Reversing deforestation and degradation in high conservation value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan

FAO

Reversing deforestation and degradation in high conservation value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan

Evaluation highlights

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) The project aimed to support the conservation of Chilgoza forests through the promotion of sustainable forest management actions for sustainable local livelihoods. The GEF funded this FAO-implemented project in Pakistan through Provincial Forest and Wildlife Departments. It was implemented through a direct approach and was part of The Restoration Initiative. The evaluation scope involved a comprehensive and systematic account of the project’s performance by assessing its design, implementation and results upon completion. It covered the project’s execution period from 2018 to 2024.

Language English

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Booklet

Terminal evaluation of the project "Reversing deforestation and degradation in high conservation value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan"
Project code: GCP/PAK/091/GFF, GEF ID 9516
2025

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This report summarizes the main findings, conclusions and recommendations from the terminal evaluation of the “Reversing deforestation and degradation in high conservation value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan” Project, funded through the Global Environment Facility and implemented by FAO. The report used a range of methods to collect evidence – including a desk review of project documentation, field visits to project sites in four provinces, interviews with project beneficiaries and partners and a review of the project theory of change. The audience for this evaluation is primarily project staff in the FAO Country Office. The report concludes with a series of recommendations directed towards FAO regarding the potential for a second phase follow-on project which would consolidate some of the initial impacts made over the life of this project.
Article

Empowering local communities to protect forestry resources and reverse deforestation and forest degradation in high value Chilgoza forests in the Kalash valley of Pakistan
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022

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The Kalash valley of Chitral district of Pakistan possesses unique culture and forestry resources, including the Chilgoza forests, which are of high conservation value and a major source of livelihood. Chilgoza trees grow very slowly, thrive in high mountain areas of difficult access, and have a very low rate of survival in reforestation. The total forest area in the valley is 7 530 hectares with a population of 11 650. Forestry resources are limited and subject to deforestation and degradation, mainly due to fuelwood collection and animal grazing. 78 percent of these forests are understock and 74 percent of them have little to no regeneration. This has dire implications for the local communities who depend on the forests for products and services. Following the Kalash community’s request to reverse deforestation and forest degradation, FAO developed a project under The Restoration Initiative (TRI) in line with the national initiative “Clean and Green Pakistan”. It aims to empower local communities and engage them in the conservation and management of the Chilgoza forest by supporting the gender-inclusive Chilgoza Forest Protection and Conservation Committees (CFPCC). As the CFPCCs are endorsed by the provincial Forest Department, they are empowered to implement rules and regulations. The CFPCC set rules for forest protection (such as stopping the illicit cutting of trees, regulating livestock grazing, protecting wildlife, overseeing the harvesting of non-timber forest products) as well as for the harvesting of Chilgoza cones to prevent both overharvesting and the collection of immature cones. Improved Chilgoza cone harvesting tool sets have been provided and 12 assisted natural regeneration sites have been set up where local communities ensure grazing exclusion. Through local value addition for the Chilgoza nut, local communities increase their revenue. Local empowerment of communities allows for significant deforestation and degradation reduction. Key words: Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Innovation, Gender, Economic Development ID: 3485821
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Identification of socio-economic factors of deforestation and forest degradation in West Africa: analysis and perspectives 2025

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This report summarizes a multi-country study on deforestation drivers in Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau, conducted by FAO and ICRAF under the “Global Transformation of Forests for People and Climate” initiative. Findings show that shifting cultivation, charcoal production, and informal logging—driven by poverty, weak governance, and insecure tenure—are key causes. The study calls for integrated policies linking land tenure reform, clean energy, and community-based forest management.