From forests to markets: Unlocking green wealth through sustainable NTFPs

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2026) For 38-year-old beekeeper Attaur Rehman, the buzzing of bees has become the sound of hope, resilience, and economic recovery.

Just a few years ago, Attaur’s life was overshadowed by grief and financial hardship. After losing both parents and burdened with heavy medical debts, the resident of Nowshera was forced to abandon his education to support his eight-member family.

What began in 2020 with only 20 bee boxes has now grown into a thriving beekeeping enterprise of more than 100 boxes, transforming not only his livelihood but also his outlook on life.

“The loans taken for my parents’ treatment forced me to leave my studies,” Attaur recalled. “I started beekeeping with just 20 boxes at hometown. Today, I have over 100, and I have managed to repay all the borrowed money.”

With the arrival of summer, Attaur has shifted his bee colonies to the lush valleys of Swat, where flowering plants and natural nectar sources provide ideal conditions for honey production.

The seasonal migration, common among experienced beekeepers, allows the bees to produce high-quality honey rich in flavor and nutrients.

For Attaur, bees are more than a source of income. He believed they were a hidden treasure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s forests and mountains.

“Wild bees play a vital role in honey production and pollination,” he said. “If conserved scientifically, they can generate enormous economic opportunities for local communities and contribute significantly to the provincial economy.”

His success story reflected the growing potential of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) — natural resources obtained from forests without cutting trees, including honey, medicinal plants, mushrooms, nuts, and herbs.

Recognizing this untapped potential, the Directorate of NTFP of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department recently organized a two-day workshop titled “From Forests to Markets: Valorization of NTFPs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” in the scenic valley of Kalam, Swat.

The initiative aimed to promote the sustainable harvesting, value addition, and commercialization of forest-based products while creating livelihood opportunities for rural communities.

The event brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including officers of the forest department, representatives of leading herbal and pharmaceutical industries such as Hamdard Laboratories and Qarshi industries, NTFP collectors and traders, development practitioners, researchers, and representatives of WWF and other partner organizations.

The workshop served as a dynamic platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among key actors involved in the NTFP value chain, with the objective of transforming the province’s rich forest resources into sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

Formally welcoming the participants, Abid Mumtaz, Conservator of Forests, Malakand East Forest Circle, highlighted the immense ecological, social, and economic importance of NTFP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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He emphasized that the province possesses a wealth of medicinal and aromatic plants, wild edibles, honey, mushrooms, and other forest-based products which, if managed sustainably, can significantly enhance rural livelihoods while preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in extensive discussions on sustainable harvesting practices, biodiversity conservation, supply chain management, traceability mechanisms, value addition, product development, and strategies for strengthening market linkages.

Experts from the public and private sectors stressed the need for adopting responsible harvesting techniques, improving quality standards, and enhancing transparency across supply chains to increase the competitiveness of locally sourced NTFPs in national and international markets.

The deliberations also underscored the importance of empowering collectors and community-based enterprises through access to market information, modern processing techniques, and stronger connections with industry stakeholders.

Participants noted that NTFP represents a vital source of income for thousands of forest-dependent households across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and possesses tremendous potential to contribute to poverty reduction, green entrepreneurship, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient economic growth.

The workshop highlighted the importance of creating stronger partnerships between local producers, traders, processors, and industries to ensure equitable benefits for communities while maintaining the ecological integrity of forest ecosystems.

Addressing the concluding session, Syed Hasnain Abbas, Director Research & Development, commended the enthusiastic participation and valuable contributions of all stakeholders.

He reaffirmed the Forest Department’s commitment to promoting sustainable forest-based livelihoods and strengthening the NTFP sector through research, innovation, capacity building, and market-oriented interventions.

He observed that effective valorization of NTFPs can transform forests into engines of inclusive development, generating employment opportunities while encouraging conservation of the province’s natural heritage.

The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates and commemorative shields among participants in recognition of their active engagement and contributions.

The event marked a significant step towards building a resilient and sustainable NTFP sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reinforcing the vision of connecting forests to markets in a manner that benefits both people and nature for generations to come.

For people like Attaur Rehman, however, the future now carries a sweeter promise.

Standing beside rows of buzzing bee boxes in Swat’s green meadows, he said his journey proved that with determination, nature can become both a healer and a provider.

“Beekeeping gave me a second chance in life,” he said with a smile. “Now I want others to see the opportunities hidden in our forests.”

APP/fam