires
Fire Incidents in the Region
Forest fires in the Chilgoza forests are not a new phenomenon.
Historically, small- to medium-scale fires have occurred sporadically. However,
the frequency and severity of wildfires have increased in recent years due to
climate change and human activities.
Key fire events include:
- 1961–62: A large fire ignited by tribal disputes,
burning a 5-km stretch of forest.
- 2002: A fire caused by forest clearance went
out of control, burning approximately 200 Chilgoza
trees.
- 2015: A small fire in Kucho-Naray (Shirani)
damaged around 200 Chilgoza trees.
- 2022: A catastrophic fire engulfed 6,636
hectares across Balochistan and KP, causing losses estimated at PKR 11
billion (USD 48.6 million). burning approximately 1.9 million Chilgoza
trees.
- 2023 and
2024: Subsequent fires
damaged an additional 3,000 acres, with losses still under assessment.
These trends indicate an alarming increase in wildfire frequency and
intensity, exacerbated by climatic changes and inadequate management.
Causes of Chilgoza Forest Fires
1. Natural Factors
- Climatic
Conditions: Rising
temperatures, prolonged droughts, and reduced rainfall have created highly
flammable conditions in the forests. Resin-laden needles, dry twigs, and
fallen trees act as fuel.
- Lightning: At least one of the three fires in 2022
was attributed to a lightning strike.
- Topography: The mountainous terrain of the Suleiman
Range accelerates fire spread due to rolling burning logs and gusty winds.
2. Climate Change
- Climate
change has intensified the frequency and severity of wildfires globally.
In Pakistan, extreme weather patterns, including hotter summers and
erratic rainfall, have contributed to forest fires. A lack of winter rains
in the region exacerbated the dry conditions before the 2022 fires.
3. Human Activities
- Negligence: Fires caused by cooking activities,
improper waste disposal, and deliberate forest clearance have been
documented in the region.
- Drywood inside
forest: Lack of management
to remove/ extract dry wood from forest, mixing fire lines and connecting
gaps.
- Conflict
and Disputes: Tribal
conflicts have historically led to intentional forest fires.
- Lack of
Awareness and Capacity:
Local communities lack training, tools, and resources to prevent or combat
wildfires.
Impacts of the Wildfires
1. Economic Losses
- Chilgoza
Nut Production: The 2022
fire alone destroyed Chilgoza nuts worth PKR 7.4 billion (USD 31.4
million), with long-term losses expected over the next 30 years.
- Timber
Losses: Chilgoza timber
losses were estimated at PKR 1.6 billion (USD 6.8 million).
- Non-Timber
Forest Products (NTFPs):
Losses of honey, medicinal herbs, and other NTFPs were valued at PKR 5
million.
- Livelihoods: Thousands of families dependent on
forest products have suffered income losses.
2. Environmental Damage
- Biodiversity
Loss: Fires have
decimated wildlife, including rare and endemic species, and caused habitat
destruction.
- Soil
Degradation: Erosion and
reduced fertility threaten long-term forest regeneration.
- Watershed
Disruption: Loss of
forest cover affects water retention and increases the risk of flash
floods.
3. Health and Climate Impacts
- Air
Pollution: Wildfires
release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and particulate matter,
contributing to global warming and respiratory issues.
- Carbon
Emissions: The fires have
undermined Pakistan’s climate goals by releasing stored carbon into the
atmosphere.
Proposed Actions and Recommendations
To address the challenges posed by Chilgoza forest fires, a
multi-pronged approach is essential. The following recommendations are targeted
at policymakers, government agencies, and stakeholders:
1. Prevention and Preparedness
- Early
Warning Systems:
Establish satellite-based systems to monitor forest conditions and provide
real-time alerts.
- Community
Training: Train local
communities in fire prevention, detection, and suppression techniques.
- Infrastructure
Development: Build access
roads, tracks, and water storage facilities in remote forest areas to
reduce response time.
2. Capacity Building
- Equip forest
departments and local communities with modern firefighting tools,
protective gear, and communication equipment.
- Create fire
lines and maintain them to prevent fire spread.
3. Restoration and Rehabilitation
- Launch
large-scale reforestation programs, focusing on Chilgoza and associated
species.
- Implement
soil conservation measures to restore degraded lands.
- Introduce
agroforestry practices to reduce pressure on forests.
4. Economic Interventions
- Promote value
addition for Chilgoza nuts and other NTFPs.
- Facilitate
direct access to international markets for Chilgoza nut exports,
minimizing the role of intermediaries.
- Declare
Chilgoza nuts as a purely organic product to increase market value.
5. Policy and Legislation
- Develop and
enforce strict laws against illegal logging and forest clearance.
- Integrate
forest fire management into Pakistan’s national climate change strategy.
- Strengthen
coordination between provincial and federal agencies for disaster
management.
Conclusion
The Chilgoza forests of the Suleiman Range are a national treasure,
providing ecological, economic, and social benefits. However, the increasing
frequency and severity of wildfires threaten their existence. A combination of
natural factors, climate change, and human negligence has created a crisis that
demands immediate attention.
By implementing preventive measures, building community capacity, and
investing in restoration, Pakistan can safeguard these forests for future
generations. Policymakers must act decisively to protect this critical
resource, ensuring that the livelihoods of local communities and the nation’s
biodiversity are preserved.
Acknowledgment
This report draws on assessments conducted by FAO (the author was part
of the damage Assessment) , discussions with local stakeholders, and satellite
imagery analysis. It aims to inform policymakers and guide urgent action to
mitigate the risks posed by forest fires in the Chilgoza ecosystem.
No comments:
Post a Comment