Eucalyptus plantation in Pakistan: Holistic View of Environmental-Socioeconomic and Medicinal Perspective

Abstract

Eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae), an Australian native, is the world’s most widely planted hardwood tree. Owing to their outstanding diversity, adaptability, and faster growth characteristics, it is they are considered as a global renewable resource of fiber and energy. In Pakistan, Eucalyptus is most planted tree (over 700 species), adopted in different agro-ecological zones. In one side, Eucalyptus plantation has many established harmful effects on changing the soil chemistry and causes to drop the ground water level, while on other side, it has so many socio-economic and medicinal-use advantages. Considering the all controversies and applied- advantages of eucalyptus plantation, here in this review, we summarized the literature on ecological, socio-economic prospective of eucalyptus in Pakistan. Additionally, study aims to highlight the harmful effects of eucalyptus plantation to environment especially ground water and its impressive medicinal-curative effects to different medical illnesses. We also presented the list of recommendations regarding the government actions toward the future prospective of eucalyptus plantation in the country.