Pakistan’s Chilgoza pine forest restoration project has earned international acclaim with the receipt of the prestigious ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration World Flagship Award’ at a ceremony in Rome, Italy.
As per reports, the award was presented on Tuesday during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Forum.
The project, titled ‘Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests,’ is a collaborative effort between Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, provincial forest departments, and the FAO.
Implemented from 2018 to 2025, it aims to conserve and restore the unique Chilgoza pine forests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Chilgoza pine forests, which are critical for both the environment and local economies, generate over $25 million annually through the sale of pine nuts. According to FAO, the restoration initiative has achieved the rehabilitation of 20% of degraded Chilgoza forests, with local communities benefiting through income-generating activities such as pine nut processing units.
At the award ceremony, Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah highlighted that the initiative has successfully restored 3,800 hectares of degraded forest land, with continued support from national resources, including a $3 million contribution from the KP Forestry Department.
The recognition of the Chilgoza forest restoration project marks a significant achievement in Pakistan’s efforts to combat deforestation, contributing to global environmental sustainability and fostering local economic development.
