Juniper forests in Pakistan are likely to get an added lease of life. The Pakistan Environment Protection Council (PEPC) has launched a Rs 15 million pilot project to protect the world's second largest juniper forest in the Ziarat valley of Balochistan.

The major facets of the programme are proper techniques for management of juniper trees, land development control for farm and fruit cultivation, restrictions on new settlements and setting up of checkposts to stop illegal cutting of juniper trees. It also encompasses steps for countering forest diseases, rehabilitation of forest water management and the use of alternative construction and flood control material other than juniper wood in Ziarat.