Page 59 - {PDF Title}

Carbon sequestration in a changing climate

and carbon sequestration. The Forest Carbon Benefit the rate of deforestation was predicted to decrease to
Indicator (FCBI) estimates the financial and ecological 10 million hectares per year, down from 12 million
advantages of carbon sequestration in Pakistan’s forests, hectares between 2010 and 2015. Pakistan is combating
along with the outcomes of conservation activities. the “Timber Mafia,” a criminal group that illegally
Pakistan’s efforts to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) chops down and sells trees. Khalid et al. found that
12
emissions, promote long-term carbon sequestration, illegal wood harvesting is four times higher than legal
and understand the influence of agricultural income timber extraction. From 1990 to 2000, Pakistan lost
on the carbon-protective function of forests are 41,100 hectares of forest annually, with an average
13
closely interconnected. Forest conservation methods, annual deforestation rate of 1.63%. From 1990 to 2005,
such as reforestation and establishing protected Pakistan lost 625,000 hectares, or 24.7% of its forest
areas, are crucial for sustainable development. This cover. Forests in Pakistan now cover just 2.5% of the
14
4
study explores the complex relationship between country, with deforestation occurring at 2.1% per year.
climate and carbon sequestration in these ecosystems. This deforestation has hindered Pakistan’s ability to
Given Pakistan’s rapidly urbanizing population, meet the World Bank’s Millennium Development Goal
understanding the demographic impact on forests and of increasing forest cover from 2.5% to 6% by 2015.
15
carbon sequestration is essential for addressing climate To mitigate deforestation, Pakistan has implemented
change. Urbanization and agricultural expansion various laws and initiatives aimed at conserving and
significantly affect Pakistan’s forest ecosystems and expanding forest cover. With a deforestation rate of
their capacity to sequester carbon, making sustainable 4.6%, Pakistan ranks second globally in terms of
land management vital for mitigating climate change. deforestation. Forest managers and policy makers have
5
Carbon sequestration is a key strategy in reducing long been concerned about the depletion of resources
global warming, as forest ecosystems not only absorb caused by human activity. Reforestation is essential in
but also release carbon dioxide. Pakistan’s 23.8 million the fight against climate change and global warming. 16
hectares of fertile land are heavily used for agriculture. Without more and better-protected areas, sustainable
The Indus River and its tributaries support an irrigated growth is unattainable. Pakistan needs to adopt
17
agricultural sector encompassing 14.6 million hectares sustainable forestry practices, such as plantation drives,
across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 6 to achieve long-term economic growth and mitigate
Forest carbon stocks in the country have declined climate change. Globally, forests encompass 726
18
from 668 gigatons in 1990 to 662 gigatons in 2020, million acres of protected areas, with South America
while carbon density increased from 159 to 163 tons being unique among the world’s six regions, as31% of its
per hectare. Climate change, driven by rising GHG forests are protected. Since 1990, the global forest cover
7
19
concentrations, is one of the most significant challenges in protected areas has expanded by 191 million hectares;
of our time. A major global issue is fostering economic however, it decreased between 2010 and 2020. 20,21
growth while simultaneously reducing GHG emissions, To safeguard both the environment and economy,
particularly carbon emissions. Pakistan’s economy has Pakistan requires green mechanization in agriculture,
8
shifted from agriculture to industry, and this industry- sufficient investment in research and development, and
led growth led to increased energy consumption and integrated policies that promote economic development
pollution. He and Deng found that natural resource alongside environmental protection. 22 Integrated
9
10
quantities, mineral rents, and forest rents affect global landscape solutions aimed at “reducing emissions from
finance unevenly. Forestry, fisheries, livestock, and deforestation and forest degradation” (REDD+) are
crops are major agricultural subsectors in Pakistan, as receiving increasing attention and funding. Globally,
23
they provide employment and income for low-income multiple protected zones are being established to
and disadvantaged families. Over half of the workforce mitigate human-caused biodiversity loss. In Khyber
and 62% of rural residents depend on agriculture for their Pakhtunkhwa, a province in Pakistan, free plants are
livelihoods. However, Pakistan faces water shortages, now being provided for agroforestry and agricultural
low agricultural and livestock production, low wages, forestry. Public forestry extension agents monitor the
24
and extreme food insecurity. Deforestation contributes Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP), which will
11
to carbon emissions, exacerbating environmental continue under the newly announced 10-BTAP Project
issues and global warming. Since 1990, deforestation by the Government of Pakistan in 2023. 25
has resulted in the loss of 420 million acres of forest Since 2000, the global average daily temperature
worldwide, although the rate has slowed. By 2020, has never exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 53 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025050027