By Faiza Tehseen

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (INP-WealthPK): The Saiful Muluk National Park possess a great treasure of valuable flora, but it is badly neglected, depriving Pakistan of economic benefits through its conservation. 

Director Rangeland Research Institute of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Dr. Muhammad Umar Farooq told WealthPK during a discussion that the Saiful Muluk National Park was a dry temperate forest as monsoon season was usually dry there. He said the park’s flora consists of a variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, forbs and grasses. Unfortunately, he said this great asset was not fully conserved.

Answering a question about the causes of deforestation, Umar Farooq said there was no check on harvesting of vegetation and there was also no new plantation. He said dominant species in the park were pine and walnut, adding some dishonest elements girdled or ring-barked the treed, which damaged it badly or even made it die within a limited time. He said people also set a canopy fire to the trees.

Umer Farooq pointed out that uncontrolled grazing habits of livestock exceeded the carrying capacity of the area. “It results in decrease or scarcity of rootstock.” He said that afforestation must be a regular feature for all types of flora.

Umer Farooq said an official campaign was needed to be launched to bring awareness to the people about the importance of the known species in the park. He said growth of the park’s flora on a commercial scale would not only help save the ecosystem but would also benefit the locals economically. 

Meanwhile, during an interview with WealthPK, conservator of Hazara Wildlife Circle Mohammad Hussain shared his views about the importance of the contribution of the local community to afforestation. “If people are made aware of the commercial value of every type of flora in this area, it will not only help them generate a good income, but the forest department will also be able to successfully conserve this wealth. He said people grew only those species, which were known to them, and ignored others, however valuable they are.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk