ESTABLISHING LINKS BETWEEN WOOD TRADING, GRAZING AND MINING ACTIVITIES WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS OF CONTINUOUS DECLINE OF NATURAL SCRUB FOREST COVER IN THE SOAN VALLEY

Abstract

In this study information from the wood dealers in the valley and grazing and mining activities in the public forest was obtained in the form of questionnaire based survey. It was then used to generally analyze the underlying trends of increasing degradation of the natural forest in the Soan valley. The study provided strong evidences that excessive extraction of wood, increasing trends of grazing and cutting and lack of any management measures is prevalent in the valley. It is recommended that immediate steps should be taken in implementing aggressive and effective program for accelerated restoration, and that it should be based on participatory and integrated approach of different agencies, otherwise, continuing with business as usual will result in further deterioration ofthe naturalforest coverin the valley.