Forest Cover Change Assessment using Satellite Images in Swat and Shangla Districts

Project Category: Forest
Donor Agencies: UNDP

 

Summary

The study examined the spatial and temporal land cover changes in Swat and Shangla to understand the deforestation pattern and extent using satellite images. The study assessed particular damage made to the forest during the conflict period of Oct. 2007 and Oct. 2008 and also evaluated eight years forest degradation rate of Swat and Shangla during 2001 and 2009.

The results highlight that the extent of deforestation in Swat and Shangla during the conflict period of October 2007 and October 2008 is not as significant when compared with the degradation from 2001 to 2009. Overall, Swat has higher degradation, which in some studies has been attributed to institutional failure and lack of law enforcement leading to exploitation of forest by local communities and timber smugglers.

Forest Cover Change Assessment using Satellite Images in Swat and Shangla Districts Adobe Acrobat Document 8.43 MB