The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department is transitioning to a scientific management model to preserve its 604,000-hectare Northern Forest Region. According to Chief Conservator of Forests Asghar Khan, the strategy focuses on harvesting dead, diseased, and over-mature timber to improve ecosystem health while reinvesting 75% of forest-generated revenue into infrastructure, enforcement, and livelihood.
Scientific Management and Forest Health
Modern forest management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is moving beyond simple conservation. Asghar Khan, Chief Conservator of Forests for Northern Forest Region-II, Abbottabad, stated that the department now utilizes legally approved working plans to manage forest landscapes. This approach prioritizes the removal of “dead, diseased, dry, wind-fallen, and over-mature” trees, which officials identify as primary threats to forest hygiene.
The department’s ten-year plan targets the removal of 33.036 million cubic feet (cft) of such timber. For the current year, the department has scheduled the harvest of 2.387 million cft. According to department officials, leaving these trees in place creates breeding grounds for bark beetles and plant diseases, increases carbon release, and elevates the risk of forest fires.
Did you know?
The Northern Forest Region-II represents approximately 35% of the total land area in the region. Scientific harvesting is designed to clear space for natural regeneration, allowing younger trees to grow more effectively.
Revenue Reinvestment and Infrastructure
Financial sustainability is a core pillar of the department’s current operational strategy. Records from the Northern Region show that over the last eight years, the department generated Rs. 2.62 billion in revenue. Of this, Rs. 1.977 billion—roughly 75%—was reinvested directly into 12 projects.
These projects span several sectors, including:
- Field infrastructure and demarcation
- Enforcement and anti-smuggling operations
- Livelihood support
- Ecotourism development
Enforcement and Anti-Smuggling Operations
To combat illegal logging, the department has intensified its enforcement efforts. Between May 1 and July 12, 2026, authorities conducted 177 operations. These actions resulted in the seizure of 8,129 cubic feet of timber and 41,524 kilograms of fuelwood, with 45 offenders arrested. Over the past seven years, the department has impounded hundreds of vehicles and taken legal action against illegal sawmills across the region.
Pro Tip: Modern forest protection now relies heavily on rapid emergency response mechanisms, including continuous field deployment and dedicated fire lines to prevent the spread of wildfires, which officials attribute largely to human negligence like crop residue burning.
Afforestation and Ecological Restoration
The Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) and the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (10BTTP) serve as the foundation for the province’s current forest cover expansion. According to department data, these initiatives have led to the establishment of hundreds of nurseries and the planting of hundreds of millions of saplings. Before-and-after visual evidence presented to journalists indicates a significant transformation of previously barren hillsides into restored landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the department decide which trees to harvest?
Harvesting is strictly governed by legally approved working plans. The selection is limited to dead, diseased, wind-fallen, over-mature, or malformed trees to improve the overall health and regenerative capacity of the ecosystem.
What is the main cause of forest fires in the region?
According to department officials, most forest fires are caused by human negligence, such as the burning of crop residues, the intentional burning of grazing lands, and the careless disposal of cigarette butts.
Where does the money from timber sales go?
Approximately 75% of the revenue generated from forest resources is reinvested into the department’s projects, including enforcement, infrastructure, and livelihood programs.
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