Biological diversity and tropical forestry analysis [Pakistan]

This short report details the assessment of tropical forestry and biological diversity Pakistan. It is a desk based study, including information on the government of Pakistan’s actions and support by USAID and other donors to the conservation of tropical forests and biological diversity.Identified environmental challenges include:loss of natural habitats:due to deforestation for fuelwood and timber, grazing and fodder collection for the rapidly increasing livestock population, soil erosion, agricultural activities and overstocking which reduce vegetative cover, water diversion and drainage for irrigation and agricultural activities and an overdependence on and unsustainable use of the natural resourcesdepletion of species:due to hunting and trapping for sport, meat, trade, and eradication of livestock predators, over fishing in both wetland, freshwater and marine habitats for commercial purposes, and over collection of plants for medicinal and cosmetic uses apart from their fuelwood and fodder usesdegradation of agricultural ecosystems and domestic genetic diversity: agriculture remains the most important sector for employment and income generation. However, deteriorating productivity and increasing environmental damage threatens the sustainability of agricultural output. Constraints in the sector include imperfections in land markets and land distribution; irrigation inefficiencies and increasing deterioration of land quality; an inadequate rural transport network; inefficiencies in public sector marketing of certain agricultural inputs and outputs; poor quality of research and extension; and restricted access to credit by small farmersChallenges/recommendations include:how to increase accountability in managing the environment and natural resourceshow to strengthen enforcement with limited Government resourcesinstitutional weaknesses, including the absence of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, need to be addressedthe development of self monitoring capacity in the private sector, and a sustainable mechanism to finance Government enforcement at the local level, are essential