Pakistan has a variety of forests which contribute 0.43% to the gross domestic product (GDP) and keep the environment clean and healthy. Chief Conservator from North Punjab Forest Department Shahid Rasheed Awan said while talking to WealthPK that apart from regular forest management and operational machinery, local communities also get sustainable livelihood from forests.
People from local communities are hired to look after and protect forests. The same practice is also followed in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Sericulture promotion as a cottage industry is another segment of Forest Department of Punjab province. For this purpose, every year, seed is provided to farmers and they are also granted with permit against the minimum amount of Rs200 to pick the maple leaves from forest. “Our sericulture department has specified places in the forests to cultivate hybrid maple trees which bear abundant leaves. These leaves are provided to farmers for silkworms. —INP
