- The Department of Forest is an attached department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department created in 1886 under British rule as imperial forest service.
- Pakistan forest service came into existence in 1947 after creation of Pakistan.
- Punjab forest service was created after dismemberment of one unit in 1969.
- The department inherited its laws and manuals from the British.
- Forest department proceeds under Forest Act 1927 & amended 2010. Available in the Punjab Law Portal.
- Protective, productive, conservation of habitat, environmental, aesthetic, strategic & cultural.
The Department is responsible to Develop, maintain, conserve & maximize forestry sector resources in the province of Punjab for sustainable development, biodiversity, environmental conservation and help improve the quality of life.
- Scientific management of existing forests
- Creation of new forest resources
- Management of watersheds to conserve soil and water
- Management of Rangelands to boost production of forage and livestock
- Promotion of social / farm forestry in private lands
- Education of public and other government departments for tree planting and provision of technical & advisory services
- Research and training in various disciplines of forestry
- Transfer of technology to private sector.
- Sustainable supply of wood and wood products.
- Strengthening extension capability of forest department and that of the district govt. staff.
- Transfer of information to farmer’s marketing of wood technical guidance.
- Provide superior/ planting material establishment of seed supply unit & model nurseries.
- Review/ compiling the date of Tree Plantation Campaigns (Punjab).
- Controller of ADP projects run in the Extension Circle, Lahore.
- Review current nursery practices in both the farm forestry and scrub and rangelands components. The main focus of this review should be on private farm nurseries but would also cover practices in PFD and PFRI demonstration and research nurseries.
- Carryout detailed cost analysis of each item/operation involved in potted and bed (bare-root) seedling nurseries to standardize cost efficient nursery techniques.
- Recommended a package of improved practices for all three types of nurseries bearing in mind different objectives of each, the urgent need to improve seedling quality, demands of the farmer and returns to the private nurserymen.
- Review the current system by which the private nurseryman, determines the quantity and type of seedlings required annually by farmers, PFD and other; and obtains quality seed; receives technical assistance; and arrange for sale and distribution of seedlings. Recommend improvements in these systems.
- Organize workshops for PFD extension foresters, trainers and contact farmers.
- Develop a programme of adaptive nursery research priorities or PFD and PFRI.
- Review current farmers practices in planning, beating up, weeding, pruning, thinning and protecting (i.e the full range of activities involved in tree management) and recommended how these can be improved to increase the volume and quality of the end product.
Director Punjab Forestry Research Institute, Gatwala Faisabalad
- Identification of problems.
- Approval of research projects
- Publication of Research reports
- Training needs assessment.
- Formulation of Training Modules.
- Arrangements of resource persons.
- Announcement of results.
- Staff Training.
- Guide and assist staff in identification and marketing of appropriate seed source (Plus Seed Trees and Seed Production Areas).
- Design and supervise the establishment of Three Modern Tree Seed Centers for handling, testing and storage of seed.
- Provide technical assistance in selection and procurement of equipment for seed collection, processing, seed storage and seed testing.
- Compile a manual on seed technology containing standard recommended techniques for the production and supply of quality seed.
- Organize workshops for foresters, farmers and PFRI researchers regarding quality seed production.
- Prepare and submit periodic comprehensive reports on his/her findings and recommendations and a final consolidated report at the time of his/her departure.
- Train the staff to enable them to carry out research on tissue culture.