Gwadar - Government of Balochistan

Albezzia lebbek, Melia azedarach, Azadirachta indica, Coronocarpus sp., Poplus spp Cordia sp., Syzygium cumini,
Mangifera indica, Ficus sp., Hibiscus rosa- sinensis, Bougainvillea sp., Jasminum sp.
10.9. Bee Keeping
Bee-keeping was not an economic activity in the district. Local people collect it from waste lands and forest areas for their
own use.
10.10. Marketing and Processing
In the district, wood obtained from the forests and wastelands is mainly used for fuel purposes, minor timber for roofing
and making small implements and boats. There was no data available about the quantity of wood utilized or exported
from the district.
10.11. Structure and Functions of the Forest and Wild Life Department
Forest Department in the district is under the administrative control of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), he reports to
the Chief Conservator of Forest in the province.
Functions of the Balochistan Forests and Wildlife Department in the district are listed as under:
Ÿ Forest conservation and management.
Ÿ Rangeland development.
Ÿ Wildlife conservation and protected areas management.
Ÿ Watershed management.
Ÿ Soil conservation and desertification control.
10.12. Some Development Projects
There is no District Government, PSDP, ADP funded development project under implementation in the district. However, a
project named “Pakistan Wetlands Project – Mekran Coastal Wetland Complex” funded by Ministry of Environment
(devolved to the provinces now) and UNDP was under implementation through the World Wildlife Fund – Pakistan (WWF-
Pakistan).Moreover, IUCN is also implementing a donor funded project on conservation of Mangroves in Gwadar District.
10.13. Some Key Findings
Table 10.3: Structure and Functions of the Department
Structure Numbers
Number of Sub Offices 2
Sanctioned Strength in various Categories (Total) 36
Actual Filled Posts 36
Vacant Posts 0
(Provincial and District Forest Departments, IUCN, UNDP, WWF, GEF)
Ÿ Area under forest reserves in district Gwadar is very small.
Ÿ Female involvement in the forestry activities is rare and limited to some jobs like collecting herbs, bushes and
shrubs and sometimes they also collect fuel wood.
Ÿ In the development of forestry, participation of Local and Federal Government and NGOs is very low.
Ÿ Forest resources have depleted due to unavailability of cheap sources of fuel energy other than wood.
Ÿ Wildlife management is very poor and needs improvement.
Ÿ The environmental and ecological balance has been impaired due to soil erosion, depletion of rangeland and
population pressure.
Ÿ There is lack of awareness towards conservation of forests, rangeland and wildlife.
Ÿ Irrational land use and its management should be controlled.
Ÿ Historically, there has been low development investment in forestry sector.
Ÿ Lack of alternate energy source put forest in danger of quick depletion.
Ÿ No community system is in place for management of wastelands.
Ÿ Wildlife hunting is not controlled and excessive hunting for fun and prestige is in peak which needs a special
attention from the government.
The specific development issues are as follows:
Ÿ The coastline is enriched with important marine turtle and sea bird nesting sites, mangrove swamps and extensive
salt marshes are the wintering grounds for Pala-arctic migrant birds. These areas are under pressure due to recent
economic activity started in the district after development of Gwadar Deep Sea Port. The wasteland areas, which
used to provide wilderness to the species, are now being converted to land tracts for other purposes.
Ÿ Increased economic activity has also increased the demand of energy and construction material. The items like
LPG and processed timber are usually imported and due to high cost of transportation are unaffordable for the
people, therefore, the people living in and around the economic activity zones still rely on local products.
Moreover, local boat making industry also relies heavily on wood of Acacia species grown at farmlands and waste
lands. If reforestation and farm forestry activities are not initiated at this moment, the increased demand for wood
items will reduce tree cover in the district and will eventually put an immense pressure on mangrove forests.
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