Assessment of green cover area of the Margalla hills national park, Islamabad: The impacts of deforestation (P-0828) (MFN 6876)

Abstract

Wood products are better than the most of the artificially made material products such as plastics when evaluating with environmental concerns but our world forests cannot be compromised for these products. As the increasing demand of wood product leads to deforestation and causes threat to the human health and the wildlife. Due to increased demand the.more rapid tree cutting started even without the permits. The current study estimates the percentage of wood cutting in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad. Scale and aftermath of wood harvesting is a major area of concern. The wood consumption by the villagers of Margalla Hills National Park, role of authorities and communities to safeguard Margalla Hills National Park and its effects are also studied by incorporating villagers and the forest guards' point of view through questionnaire and interviews respectively. Fuelwood is vital element for most of the villagers for survival due to low income. Public Participation is essential for a Sustainable Forest management as to help in decision making. Number of plants (Sheesham, PhulfB4ir pine tree) and animals (Barking deer, Rhesus monkey, Gray goral sheep) species and individuals are decreasing in Margalla Hills National Park. The green cover of Margalla Hills National Park is reduced at high percentage due to deforestation and different land use pattern. High level of deforestation needs to be monitored and taken as responsibility of government and public to protect the forests.