2.5% or about 1,902,000 hectares of Pakistan is forested.

Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2000, Pakistan lost an average of 41,100 hectares of forest per year. The amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.63%. Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of forest change increased by 24.4% to 2.02% per annum. In total, between 1990 and 2005, Pakistan lost 24.7% of its forest cover, or around 625,000 hectares. Measuring the total rate of habitat conversion (defined as change in forest area plus change in woodland area minus net plantation expansion) for the 1990-2005 intervals, Pakistan lost 14.7% of its forest and woodland habitat.

Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Pakistan has some 1027 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 3.5% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 5.5% are threatened. Pakistan is home to at least 4950 species of vascular plants, of which 7.5% are endemic. 4.0% of Pakistan is protected under IUCN categories I-V.

What if I encounter a bush fire while driving?

If a bush fire is just burning the undergrowth with little smoke, you should not be in any danger. In the north of the state, even higher intensity fires that are burning the canopy of the trees rarely radiate enough heat to make roadways impassable.

If there is a lot of smoke:

• Slow down and be aware that there could be people, vehicles and livestock on the road.
• turn car headlights and hazard lights on
• Close windows and outside vents.

If you cannot see clearly:

• pull over to the side of the road
• stop your vehicle
• keep your headlights and hazard lights on
• wait until the smoke clears.

If you become trapped by a fierce fire:

• stay in your car
• park in an area of low or no vegetation with the vehicle orientated towards the oncoming fire front
• turn engine off
• close the doors, windows and outside vents
• lie on the floor and cover your body with any available woollen or cotton blankets or cloth
• do not get out or open windows until the fire front has passed
• For emergency assistance, call 000.

Always follow the directions of police and firefighters if they are present.

What if I encounter a bush fire on foot?

• Do not panic
• Move to clear or already burnt ground
• Don't try to run uphill.
• Stay low and seek shelter behind a log, rocky outcrop or embankment to protect yourself from radiant heat
• If your clothes catch fire, don't run - stop, drop, cover your face and roll over and over to extinguish the flames