Causes of Deforestation and Its Effects on Different Factors in Rural Community of District Swat-Pakistan

Abstract

Forest play key role in the development of a country. They provide wood, medicinal plants, grazing field to livestock and protection to the natural habitat while also generate job to rural community of district Swat. Seeing to its importance the present study was conducted in 2015 in rural area of District swat. The major objectives were to find out the causes of deforestation and its effects on different factors in rural community of the study area. On the basis of more surrounding forest three villages namely Charma , Sulathan and Gamsir were selected and through proportional allocate sampling techniques 53, 23 and 34 respondents were chosen respectively. Through interview schedule data were collected from the respondents and used descriptive statistics and chi-square test for analysis. Results indicate 47 % respondents were literate; 45% family size was estimated 6-10 members; 82% respondents were knowledge about excessive deforestation in the study area. Major causes of deforestation were found usage of wood for cooking and construction of houses. The result further revealed that all the community population is responsible for deforestation for not using available alternative resources to overcome timber mafia, overgrazing field, increased commercial usage and migrations towards to forest area for survival basses. Result further explained that there was high impact of deforestation on climate change in the form of irregular pattern of rainfall, snowfall, floods, soil erosion, decreasing of fodder quantity for animal and unfavorable environment for wildlife habitats in the study area. On the basis of causes majority respondents recommend campaigns, trainings programs, seminars and workshop for awareness, to care the forest in future. Generate employment opportunities in the study area for livelihood means for not cutting the forest trees by local community in the study area; to launch reforestation programs on seasonal basis ; Proper monitoring for check and balance of forest by forest department and appointment of honest staffs for further enhancement of forest growth is required.

Keywords: Causes, Deforestation, Effects on different factors, Rural Community , District Swat