Economics of Chilgoza Forest Management in Pakistan: A Success Story of FAO Interventions

Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) forests, located in the dry temperate regions of Pakistan, are a vital natural resource with high ecological, economic, and livelihood significance. These forests, predominantly found on rugged mountainous terrains, exist either as pure stands or mixed with other coniferous species. Renowned for their edible pine nuts, Chilgoza trees produce a highly valuable non-timber forest product (NTFP) that contributes significantly to international trade and local livelihoods. However, the sustainability of these forests is under threat due to deforestation, forest degradation, and poor management practices.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and provincial forest departments, initiated the project “Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan.” Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aims to restore these vital forests, enhance biodiversity, and improve the socio-economic conditions of local communities. 

Overview of Chilgoza Forests and Challenges

Importance of Chilgoza Forests

• Livelihoods: Chilgoza forests provide significant income to forest-dependent communities through the sale of pine nuts, which are rich in carbohydrates and proteins.
• Ecological Services: These forests play a critical role in preventing soil erosion, maintaining biodiversity, and regulating water cycles.
• Economic Value: Chilgoza pine nuts are a premium export commodity, with primary markets in China, the USA, and Gulf countries.

Ownership and Management Issues

Chilgoza forests are managed under different regimes:

• Private/Community Forests: Found in Sherani (Balochistan), South Waziristan, and Chilas (Gilgit-Baltistan), with limited government oversight and no formal management plans.
• Protected Forests: Located in Chitral (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), owned by the provincial government but with user rights granted to local communities.

Key Threats

1. Deforestation:
• Extensive logging for timber and fuelwood has led to significant forest loss. For example, Sherani lost 21% of its Chilgoza forest cover from 1994 to 2014, with 100,000 mature trees cut during this period.
2. Unsustainable Harvesting:
• Traditional harvesting practices damage tree branches, jeopardizing future yields.
• Overharvesting of cones and other forest products for immediate economic benefits exacerbates degradation.
3. Limited Livelihood Alternatives:
• Communities rely heavily on forest resources, with insufficient incentives or knowledge to adopt sustainable practices.
4. Institutional Gaps:
• Weak governance, lack of enforcement, and limited financial and technical capacity of forest departments hinder effective management.

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FAO’s Interventions through the Chilgoza Project

The Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) approach was adopted as the central strategy for the project, integrating ecological restoration with community livelihoods. Key components included:

1. Forest Restoration and Conservation

• Sustainable Forest Management:
• 30,000 hectares brought under sustainable management.
• 2,853 hectares restored using Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) techniques, adding 3.97 million seedlings to forest cover by December 2022.
• Seed Broadcasting:
• 100 kg of Chilgoza seeds were broadcasted in degraded areas using dibbling and seed-ball methods, achieving 39% and 61% regeneration progress in Sherani and Chitral, respectively by December 2022.
• Enclosures:
• 48 enclosures established to protect regeneration areas by December 2022.

2. Introduction of Fuel-Efficient Technologies

• Agroforestry Initiatives:

• 953 hectares brought under agroforestry, supporting livelihoods while reducing reliance on forests for fuelwood and timber by December 2022.

• Fuel-Efficient Stoves and Gasifiers:
• 2,100 stoves distributed, saving an estimated 18,900 trees annually and reducing household wood consumption by 49% by December 2022.
• Improved stoves also reduced workload for women and children, enhanced health, and improved living standards.

3. Value Chain Development

• Modern Harvesting Techniques:
• Traditional harvesting tools replaced with improved kits, 12000 kits in all regions minimizing tree damage, reducing labor injuries, and increasing harvesting efficiency by December 2022.
• Casualties during harvesting dropped significantly across all regions from 2018 to 2022.
• Processing Units:
• Five Chilgoza processing units established by December 2022, enabling communities to extend the shelf life of nuts and earn 112% higher profits compared to selling raw products.
• Processing units facilitated new business opportunities, digital marketing, and prolonged harvesting seasons from 2 months to 6 months.

4. Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Local communities were trained in sustainable forest management, planting techniques, and marketing strategies.
• Community members were linked with provincial forest departments and national markets, fostering better collaboration and resource management.

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Project Outcomes (2018–2022)

Intervention	Achievement
Area under sustainable management	30,000 hectares
Assisted Natural Regeneration	2,853 hectares (3.97 million seedlings added)
Enclosures	48 established
Agroforestry	953 hectares (1.12 million plants)
Fuel-Efficient Stoves	2,100 distributed, saving 18,900 trees annually
Processing Units Established	5 units (57,572 kg processed, 112% income increase)

Economic and Social Impact

1. Livelihood Enhancement:
• Additional income from value-added processing and longer selling seasons improved community resilience.
2. Reduced Deforestation:
• Improved stove efficiency and alternative livelihoods reduced pressure on forests.
3. Safety and Well-being:
• Fewer injuries and deaths during harvesting.
• Reduced workload for women and children.

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Conclusion and Future Outlook

The FAO’s Chilgoza project has demonstrated the potential of sustainable forest management to address environmental degradation while improving local livelihoods. By introducing modern technologies, building community capacity, and strengthening value chains, the project has provided a replicable model for managing high-value forests.

As the project continues until 2024, further scaling up and replication across Pakistan will be essential to maximize its impact. Governments and stakeholders must collaborate to ensure long-term sustainability and expand the lessons learned to other vulnerable ecosystems.

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Author: Yahya Musakhel, Value Chain Development Specialist, Chilgoza Project, FAO Pakistan (2019–2022).