Today, Pakistan marks the International Day of Forests, recognising how trees support life, provide livelihoods, and help secure our future.
This year’s theme, “Forests and Economies”, reminds us that forests are not just natural spaces but essential resources for our economy and society. In many households, they provide food, firewood, and income. Forests also help farmers, protect water sources, shelter wildlife, and make communities more resilient to climate change.
For many families, especially in rural areas, forests are more than greenery—they provide essential fuel for cooking, timber for small businesses, and wild fruits and plants that supplement household food.
Forests in Pakistan cover about 4.1 million hectares, or nearly 5 per cent of the land. Around 11,000 hectares are lost every year, so protecting and expanding them is urgent. Even in cities, small forested areas and parks help improve air quality and reduce heat. They give children safe spaces to play and show that forests touch the daily life of every Pakistani. Forest conservation is both an environmental duty and an economic necessity.
The Government, through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and in partnership with provincial authorities, is implementing initiatives to increase forest cover and restore degraded land. Under the Green Pakistan Programme, over Rs. 125 billion has been invested and more than 2 billion trees have been planted or distributed. These efforts are creating green jobs, supporting rural incomes, and strengthening our ecological foundations. For many families, this means children can go to school and households can meet daily needs more easily. Healthy forests also protect communities from floods and landslides, which affect thousands of Pakistanis each year. They save lives.
I call on government departments, educators, youth, businesses and local communities to play their part in looking after our forests. Local communities and indigenous groups have long managed forests sustainably. Their experience helps families secure firewood, water, and food, and their participation is vital to preserving these resources for the future. Together we can expand tree cover, manage resources responsibly, and build a greener, stronger economy.
By working with determination and shared responsibility, we can protect our natural heritage and create a more prosperous Pakistan for generations to come.
Pakistan Zindabad.
