DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Coniferous forests of Hazara Civil Division in the vicinity of habitations are under a very high pressure of fuel wood collection by the local people. It is estimated that a total of 1,597.3 tonnes of fuel and fuel wood is collected from the reserved forest of massar and adjoining Guzaras in Siran Forest Division every year at a rate of 1.099 tonnes /ha/annum. Out this 72.2% is woody and 27.8% is non-woody fuel. Woody fuel constitute about 0.62% of the total growing stock and 31% of the annual increment. Therefore, these forests have a limited use other then fuel wood collection heavy collection of fuel wood by the people is a socio-economic condition of the people and gradual substitution of wood fuel with commercial fuel to save the valuable forest wealth from misuse and destruction.