To address the mismanagement and illegal deforestation in the Changa Manga forest, the Punjab Government in Pakistan initiated strict actions with the help of the Forest Department between 2014 and 2017. Activities included planting new trees and taking action against illegal deforestation. Over the years, mismanagement and illegal deforestation decreased this woodland by 75% (measured in 2012) (2). The Government of Punjab approved the “Afforestation in Blank Areas in Changa Manga Plantation” project for the duration of three years from 2014 to 2017 aimed at the afforestation of a total area of 200 acres on flow irrigation during 2014-15 and maintenance of afforestation during the two subsequent years (2015-17) (4). Changa Manga Forest is one of the world’s oldest hand-planted forests, dating back to 1866 in Chunian City. It spreads over about 5065 hectares and hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna. The forest is home to 14 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, six species of reptiles, two species of amphibians, and 27 species of insects (1). Some exquisite tree families, such as Sheesham (rosewood). white mulberry and Kikar trees are found in this woodland (2). It also includes a wildlife preserve, which was launched in 2005 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan to protect white-backed vultures and ensure their captive breeding in the forest (3). Currently, Pakistan is losing forests at thrice the rate of the other South Asian countries. One of the major benefits of the Changa Manga Forest afforestation project was that it increased honey production by 70% in the different areas of the forest park (5).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
Focus
Project objectives
Implementation activities
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
- Means for conservation governance
- Protect and apply traditional knowledge and conservation practices
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Regional government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Project implemented in response to ...
Financing
Total cost
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
References
2. Graana Blog. (2022). Changa Manga Forest: All You Need to Know. Available at: Source link (accessed on 20-02-2023)
3. Zulfikar, F. (2017). Close to nature: A trip inside the wild and wonderful world of Changa Manga. Available at: Source link (accessed on 20-02-2023)
4. Directorate General Monitoring and Evaluation. (2019). EVL-581 Evaluation Report on Afforestation of Blank Areas in Changa Manga Plantation. Available at: Source link (accessed on 20-02-2023)
5. Mukhtar, I. (2020). 'We will do it generation by generation'. Pakistan's tree-planting push has a sweetener – more honey. Available at: Source link (accessed on 20-02-2023)
6. DIRECTORATE GENERAL MONITORING & EVALUATION PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
APRIL 2016, AFFORESTATION OF BLANK AREAS IN DIFFERENT FORESTS OF THE PUNJAB (2016), available at Source link (accessed on 31-03-2023)
7. GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB FORESTRY, WILDLIFE & FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Punjab Forest Policy, 2019, available at Source link (accessed on 31-03-2023)
