lahore: Punjab’s forest area has seen a substantial decline from 3.4 million to 665 thousand hectares since 2011, while timber values continue to rise, reflecting scarcity rather than growth. The forestry sector in Punjab, historically constrained by land pressure and competing economic priorities, has not experienced the expansion seen in other sectors like agriculture or livestock. Instead, it operates within narrowing ecological limits, driven by structural constraints and sustainability concerns.

According to Gilani Research Foundation, the data analyzed spans from the early 1970s to 2020-21, documenting changes in forest area, timber production, and firewood production in Punjab. The findings indicate a stagnant forest area until the 2010s, followed by a sharp reclassification-driven decline. Timber production, characterized by episodic spikes rather than consistent growth, and firewood production, declining in volume but rising in economic value, highlight the sector’s shift toward scarcity-driven economic value.

The recorded forest area remained stable for decades before a significant drop in the 2010s, primarily due to administrative reclassification, particularly in the Cholistan region. This reclassification has limited future extraction potential and conservation planning. Timber production has been volatile, driven by short-term policy decisions and exceptional clearances, while its economic contribution has increasingly relied on price escalation due to scarcity.

Firewood production has contracted over time, yet its economic value has risen, driven by persistent demand for household energy and small-scale commercial use. These trends underscore the sector’s transition toward managed extraction within constraints, raising sustainability concerns. Without investment in afforestation and alternative energy sources, rising demand could further strain Punjab’s limited forest resources, emphasizing the need for balancing economic and environmental priorities.