The people of South Waziristan Agency lost almost everything, as people’s homes were razed to the ground and families were broken apart during the ongoing military operation. However, the ecologists are pointing out a very small silver lining – the forests have turned extremely rich since the residents fled the areas to avoid the battles between the army and militants.
The military operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) launched in 2009 against Taliban in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) triggered a mass exodus, which while it created untold misery for the people of the region, left a far-reaching positive impact on the country’s forest and vegetation in terms of species richness.
An ecological study conducted by a seasoned ecologist Dr Lal Badshah titled “Plant conservation and impact of war on terror on the vegetation” revealed a remarkable 95 per cent increase in species richness such as Olea, Oak, Monotheca, Deodar and chilgoza mainly due to the exodus of timber mafias.
The study found remarkable species richness in the areas after the families migrated to various cities of the country, as prior to the operation people used to cut trees using it for firewood and commercial purposes.
The study points out that during 2005 to 2008, the “total consumption of plant resources was around 83,619 metric tonnes”, which dropped to zero during 2009 to 2014 after the Pakistani military’s offensive against Taliban started, triggering the mass exodus.
The study shows that plant resources have been conserved for five long years which is usually a standard duration for conservation of plant resources – it is usually recommended to preserve plant resources for 5-7 years, thereby allowing the natural flora to recover.
The vegetation has enlarged to its maximum. The bonsai has turned into trees. Olea, Quercus and Monotheca have had a chance to regenerate, the report said. Herbaceous flora has established roots and pasture has renewed to lush green carpet.
When contacted, Malik Rasul Khan, whose family recently returned to Waziristan along with others, told Pakistan Today that the area indeed had turned lush green as there was no one to chop the trees off.
Before the migration, he recalled, people cut trees in massive numbers using them for cooking purposes, as there was no other alternative such as gas, adding that the timber mafia had wreaked havoc on the jungles as they used the wood for construction, giving most of the jungles a deserted look at that time.
A local Shafqat Ali demanded of the government to chalk-out a comprehensive strategy to preserve the forest since the repatriation of the displaced families had started, adding that the locals should be strictly banned from cutting the trees from the roots.
A local official told Pakistan Today that efforts are being made to preserve the precious trees from being cut off; however, he added that it is an uphill task to protect the trees since the locals have no alternative to use as fuel.
He said that the trees could only be protected from being chopped off if the local people were being provided gas and electricity, which at present seemed a ways away.