PJB-2020-403
Impacts of Urbanization on Scrub Forest of Rawalpindi City
Khadim Hussain
Abstract
Background: Migration of the rural people toward cities and towns is known as urbanization. The expression “urbanization” outlines support in human residence Connected with enhanced per capita vitality and asset use, and far reaching scene change. Population moves toward cities cause pressure on forest land, Engagement with the forest is growing and trying to interpret in forest area that causes encroachment, deteriorate the forest, and decrease regeneration success chances. Scrub forests, including natural low yield thorny vegetation, exist in Potohar, Rawalpindi Civil Department, as well as in Mianwali, Khushab District, low dry hills. The connection between urbanization and environmental results has an impact, primarily on forest accessibility. Methods: A supervised classification was performed on two multi-temporal satellite imageries and a total of five major land use and land cover (LULC) classes were identified and mapped. The population of the study area consisted of 3 regions are Rawalpindi subdivision, Taxila range, and Gujar khan range. A comprehensive questionnaire was prepared for data collection to get the relevant information through interaction with Forest Department officials (DFOs, RFOs, FGs & Bos). Data on different parameters like deforestation, land use changes effect on forest, species affected due to land-use change, urbanization activities, conservation measures and strategy to cope with urbanization were collected and analyzed statistically by simple statistics techniques. Results: The change that occurred in forest cover from the last 20 years was 157 sq_km decreased while the buildup area increased 56 sq_km in the last 21 years. This shows that urbanization has a direct impact on scrub forest of Rawalpindi City. The main drivers of deforestation in south Rawalpindi division were Encroachment/ Urbanization, Timber requirement, Land mafia, Fuelwood requirement, and Grazing. The land-use changes affected the scrub forest of Rawalpindi due to Agriculture expansion, building expansion, industrial expansion and Local people/social pressure and Government activities. Conclusions: Conservation measures for the forest were controlling the harvest of forest products, protecting some areas in the forest, placing guards to control illegal use of the forest and limiting farmland were less implemented. To cope with urbanization, we need to apply trees plantation on non-forested areas, reforestation on forest land, enforced stop deforestation, incentive-based-protection and stop illegal buildings/commercial activities.
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