:THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION IN AREA OF ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN:

Abstract:

This report is based on the findings of a fieldwork held in April 2015 to identify the major causes of deforestation in area of Islamabad and Rawalpindi Pakistan. The purpose of this report is to highlight issues of deforestation and systematically identify its underlying causes, by incorporating the views of all stakeholders, forestry sector experts and policy makers from the federal, provincial and local levels. The main causes of deforestation are mounting population pressure, dependence of urban and rural households on fuelwood, suspension of forest management in natural forests, unscientific grazing beyond carrying capacity and stakeholders' lack of involvement in the process of policy making. In this report we put our focus on the major cause of deforestation that is a “METRO BUS PROJECT” in Islamabad and Rawalpindi the positive and negative points of “Metro bus project” and the suggestions through which we can overcome he problem of deforestation.

I. Introduction:

Pakistan faces immense problems of deforestation. Less than five percent of its total area is under forests. The rate of deforestation of 1.5% is very high and alarming. Efforts aimed at combating deforestation and increasing the forest area have failed to yield the desired results due to gaps in policy maker's information, financial and social constraints and stakeholders' lack of involvement in policymaking.

The rest of the report consists of following points:

Section II: The main objectives of this report.

Section III: Methodologies.

Section IV: Conclusion.

Section V : Recommendations.

II. Objectives:

The specific objectives of this study are to:

Raise awareness of the benefits of forests, and adverse effects of deforestation. Raise awareness about the major causes of deforestation. Raise awareness about the deforestation causing by “Metro bus project”. Raise awareness about the advantages and dis advantages of “Metro bus project”

Suggest possible solutions to overcome the problem of deforestation in area of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

III. Methodologies:

Pakistan is a forest deficient country. It has suffered loss of forest biodiversity (conifers, riparian, thorn, and mangroves) owing to poor management practices of over hundred years. In order to observe the causes of deforestation we went to the area near Margalla hills in Islamabad on 2nd may 2015. Rawalpindi Islamabad: The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad lie against the backdrop of Margalla Hills on the Potohar plateau. On the basis of archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau as far back as 3,000 years. In the area near the margalla hills we observed that a large amount of trees are removed in order to complete the “METRO BUS PROJECT”. It is a 24 km (14.9 mi) bus rapid transit under-construction in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan no doubt that this is a beneficial project for peoples but it cause a lot of threats for human as well as animals life. One of the main arteries leading into Islamabad is closed down for the Metro Bus project peoples were facing a lot of difficulties in travelling. A lot of trees were cut ted down there and it effects the greenery of the margalla hills we observed that there was a lot of pollution it effects the human beings badly. Most of the peoples were wearing masks while travelling through that road. A large amount of mountains have crushed there which effects the beauty of the capital city of Pakistan. In the area of twin cities a large amount of forests are removed in order to construct buildings, houses as well as to fulfil the daily requirements of human beings. Before at least 100 years these areas were totally covered with green forests but today a large amount of land in these cities are covered by buildings and a small quantities of trees are left there. Another cause of deforestation that we observed there is that a large amount of peoples can migrate from villages towards cities that’s why we have to construct more houses in order to settle them and for this purpose we have to cut the trees. Scenes of these cities captured by us are as follow:

Conclusion:

After visiting these places we concluded the following causes of deforestation:

CAUSES:

There is a wide gap in the production and consumption of wood. A large amount of wood is used in order to fulfil the requirements of human beings. The production and consumption of wood is one of the main factors of deforestation.

The ban imposed by the government on cutting trees has not prevented the timber mafia from their activities because of political interference, theft, corruption and lack of serious commitment on the part of the government to bring the culprits to book. The timber traders are using all possible means to smuggle wood for short-lived gains.

Poor communities consume available natural resources for their immediate survival.

Increasing population pressure resulting in unsustainable removals, dependence of 90% of rural & 60% urban households on fuelwood as primary source of energy; developmental pressure i.e. construction of roads, buildings, and water reservoirs disturbing riparian and mangrove ecosystems lead to widespread deforestation in Pakistan.

Stakeholders lack of involvement in the policy making process has held the policy makers back from designing a broad based forest policy.

“Mero bus project” is also one of the major cause of deforestation which badly effects the green belt of Islamabad.

Advantages of “Metro bus Project”:

This service will join the 2 cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad it will help 150000 peoples to travel with in two cities.

It will reduce the traffic burden on “Benazir Bhutto road”. There is a requirement of urban bus transport service to help the peoples to travel with in

the two cities. It is affordable. It will Support local economies. It will attract business investments. It will Attract tourism It will improve pedestrian safety. Increase use of public transportation. Improve public transport. A lot of labours are working for the completion of this project they can earn money from this

project.

Disadvantages of “Metro bus project”:

This project has also some disadvantages which are as follow:

The estimated cost for this project is 50 billion which is too expensive. It effects the beauty of Islamabad. A large amount of trees as well as mountains are crushed in order to complete the project

which causing many environmental problems. It causing a lot of pollution in area of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It will be overcrowded. Just like Lahore Metro bus. The crime rate will be increase. Its routes are fixed so you have to make your way to and from the station.

Recommendations:

Our country is an agricultural country but now a days we are facing a problem of deforestation in large amount we should control it otherwise it will generate many problems for us in future. Following steps should be taken In order to reduce the problem of deforestation in area of Rawalpindi and Islamabad:

Government should fulfil their promises to replant the trees anywhere else that can be uprooted during Metro bus construction.

Government should take steps to rebuild the green belt of the city of Islamabad. Government should provide the facility of suigas to all areas in order to reduce wood

consumption. Government should make policies in order to control deforestation. Better educational and medical facilities should provide to the villages in order to reduce

migration of peoples from villages towards cities. We should construct the buildings in limited quantity in order to reduce deforestation. We should grow more trees in order to reduce pollution. We should respect forest peoples who can take care of our forests.

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