ISLAMABAD: The Food and Agriculture Organisa­tion (FAO) of the United Nations will help the Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department restore and manage sustainably the chilgoza pine forests in the province.

Acting FAO representative in Pakistan Rebekah Bell and Forest and Wildlife Department’s secretary Moh­­am­mad Siddique Mandokhel signed a letter of agreement in Quetta on Monday for ‘Reversing De­­forestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan’ under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project.

The $23.97 million project includes financing from GEF and $20m as co-financing. The focus of the project is on the improved and sustainable management of chilgoza forests leading to the generation of multiple products, services and functions, including improved local livelihoods through chilgoza nut and value chain development.

The chilgoza forests will also result in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Chilgoza forests are viewed as important for the maintenance and protection of vital ecosystem services, including soil and flood protection, water recharge, regulation of downstream flows, human consumption, irrigation and hydro-power generation.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2021