Pakistan’s ancient forests: hidden climate treasure

As the world races to plant billions of new trees in the fight against climate change, some researches give us the powerful lesson that beyond increasing plantation numbers, climate resilience depends on protecting the right forests, conserving native biodiversity, and ensuring long-term ecological sustainability.

As global climate finance grows under initiatives like Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), forests are no longer viewed only as ecological resources, but also as valuable climate assets.

Research by Harris et al. (2021) estimates that the world’s forests absorb nearly twice as much carbon dioxide as they emit, creating a net carbon sink of approximately 7.6 billion tonnes annually.

Since forest are natural carbon vaults, the real strength lies in protecting mature forests and conserving native species that can store carbon for decades, even centuries.

Studies conducted in Pakistan provide strong evidence of this reality. Research by Khan et al. (2023) found that in the Oak-dominated forests of the Hindu Kush region, a specific Oak specie named Quercussemecarpifolia possess exceptionally high carbon storage potential of up to 235 MgC/ha (mega grams of carbon per hectare) due to their dense biomass and long lifespan. Similarly, research conducted by Afzal, M et al. (2023) in the Tangir Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan has also identified Oak forests as significant contributors to carbon sequestration for local mountain communities. Within Punjab’s own ecological landscape, native species such as Shisham (Dalbergiasissoo), Kikar (Vachellianilotica), and Deodar (Cedrusdeodara) are also considered highly valuable carbon sinks because of their strong wood density, durability, and resilience under harsh climatic conditions.

Reliable data on carbon storage capacity of different tree species can help countries like Pakistan access international funding and carbon market opportunities. For Pakistan, already ranked among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, these ancient Oaks and other native species represent a hidden national asset. Protecting them could strengthen the country’s climate commitments while also opening doors to international environmental financing.

Pakistan is already working on global climate action by committing in its Updated Nationally Determined Contributions submitted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 percent by 2030 subject to international climate finance and support.

At the provincial level, Punjab has taken notable steps through the Punjab Forest Policy 2019, which emphasizes sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and expanding tree cover with indigenous species, alongside initiatives such as the Punjab Green Development Program (PGDP) that focus on ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and improved environmental governance.

The message from ancient forests and its native species is clear: climate resilience is not only about planting more trees, but also about protecting the right ones.

On this World Environment Day, Pakistan has an opportunity to rethink conservation priorities, valuing forests not merely by the number of trees they contain but by the ecological and economic strength of the species within them.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026