DefinePK

Abstract

Abstract | Public attitudes toward urban trees, as well as an understanding of their ecological services and drawbacks, may significantly affect urban tree management decisions, with significant implications for urban plantation sustainability. The present study was conducted in Faisalabad city, Pakistan. A questionnaire survey of 300 respondents from the city’s roadside, urban parks, and residential areas was undertaken to assess their perspectives on the present state of the plantation, and their knowledge level about the sustainable plantation, native, and exotic trees were evaluated. Public involvement and their opinions on the future development of sustainable urban plantations were also studied. The majority of the public showed dissatisfaction with the present status of the plantation (50.3 %). Results also showed that the majority of the public has a low level of knowledge about native (54.7%) and exotic trees (80.6%). Understanding of sustainable plantation was also found low (85.3%). P-values of the chi-square test indicated that education has a strong significant relationship with the knowledge level about urban plantations. To improve public knowledge and understanding of the development of sustainable plantations, municipal departments related to urban plantation development should initiate public awareness campaigns about the knowledge and benefits of native and exotic trees. The local municipality should also improve the plantation and must initiate programs to encourage public participation in the sustainable development of the plantation soon.