Appraisal of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in District Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

Deforestation and forest degradation are not only a problem of north western mountainous region of Pakistan but it is one of the main global environmental issues. To find out deforestation rate and its extent in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Landsat 5 (October 2, 2011) and Landsat 8 OLI (October 15, 2016) data were processed in Carnegie Landsat Analysis System (CLASlite v3.3). Primary data related to deforestation in Swat were also obtained from local people 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 cover between 2011 and 2016 showed a significant change in forest cover. About 11 km² area is converted from forest to barren land, while approximately 9,985 km² area of forest cover was degraded. The perceived causes of deforestation in the study area are unsustainable use and mismanagement of forest resources, population growth, plantation of eucalyptus and lack of basic facilities and awareness. However, community ignorance is the main factor responsible for deforestation and forest degradation. One of the major consequences of deforestation can be related to the total disappearance of Charchur waterfall in Talang Kota lower Swat in September 2016. Therefore, it is the right time to move 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 forest resources.