PJB-2023-291
Irfan Ali
Abstract
Birch forest has been rare species due to its occurrence at high elevations above 12000ft it had been ignored by the concerned authorities as it faced problems like anthropogenic activities, and climatic changes, so the purpose of this research was to assess the status and identify the threats to birch forest at district Skardu, Baltistan. This study aimed to investigate the connection between problems and anthropogenic activities, and threats, which had negatively affected the ratio of Birch trees in district Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. The research has highlighted the importance of forest-based industry as its socioeconomic impact on the local community. The threats and socio-economic importance were identified through a questionnaire in which different challenges like deforestation, fuelwood, climatic change, and natural disasters, through random fixed plot sampling in Tehsil Roundu, District Skardu, birch forest was assessed. The studies stated 75% of people in rural areas including the urban area used Birch forest for, packing purposes, furniture making, and other anthropogenic activities due to mentioned factors it declared as threatened species. In the previous studies and records of 10 to 15 years, comparatively the Birch forest has declined 5 to 6%, which is a serious threat and environmental challenge. About 88% of people responded that deforestation is the primary driver in the reduction of Birch forest status, the studies also revealed that 75% of local communities used it for fuel wood and furniture making, 69% believed that it could be best used for multiple disease treatment. The studies addressed the core issues faced by the Birch and its survival and conservation at district Skardu, it also explore the medicinal, forest-based industries and domestic use of birch trees.
Keywords: Deforestation, Roundu, anthropogenic, furniture, deforestation.
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