by
Tariq Nazir
Section Officer
Forests, Ministry of Environment,
Local Government & Rural Development,
Islamabad, Pakistan
May, 2000
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Forest Planning Processes
3. Planning at Provincial Level
4. Planning at District Level
5. Weaknesses of Present Planning Processes
6. Monitoring and Evaluation System
Forestry Sector plays a highly important role in Pakistan’s economy. It employs half a million people and provides 3.5 million cubic meters (mm3) of wood to meet industrial requirements and provides almost one third (15 million tonnes of oil equivalent) of Pakistan’s energy needs. Forests and rangelands support about 30 million livestock herds. Livestock industry’s contribution exceeds US $ 400 million to Pakistan’s annual export earnings.
Contribution of forestry to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reflects value of material goods only. In 1997-98, contribution was estimated at Rs. 739 million or 0.12% of the national GDP. While economic value of forests in terms of cash earnings is based on wood resources, there is a growing concern that this role cannot be seen exclusively in terms of wood products. The role which Forestry Sector plays in soil conservation, regulated flow of water for irrigation and power generation, reduction of sedimentation in water conveyances and reservoirs, employment, outdoor recreation and maintenance of ecological balance far exceeds the direct economic benefits. According to the concept of forests for people, value links between forests and communities, though not measured quantitatively cannot be under-estimated.
Forests provide forage to one third of Pakistan’s 90 million heads of livestock. Leather, wool and other livestock products contribute US $ 400 million or 9% of total export earnings. Rangelands comprising 28.50 million ha including 6.28 million ha under Forest Departments’ control is 32% of total area of Pakistan. Rangelands are degraded to one-third of their productive potential. Forests and rangelands support a variety of flora and fauna.
There is a long history of over- exploitation of forests and rangelands in Pakistan. Consequently, fragile ecosystems have been severely degraded. Out of Pakistan’s total landmass of 87.98 million ha, state owned forest area consists of 4.25 million ha (4.8%).
Pakistan is deficient in timber production. Growing needs of wood and wood products are satisfied through imports. Pakistan imported 966,940 tonnes of wood and wood products in 1997-98 at the cost of Rs. 8063 Million. During 1993-94 Rs. 4905 million were spent on import of wood and wood products as compared to Rs. 2880 million in 1994-95, Rs. 7073 million in 1995-96 and Rs. 7382 million in 1996-97, showing an increase in imports. A similar trend in export of wood products is observed.
Self-sufficiency in wood production from meagre 4.8% of public forests cannot be attained due to priority assigned to agriculture for resource allocation in physical and financial terms and climatic limitations. To meet the growing wood requirement of Pakistan, potential lies with cultivated area spread over 20.85 million ha, uncultivable area of 25.63 million ha and cultivable but un-developed plain of 9.30 million ha. Promotion of social forestry / agro-forestry will directly expand the forestry resource base. Expanded forestry resource base will contribute to meet 53% of household energy needs and wood-based industry, stabilize environment, reduce pollution, generate income-earning opportunities and alleviate rural poverty.
After independence, Pakistan adopted land development approach for socio-economic development in the country. Planning Commission was constituted to carry out the job for entire country. Over the years 9th Five year plans and a few annual plans to take the process of planning were developed on the pre-determined directions.
The National Executive Council (ECNEC) approved the objectives of each five year plan. The objective represent the shared vision of the people in record to their socio-economic development. It comprises development goals, strategy, policies and thematic issues and sectorial programmes to achieve the objectives set for the economic development of the nation. The data for preparation of forestry plan is collected from the following sources:
Provincial working plans and management plans
Annual plantation reports
Resource surveys by state
Annual targets for massive tree plantation campaigns are fixed at federal level twice a year in monsoon and spring. The provincial Chief Conservator of Forests present review reports of the targets achieved bottlenecks etc.
The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) under the chairmanship of Governor approves the provincial plan at state level. The sectorial targets are received from the central government and feed back is taken from local level. The CDWP finalize the targets and programmes to achieve the targets for various sectors. The sectorial allocation are made on the following criteria:
Fully funded projects through provincial resources
Partially funded project by state and partially by the centre
Fully funded by the centre
District councils are responsible for formulation of district plans. The Provincial government determines the target for each sector. The action programmes to meet these targets are prepared. Their working plans and resource survey data provide the basis for formulation of specific schemes and projects. After appraisal and evaluation district plans are included in the provincial plans, which are further appraised for inclusion in the national plan.
It is pertinent to note here that there is no direct link between district plans and forest management plans prepared by the forest division. The forest management plan are prepared for a period of 10-20 years in accordance with the objective and priorities outline in the national forest policy and framework of five year plan. The provincial forest departments approve the forest working plans. The Planning Section of the Forest Department allocates funds.
Top to down approach
Lack of integration and coordination
Highly centralize and directive base
Lack of participatory spirit and methodology
Lack of watershed and ecosystem functioning management
Lack of modern tools and technology
Lack of grass root orientation.
The office of the Inspector General of Forests is implementing a component of forestry sector project with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank. The objectives of the project are:
• Design a system for coordinating investment activities and identification and preparation of forestry projects for donor and domestic funding within the framework of FSMP;
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of various programmes in the forestry sector and institutionalize the system countrywide;
• Review and refine the FSMP priorities and strategies by undertaking special studies of national importance in research, education/extension, policy, land tenurial systems, forest management, marketing of forest products and codification of legal instruments; and,
• Develop a forestry database and update the FSMP.
The office of inspector general is in working to develop a monitoring and evaluation system. The purpose of monitoring is to achieve efficient and effective implementation by providing feedback to project management at all levels. This enables management to improve operational plans and to take timely corrective action in case of shortfalls and constraints. Monitoring is thus a part of the management information system and is an internal activity. As an integral component of the management function and hence an essential part of good management practice, monitoring needs to be conducted by those responsible for projects / program implementation at every level of the management hierarchy.
Evaluation is a process to assess systematically and objectively the relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness and impact of activities in the light of the objectives. It is a process of determining what has been accomplished and comparing them with what should have been accomplished and providing ways of improving implementation of activities still in progress and helping management in planning and programming future projects.
Monitoring and evaluation, taken together form a unified system and a vital function of management. Both are tools for analyzing sound decisions. Regular periodic reports on the human resources, physical and financial inputs and outputs supplemented by information from existing databases and special studies provide the bases for monitoring analysis. On the other hand, these monitoring analyses supplemented by some in-depth studies provide a basis for on-going evaluation. Together, these two processes supplemented by biophysical and socio-economic data provide the basis for major, terminal or ex-post evaluation.
The framework of proposed monitoring work is attached. This framework will help in
Formulating, development and review of national policy framework for sustainable development.
Undertake action research to support the economic importance of forestry in the country.
Identification of policy gaps in the Forestry Sector Master Plan.
Coordinating the national response and participation in the international environment conventions.
Promoting and communicating sustainable development awareness.
