oadsides and riverbanks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Malakand, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Swat districts used to have rosewood trees, also known as dalbergia sissoo or sheesham.

These towering trees not only added to the natural beauty of the region but also provided habitat for many bird species. These days, these once-thriving trees are vanishing at an alarming rate, leaving behind a stark landscape.

Anwar Ullah Khan, a farmer in Mardan district, recalls the days when sheesham trees lined the roads of his hometown. However, many of these trees have withered away, leaving the government with no choice but to cut them down. The disappearance of these trees has not only diminished the beauty of the region but has also raised concerns about the health and sustainability of the environment.

Khan worries that rosewood trees are wilting away rapidly. He says the trend can have dire consequences not only for the furniture industry but also for the environment of the region.

Khan says sheesham trees absorb nitrogen from the environment and transfer it to the soil, thus maintaining its fertility. With these trees disappearing, the soil is losing important nutrients. He also worries about the loss of habitat for the birds that used to nestle in these trees.

Muhammad Fayyaz, a carpenter, sheds light on the significance of sheesham wood in the furniture industry. Sheesham, he says, is highly valued for its durability and quality. It is sourced not only from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also from the Punjab and travels as far as Karachi to be used in high-quality furniture.

Local farmers also rely on rosewood trees to produce furniture for their homes.

Fayyaz says that furniture made from sheesham wood is long-lasting. He says it is known to retain its surface finish for up to seven decades. For many farmers who supplement their income from agriculture with this business, the dwindling sheesham trees represent a significant loss.

To save the sheesham trees, Malik suggests protecting their roots and bark, preventing injuries and maintaining soil fertility. This proactive approach may help these majestic trees regain their health and vitality.

Muhammad Malik, a soil scientist, says sheesham trees typically reach maturity in 19-21 years. They live for about 60 years before they stop producing oxygen. He says the natural process of nitrogen-fixing in these plants involves the release of fixed nitrogen into the soil.

Many experts believe that the sheesham trees are dying on account of soil nutrient deficiencies that hinder the transport of water and minerals to the upper parts of the tree. They say the trees are also vulnerable to various insect and bacterial attacks. Some foresters point out that the trees have been removed from their native environment for over a century. This, they say, is leading to gradual decay.

Malik says dieback is a severe disease affecting rosewood trees. In this ailment, parasites attack a tree’s aerial parts, causing moisture loss and leaf shedding. Additionally, he says, removing the bark of the tree might obstruct the upward flow of water and nutrients, contributing to their decline.

To save the sheesham trees, Malik suggests protecting their roots and bark, preventing injuries and maintaining soil fertility. Such a proactive approach may help these majestic trees regain their health and vitality.

Riaz Hussain, a student at the Agriculture University, Peshawar, provides the historical context. He says that sheesham trees were first introduced in the region by the British in 1860 when they were imported from Nepal and planted in various parts of the country. They were initially planted in the Punjab and some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where water was abundant.

Hussain says rosewood trees thrive in areas with ample water availability. This is why they are predominantly found in Mardan, Peshawar, Haripur, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.

Hazrat Mir, the Forest Department centre conservator, says forest land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased by six percent over the last eight years. He attributes this improvement to the Billion Tree Tsunami Project, launched in 2014. He says the project restored 350,000 hectares of forests and degraded land and exceeded Pakistan’s Bonn Challenge commitment.

He says under this project, sheesham trees were planted along roadsides and riverbanks across the province. Hazrat Mir says that there are plans to plant another billion trees in the province.

He says the department has well-equipped staff in every area to look after these trees. “Over the next five years Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will become a greener province,” he says.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Peshawar