Appraisal of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in District Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

14 September, 2019 Accepted: 07 October, 2019Abstract: Deforestation and forest degradation are not only a problem of north western mountainous region of Pakistanbut it is one of the main global environmental issues. To find out deforestation rate and its extent in Swat, KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Landsat 5 (October 2, 2011) and Landsat 8 OLI (October 15, 2016) data were processed in CarnegieLandsat Analysis System (CLASlite v3.3). Primary data related to deforestation in Swat were also obtained from localpeople through a structured questionnaire. Primary data were analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS). Changes in land cover can be clearly identified during image analysis. The temporal analysis of forest coverbetween 2011 and 2016 showed a significant change in forest cover. About 11 km² area is converted from forest tobarren land, while approximately 9,985 km² area of forest cover was degraded. The perceived causes of deforestation inthe study area are unsustainable use and mismanagement of forest resources, population growth, plantation ofeucalyptus and lack of basic facilities and awareness. However, community ignorance is the main factor responsible fordeforestation and forest degradation. One of the major consequences of deforestation can be related to the totaldisappearance of Charchur waterfall in Talang Kota lower Swat in September 2016. Therefore, it is the right time tomove toward sustainable management, detection and monitoring of national forest reserves by using geospatial tools,and by the involvement of local communities to participate in decision making about the conservation of forestresources.