Living Shields: Why Pakistan’s Survival Depends on Trees

Maryam Shah

Islamabad: On National Tree Plantation Day, scientists, officials, and citizens agreed on one truth: every tree is more than greenery it is Pakistan’s living shield against future floods.

This year, the day was not only about planting saplings but about planting shields of survival.

In a country where flash floods can swallow streets, homes, and lives within minutes, experts and residents alike recognize that trees are no longer mere symbols of beauty—they are lifelines standing between the nation and its next disaster.

The urgency comes from bitter experience. In July 2021, a cloudburst dumped 116 mm of rain in just two hours, flooding neighborhoods and sweeping away vehicles. During the catastrophic 2022 super floods, one-third of Pakistan was submerged and millions displaced. Environmental experts observed that areas with dense tree belts—such as Sindh’s riverine forests or mangroves in the Indus Delta—endured less devastation than barren zones.

Scientific research supports these observations. A single mature tree can absorb up to 50 gallons of water daily, while urban forests can cut surface runoff by nearly 60%. Hill forests in the Margalla Range and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa act as natural barriers against landslides. Yet Pakistan’s forest cover remains critically low at just 5%, far below the global average of 31%.

“The trees that line our creeks, rivers and floodplains bind and consolidate soil, stabilizing riverbanks and reducing erosion,” explained Dr. Gregory Moore, botanist at the University of Melbourne. “This reduces the amount of sediment entering waterways and prevents downstream areas from becoming clogged with silt.”

But experts caution that planting is only half the battle. A recent forestry survey revealed that more than half of newly planted saplings die within a year, often due to neglect. Environmentalists warn that plantation drives may generate headlines but have little impact unless communities adopt and care for the trees.

For flood survivors, the issue is deeply personal. Shazia Bibi, a resident of Barakahu who lost her home during the 2022 floods in Sindh’s Dadu district, told APP: “If there had been more trees and mangroves, maybe the water would not have destroyed everything so quickly. We don’t need slogans—we need protection.”

Ali Khan, a climate activist from Rawalpindi, echoed the sentiment: “Planting a tree feels like investing in the future. But it hurts to see saplings die after a few weeks. We must water and protect them—not just plant and forget.”

Abdul Rasheed, a farmer from Shah Allah Ditta village near Islamabad, highlighted the agricultural dimension: “When there were more trees, our fields stayed moist longer and our buffalo had shade and fodder. Now without them, both crops and animals suffer.” He stressed that farmland should be preserved for crops and agroforestry, not sacrificed to unchecked infrastructure.

Studies show that agroforestry integrating trees with crops can increase yields by 20–30% while also reducing vulnerability to droughts and floods. Though still slow to catch on in Pakistan, experts consider it essential for sustainable agriculture and resilience.

The science is unequivocal, and the voices from the ground are clear: trees don’t just beautify landscapes—they save lives. They cool the air by up to 5°C, stabilize fragile soils, and serve as nature’s sponges against destructive floods.

On this National Tree Plantation Day, the message resonates across Pakistan: don’t just plant a tree—protect it, because the nation’s tomorrow depends on it.