Pakistan’s Chilgoza pine forest restoration project has received global recognition, winning the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration World Restoration Flagship Award in Italy. The honor was presented during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Forum in Rome.
The award highlights Pakistan’s growing commitment to environmental protection and sustainable forest management. The project, titled Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests, has been active since 2018 under the Restoration Initiative. It is a joint collaboration between Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, provincial forest departments, and the FAO.
The initiative focuses on conserving and restoring the valuable Chilgoza pine forests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The forests are not only an ecological treasure but also a major source of income for local communities. Chilgoza pine nuts contribute more than $25 million annually to Pakistan’s economy.
According to officials, about 20% of degraded Chilgoza forests have already been restored. The project includes community-led income opportunities, such as pine nut processing units, to strengthen local livelihoods while encouraging conservation.
At the award ceremony, Prime Minister’s adviser Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah stated that 3,800 hectares of degraded forest land have been successfully rehabilitated. He also noted that national funding, including $3 million from the KP Forestry Department, is helping to expand the restoration model.
The recognition for the Chilgoza pine forest project positions Pakistan as a regional leader in ecosystem restoration. The project’s success demonstrates how sustainable development and environmental conservation can go hand in hand.
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