In the heart of the Kaghan Valley, where the canopies of high-altitude forests sway with the mountain breeze, 44-year-old Zaitoon Bibi treads carefully along rugged slopes. Along with being a resident of Palandra Village, near the Suki Kanari Dam, she is a custodian of the land, protecting the old forests from the dangers that pose a threat to them.

For Zaitoon, the forest is not just a landscape — it provides shelter, fuel and medicinal resources, forming an inseparable part of her identity. However, the delicate ecosystem of the region faces mounting pressures, from illegal logging to unchecked grazing. In response, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department, under the Billion Tree Afforestation Programme, has enlisted 10 women like Zaitoon as Nigheban (guardian) of nature tasked with protecting the province’s dwindling green cover.

Their work aligns with broader governmental efforts to preserve the region’s fragile ecosystem and the biodiversity they sustain, including black bears and monkeys. Furthermore, with support from the German government through the KfW Development Bank, afforestation enclosures have been established to bolster sustainability.

The forest faces both environmental and social threats. Illegal loggers, sometimes supported by powerful people, oppose conservation efforts. Some villagers also doubt the benefits of protecting the forest because their income depends on using its resources. However, through patience and discussion, Zaitoon Bibi has helped them understand that saving the forest is not just about nature; it also secures their future.

Each day Zaitoon sets out with fellow Nighebans navigating steep paths and dense undergrowth. Their mission is two-fold: safeguarding the forests from illegal activities and protecting new growth. One example of this is placing barriers around young saplings, known locally as Nao Pood, shielding them from grazing livestock. To Zaitoon, these saplings represent hope. Her commitment to conservation, however, is fraught with hardship.

As the primary provider for her family, she balances her environmental duties with personal struggles. Her husband, weakened by illness, is unable to work, leaving Zaitoon and her 18-year-old son to gather firewood for sustenance. Her younger son, aged 10, attends school as Zaitoon believes the future of her village lies in education. However, with little money, every day is a struggle to support her family while protecting the forest. Despite the hardships, Zaitoon Bibi never gives up, showing that protecting nature is everyone’s duty. Her efforts in Naran highlight the deep bond between people and the land.

Afforestation efforts in KP

In Naran’s forests, people like Zaitoon Bibi help protect nature, proving that conservation is not just for officials but a shared effort. Across KP, afforestation projects work to restore and protect forests. Germany, through the KfW Development Bank, has pledged €20 million to Pakistan for the second phase of the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project (BTASP), announced in 2024. This initiative aims to protect and sustainably manage forests in KP by planting new trees over 10,000 hectares, building the capacity of forest departments and developing a management information system.

The first phase of BTASP has already been underway in collaboration with the KP Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, focusing on forest conservation and management in the region. This project builds on earlier large-scale afforestation efforts, notably the Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project (BTAP) launched in KP between 2014 and 2019. The success of this initiative led to the national-scale Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP) in 2019, which aimed to expand afforestation efforts across Pakistan. By June 2021, approximately 350 million trees had been planted under this program.

In the Kaghan Valley, afforestation efforts align with the broader goals of the BTAP and TBTTP. For example, in Shangla, a district neighbouring Kaghan, the forest department planted saplings over 138 hectares in Phase I, 2,620 hectares in Phase II (2015) and 992 hectares in Phase III (2018) under the KP BTAP. These efforts aimed to meet firewood and timber needs, create job opportunities and conserve biodiversity. The impact of such initiatives has been significant, contributing to a reported increase of 846.5 square kilometers in KP’s forest-covered area from 2007 to 2018.

To further accelerate forest conservation, the KP government announced the launch of the ‘Billion Tree Plus’ project in early 2024. This initiative seeks to build upon the success of previous afforestation projects and maintain the momentum of environmental conservation in the province.

Through combined efforts, including the dedication of individuals like Zaitoon Bibi and support of both local and international partnerships, a comprehensive approach to afforestation and sustainable forest management in the KP region ensures long-term ecological and economic benefits.

This article by filmmaker Junaid Ali has been produced in paid partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government – a partner of Dawn Media’s Breathe Pakistan initiative.