IN its bid to stop illegal logging in the scenic forests of Gilgit-Baltistan, the federal government has deployed Frontier Constabulary personnel to support the regional forest department that is said to lack the manpower, resources and training needed to protect wooded areas. Four FC platoons with 36 members each will be stationed at the GB Forests, Parks and Wildlife Department for at least three years. They are deployed at checkpoints on forest exit routes to stop the smuggling of timber. Reportedly, the FC men also have the authority to apprehend people for felling or transporting trees. Pakistan has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. According to the National Forest Policy, 2015, around 66,700 acres of forests are lost every year mostly in community-owned natural forests. This is mostly because rural communities depend on trees and plants for sustenance in the form of fuel and livelihood. Since the forests in GB are spread over a vast mountainous area comprising hundreds of small and remote valleys, it is difficult for the understaffed regional forest department to keep a check on the felling of trees.

Though local authorities report that the presence of FC men has achieved its purpose — the activities of the timber mafia have drastically reduced while the morale of the forest rangers is said to have improved — it is difficult to view it as a long-term solution to the larger issue of deforestation in the country. The question is, why aren’t steps being taken to increase the resources and capacity of the area’s forest department? Also, if most of the deforestation occurs for domestic reasons, according to the government’s own policy document, then why aren’t measures being taken to provide the communities living in the vicinity alternative fuel and livelihoods? Clearly, deforestation is an issue of concern and needs successful stopgap and long-term solutions from the government. In this instance, the deployment of FC men is a good stopgap arrangement, but not a long-term solution.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021