Academic Programs
Department of Forestry and Range Management
| The acute shortage of forest resources in Pakistan covering only 4.2% of the forest resource on contrary to minimum inevitable 25% for a country, existing forests merely caging the demand for escalating population. Punjab is even more constrained having only 2.3% area under forests. Moreover, illegal cutting, fire, insect pests and diseases (Shisham dieback the most important) and a number of administrative and political constraints have dented the resource quite heavily andseized its current capacity by exposing this country to lethal hazards, the most recent is the devastated floods hit almost whole of the |
nation, forest degradation is one of the root cause of this menace. To be very straight, it is indispensable to increase tree cover in every possible way, the success to this boulevard to increase trained manpower crammed with latest forestry knowledge and an attitude to serve the country.
Forestry sector plays an important role in soil conservation, regulates flow of water for irrigation and power generation, reduction of sedimentation in water conveyance and reservoirs, employment and maintenance of ecological balance. The rapid deforestation, desertification and associated environmental hazards are negatively influencing the climate, flora and fauna, economy and ultimately the ever rising population which makes it mandatory to respond to these menaces. What is more appropriate in addition to other factors is to disseminate appropriate knowledge and skills and train manpower that aid in tackling pathetic forestry situation of the country. The Forestry Department at FAS&T will have multitudinal of benefits.
The unique position of the University in the Southern Punjab and the FAS&T are conducting research and development activities towards various aspects of’ crop production, Nevertheless, a wide variety of tree plantations, rangelands, wildlife, watersheds and biodiversity conservation with special reference to forestry situation in the country remained unexplored. Students wishing to undertake forestry as profession have to go else where in perusing the profession of their interest. There is also a dearth of training to forestry professionals and institutions involved in various sections of forestry management especially in Punjab and generally the entire country. The forestry department shall offer courses towards sustainable natural resource management, research towards exploring the status and potential of different forest types, irrigated plantation for improving the forestry situation. Furthermore, the Department also holds a distinctive place for rendering training to farmers and development professionals of the public and private sector of Southern Punjab in nursery management, tree-crop interface management, attainment of major and minor products and utilization of resources into secondary products and services.