Determinants and Consequences of Deforestation in the Indus River Belt Area of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

Abstract

Deforestation persists as a main environmental issue in majority of the nations of the world and decreases the number of trees and wildlife species. Many species of animals and plants has become threatened with extension due to loss and fragmentation of habitats. Households’ perception knowledge regarding deforestation is significant for establishing suitable conservation and management strategies. To our know-how, this was the 1^st research study that determined the perceptions of villagers’ about the factor of deforestation and their effect on environment of Riverine forest which are important for their livelihoods. About 150 male respondents were interviewed from three villages in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. The data was analyzed with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The respondents perceived that fuel wood collection (74%), cutting of trees for income (92.5%), poverty (81%), population pressure (46%), political involvement (39.3%), corruption (74 %) and mismanagement (64%) were the key causes of deforestation. The major effects of deforestation as per perceptions were climate change (87.4%), increase in CO₂ (74.7%), increase in temperature (92.7%), lack of rain (63.2%) and decrease of wildlife species (73.3%). The respondents perceived that provision of alternate fuel source, control of corruption, creation of awareness among the people regarding the importance of forest and reforestation can minimized the deforestation rate.

Keywords: Deforestation, Perception, Riverine Forests. Rural People