- Deforestation, climate change that contribute to devastating floods.
- KP is witnessing the largest proportion in decline in biomass production.
- GB forest coverage lower than 4%, making the region vulnerable to flooding.
Islamabad: Experts have warned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the rest of Pakistan have reached a critical environmental tipping point due to 18% decrease in the country’s forest coverage – exposing the environment, the economy and the national security of serious threats, The news Reported on Sunday.
Deforestation, destruction of Rangeland, forest fires and climate change -related threats contributes directly to devastating floods, landslides and cloudbursts.
Since 1992, the forest area has fallen by 18%, while Rangelands produces only 20-30% of their potential biomass, with KP having the largest proportion in this case.
The disastrous floods from 1992, 2010 and 2025 prove that the destruction of forests and Rangelands has transformed the waterships in the upper regions into “flooding factories”. Environmental experts say that forests in Pakistan are not only trees, but the country’s first line of defense for the environment, economy and national security.
They absorb rainwater to prevent flooding of flash, recharge groundwater, protect agricultural land from erosion and maintain soil fruitability for agriculture.
They balance the climate by reducing temperatures, storing carbon and regulating rainfall. Forests also supply fuel, feed, fruit, medicine and tourism opportunities while protecting biodiversity.
They protect the country from flooding, landslide and drought, protection of infrastructure, agriculture and human settlements. The conclusion is clear without urgent restoration and strict measures.
Pakistan is facing serious environmental and economic risks, but with effective policies and forests of action, forests can play a crucial role in securing the nation’s future.
In Pakistan, forest coverage has fallen from 3.78 million hectares in 1992 to 3.09 million hectares in 2025 – a 18%reduction. The annual deforestation, which was at the topped at approx. 40,000 ha in 1992, has fallen due to government intervention to 11,000 ha in 2025, but international organizations say that even today Pakistan continues to lose approx. 11,000 hectares of forest annually.
Alarming situation
The Rangeland area has decreased from 60% to 58%, and the production of biomass of the areas in the area has dropped from 100% of the potential yield to only 20%.
According to official data, over 3,700 hectares of forest over 3,700 hectares of forest were lost between 1992 and 2009, and experts warned of a further 23% decrease by 2030.
In Kalam, SWAT, massive logging in the 1980s and 1990s, seriously injured the upland area of the SWAT River, making the floods of 1992 and 2010 far more destructive. Deforestation continues to weaken slopes and increase the risk of flooding flooding.
This destruction is not limited to a few districts. In Buner, Cloudburst August 2025 triggered a flash river that destroyed home, fields and infrastructure. Awhot the mountains could not hold back the rainwater. In Battagram, fragile geological structures and deforestation caused landslide that blocked the Karakoram motorway, and cut off Northern Pakistan’s road access.
In Bajaur, a deadly skyburst flood in 2025 claimed life and flushed away roads and bridges. In Mansehra, repeated Cloudburst’s flash floods and landslides triggered, while the forest cover in Gilgit Baltistan has fallen to less than 4%, making the region very vulnerable to forest fires and floods of glacials.
Dr. Adil Zareef, Convener, Sarhad Conservation Net, warns that forests regulate rainfall patterns, recharge groundwater and stabilize slopes. Without them, just heat mountains 5 ° C to 8 ° C more than wooded areas, causing monsoon wind to rise rapidly and trigger sudden skyback instead of constant rain. Without roots to keep it losing soil stability, increased landslides and mud gliders, while glacies of flooding also grow.
This environmental destruction affects direct people.
In KP, about one-third of households are dependent on livestock, but Rangeland productivity has dropped to only 20-30% due to overgrazing and incorrect management. Families that once depended on forests of feed and fuel are now forced to turn to even more unsustainable means.
The experts emphasize that the plantation operates alone cannot solve this crisis unless there is strict action against wooden tremafes and accountability for the officials involved.
They urge the government to declare the destruction of forests and purposes a national emergency and adopt a comprehensive policy that includes the management of waters, grazing control, Wildfire Management Systems and Society.
Recommendations include an environmental monitoring system based on satellite and local data, socially based Rangeland restoration, promotion of alternative fuel sources and special units for combating forest fires in mountain districts.
Dr. Khalid Khan said the forest and Rangelands in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the first line of defense against environmental disasters. Their destruction weakens the country’s natural shield, danger of life, livelihood and national security.
Without urgent leadership and coordinated action, Pakistan will continue to face more frequent and destructive floods, landslide and environmental emergencies.
