International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications

ISSN: 2456-9992

Critical Review On Past Literature Of Deforestation

In Rural Sector Of Pakistan
Dr. Naushad Khan, Syed Fawad Ali
Institute of Development Studies, The University of Agriculture Peshawar
Institute of Development Studies, The University of Agriculture Peshawar

ABSTRACT: Deforestation is the process where wood is cutting through different techniques and methods from the surface of the earth
for the purpose of livelihood while such type activities disturb the ecosystem of the world and make the environment unfavorable. Seeing to
its importance the present study was carried out in Pakistan since September 2017. The major objective was that to critically review the past
literature about deforestation and reach to conclusion what is the positive and negative effects of this phenomena in Pakistan. Purposively
total 17 studies were selected and reviewed 20 times in depth and analyzed the situation. The review shows that deforestation disturb the
ecosystem in Pakistan and make environment unfavorable and raised different type diseases in the community and affect the climate in
different angle. Through deforestation problem of soil erosion occur which speed up the flood in the area and destroy crops and building and
increase poverty in the long run while latter on taking changes in cropping pattern. However deforestation speed up the melting point of
glacier in the mountain and disturb the natural habitat not only in Pakistan but also in the whole world and also affect biodiversity in the
country The review further explain that the major reason of deforestation is poverty because rural people cut the wood for their survival of
life while miss management of forest department is also considered the main reason of deforestation. They cut the wood for their own
purpose and miss utilized the means of the government. On the basis of finding following recommendation were suggested for further
improvement of the forest. Reforestation program should be arranged every year in the country for multiplication of trees; Honest and
mature staff should be selected in forest department; Awareness program about ill effect of deforestation should be launched in the rural
community of Pakistan; Forest institution should be multiplied in Pakistan for the purpose of research for uplifting forest in the country;
Forest check post should be multiplied for the purpose of forest protection in the county. Powerful policy should be developed by
government for forest protection in the country.

1. INTRODUCTION 1994). In addition, tropical deforestation has become a

Forests plays vital role in the economic development of problem of global environmental issues concern, in
the country. It provides resources for basic livelihood particular because of the value of tropical forests, in
needs. This is especially true for the poor and rural biodiversity conservation and in limiting the greenhouse
populations. More than 200 million inhabitants of the effect (Angelsen et al., 1999). Deforestation leads to
forest and the livelihoods of poor immigrants is directly destruction of biodiversity and the extinction of plants and
depend on the food, fiber, fodder, fuel and other resources animals. It’s estimated that 4,000 plants and animals
taken from the forest or produced on recently cleared become extinct each year due to deforestation, most of
forest soils (Angelsen et al., 1999). Medical researchers in which have never been found. One thing is certain if
the tropical rainforests continues making new discoveries deforestation continues out of controlled, numerous
each year from plants These plants may contain the cure species will be disappear forever in the deforestation
for cancer or some clues that could lead to a scientific process. Many biologists beleived that loss of biodiversity
discovery (Winters 2000). However, more than 1.6 billion is the most important impact of deforestation (Winters
people around the world depend on forests for some part 2000). Pakistan’s economy relies on agriculture while
of their livelihood (USAID, 2007). Forest area and its increasing urbanization, utilization of land for agriculture,
changes are important and supposedly easily measurable, higher population rate and weak state forest policies are
indicators for sustainable resource management in larger considered main factors causing deforestation in the
areas to improve environmental and economic health country. Due to these factors Pakistan has a high rate of
(Kleinn, 2001; Morrow et al., 2001). Although the value deforestation. Forest resources are vital for conservation
of tropical forest resources at national and international of soil, water resources and biological diversity worldwide
levels is increasingly recognized, Most of the forests will and play key role in meeting requirements for forest
continue to be seriously threatened and disappearing products both timber and non timber (Siry, 2005).
amazingly at an alarming rate. In tropical regions, Pakistan, due to limited forest resources with deforestation
deforestation and forest degradation are progressive rate of 4.6% per annum ranks on the second highest
processes that are advancing at an alarming rate (Verolme number in world and represents thrashing ecological
et al., 1999; Rudel and Roper, 1997; Laurance, 1999), services nationally (Khan & Khan, 2009). The forests in
resulting in the conversion of wooded area into a mosaic Pakistan particularly Conifer forests reflect immense
of mature forest fragments, degraded habitat and pasture. climatic and physiographic contrasts and are under
Deforestation is one of the main environmental problems constant pressure due to population growth, human
in third world countries (Araya et al., 2003) and rapid activities and commercial harvesting for fuel wood mad
depletion of forest resources is causing various other timber utilization (Anon., 2007a). A variation in the
social and economic problems in the world. Every year, climatic condition that can be recognized by changes in
large areas of rainforest were cut down in the whole the mean or the changeability in the climatic properties
world. In addition, increased drought is expected to affect pertain for an unlimited time, generally decades or longer
parts of the rainforest in the course of the next century (Anon., 2007b; Shakoor et al., 2011). The relationships
(Malhi et al., 2008). Deforestation is primarily confined to between forest change and its associated driving factors
developing countries, primarily in the tropics (Myers are often complex and nonlinear (Mas et al., 2004). The

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 International Journal of Advanced Research and Publications
ISSN: 2456-9992

most recent impacts of climate changes were also human beings transporting timber and fuel wood from the
witnessed during the droughts of 1900 to 2000 in Pakistan forests to the lower, more densely populated areas.
(Anon., 2007b).In the hilly areas of Pakistan trees and Corruption plays an important role in illegal logging
forest resources almost always have a place in rural operations that take place across Swat. The enforcement
livelihood. Rural people depends on forests for livestock agencies (first of all, the Forest Department) whose
fodder, timber for houses and for fire wood which is the official goal is protecting the forest have in many
most important, and often the only source of energy for occasions turned into the main culprits.
cooking and heating. (Khan & Naqvi, 2000). But in
Pakistan deforestation problem is at peak. A decrease of 2. Material and Methods
39000 hectare of forest per year is cleared (FAO, 2001). If The universe of the study was Pakistan. Purposively total
the rate sustain in Pakistan, it will lose most of its forest 17 past research studies were selected for the study.
with in thirty to forty years and being considered as a Twenty times all the studies were critically reviewed and
forest poor country with occupying less than 5% of total analyzed the situation and reached to conclusion what is
land, so forest preservation is a really important task for the positive and negative effects of the deforestation in
Pakistan. A tree can be harvested when reached to a Pakistan and also focused on the reasons what reasons are
certain age but forests are renewable source. Khyber responsible for deforestation? So fully reviewed the
pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is the rich area of forest in Pakistan situation and result was concluded.
based on climatic condition the whole Khyber
pakhtunkhwa should be covered under tropical thorn 3. Critical Review on Past Literature
forest in the plain, Temperate forest as short elevation and Malik and Malik (2004) studied the seven plant
wide leaved forest as foothills with low rainfall communities in Kotli, Azad Kashmir in 2000 during
(Champion, 1996). The Khyber pakhtunkhwa province of monsoon they studied entirely 58 species. About 9 of
Pakistan is endowed with wealth of natural resources them were woody, 36 of them were herbaceous while rest
including forests. However due to multiple reasons (Ali et of 13 were shrubby. Their findings reflect a high range of
al., 2007; Shahbaz et al., 2007), as the natural forests of deforestation and over grazing.Tomas et al. (2004) studied
KPK is shrinking at a high rate (FAO, 2007). Indeed deforestation in Himalayan mid hills of Northern Pakistan.
depletion of natural forests in these areas is one of the Studied showed the relationship between local societies
most threatening environmental issues in Pakistan. and Ayubia national park and forestry area around it while
Nevertheless numerous forest development and extension taking fodder and fuel wood management into account.
projects had been carried out by international donor The consideration of foresters and conservationists in
agencies and the government of Pakistan during the last collection of forest products needs attention in controlling
three decades. But in spite of these entire efforts deforestation.Ali and Benjaminsen (2004) worked on
deforestation rate is still very high and the situation is consumption of fuel wood and extraction of timber in
worsening every year (FAO, 2005 and 2007). Many Basho Valley, Northern Pakistan to investigate the usual
researchers have pointed out towards the ineffectiveness perception of targeted group i.e. local community about
and un-sustainability of state forest policies is one of the the main cause of forest depletion. The study of them
major causes of forest depletion towards this and some reached to the reality that there are some other causes of
authors have under lined the needs for the involvement of deforestation other than fuel wood collection. During the
stakeholders in the development intervention. There exists last three decades 30% of the deforestation has been
a vast range of stakeholders who have stake in the use of estimated which is mostly commercial harvesting and also
forest resources in KPK and have different rights and government mismanagement. They reported that illegal
claims in the forests (Suleri et al., 2008). The valley of harvesting and commercial usage of forest leads to
Swat is a part of Malakand Division and typically consists depletion that the conditions will even the shortage to
of mountainous protected forest owned by the state. The local community. Ali et al. (2005) viewed the loss of
government contractors can cut trees which are used as forest and its causes in Basho Valley, Northern Pakistan.
source to generate revenue 60 to 80% and out of this are The increase in population is the basic cause of
paid as public royalty. The local people have the deforestation in Himalayas. The study met findings that
constitutional rights of grazing and collection of small the construction of roads in 1968 in Bashu valley opened
products which is a source of earning and carries out the way communication on one hand but on the other
agriculture on the plain of the valley (Iqbal, 2003). hand, resulted in the reduction of at least 50% forests. The
Historical developments are at the origin of the right road construction opened the system of legal and illegal
holding of heirs of the most important families allied to commercial harvesting at a large scale. The study found
the local dictator. Swat has a distinct history in relation to that legal harvesting at commercial level has stopped in
Pakistan and the rest of the Indian subcontinent. While the 1987 but illegal harvesting could not be stopped
rest of the area was colonized by the British crown, Swat unfortunately due to the corruption of forest departments.
succeeded in conserving its autonomy and, once Pakistan Steimann (2005) investigated the institutional dynamics of
became independent in 1947, it did not fully access the forest department and response of officials under local
Pakistan until 1969. In Swat there are lush green hills and and personal environments. The deep relation between
mountains with snowcapped peaks in the distance. The forest and stockholders has been evaluated and different
impression is of paradise. On second sight most of the factors affecting the balance between them. The most
lush green areas are not the virgin forests that once important stockholders contributing to the forest were
covered the hillsides in a not so distant past. There are nomads, forest department, federal government, timber
only isolated spots of forest left. On the road there is a contractors, non-government organizations, international
steady stream of trucks, pick-up trucks, donkeys and donor agencies and timber mafia. Qamar et al. (2006)
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conducted a survey in Ghomat game Reserve, Upper Studied showed that forests are an important source of
Neelum Valley, Azad Jamu and Kashmir to examine the natural capital which plays a vital role in routine life. All
present situation of important wild life species. The results the third world countries having the same socio-economic
of the survey revealed that these species are reducing and ecological zones have almost same situations and the
continuously and once in a time will also become result of this study was applicable to all of them to
vanished. These species are known as endangered species. improve their natural resource management, the result of
Deforestation, over grazing and mining were considered their findings has focused on natural and social assets and
as the cause of disturbance of biodiversity in Neelum reducing the worse effect on livelihood however the
Valley. Ali et al. (2006) analyzed the Myths and realities factors of vulnerability which the elites tinted by building
of deforestation in North West Pakistan. The study new institutions have been ignored. The study suggested
reported a very high deforestation rate in Pakistan. Forests bottom-to-top approach before implementing any mega
play a better role in country’s economy as well as major project. Miles and Kapos (2008) examined that in
source of livelihood of that rural community. The study developing countries degradation of forest and
worked on taking a perception of targets groups regarding deforestation has been increased due to recent climate in
different factors like condition of forests, forests use Bali. All this is done within the anticipated post-kyoto
patterns, change in forests, cover that are responsible for emission reduction agreement. However some land used
forest depletion and ascending rate of illegal cutting. The changed will be shifted to other location but most of the
results showed that forests department strategies regarding forest will be protected. At Bali a administration phase
forest management in effective and excessive use of launched which provides an opportunity to study the
forests regarding household needs. The report also ecosystem services and biodiversity and its potential
recommended some follow-up plans for efficacy of outcomes. Research should be considered for selecting the
forestry extension services. Rehman (2007) studied the priorities areas for decreasing emission from degradation
environmental situation of forest in Baralikass village of of forest and deforestation in order to deliver multiple
Kotli Azad Kashmir, Pakistan exposed that the forest benefits. Sheil et al. (2009) observed that different
territory in this village is at risk. The study reported the protected area are still being observed and looked after by
loss of forests surroundings; deprivation and the government the policy of the government. The policy
disintegration are the major issues to be taken under of the government is not to involve the local
observation in village BaraliKass. The studied showed the administration in this conservation system because they
issue with a purpose to come across at the reasons which have much of the negative role in this. In some countries
make the most of these forest resources inadequate and like Vietnam there are more models of protecting forests
brittle in the research area. Pellegrini (2007) studied the from deforestation. The paper concludes that if the local
role of jungle in Pakistan. The basic area of their study is priorities, effects and wishes are identified and proper
corruption and forest management in Swat. According to decisions are made accordingly. They also suggests that
them the follow up of “crime and punishment” is not keeping the societies not involved in conserving system,
possible until the environment of institution on the whole will make the condition more worst and the benefits
is strong. Study suggested that forest management regime, cannot be achieved. Bunkei et al. (2010) found that in
institutional reforms to get rid of present institutional Japan the main cause for progressive deforestation is the
enforcement which is mostly captured by corruption and poor management. In Japan the biodiversity and water
should focus on local community management of natural retention or decreasing faster than ever as a function of
resources. Noack (2007) studied the misuse of forest deforestation leading to less soil fertility and thus
which is highly associated to economic factors such as adversely affect the ecosystem of the region. For the
lack of institutions. Further analysis showed the causes of restoration of ecosystem it is important to detect forest
deforestation of deciduous broadleaved forests on the degradation but this method needs much more labour and
slope of the Talysh Mountain in southern Azerbaijan, it is very difficult to apply in mountainous areas. In this
since the collapse of soviet union the forests are under study it is also found that the degraded Japanese plantation
threat and have suffered allot from diverse type of has much lower level of soil water contents than the well
degradation in the early 1990s. The Kolkhozes breakdown managed and conserved forests. Fensham et al. (2011)
serves as; major employer, as shortage of energy in rural concluded that overgrazing on a specified area decrease
areas and a lack of forest laws enforcement annoyed the the specie richness in an environment. The local flora in
situation. The villagers pull out more than 30,000 m of defined region can be protected by preventing the grazing
wood per anum with a value of about 0.5 million in terms over perennial grasses and making the system coordinated
of local currency. Karkee (2007) studied the effects of with local authorities in order to have a better effect. The
deforestation on different tree variety and livelihood of study also states that less productive forest are more prone
local community. The study showed that wild animals and to deforestation then ecologically rich forests. Qasim et al.
trees are becoming meagre due to deforestation. (2014) conducted study on “Fighting Deforestation In
Deforestation also causes soil erosion which increase Swat Pakistan Through Realigning Property Rights,
debris flow and contributes flooding of debris. The Education And Community Participation”. They reported
erosion further effect soil fertility and in turn lessen that forest cover between 1968 and 2007 showed a drastic
agriculture yield in the area of research. The study change in forest cover. In lowlands forest cover decreased
explains that with the control of deforestation there will be by 36 % and in high elevations by 69%. Annual
constructive effect on livelihood of local people. Ali et al. deforestation rates observed were 1.86% (scrub forest
(2007) conducted a study to analyze the impact of zone), 1.28% (agro-forest zone) and 0.80% (pine forest
participatory forest management on livelihood, which is zone) in the respective areas of district Swat. This change
introduced by Forestry Sector project (FSP) in KPK. in forest cover leads to destruction of ecosystems and

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ISSN: 2456-9992

associated livelihoods. They also reported that lack of Study. Food and Agriculture Organization of the
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