page_title: Juniperus macropoda
section_title: Threats
hierarchical_section_title: Juniperus macropoda / Threats
caption_attribution_description: English: Snow camping in Ziarat in the middle of Juniper Forest by Chiltan Adventurers Association ,08-02-2003. headed by Hayatullah Khan Durrani and Abubakar Durrani the JUNIPER DEFENDERS.
context_page_description: Juniperus macropoda, also called Juniperus excelsa polycarpos, or the Pashtun juniper, is a putative species of juniper native to northern and central Balochistan in western Pakistan, and southeastern Afghanistan.
context_section_description: On October 29, 2008 a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Ziarat and surrounding areas. After the earthquake disruptions the local villagers are now using Juniper trees as fire wood.
   The juniper forest area is declining day by day there is lack of substantial remedial steps to minimize pressure on juniper cutting has ever been taken to save the centuries-old valuable trees. The local people living in these areas are not provided with the basic necessities of life. 
   So, they exploit the forest resources for fuel, shelter and food. The major reason of decline of this forest is uses as firewood for daily use, timber for construction, hedges around agricultural fields by the local communities is resulting change in the environment and endangering the rare species of wildlife. Other threats to Juniper include the smuggling of juniper seeds and attack of plant parasite known as mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxycedri) which destroys it in short period.
  On 25 October 2010 The Government of Balochistan Sports, Environment and Youth Affairs Departments announced the Silver Jubilee “Juniper Defender Award” to Hayatullah Khan Durrani, for his long outstanding efforts as juniper defender since 1984.
  Hayat Durrani is an environmental analyst for the preservation of the 3000-year-old World Heritage of Juniperus macropoda  Juniper forests and wildlife in the Ziarat and Zarghoon Ghar regions of Balochistan Pakistan.
caption: Hayat Durrani and Abubakar Durrani The Juniper Defenders in snow Camp 08-02-2003.
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