The major tool in the hands of the Forest Departments to protect forest areas is the Forest Act of 1927. Its salient features are:
AGovernment is the supreme owner of forestlandOption A
BForests have been classed as reserved forests, protected forests, unclassed forests and community forests (Guzara forests), according to the need of protectionOption B
To provide a sound planning base for the forestry, wildlife, watershed and rangeland sub-sectors, there will be undertaken:
APeriodic physical/mapping surveysOption A
BImplementation of a programme for the improvement of statistics relating to forests and wildlife which includes a remote sensing laboratory and Geographical Information System (GIS)Option B
AUpgrade training facilities to expand and improve forestry education and to cater to the future requirements of trained personnel in the relevant fields of specialisationOption A
BIntegrate forestry education in the Pakistan Forest Institute with the university systemOption B
CEncourage induction of women into the forestry profession through training programmesOption C
The aims and objectives of the new forest policy in the field of conservation of protected areas are:
AConserve all endangered and endemic species of wild fauna and flora in particular by ensuring the survival of the critical ecosystems that support such wildlifeOption A
BArrange periodic surveys of the country’s wildlife and its habitats to monitor ecological changesOption B
CEncourage private sector in captive breeding of wild animals, in particular the endangered speciesOption C
AAll watershed projects, being a common source denominator, would be planned and coordinated by the Federal Government but implemented through Provincial Forest Departments in their respective areasOption A
BGrazing in reforested areas would be controlled until the newly-raised plants are fully establishedOption B
In the policy statement of 1991, it has, therefore, been laid out that:
AForests are managed intensively and the pilot projects started in Kaghan valley in Hazara and Kalam valley in Malakand Civil Divisions are replicated at other suitable locationsOption A
BExtraction from coniferous forests is limited to public sector only. Timber harvesting has already been departmentalized in four provinces and Azad KashmirOption B
CThe jurisdictional charges of forest personnel are rationalized to make them more manageableOption C
AExisting forest resources shall be scientifically managed for optimum productivity to meet the country’s need for wood and wood products and to reduce reliance on importsOption A
BSericulture industry shall be promoted to provide opportunities of employment and income for the rural populaceOption B
CSocial forestry shall be adopted as a standard practice and extended to all farmlands to increase productivity and to improve the environmentOption C
National forest policy for Pakistan – The needs and principles in the case of Pakistan are:
APakistan’s mainstay is agriculture, which is dependent on canal irrigation. Sound management of watersheds should, therefore, constitute the basic objective of forest policyOption A
BBecause of inadequate forest resources Pakistan must concentrate on developing new plantations.Option B
CThe country is heavily populated and faces an energy crisis. Since there is little scope to increase the area of state forests, agro-forestry programmes should be of vital concern to meet fuelwood requirements.Option C