Ziarat Juniper Forest
Ziarat Juniper Forest is a juniper forest in Ziarat, Balochistan, Pakistan. These forests are spread around mountainous area of Ziarat and Mount Zarghoon. The area of these forests is 99960 hectares. In 1977, UNESCO declared it biosphere reserve. Its area is 110000 hectares and it is the largest juniper forest in Pakistan, according to another source. The age of old trees is 5000 to 7000 years for which they are called living fossils. This forest is also a world heritage site. Trees of this forest are also included in oldest living trees on the earth. Many endangered species like suleiman markhor, urial, black bear and wolf, as well as migratory birds and animals are also found here. 54 different species of plants are found here. About half of them are used in medicines to treat different diseases. These forests also prevent water reserves from evaporating, which are major source of livelihood for local people.
