DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT To find best sustainable management systems for Mazri (local name) Palm resource, a comparative study was conducted in the two-major Dwarf Palm growing areas i.e. Kohat Forest Division (Govt. controlled) and Paniala, Dera Ismail Khan (D. I. Khan) (Privately controlled), to elaborate the best sustainable management system for Mazri resource. In Kohat, Forest Department manages the Mazri Palm, while in Paniala D. l. Khan; the communities do it with their own ways. Review of secondary information, meetings, and discussions; transect walks and market surveys were used to get the required results. The results revealed that Mazri Palm is growing on about 24000 hectares area on communal lands of Kohat, Hangu and Karak districts and the average annual production is 39376 mounds (40 kg per mound), while production in Paniala D. I. Khan for the year 2003 was estimated to be 12000 mounds. The main Mazri Palm growing tract in Kohat is being denuded. While on other hand the Mazri Palm's resource is increasing in Paniala D. I. Khan with the passage of time. Therefore it is concluded that sound and timely steps are needed for effective conservation and rehabilitation of the Mazri Palm resource in Kohat and The Forest Department should encourage the evolvement of general public/communities in the protection, management, processing and marketing of Mazri Palm resource.