This work explains deforestation in Pakistan usind the issue attention cycle. The forests are time and again professed as an important ecological resource and that they can be permanently depleted, and are non-renewable. Forest resources therefore need to be harnessed in a sustainable manner. There is a need for a legally binding ‘world forest convention’, just like existence of climate change treaties, to keep the issue of deforestation on the agenda, to ensure sustainable management of forest resources and to limit their overexploitation.
Deforestation is a true example of "Tragedy of Commons". When one individual cuts or burns down a tree for his benefit, there is a higher probability that others will follow the same course of action to increase their individual benefit as well, without realizing that the collective negative externalities such as environmental pollution, along with extinction of biodiversity and global warming will be augmented. Furthermore, according to Ostrom et .al, "the difficulty of exclusion and sub-tractability of common pool resources (CPRs) creates potential CPR dilemmas in which people following their own short term interests produce outcomes that are not in anyone's long-term interest".
Being a Common Pool Resource, forests are not owned by any particular person or even the government and therefore limiting its overexploitation becomes difficult. As a result, we face the CPR dilemmas in Pakistan in the form of continuous threat to forest resource by timber mafia, villagers who depend on fuel wood, forest fires, overpopulation and illegal logging et cetera.
According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization the forest cover of Pakistan has been reduced to fewer than two percent from previous four percent of the total land area which is among one of the lowest levels in this region as compared to the 12% standard set by United Nations. This highlights the vulnerable condition of forest reserves in the country and depicts the need to put focus in the area.
Table of Contents
1. The pre problem stage
2. Alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm
3. Realizing the costs of significant process
4. Gradual decline of public interest
5. The post problem stage
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the state of deforestation in Pakistan through the lens of Anthony Downs' "Issue Attention Cycle," analyzing how the problem has evolved from a neglected issue to a subject of political mobilization, policy implementation, and eventual public fatigue. The study highlights the tension between sustainable forest management and the "Tragedy of the Commons" while evaluating the effectiveness of national initiatives like the "Billion Tree Tsunami."
- Application of the Issue Attention Cycle to environmental policy in Pakistan.
- Analysis of the "Tragedy of the Commons" in the context of forest resource management.
- Evaluation of federal versus provincial policy implementation and jurisdictional conflicts.
- Impact of the "Billion Tree Tsunami" project on employment and forest restoration.
- The role of international treaties and the North/South divide in shaping global forest agendas.
Excerpt from the Publication
Alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm
The issue of tropical deforestation became a globally recognized problem at the end of 1980s, due to sharp decline of the world’s forests; this area attained focus of the world, but at the same time became a politically controversial issue at the Rio Conference (1992). An attempt was made by the G7 countries to bring a ‘Global forest convention’ in the conference. Yet, these proposals faced a sturdy resistance by the member countries. For the industrialized world, forests were a legacy and responsibility and the developing considered a sovereign right to natural reserves within their national boundaries and demanded compensation for protecting the forest reserves.
The Rio conference and the debate surrounding a forest treaty created suspicion and issue became polarized. It ended up being difficult to arrange a convention relating to forests due to this sharp North\South divide. But the issue came on the world agenda, and everyone was alarmed by its devastating effects.
Summary of Chapters
The pre problem stage: Describes the period in Pakistan's history following the 1960s where deforestation was not prioritized despite high rates of forest loss and a lack of effective policy enforcement.
Alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm: Discusses how deforestation emerged as a global concern in the late 1980s and the political difficulties encountered at the Rio Conference regarding a global forest treaty.
Realizing the costs of significant process: Examines the constitutional and implementation challenges in Pakistan, specifically the jurisdictional tensions between federal and provincial authorities regarding forestry management.
Gradual decline of public interest: Analyzes how media and public focus shifted away from deforestation after initial engagement with the "Billion Tree Tsunami" project, compounded by competing daily life issues.
The post problem stage: Assesses the current status of deforestation policy, the success of recent afforestation initiatives, and the ongoing challenges of corruption and international monitoring.
Keywords
Deforestation, Pakistan, Issue Attention Cycle, Billion Tree Tsunami, Tragedy of the Commons, Forest Policy, Climate Change, Afforestation, Rio Conference, North-South Divide, Sustainability, Environmental Governance, Biodiversity, Common Pool Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The paper explores the progression of the deforestation issue in Pakistan using the theoretical framework of the Issue Attention Cycle.
Which central themes are addressed?
The core themes include policy implementation gaps, the economic and social drivers of deforestation, the Tragedy of the Commons, and the political life cycle of environmental issues.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The objective is to analyze how deforestation moved through different stages of public and political awareness in Pakistan and to evaluate the effectiveness of government interventions like the Billion Tree Tsunami.
Which scientific framework is utilized?
The paper primarily utilizes Anthony Downs' "Issue Attention Cycle" to categorize the historical development of the deforestation issue.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body details the evolution of forest policies in Pakistan, the impact of international climate treaties, the implementation of the Billion Tree Tsunami, and the persistent challenges of corruption and jurisdictional overlap.
What keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Deforestation, Issue Attention Cycle, Pakistan, Billion Tree Tsunami, and environmental governance.
How does the "Tragedy of the Commons" manifest in Pakistan?
It manifests through the overexploitation of forests by the timber mafia, villagers relying on fuel wood, and a lack of clear ownership, leading to a "common pool resource" dilemma.
What was the outcome of the Billion Tree Tsunami?
While the project received international acclaim for its restoration targets and job creation, it also faced significant controversy due to allegations of corruption within the forest department.
Why has public interest in deforestation declined?
Public interest shifted due to the nature of the Issue Attention Cycle, where competing concerns like inflation, unemployment, and new national projects eventually overshadowed environmental issues.
What recommendation does the author provide for future forest management?
The author suggests the creation of an international forest fund and stresses the necessity of side-by-side monitoring to ensure corruption-free implementation of projects.
- Quote paper
- Hifza Syed (Author), 2019, Deforestation in Pakistan explained using the issue attention cycle, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/510293
