CHITRAL: The department of non-timber forest products has claimed initial success in its initiative for conserving more than 40 endemic plant species here.

NTFP assistant director in Chitral Ajaz Ahmad told Dawn that the endemic plant species faced a serious threat of extinction due to habitat degradation, overgrazing and climate change.

He said the fragile ecosystem shaped by the convergence of the Hindukush, Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges had made Chitral one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the country.

He said the department started action when the experts raised the alarm by classifying plants as endangered or vulnerable, which were crucial for maintaining ecological balance, supporting local livelihoods and offering medicinal and economic benefits.

Mr Ahmad said the role those plants played in regulating the microenvironment particularly in glacier zones was immensely vital as they helped control temperature fluctuations around glaciers and thus, slowing down the rate of their melting.

“To combat this crisis, our department has initiated conservation efforts by establishing designated hotspot areas for the protection of these rare species and identified the key sites for conservation based on field research and data collection,” he said.

The AD named Kalash Valley Birir, Ayun Dok and Moleen Gol as the major areas where seed ball restoration technique was applied by the department with the active involvement of the local communities which proved successful beyond perception.

Regarding the technique of seed ball, he said that it was an innovative conservation technique in which seeds were dispersed using seed balls.

“Endemic plants are irreplaceable which not only support biodiversity but also protect ecosystems, provide economic opportunities and hold cultural significance for the people of Chitral,” he said.

The official called for ensuring the survival of these species and maintaining the delicate balance of nature.

He said as Chitral continued to battle environmental challenges, the initiative offered hope for the future.

“The protection of its unique flora is not just about preserving rare plants — it is about safeguarding an entire ecosystem that sustains life in this extraordinary region,” he said.

Social activists from Kalash Valley Birir Shamsu Rabbi and Unat Baig Kalash emphasised that those rare plants had traditional names linked to Chitral and its different valleys, so they should be preserved for future generations.

They appreciated the department for declaring hotspot areas in Birir to safeguard these plants, which, they said, are essential for local livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2025