In a significant leap towards safeguarding its natural resources, the Gilgit-Baltistan region marked a historic milestone with the establishment of its inaugural unit of the Forest and Wildlife Force.
This pivotal moment underscores Gilgit-Baltistan’s commitment to conservation and underscores a concerted effort to preserve its precious forests and wildlife for generations to come.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Police Training College in Gilgit, witnessed the convergence of key dignitaries including the Secretary of Forest, Wildlife, and Parks, alongside senior police officials.
Zafar Waqar Taj, secretary for forests, parks, and wildlife in GB, said the new forest and wildlife force will help protect forests and wildlife in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Previously, chowkidars (guards) and forest guards were responsible for protecting the forest and wildlife.
Taj said that the department’s goal is to train 200 cadets annually, aiming to have a force of more than 800 trained members within the next four years.
“Now with the help of the provincial government, we will raise forces of 850 people [within the next four years] in which forest guards, foresters, range forest officers, game watchers, and supervisors will be trained,” Taj said.
The official further mentioned that the unit members were trained in the criminal procedure code, Forest and Wildlife Act, as well as various wildlife rules. Additionally, they were given training in IT skills and how to use weapons.
“The basic objective of this [unit] is to stop illegal cutting of forest trees, illegal transportation of timber or to stop illegal poaching or hunting,” he said.
The mountainous region is home to various animals, including the Astore Markhor, Ibex Ladakh Urial, and the Bharal, also known as the blue sheep, which are often targeted for trophy hunting.
Nearly 52% of the land, roughly 72,000 square kilometers of administrative territory, in Gilgit-Baltistan, previously called Northern Areas, consists of rangelands while only 4% of it has forests. The rest of the area comprises mountains and barren land.
Preservation of forests
In Pakistan, a country with about 241 million people, the demand for wood is three times higher than its sustainable supply potential, as stated in the 2015 National Forest Policy.
According to the policy, the country loses around 27,000 hectares (66,700 acres) of trees annually, primarily in privately and community-owned natural forests.
In 2021, Pakistan deployed the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary (FC) force in GB to curb illegal logging, aiming to prevent organized groups from cutting down trees and transporting them to other parts of the country.
“Currently four platoons of FC are protecting our forests,” Taj said. “However, after four years, we will get our own trained forces, then we will be in a position to protect the forests and wildlife. Then, the FC will be sent back.”
Faizullah Faraq, a spokesperson for the GB government, said the unit has been trained by police. “Now these trained forces will protect the forest and wildlife of GB in a better way,” Faraq told Arab News. “And protection of the forest and wildlife is the top priority of the GB government.”