In a national workshop in 1993 the following species were identified as priority species for different provinces (Table 2):
Table 2. Priority species for afforestation in different provinces in Pakistan
NTFPs |
Punjab |
Sindh |
Balochistan |
AJK & NA |
Pinus wallichiana |
Dalbergia sissoo |
A. nilotica |
Acacia victoriae (exotic) |
P. roxburghii |
P. roxburghii |
A. nilotica |
E. camaldulensis |
Acacia albida (exotic) |
Pinus wallichiana |
Cedrus deodara |
Bombax ceiba |
Conocarpus lancifolius |
Pinus halepensis (exotic) |
Robinia pseudoacacia |
Eucalyptus. camaldulensis |
P. deltoides |
Albizia procera |
E. camaldulensis |
Ailanthus altissima |
Acacia nilotica |
E. camaldulensis |
Sapindus mukorossi | ||
Populus deltoides |
The workshop, however, did not discuss the status of conservation of other important species found mixed in the natural stands and which are utilized to meet the needs of forest communities. It was found that almost all provinces did need large quantity of seeds of several species, and in almost all afforestation programmes quality is totally ignored in order to achieve high planting targets (Shams R. Khan 1993). Species listed in Appendix 1 indicate that some of the economically important species are left with small populations that need immediate conservation measures. For this purpose, additional suitable protected areas are to be selected and demarcated to cover endangered tree species occurring in distinct ecological zones.
No stands for in situ and ex situ conservation have been declared so far and therefore these must be immediately established either in the natural forests or in plantations. The provenance/progeny trials established in the past must be revisited to survey the current status of these trials. In view of the various threats, some species are either extinct, endangered or vulnerable as explained in Appendix 3. In some cases immediate conservation measures are needed to minimize forest and soil degradation.
The PFI can hardly meet 15-20% of seed demand of the forest departments, NGOs and farmers. The available supply includes mainly lowland broad-leaved species, as there is only one Seed Centre with a capacity of 20 000 kg. However, the demand of quality seeds of coniferous and few broad-leaved species of high hill forests cannot be met due to non-availability of professional staff and financial constraints. Extending Appendix 1 and Appendix 3, as well as in the light of national workshop on Seed Technology, a list of priority species has been prepared for the conservation and management of FGR (Appendix 4). The criteria for selection have been mainly based upon the current status and economic importance of these species. Holding a national workshop on conservation and management of biota could provide further selection and screening of the species. It is clear from Appendix 4 that conservation and management strategies of several multipurpose tree species in arid and temperate zones are badly needed.
