Has Massive Deforestation in PoK Led to Increased Landslides and Flooding?

Islamabad, Sep 3 (NationPress) A recent report utilizing Google Earth satellite imagery of the Neelum Valley reveals alarming levels of ongoing deforestation across multiple regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Previously thriving woodlands are now largely denuded, primarily due to illegal logging operations orchestrated by the timber mafia, which collaborates with elements of the Pakistani military and governmental authorities.

This rampant tree felling, motivated by profits aimed at boosting state revenues, has significantly altered the landscape and intensified the severity of natural disasters such as floods and landslides in the area, according to a report by the Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW). High-resolution imagery shared on social media and environmental platforms highlights areas including Bugna Pain and the vast Neelum Valley, showcasing the now barren and eroded slopes within PoK.

Experts point to Pakistan's inadequate enforcement of forest regulations as a key issue, with the timber mafia operating unchecked, often intertwined with political and military affiliations.

The report elaborates that the timber mafia specifically targets robust conifer species such as deodar, pine, and cedar for profitable export to urban markets.

Between 2006 and 2014, policies implemented in Chitral and Neelum allowed for the legal harvesting of 8.8 million cubic feet of timber; however, considerable volumes of healthy trees were illegally smuggled, resulting in local residents losing out on royalties and further environmental degradation. The IUCN's 1998 study characterized the FDC as a body that granted logging contracts to the very contractors it was intended to replace, with military support ensuring minimal oversight of these activities.

The IDRW report states, "The timber mafia in Pakistan, a clandestine syndicate valued at billions annually, has been persistently accused of systematic deforestation in PoK, especially in resource-rich areas like Neelum Valley. Operating under the pretense of 'windfall policies' that permit the marking and cutting of ostensibly damaged trees, the mafia often targets healthy conifers for lucrative export to markets both in Pakistan and beyond. Satellite data from Global Forest Watch indicates that PoK lost over 6% of its forest cover from 2000 to 2020, with Neelum Valley experiencing a 15-20% decrease due to illegal logging operations, resulting in thousands of hectares being cleared, often with the silent approval or direct involvement of local authorities. Reports from environmental NGOs like the IUCN and local whistleblowers highlight the involvement of the Pakistani military in overseeing or protecting these operations."

In PoK, the military's presence is widespread, ostensibly for security along the Line of Control (LoC), but critics argue that it aids logging by providing armed escorts for timber convoys and intimidating local residents who voice opposition. A 2023 investigation by Dialogue Earth in the Neelum District revealed that 68% of PoK's forests are located in this area, which is home to 42,000 families. Yet, the illegal smuggling of high-value cedar wood—worth as much as 10,000 Pakistani rupees (USD 36) per cubic foot—remains rampant, often under military oversight to 'secure' transport routes.

Deforestation in PoK has led to increased soil erosion, heightened risks of landslides, and intensified flooding, as witnessed during the catastrophic Pakistan floods in 2022, when the stripped hills of Neelum Valley contributed to the disaster affecting millions. Species like the Markhor and Himalayan black bear, once prevalent in the region, now face imminent extinction threats.