Socio-Economic & Demographic

Home , 1998 Census of Pakistan, Chakwal, Chakwal District, Kallar Kahar, Khotian, Talagang

SOCIO-ECONOMIC & DEMOGRAPHIC BASELINE STUDY OF PARERAH, DILJABBA AND ARA FOREST COMMUNITIES-CHAKWAL FOREST DIVISION

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Rana Mohammad Farooq Dr. Tahir Mahmood 1

SOCIO-ECONOMIC & DEMOGRAPHIC BASELINE STUDY OF PARERAH, DILJABBA AND ARA FOREST COMMUNITIES-CHAKWAL FOREST DIVISION

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT TO SECURE MULTIPLE BENEFITS IN PAKISTAN’S HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE FORESTS

Rana Mohammad Farooq Dr. Tahir Mahmood

Executive Summary

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) have launched a project titled “Sustainable forest management to secure multiple benefits in Pakistan’s high conservation value of forests”. The project is aimed at to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan’s western Himalayan temperate coniferous, subtropical broad leaved evergreen thorn (scrub) and riverine forest for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change and securing of forest ecosystem service. This paper encompasses the study of socio-economic aspects of the salt range scrub forest landscape located in Chakwal and Jhelum Districts of the Punjab province, to develop a framework for sustainable management. The landscape represents an ecosystem that contributes largely to economic and welfare of the communities which depend, directly or indirectly on the exploitation of natural resources of this ecosystem. Hence, there is interrelationship between environment and socio- economic conditions prevailing in the area. They are affected by the natural environment with its various ecosystems which provide continues supply of goods and services. The stability of environment, sustainable forest management and welfare of communities are highly associated and correlated. The total area of landscape is 20,000 ha, out of which 7,859 ha is forested and owned by the state, and 6,672 ha in the outer landscape is private land, including cultivation (1,752 ha) and pastures and settlements, 5469 ha is communal land. The salt range landscape forests comprise of Prarera, Diljabba and Arra reserved forest. The area has nearly 25 villages and hamlets situated in an around these forests that consist of around 11,000 households and 66,000 forest dependent local communities. These communities are poor and mostly dependent on marginal agriculture, goods and services from communal lands and state forests and nonfarm jobs in and outside salt range. Since centuries, these communities are making their livelihood from these forests. The sustainable management of these forests largely depends on judicious use of these resources for the benefit of these communities and for the generations to come. To secure their active involvement, the understanding of their demographic conditions, population trend, population characteristic, social structure, local institutions, economic condition, employment opportunities, land use pattern and status of community resources in very vital. The social and economic structure and endowment of community resources provide an insight to understand the dynamics of a community. In this paper efforts have made to understand these communities in their social, economic, cultural and historical prospective. Key issues affecting the social and economic aspects of life of these communities has been tried to discuss. There are potential threats to the future of landscape but at the same time there are number of opportunities due to uniqueness of landscape area. The sustainable management of these forests largely depends on intelligent management and judicious use of resources. The clearing of the private lands for agriculture, division of shamlats, felling of trees from private and communal lands for tobacco roasting and firewood, over grazing of the forest areas, damage due to nomadic graziers and coal mines, illicit cutting, lopping and grazing, abandoning of agriculture lands, soil erosion, illegal hunting and poaching, are major threats for sustainability of the landscape. In the wake of all these odds, there are number of opportunities, which can offset or minimize the impact of these hostile actors. It includes, provision of alternative fuel for domestic consumption, promotion of off season vegetable cultivation and barani horticulture, rainwater harvesting, livestock breed improvement, poultry production, development of mining based industry, promotion of tourism and skill enhancement program for youth. Conversion of threats into opportunities needs effective and meaningful engagement of local communities. The sustainable forest management and addressing the socio economic needs of the communities are deeply interlinked components of the landscape and understanding the dynamic of these factors, determine the sustainability of ecosystem. 3

List of Acronyms

UNDP: United Nations Development Project

MOCC: Ministry of Climate Change

SFM: Sustainable Forest Management

PRA: Participatory Rural Apprised ha: Hectare

RF Reserve Forest

UC Union Council

PP Punjab Provincial Assembly

NA National Assembly mi Mile

MSL Mean See Level

LHW Lady Health Workers

SC Settlement Commissioner

List of Tables

Table 1. Land Area of District Chakwal

Table 2. Detail of Tehsil, Union Councils, Villages, Schools and Police Stations of District Chakwal

Table 3. Detail of Seats of Provincial and National Assembly

Table 4. Detail of Population according to Provisional Census Report 2017

Table 5. Detail of Schools and Student Enrollment

Table 6. Detail of Compartments and Area of Forests of Landscape

Table 7. Detail of compartments and area of Parerra Reserve Forest

Table 8. Settlement and Population Adjustment of Parera Forest

Table 9. Detail of compartments and area of Diljabba Reserve Forest

Table 10. Settlement and Population Adjacent to Diljabba Forest Area

Table 11. Detail of area of compartments of Arra Forest

Table 12. Settlement and Population Adjacent to Arra Forest Area

Table 13. Detail of livestock in Basharat, Diljabba & Arra

Table 14. Detail of Livestock facilities available

Table 15. Livestock activities during the year

Table 16. Detail of Poultry Farms in Landscape Area

Table 17. Detail of Small Dams

Table 18. Name of Mineral Production in Punjab (hundred metric tons) Production

Table 19. Detail of Mining Leases in Chakwal District

Table 20. Detail of Mining Leases in Landscape Areas

Table 21. Detail of Resource dependency Level in Parera Forest

Table 22. Detail of Resource dependency Level in Diljabba Forest

Table 23. Detail of Resource dependency Level in Arra Forest

List of Figures

Fig. 1. Map of District Chakwal

Fig. 2. Forests Area of Project Site

Fig. 3 Map of Forest of Landscape

Fig. 4. Map of Rakh Diljaba Reserve Forest

Fig. 5. Map of Diljabba Forest

Fig. 6. Map of Arra Forest

Table of Contents

Sr. No. Contents Page No.

1 Introduction 1 2 Methodology 2 3 Profile of District Chakwal 3 3.1 Administrative Setup of the District 3 3.2 Constituencies and Local Bodies 4 3.3 Past History of the District 5 3.4 Demography 5 3.5 Education 5 3.6 Salient Futures of the District 6 4 Choa Saidan Shah 6 4.1 Location 7 4.2 History 7 4.3 Salient Futures of the Tehsil 7 5 Description of Salt Range Scrub Forest Landscape 7 5.1 Rakh Prarera Reserved Forests 9 5.1.1 Settlement and Population Adjacent to Forest Area 10 5.1.2 Rights and Concession in Forest Area 11 5.2 Rakh Diljaba Reserve Forest 12 5.3 Arra Reserved Forest 14 6 Social Setup of the Landscape Area 15 6.1 Education 15 6.2 Water and Sanitation 16 6.3 Health Facility 16 6.4 Child Mortality Rate 17 6.5 Employment 17 6.6 Housing 17 6.7 Social Benefits 17 6.8 Govt. Institutions 18 7 Natural Resources 18 7.1 Agriculture 18 7.2 Livestock Population of Union Council 18 7.3 Veterinary Institutions 19

7.4 Livestock Activities 19 7.5 Poultry Sector 20 7.6 Scope of Developing Livestock Sector in the Area 20 7.7 Future of Livestock Sector 20 8 Water Resources 20 8.1 Lakes, Mini & Small Dams 21 9 Mining industry 21 9.1 Mine and mineral production 22 9.2 Type of mining industry 22 10 Need Assessment of Communities 24 10.1 Needs and problems 24 10.2 Need Assessment for Communities Adjacent to Parera Forest Area 24 10.3 Need Assessment of communities adjacent to Arra forest area 24 10.4 Need Assessment of communities adjacent to Diljabba Forest Area 24 11 Findings 25 11.1 Social sector 25 11.2 Economic Sector 25 11.3 Natural Resources 25 11.4 Possible Solutions 26 11.4.1 Improvement of social services delivery and skill enhancement of local population 26 11.4.2 Value addition to Raw Material 26 11.4.3 Promotion of Livestock sector 26 11.4.4 Off Season Vegetable Cultivation 27 11.4.5 Water Harvesting 27 11.4.6 Promotion of Horticulture 27 11.4.7 Promotion of Tourism Activities 27 11.4.8 Finalization and implementation of management plans for forest of landscape areas 27 12 Assessment of resource dependency level and trends in resource use 27 12.1 Parera 27 12.2 Diljabba 28 12.3 Arra 29

13 Type of Resources Extracted 29 14 Method of Extraction 30 15 Quantity of Resources 30 15.1 Firewood Dependency of Communities on State Forest 30 15.2 Quantity of Fodder Extracted from State Forest 30 16 Existing or potential user of resources 31 17 Inter-Sector Conflicts 31 18 Impacts of conflict on the resources 31 19 Potential Options for their Resolution 31 20 Key Existing or Potential Resource Use 31 21 Potential Resource uses in Future 32 22 Inter Sector Conflict 32

1 Introduction

The United Nations Development Programme (UNPP) and Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC) have launched a project titled “Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) to secure multiple benefits in Pakistan’s high conservation value forests.” The project objective is to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan’s western Himalaya temperate coniferous, sub tropical broadleaved evergreen thorn (Scrub) and Riverian Forests for Biodiversity Conservation, mitigation of Climate Change and securing of forest ecosystem services. In particular, it aims at implementation of three inter related and mutually complementary components that are focused at addressing the barriers of inadequate planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks to integrate forest resource management, and the limited experience among key government and civil society stakeholders in developing and implementing SFM practices on ground.

An area of 67,861 hectare (ha) having high conservation value forests within seven landscapes is included in the project for addressing the biodiversity conservation and restoring the degraded forest areas to enhance carbon sequestration. Out of these seven, the Punjab has three landscapes, one covering Subtropical Evergreen Thorn (Scrub) Forests in Punjab in salt range and two riverian forests along Indus river. The forest landscape of salt range, covering an area of 20,000 ha is in District Chakwal while two riverian forest landscapes are located near Taunsa Barrage along river Indus in District Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan.

This paper encompasses the Demographic and Socio-Economic study of the salt range scrub forest landscape comprising of 20,000 ha, out of which 7,850 ha is forested and owned by the state, and 6,672 ha in the outer landscape is private land, including cultivation (1,752 ha), pastures and settlements, 5,469 ha over communal lands situated in Tehsil Choa Saidan Shah of District Chakwal of the Punjab province. The forest area is state owned comprising of Diljabba reserved forest (2,280 ha), Parera reserved forest (1,309 ha) and Arra reserve forest (4,270 ha). The state owned forests are managed by Chakwal Forest Division and Range management Forest Division Chakwal.

The landscape covers unique forest types with distinct socio-economic conditions. The Diljabba, Parera and Arra Forests are the living remnants of the sub tropical evergreen forests located in salt range. The flora, fauna and biological diversity is very rich and have high conservation value but it is subject to multitude of biotic and a biotic pressure. It needs sustainable forest management to conserve this precious ecosystem.

The study is targeted to cover the demographic, social, economic, community structure and resources, employment, gender and natural resources management to understand the complexity and dynamics of the area to plan sustainable forest management practices within the given socio-economic settings.

Fig. 1. Map of District Chakwal

2 Methodology

To carry out this study, the communities living around the forest area of Parera, Diljabba and Arra reserved forests were involved. To carry out socio-economic study, the representations from all villages and hamlets were solicited. Consultative meetings and group discussions were held at three different places on central location for the convenience of the participants. Three clusters of villages were identified, one for each forest area, the detail of which is given under each cluster. The participants were briefed about the objectives of the project. The groups discussions were held and detail information about each clusters were gathered. Moreover, key informed persons were involved in the process for collection of multitude of details. Transit walk and survey of the area was also carried out. The Participatory Rural Apprised (PRA) technique was adopted to collect this data. Record of Punjab Forest Department was consulted. Data from secondary sources was also used in this study and references to this effect are given at the end of this paper.

The communities adjacent to Rakh Parera, Diljabba and Arra are almost homogenous in terms of their socio-economic conditions and demographic status. Their culture, traditions, caste and creed are about the same. The dependency and use of forest resources has same pattern. Therefore, their socio-economic conditions are described commonly. If some specific difference existed in some aspects that has been described giving special reference to it.

This landscape is located in District Chakwal and to understand holistic socio- economic condition of the area a brief profile of Chakwal district is given as under: - 11

3 Profile of District Chakwal

Chakwal District “the Jewel of Potohar” is situated in Potohar Plateau of Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the north of the Punjab, bordered by Khushab to its south, Rawalpindi to its north east, Jhelum to its east, Mianwali to its west and Attock to its north west. The district was created out of parts of Jhelum and Attock in 1985. It has five tehsils namely; Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Choa Saidan Shah, Talagang and Lawa with district headquarter at Chakwal. There are two seats of National Assembly and four seats of Provincial Assembly for the district.

As per Provisional Censes report of 2017 the population of district is 14,95,982 with an area of 6609 square kilometers (16,52,441 acres). In 1998, the total population of the District was of 1083725. The district has unique geological features comprising of undulating topography of Potohar plateau and fairly level plains in Chakwal, Talagang and Lawa tehsils. Due to its location, it has become a flourishing district in terms of economic growth and social economic development. About 79 kilometers of motor way (M-2) runs in the District. The detail of land area is as follows:-

Table 1. Land Area of District Chakwal

Description of Land Area in Acres Total area of District 16,52,441 Cultivated 8,20,020 a) Barani 7,82,485 b) Irrigated 37,535 Un-cultivated 8,32,421 a) Culture-able waste 96,311 b) Unculture-able 5,14,415 Forests 1,73,265

3.1 Administrative Setup of the District

The district of Chakwal, which covers an area of 6609 Sq km is subdivided into five tehsils. These tehsils were formerly part of neighbouring districts. Chakwal Tehsil was annexed from Jhelum District and made part of newly formed Chakwal 12

District. Talagang Tehsil was annexed from Attock District and was made second sub-division of Chakwal District. Choa Saidan Shah was carved out of sub- division Pind Dadan Khan of Jhelum District and was amalgamated with sub- division Chakwal. Choa Saidan Shah was upgraded to the level of a sub-division in 1993.

The detail of tehsils, Union Councils, Villages, Schools and Police Stations is given as under: -

Table 2. Detail of Tehsil, Union Councils, Villages, Schools and Police Stations of District Chakwal

No. of No. of No. of Name of No. of union No. of public police post Tehsil Councils Villages Schools Stations Offices

Chakwal 30 207 523 7 48 Kallar 8 72 148 2 15

Kahar Choa Saidan 7 47 96 2 14

Shah

Talagang 17 76 318 3 30 Lawa 6 18 119 1 11 Total 68 420 1204 15 118

3. 2 Constituencies and Local Bodies

There is one district council, two municipal committees, - Chakwal and Talagang and two town committees - Choa Saidan Shah and Kallar Kahar, in the district.

It is represented in the National Assembly by two constituencies: NA-60 and NA-61 and four provincial assembly seats by elected MNAs and MPAs who represent the following constituencies:

Table 3. Detail of Seats of Provincial and National Assembly

CONSTITUENCY MPA PARTY Chaudhary Liaqut Ali Khan (PP-20) Pakistan Muslim League (N) (Deceased) vacant (PP-21) Tanveer Aslam Malik Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PP-22) Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PP-23) Malik shahryar Awan Pakistan Muslim League (N) (NA-60) Maj(R) Tahir Iqbal Pakistan Muslim League (N)

(NA-61) Sardar Mumtaz Khan Tamman Pakistan Muslim League (N)

3.3 Past History of the District

Chakwal is considered as “land of warriors”. It remained a nursery for the armed forces during the British colonial era as well as for the Pakistan Armed Forces. During British rule, Chakwal was a tehsil of Jhelum district. The population according to the 1891 census of India was 164,912 which had fallen to 160,316 in 1901. It contained the towns of Chakwal and Bhaun and 248 villages. The land revenue and census amounted in 1903-4 to 300,000. The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslims refugees from India settled down in the Chakwal District. The Tehsil Chakwal was one of the major trading centres for the area. The towns of Dudhial and Bhoon were trading towns and regional markets which used to be trading centers for the whole of the Tehsils including Soon Valley of Tehsil Khushab. After migration of 1947, the population of Hindus and Sikhs moved to India creating a vacuum for the entrepreneurship.

3.4 Demography

According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the total population was 1,083,725 out of which only 12.01% were urban, making Chakwal the most rural district in Punjab. The literacy rate was 57%. The predominant first language of the district is Punjabi, spoken by 97.7% of the population. Pashto is the first language of 1.2%, and Urdu of 0.9%. The local Punjabi dialects are Dhani and Awankari. The population by rural, urban, age and sex is given as follows: -

Table 4. Detail of Population according to Provisional CENSUS Report 2017

Population 2017 1998- 2017 Sex Average District Households Trans- Population Population Male Female Ratio Annual gender 2017 1998 Growth Rate

Chakwal 266,109 724,205 771,744 33 1,495,982 1,083,725 93.84 1.71 Rural 217,585 582,201 629,836 5 1,212,042 909,935 92.44 1.52 Urban 48,524 142,004 141,908 28 283,940 173,790 00.07 2.61

3.5 Education

Chakwal has a total of 1,199 government schools out of which 52 percent (627 schools) are for female students. The district has an enrolment of 181,574 in public sector schools. The literacy rate of the district is 67%. 14

Important Educational Institutions

UET Taxila (Sub Campus Chakwal) Government Post Graduate College (Chakwal) Government College for Women (Chakwal) Cadet College Kallar Kahar Cadet College Choa Saiden Shah Misali Pre Cadet College Government College of Technology Chakwal

Table 5. Detail of Schools and Student Enrollment

Level Wise School Enrollment Teachers Level Male Female Male Female Male Female Schools Schools Students Students Teachers Teachers High Sec. 12 10 7990 6336 319 231 High 115 112 41852 45872 1614 2049 Middle 88 120 15861 22191 609 1323 Primary 376 354 23544 22899 542 1666 Mosque 9 0 225 0 15 0 Total 600 596 89472 97298 3099 5269

3.6 Salient Futures of the District

The Tehsil Choha Saiden Shah has complex of Katas Raj which is scared place of Hindu and tourism attraction for the Hindu community. The history of temples of Katas Raj dated back to Hindu Raj Shahi dynasty which settled over here during the great war of Maha Bharat.

Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, was born in Gah village near Balkasar near Chakwal formally the part of Jhelum District. The shrine of Hazrat Saiden Sherazi who moved from Sheraz Iran and settled in this area and preached Islam and majority embarrassed Islam. The annual Urhs at the shrine of the saint is one of the social events of the area. Due to presence of famous Khewra Salt Mine, the area remained under reference since “Alexandar the Great”. During the period of British regime scientific mining of rock salt started in Khewara and it remained major source of rock salt for the Indian sub continent. The district is also famous for production of ground nut. Kallar Kahar is tourist attraction and wildlife sanctuary for water fowls.

4 Choa Saidan Shah

Choa Saidan Shah is a town and union Council of Chakwal District. It is the capital and one of the seven Union Councils of Choa Saidan Shah Tehsil. It has an area of 472 Sq. kms. and have population of 141,844. 15

4.1 Location

Choa Saidan Shah is located in the south of Chakwal about 35 kilometers (22 mi) from the town center on the Chakwal-Khewra road, in the east of Kallar Kahar, about 27 kilometres (17 mi) from the M2 motorway, about 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of Khewra and about 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Katas. The town is placed in a bowl shaped valley, surrounded by hills. It is surrounded by trees and orchards, and is famous for its roses and perfumes.

4.2 History

This town is named after the saint Saidan Shah Shirazi. The legend goes that the area was a desert until the holy man arrived, when he struck the ground with his stick, sweet water sprang up. The saint’s shrine is set back from the main bazaar in a courtyard, and the annual urs is held in April.

The Forest landscape sites of Diljaba, Prareh and Arra Forests are located in union councils of Choha Gung Ali Shah of Tehsil Chakwal and Bashrat and Arra union councils of Tehsil Choha Saiden Shah.

4.3 Salient Futures of the Tehsil

The Choa Saiden Shah is rich in Coal deposit. It is important due to Katas Raj temple complex. The Salt Mine of Khewra also falls in this tehsil.

5 Description of Salt Range Scrub Forest Landscape

The Scrub landscape is situated in salt range at elevation of 250 to 1500 meter from Mean Sea level (MSL) in the outer foot hills of Himalayas. The salt Range is famous for its widely occurring Scrub forests, Wetlands, world fame Khewara Salt Mine and Coal Mine, Historic Fort and Hindu Temples are the main characteristic and attraction of salt range. Administratively most of the forest in the landscape falls in the District of Chakwal and Jhelum and comprises of sub-tropical broad leaved ever green thorn (Scrub Forests). The total area of landscape under forest is 20000 ha, out of which 7859 ha is afforested and own by the forest department and 6672 ha in outer landscape is private land, including cultivation (1752 ha) and pastures and settlement 5459 ha over communal lands. The forest area is state owned comprising of Diljaba Reserve Forests (2280 ha), Prera Reserve Forests (1309 ha) and Arra Reserve Forests (4270 ha). The vegetation comprises of thorny and branchy trees with different densities ranging from complete crown cover at favorable sites to scattered single tress or groups on the dry sites, accompanied with considerable

coverage with shrubs and grasses. The density of vegetation on southern aspects is poor while on the northern slopes it is comparatively better.

These forests are characterized by Fig. 2. Forests Area of Project Site conspicuous erosion, gullies and deep rarvines. Weathering of sandstone has created small areas of fertile soils which support only limited vegetations. Due to increased biotic pressue, especially grazing and removal of firewood, the remaining vegetation is under severe stress. As a result of severe vegetation losses, the depletion of physical and biological resources has become pronounced. Currently, the forest cover is confined to state owned forest in the salt Range and in Shamlat area it is badly depleted.

Fig. 3. Map of Forest of Landscape

The flora and fauna of the salt range landscape is as under: -

Flora: Trees species include Acacia modesta. Olea ferruginea syn cuspidate, Capparis aphylla, Butea frondasa, Tecoma spp., Pistacia integerima, Prosapis glandulosa, Morus alba, ficus bengalensis, dalbergdia sissoo: and shrub species are Calatrapis procera. Adhatoda vesica. Nerium oleander: Withiana spp. Sizyphus nummularia, Dodonea sissoo, Gykmnosporea royaleana.

Fauna: Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis), Chinkara (Gazella gazelle), Wolf (Canis lumus), Jungle Cat (Felis chous), Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Asiatic Jackal (Canis aurens), Yellow Throated Marten (Martes flavigula), Wild Boar (Suks scrofa), Cap Hare (Lepus capensis), Fruit Bat (Pteropus giganteus), Indian Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis), Yellow-bellied House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), Punjab Snake-eyked Lacerta (Ophisops jerdonii), riope Snake (Ptykas mucorus) are found.

Ecosystem goods and services provided by the landscape include timber, firewood, fodder, grazing NTFPs, water, clear air, carion sequkestration, soil conservation, biodiversity conservation, aesthetic landscape, recreation and ecotourism.

There are nearly 25 villages and hamlets situated in and around these forests that consist of around 11,000 households and 66,000 forest dependent local communities. These communities are poor and mostly dependent on marginal agriculture for Goods and services from communal lands and state forest, and nonfarm jobs in and outside of Salt Range. The detail of each forest area is located in the landscape is as under: -

Table 6. Detail of Compartments and Area of Forests of Landscape

Total No. of Name of Forest Total Area (Acres) Compartment Parera Reserved Forest 11 3264 Diljabba Reserved forest 18 5284 Arra Reserved Forest 35 10685

5.1 Rakh Prarera Reserved Forests

Prarera Forests was declared as Reserved Forest vide notification No. 349 dated 15.08.1983 during British colonial era after the annexation of the Punjab Province with British Empire. The area remained with the Forest Department without management plan. The first working plan of the forest was written by Rana Muhammad Said for the period from 1952-53 to 1981-82. Previously it was part of Choa Saiden Shah Range of Jhelum Forest Division but after the creation of Chakwal Forest Division, it was transferred to this Division.

Prarera Reserved Forest comprises of 3264 acres and for the sake of management, it is divided in to 11 compartments. It is part of Basharat Block, Prarera beat, of Choa 18

Saiden Shah Range in Chakwal Forest Division. Being one of the high conservation value forests, it is included into the salt Range Landscape. The elevation of forest area ranges 2100 feet to 2900 feet from MSL. The rock formation is mainly Sandston with deeply cut clay deposit and limestone.

Northern east of western compartments has a dense kau crop (Olea Cuspidete) and remaining area has predominance of Phulai. Kau area has an equal mixture of Sanathe and scattered Phulai and Dhak while Phulai area has only few trees of Kau with sprinkling of Sanatha, Gunger, Malla and Pateki. Density of Kau area is above .7 and that of Phulai is .4-.6. Natural regeneration of Kau is poor and it is not coming. The tree species have associated grasses mostly of lamb and suriala with some Khar and bhabar in nullahs.

The detail of compartments and their area is as under: -

Table 7. Detail of compartments and area of Parerra Reserve Forest

Compartment Area Compartment No. Area No. 1 357 7 293 2 254 8 363 3 247 9 261 4 289 10 313 5 283 11 327 6 277 11 3264

5.1.1 Settlement and Population Adjacent to Forest Area

Prarera reserved forest is located in Ara-Basharat valley of Tehsil Choa Saiden Shah. The area is part of Union Council Basharat and Ara-Basharat road connecting the Jhelum-Pind Daden Khan road is passing through this Forest. The villages and hamlets scattered along Periphery of the forest area alongwith their population is as under: -

Table 8. Settlement and Population Adjustment of Parra Forest

Sr. No. Name of Village Population 1 Basharat 1491 2 Dhera Rajgan 745 3 Waghwal Bala 769 4 Gurrah 1457 5 Jhiak 470 6 Lehri Pangrain 745 7 Kalar 530 8 Lehri Shah Nawan & Kot Malik 752 9 Khotian 509 10 Mahiwal 703 11 Rak Parera 673 12 Lehri Pathan 445 19

13 Makhiala, Mohan 1103 14 Bhawral 445 15 Lehari 4002 16 Amrilla 1300

5.1.2 Rights and Concession in Forest Area

In the Prarera Reserved Forests, during the settlement of 1941, some concessions were granted in grazing on permits to the village of Chandu for grazing over 100 acres near the outer boundary toward Chandu village on payment of usual fee vide direction of Settlement Commissioner (SC) No.1496 dated 12.8.1941.

Firewood: collection of dry wood was permitted to the Villages adjoining the forest purely for domestic use.

Permits for Grass Cutting: The Forest Department issues permits for grass cutting on monthly basis to the population of adjacent villages. Due to dense canopy of vegetation in this forest, the growth of grasses on ground is not profuse. Only open places and nullahs have ground cover of grasses.

Shamlat Deah: The village common land meant for communal grazing and other common uses like grass cutting, collection of firewood and extraction of stone etc. Due to excessive grazing and over exploitation of firewood, the Shamlat Deah has deteriorated and further is subject to cultivation. The Shamlat Deah is very important component of the Salt Range Landscape. As a general practice the Shamlat Deah has been unofficially divided among the different families of the villages proportionately to their land holdings. The degradation of Shamlat Deah posses serious threats to biodiversity and conservation of landscape of the area. Presently the people are selling trees from these Shamlats for tobacco roasting in KPK. This trend has accelerated the pace of deforestation on Shamlat Deah and if the same trend continued, there is potential threat that Shamlat Deah would be abandoned forever and it would be a total disaster to forest eco system of the area and destruction of wildlife corridors.

5.2 Rakh Diljaba Reserve Forest

Fig. 4. Map of Rakh Diljaba Reserve Forest

Diljabba Forest was declared as reserved Forest vide Notification No.361 dated 21.8.1882. It has an area of 5284 acres and having 18 Compartments and 4 beats. The elevation of forest area is raging from 1299 to 2547. The gradients vary greatly and generally steep. At many places the peak ridge culminates in precipices. The surface configuration is almost everywhere irregular and ragged. The Diljabba forests emerge out from salt range in Northern eastern direction. The soil is very shallow and sand stone and red marl. The vegetation is dry deciduous scrub froest in which Phulai and Kau are the two main species. The most important factors governing the distribution of the vegetation are rock and aspect. Vegetation is poor on sandstone and red marl. The south eastern slopes are normally devoid of vegetation while north 21

western slopes carry good vegetation. The forest is free of rights and concessions. The density is closed to 1 on high elevation and it is predominately Kau, while on lower ridges and close to population the density ranges from .3 to .5. The occurrence of forest fire is not common.

Fig. 5. Map of Diljabba Forest

The detail of compartments and their area is given as under: -

Table 9. Detail of compartments and area of Diljabba Reserve Forest

Compartment No. Area Compartment No. Area 1 326 12 A 192 2 270 12 B 139 3 334 13 315 4 258 14 277 5 348 15 A 220 6 305 15 B 119 7 317 16 261 8 267 17 346 9 317 18 223 10 192 18 5284 11 258

Table 10. Settlement and Population Adjacent to Diljabba Forest Area

Sr. No. Name of Village Population 1 Choa Ganj Ali Shah 2500 2 Jandial Faizullah 1325 3 Chumbi 800 4 Mohra Mast 830 5 Hown 513 22

6 Saidpur 788 7 Dhok Qado 655 8 Mast Traimni 58 9 Mohra Malharan 625 10 Shahpur 1380 11 Deewalian 637 12 Sarral 713 13 Mohra Najaran 768

5.3 Arra Reserved Forest

Arra reserved forest is under the management of Range Management Division Chakwal. It has an area of 10685 acres. For the sake of management the area has been divided into 35 compartments and 3 beats and 1 block. It falls under the control of Range Forest Officer, Choa Range of Range Management Division, Chakwal. The forest originally was a part of Jhelum Forest Division, but later on transferred to Range Management Division, Chakwal. Now it is treated as range land for grazing of livestock. The vegetation of forest comprises of Kau, Phulai and Sanatha. Due to heavy grazing pressure the vegetation has degraded. The grazing rights are granted to communities living around this forest. Annual permit for 9000 livestock was issued last year officially. Adding the number of rights holders the livestock population may be more than 15000. Due to over grazing beyond the carrying capacity of the forest area the vegetation is witnessing retrogression. The mining activity has also adversely affected the vegetation and health of forest.

Fig. 6. Map of Arra Forest

The detail of compartment with their area is as under: -

Table 11. Detail of area of compartments of Arra Forest

Compartment No. Area (Ac) Compartment No. Area (Ac) 1 321 19 355 2 352 20 236 23

3 231 21 386 4 334 22 280 5 360 23 223 6 315 24 278 7 366 25 241 8 305 26 240 9 345 27 278 10 335 28 299 11 330 29 238 12 290 30 408 13 290 31 371 14 272 32 233 15 266 33 340 16 354 34 329 17 323 35 302 18 258 Total: 10685

Table 12. Settlement and Population Adjacent to Arra Forest Area

Sr. Sr. Name of Village Population Name of Village Population No. No. 1 Arra 2537 13 Dhamyal 936 2 Lehri Kaka 1368 14 Dhok Kathan 716 3 Mohra Qadir Baksh 1855 15 Amlai 936 4 Mohra 923 16 Dhok Gujjar 1525 5 Mohri 721 17 Bagha Wala 1813 6 Lehri Syeddian 2255 18 Dhok Virk 728 7 Mohra Tarala 1368 19 Rawal 963 8 Amrila 1228 20 Juthana 2255 9 Dhok Bhussa 728 21 Sarandi 3313 10 Haral 1365 22 Dhok Gondal 726 11 Sekhi Loharan 655 23 Dhok Ghashay 665 12 Dhok Chatta 1355

6 Social Setup of the Landscape Area

6.1 Education

The literacy rate is high in landscape area and the literacy rate is highest in Punjab for the district Chakwal. The overall literacy rate for the district is 72%, while adult literacy rate for the age group 15-24 years is 91%. About 96% of boys and girls have educational facilities within 2 kilometers from their home. Beside high schools for girls and boys, the Degree Colloge Basharat is catering for the education

needs of girls in the area.

6.2 Water and Sanitation

About 83% of the population has access to drinking water within the dwelling area. Rest 17% populations fetch water either from the springs, stream or wells outside of the dwelling. The underground water table is very low and it is expensive to extract water by lowering turbines or pumps. A majority of the population has the facility for the improve drinking water resources. About 73% of the population use laterins for excreta disposal. Only 31% properly dispose waste water and 1.3% of the population has the facility for solid waste disposal. There is no sewerage system. The individual septic tanks are constructed for collection of laterin waste. The waste water is diposed of by constructing open drains and ultimately it drains in to some common pond in the village. There is no communal sanitation system. The low lying depressions receive rain water during spring or winter rains and it act as source of drinking water for livestock.

6.3 Health Facilities

The health facilities in the area are limited. There is one Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Basharat, Arra and Choa Ganj Ali Shah each. These are the main government health centers for the treatment of general public. In case of serious patients, they are referred to Tehsil Headquarter Hospital (THQ) Choa Saiden Shah or Chakwal. The private doctors and quacks are also providing health services for the people. Generally people contact quacks in primary health care problems and only revert to government hospitals when the patient is in serious condition. The awareness level about different diseases is minimal. The common chronic adult diseases are chronic cough, Tuberculosis and hepatitis. About 1% population suffers from chronic cough while 0.2%-0.6%, of the population suffers from T.B and hepatitis. Lady Health Workers (LHWs) provide health care services to 82% of population. Women and children are taken care of by LHWs. About 82% population of the area has the health facilities available within half an hour’s distance. The detail of health facilities are as under:-

(i) BHUs Basharat, Arra & Choa Ganj Ali Shah (ii) Tehsil HQ, Hospital (THQ) Choa Saidan Shah (iii) Mining Hospital Choa Saidan Shah (iv) District HQ Hospital Chakwal

6.4 Child Mortality Rate

The under-five mortality rate is 82 per, 1000 births and 87% of the total female population has the access to LHWs and health care sources within half an hour distance. Beside government institutions the private hospitals and doctors are also providing health care services to the communities. Under weight prevalence is 24%. About 48% of infant is adequately fed and 63% of the female population has antenatal care and 58% populations have post natal care access.

The use of ORS is 67%. Due to good water condition the prevalence of diarrhea is 3.55% which is on the lower side as compare to other parts of the country. The prevalence of pneumonia is on the higher side in the area due to cold climate.

6.5 Employment

The unemployment rate is approximately 25 - 30% in the work force between 18-55 years. About 12% of the family members work outside the village. They are engaged in education, health, army, police and other government departments as well as working in private sector. The child and student labor is common especially in the mining sector. The agriculture, livestock, poultry and mining industry is providing skilled and unskilled jobs. An emerging sector is concrete block manufacturing. Due to availability of cheap raw material of stone crush and dust, a number of factories and units are being established in the area. About 5.4% of the population receives remittance from outside of the town within Pakistan while 6.5% of the people receive foreign remittance.

6.6 Housing

About 77% of the population has the pacca houses with finished pacca walls. The 95% of the population has houses and 46% of the total population has land while 54% of the population has the ownership of the livestock. Average household size is 6.0 persons per house hold. There is about 3.0 person per room occupancy. The houses are constructed on uncultivated land.

6.7 Social Benefits

About 31% of the population receive pension from government institutions being ex- servicemen or retired government employs from civil departments. The post office and banks provide facility to the pensioners for payment of their monthly pension.

6.8 Govt. Institutions

The Govt. schools (primary & secondary) are catering for the educational needs of the area. The private schools are also working side by side of Govt. schools. The Govt. Degree College at Basharat is the main educational institutes for women in the area for graduation level education. For professional or higher education they have to go outside to Chakwal, Islamabad or Lahore. The rural veterinary hospital is providing treatment for livestock. Police post Basharat, Post office, banks, social welfare office, agriculture office are the main govt. offices working in the area.

7 Natural Resources

7.1 Agriculture

District Chakwal is a leading district of Pothhar. Being Barani area it has the vast potential for agriculture development. The landscape area has potential for Barani agriculture. Agriculture farming totally dependent on rainfall, however the major land potential is yet unexploited. The annual rainfall ranges from 400 to 600 mm. The major source of agriculture income is from crops of maize and wheat.

People are engaged in part time farming and no family has complete reliance on agriculture for its livelihoods earning. Reportedly, agriculture contributes 25% of their total income. There are few tenant, all the farmers are peasant proprietors. Land preparation for agriculture is done through tractor. Cultivation and sowing is exclusively done by male folk while maintenance, harvesting and storage of crop is mainly done by man and women together. Improved varieties of seed and chemical fertilizer is not in use. Land holdings are very small and crop yield is very low and therefore, the agriculture cannot provide subsistence. The people have therefore, mostly abandoned their land and resorted to other pursuits.

Limiting Factors

 Almost 50% land is fit for cultivation.  Irrigation water (Natural as well as underground).  Undulating typical pothar land topography prone to soil erosion.  Scarcity of water reservoirs.  Less mechanized farming system.

7.2 Livestock Population of Union Council

Livestock rearing is the way of living and source of livelihood for majority of population. It is the most important sub-sector of agriculture with a 10.8% contribution to national G.D.P. and 46.8% contribution agriculture value addition. Livestock also contributes significantly towards national exports and 8.5-9.0% of total exports belong to this sector. It provides raw material for industry and creates market and capital and serves as social security for rural poor as they can cash it the time of there need. Livestock also provide security 27

against crop failure particularly in barani areas. The role of livestock sector is very significant in the salt range landscape.

This sector is inter-link with agriculture and other social economic sector of the economy. In many of animal-agriculture system, the livestock element is interwoven with crop production. Animal manure is often essential for maintaining soil fertility and the role of animal in nutrient cycle is important motivation for keeping animal particularly where this involves in transfer of nutrients for common property resources. The detail of livestock in Basharat, Diljabba & Arra is as under:

Table 13. Detail of livestock in Basharat, Diljabba & Arra

Sr. Kind of Basharat Diljabba Arra No. Livestock Nos. Nos. Nos. 1 Cow 12118 5170 3170 2 Buffalos 5060 1290 1115 3 Goat 9692 8072 6600 4 Sheep’s 5033 1335 1500 Miscellaneous 5 1172 497 615 (Camel, Donkey)

7.3 Veterinary Institutions

Table 14. Detail of Livestock facilities available

Sr. Description of Basharat Diljabba Arra No. facility Nos. Nos. Nos. 1 Veterinary 1 1 1 Dispensaries 2 Veterinary 1 1 1 Centers 3 A.I Center 1 1 1 4 A.I Sub Center 1 1 1 5 Mobile Veterinary -* -* -* Dispensaries * Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries provides services in each union council on need basis.

7. 4 Livestock Activities

Table 15. Livestock activities during the year

Sr. Description of Facility Basharat Diljabba Arra No. Nos. Nos. Nos. 1 Vaccination 1545 1165 1870 2 Artificial Insemination 195 85 130 (AI) 3 Poultry Vaccination 1590 2300 2265 4 Animal Treatment 2565 2178 2256

7. 5 Poultry Sector

Table 16. Detail of Poultry Farms in Landscape Area

Type of Farm No. Type of Farm No. No. of Hatcheries 1 Poultry Farms 85 Breeder 25 Layers 210 Broiler 40

No of Feed Mills Poultry 1 No. (Chakwal Feeds) Livestock Nil No of Hatcheries 04 Nos. Poultry Farms Nos. Capacity (Birds)

Breeder 49 441000 Layer 152 85200 Broiler 356 3500000

7.6 Scope of Developing Livestock Sector in the Area

The climatic condition of the Chao Sedan Shah and Chakwal area is highly suitable for livestock rearing and poultry production. The marketing of animals and poultry birds is easy due to close proximity of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Therefore, this sector has great potential to address the issue of livelihood and to reduce the pressure on forest landscape being an alternative source of income for the communities.

As the livestock rearing has been the source of livelihood for landless laborers and small farmers in different area of district, it is highly needed to have strategies to make these animals profitable and sustainable under local conditions.

It is suggested that single purpose breeding goal should not be practiced, while multipurpose breeding objective should be considered for the overall adaptive value of an individual in the population.

7.7 Future of Livestock Sector

The future of livestock sector for growth and development is very promising. The govt. may declare the area as “Special poultry production zone” to generate income and enhance productivity of the sector.

8 Water Resources

The Chakwal is barani district and agriculture is mainly rainfed. Due to potohar topography, the undulating landscape has natural depression and mounds. The average annual rainfall is about 20”. There are almost 4000 to 5000 natural sites which can be converted is small dam, mini-dams and small water ponds. To harness this potential, Irrigation Department has constructed small and mini dams. The detail of which is given below:- 29

8.1 Lakes, Mini & Small Dams

Table 17. Detail of Small Dams

Name Nos. Command Area (ac) Completed 16 16027 Under construction 05 12600 Total 21 28627 Future Proposed 03 18600 Future Total 24 47227 Mini Dams 160 1600 Lakes 01 80

These dams are source of irrigation for agriculture and source of irrigation for 37000 acres of lands. Besides that the soil conservation department has launched a project through Barani Area Development Agency (ABAD) to construct 1000 mini dams. The Forest Department has also constructed small water ponds to harvest the rain water. This is an important intervention for rain water harvesting and ground water recharge as well as to promote agriculture, forestry, horticulture and fisheries activities. Water is limiting factor in extension of land under cultivation. Through construction of water storage bodies, the area under cultivation can be increased besides other benefit of water storage.

9 Mining industry

Chakwal District is rich in endowment of mine and Mineral resources. It is one of the major sectors contributing to the economy of the area. A significant segment of the population is directly or indirectly engaged for employment with the mining activities. Out of the total work force, a predominant majority of labour force comprises of skilled labour from KPK Provincial and other Districts, work in this area. This specialized labour plays important role in this industry. The mining activities are not only contributing to local economy but also providing jobs to the labour force from other provinces.

The labour force emigrated from other cities and provinces have settled in Tehsil Choha Saiden Shah and Chakwal. The town of the Choha Saiden Shah has witnessed demographic changes due to settlement of the mining labour force. The local and immigrated population is almost equal population size in Choha Saiden Shah. The Mining Training Institute at Choha Saiden Shah is catering for the need of technical staff for mining industry not for this area but other parts of the country also. There are five cement factories presently working in Choha Saiden Shah and Kallar Khar, tehsil besides ICI factory in Khewara. These factories are providing jobs to the local population and contributing to the economy of area.

The names of these factories are as under: -

(i) Best Way Cement Factory at Katas Raj (ii) D.G. Cement Factory at Khairpur (iii) Pak Cem Factory at Kallar Kahar (iv) Gharibwal Cement Factory at Gharibwal (v) Dondat Cement Factory at Dondot

ICI Soda Ash Factory at Khewara is working since 1930 in the area. It is land mark for the city of Khewara. It terms of economy, it has played a significant role to develop this area.

9.1 Mine and mineral production

Table 18. Name of Mineral Production in Punjab (hundred metric tons) Production

Name of Mineral Production in Punjab Production in Chakwal Argillaceous Clay 50971 27609 Bauxite 313 14 Bentonite 233 12 Coal 12796 7631 Dolomite 80 80 Fire Clay 5174 50 Gypsum 12627 2737 Iron ore 2741 221 Limestone 211720 77223 Rock Salt 28199 10042 Latrite 561 156 Ochers 452 09

9.2 Type of mining industry

The district has deposition of Coal, Rock Salt, Gypsum, Limestone, Iron Ore and Latrite, Dolomite and Silica Sand. However the major mining deposits comprise of coal and Rock Salt. There are 221 coal mining leases, 15 Rock Salt lease, 1 Lime Stone, 1 Iron ore, Literate, 1 dolomite mine granted by the Mining Department. The detail of Mining leases granted in Chakwal District as under:-

Table 19. Detail of Mining Leases in Chakwal District

Sr. No. Type of Mining Leases No. of Mining Leases 1 Coal Mines 221 2 Rock Salt 15 3 Limestone 1 4 Iron Ore 1 5 Latrite 1 6 Dolomite 1

Moreover large scale mining leases are granted to Cement Factories, ICI Soda Ash Factory as well as to Chemical Factories. The mining industry has multitude of contribution and impact on Socio- economic condition of the District as well as the local towns and villages. The taxes from Mining resources like mining royalty, sale tax is going toward Provincial and National exchequer. The allied industries related to mining are transport, engineering, chemical, wood, as well local consumer market and banking industry. The mining is rapidly growing sector and it closely related with industry and other sectors and it has potential for value adding and liking with the supply chain. It will improve social and economic development of the area. The mining sector nearly employ one third of local labour force and central to addressing employment. However, the mining industry is negatively contributing toward environment. The standards, to mitigate the negative impacts of mining are not being followed properly.

The coal mining in the forest area has adverse effects due to construction of roads, paths, unsafe disposal of mining waste, cutting of trees by the mining labour both for firewood as well as for feeding their livestock.

The detail of mines in Basharat, Arra & Diljabba is as under:-

Table 20. Detail of Mining Leases in Landscape Areas

Category No. of Total Area Sr. Name of Name of Mining Area Leased No. Forest Mineral Leases (Acres) (Acres) 1 Parera A Coal 2 3264 403.29

2 Diljaba A Coal 3 5284 3047.48

3 Arra A Coal 6 10685 4651.66

Total: 11 19233 8102.43

10 Needs Assessment of Communities

10.1 Needs and problems

The most important needs/ problem include lack of alternative fuel for domestic consumption, non-provision of drinking water for livestock, scarcity of fuel wood, shortage of fodder, lack of health care facilities for livestock, lack of access paths between Dhoaks, and shortage of drinking water.

10.2 Need Assessment for Communities Adjacent to Parera Forest Area

(i) Non availability of alternative fuel for domestic use. (ii) Loss of vegetation due to coal mines and remedial measures to control this loss (iii) Control of damage due to nomadic graziers from AJK. (iv) Control of damage caused by the mining labour. (v) Control of damage due to soil erosion. (vi) Provision of alternative fuel like, Suigas, LPG, Biogas to local population. (vii) Provision of solar panels for energy generation. (viii) Provision of water harvesting structures to harvest rain water. (ix) Provision of fodder trees for shamlaat area for fodder production. (x) Provision of improved varieties of seeds for agriculture crops.

10.3 Need Assessment of communities adjacent to Arra forest area

(i) Provision of drinking water for livestock. (ii) Provision of sui gas for the area. (iii) Provision of improved breed of livestock. (iv) Provision of bio gas plants. (v) Eradication of invasive species of parthariem. (vi) Construction of approach road /paths for communities. (vii) Desilting of already constructed water ponds. (viii) Control of soil erosion. (ix) De-politicizing of Forest and other departments to control damage. (x) Conversion of Monthly permits in to Annual permits. (xi) Afforestation of fodder and fire wood trees on communal lands.

10.4 Need Assessment of communities adjacent to Diljabba Forest Area

(i) Control of nomadic graziers from AJK. (ii) Provision of water ponds in the forest area (iii) Provision of alternative fuel for the communities. (iv) Provision of fodder and fuel wood trees for the communities. (v) Provision of fruit plants to communities. (vi) Increase the number of wildlife check posts to control the illegal hunting. (vii) Measures to control forest fires in the forest area. (viii) Provision of alternative livelihood opportunities for the people, especially for the youth. (ix) Afforestation of communal land. (x) Facilitation in establishment of fruit orchards. 33

11 Findings

The findings of the study related to social, economic and natural resources sector is given in the following paragraphs: -

11.1 Social Sector

(i) Most of the population falls in low income group touching the poverty line. (ii) There is outward trend of population migration, especially between age group 15-40 years. (iii) The population in youth age group moves outward, in search of job leaving behind ageing population (old, retired persons) and female folk. (iv) Life quality Index, in terms of Health Care, Infant Mortality, Female natal case, Nutrient level, Indicators are compatible with other parts of the country, but overall status is low. (v) The overall education level of District Chakwal is high. The literacy rate is high in the landscape areas, especially the female literacy rate. (vi) The population is more or less homogenous with less stratification. (vii) The population is mixture of different clans, like Awans, Jatts, Mirza, Rajputs, Arayens, Mughals, Khokhars and have established social equilibrium. The braderi system is still entact but gradually it is diminishing. (viii) The awareness of general public is relatively high and they are receptive to new ideas and interventions. (ix) Health, education and other social services and limited.

11.2 Economic Sector

(i) Most of the communities belong to low income group. The high income group population like Miners, poultry industry owners are mostly from outside of this area. (ii) Job opportunities are limited in the area. (iii) A majority of population has two to three sources of income, from job outside of the area, income from livestock rearing and a small portion of income from agriculture. (iv) Mining Industry is contributing to local economy although mining labour is exclusively from outside of the area. (v) Road access and transportation is one of the limiting factors to the economic activities to landscape area.

11.3 Natural Resources

(i) The populations around the forest area are highly dependent for their livelihood on natural resources. Firewood collection, grazing of livestock and grassing leaves cutting is done from state forest area, although except for Arra Forest there are no rights of peoples. (ii) Arra forest is part of rangeland and is the major sources of livestock rearing for about 25000 to 30000 people and about 35000 to 40000 livestock 34

population is being benefitted from this forest. Dry firewood collection is also done by the adjacent communities. (iii) The over-use and over exploitation of these forests, beyond the sustainable carrying capacity of these forests is the core challenge for sustainable management of these forests. (iv) Unsustainable, exploitation of mineral resources is one of the major issues for the forest area. (v) The issuing of grazing permits to the “Gujjars” from AJK area is further aggravating the situation. (vi) The shamlat Deah, (common communal) used to act as buffer zone between population and reserved forests but due to distribution of Shamlat Deah among families, their role as buffer zone is being diminish rapidly. The ultimate pressure for natural resource use is shifted toward the reserved forests of the landscape area. (vii) The large scale deforestation of Phulai, Kau from shamlaats and private land is posing serious threat for biodiversity and natural resources conservation. (viii) Invasive species, like mesquites, parthanium is serious threat for local flora and fauna.

11.4 Possible Solutions

11.4.1 Improvement of social services delivery and skill enhancement of local population

The technical education and skill enhancement especially related to mining, cement and rock salt industry, poultry industry should be given to youth force. The school of Cement Industry, poultry industry, may be developed through Govt. or through CSR component of industries working in the area. Some percentage of mining royalty and sale tax should be spent for this sector. The service delivery of social sector needs improvements.

11.4.2 Value addition to Raw Material

The local mineral raw material, like salt, gypsum, argillaceous clay may be exported after value addition by development of products, like salt handicrafts, iodized salt, gypsum products etc.

11.4.3 Promotion of Livestock sector

(i) Specialized breeding of local livestock breed like “Dhanni breed” may be promoted and local communities may be facilitated in promotion of this breed. (ii) Due to its moderate climate, the poultry industry may be encouraged to create jobs in the area. (iii) Poultry meat processing units can add to value addition.

11.4.4 Off Season Vegetable Cultivation

The area has the potential for growing off season vegetable due to comparative advantage of climatic condition/ season.

11.4.5 Water Harvesting

Water harvesting and especially rainwater harvesting may be promoted and encouraged to meet the problem of water shortage for agriculture, livestock and industry.

11.4.6 Promotion of Horticulture

Promotion of horticulture especially, the cultivation of early cultivars of grapes and barani peaches and olive etc. have the potential to increase the productivity of the agriculture sector.

11.4.7 Promotion of Tourism Activities

Tourism potential of the area is un-exploited, once Arra – Basharat valley was proposed as tourist valley but due to some reasons it was not materialized. The tourism potential, especially ecotourism opportunities existed in the area. The religious tourism due to Katas Raj can be bring business opportunities to the area.

11.4.8 Finalization and implementation of management plans for forest of landscape areas

(i) Finalization of the management plans (working plans) for forest of landscape area is of utmost importance. There is no working plan for these forests since 1981-82. (ii) Implementation of closure plans for each forest under the prescription of the working plan should be implemented in letter and spirit after the approval of the working plans.

12 Assessment of resource dependency level and trends in resource use

12.1 Parera

Table 21. Detail of Resource Dependency Level in Parera Forest

Name of Resource and Trend Name of Dependency Level Sr. village / Population Firewood Fodder Grazing No. Increasing Decreasing Dhok High Moderate Low (I) (D) (H) (M) (L) 1 Basharat 1491 L M L D Dhera 745 2 H H H I Rajgan Waghwal 769 3 L M L D Bala 4 Gurrah 1457 L L L D 5 Jhiak 470 L L L D

Lehri 745 6 L L L D Pangrain 7 Kalar 530 L L L D Lehri 752 Shah 8 H H H I Nawan & Kot Malik 9 Khotian 509 H H H I 10 Mahiwal 703 M M M I Rak 673 11 H H H I Prarera Lehri 445 12 L L L I Pathan Makhiala, 1103 13 M M M I Mohan 14 Bhawral 445 M M M I 15 Lehari 4002 H H H I 16 Amrilla 1300 H H H I

12.2 Diljabba

Table 22. Detail of Resource Dependency Level in Diljabba Forest

Name of Resource and Trend Dependency Level Sr. Name of Population Firewood Fodder Grazing No. Village Increasing Decreasing High Moderate Low (I) (D) (H) (M) (L) Choa 1 Ganj Ali 2500 L L L D Shah Jandial 2 1325 H H H I Faizullah 3 Chumbi 800 L L L D Mohra 4 830 L L L D Mast 5 Hown 513 H H H I 6 Saidpur 788 H H H I Dhok 7 655 H H H I Qado Mast 8 513 H H H I Traimni Mohra 9 625 H H H I Malharan 10 Shahpur 1380 H H H I 11 Deewalian 637 L L L D 12 Sarral 713 H H H I Mohra 13 768 H H H I Najaran

12.3 Arra

Table 23. Detail of Resource dependency Level in Arra Forest

Name of Resource and Trend Dependency Level Sr. Name of Village Population Firewood Fodder Grazing No. Increasing Decreasing High Moderate Low (I) (D) (H) (M) (L) 1 Arra 2537 H M H I 2 Lehri Kaka 1368 H M H I Mohra Qadir 3 1855 H M H I Baksh 4 Mohra 923 H M H I 5 Mohri 721 H M H I Lehri 6 2255 H M H I Syeddian 7 Mohra Tarala 1368 H M H I 8 Amrila 1228 H M H I 9 Dhok Bhussa 728 H M H I 10 Haral 1365 L L L D Sekhi 11 655 H M H I Loharan 12 Dhok Chatta 1355 H H H I 13 Dhamyal 936 H H H I 14 Dhok Kathan 716 H H H I 15 Amlai 936 H H H I 16 Dhok Gujjar 1525 H H H I 17 Baghan Wala 1813 H M H I 18 Dhok Virk 728 H H H I 19 Rawal 963 H M H I 20 Juthana 2255 H H H I 21 Sarandi 3313 H H H I 22 Dhok Gondal 726 H H H I Dhok 23 665 H H H I Ghashay

13 Type of Resources Extracted

(i) Firewood (ii) Fodder (iii) Grass cutting (iv) Cutting of Phulai wood for Tobocco roasting (v) Extraction of stone for crushing (vi) Medicinal plants (like flowers of Dhoak, comilla for deworming of livestock, honey, berries etc. (vii) Hunting and poaching of wildlife animals.

(viii) Mine and minerals

14 Method of Extraction

The firewood and grass cutting is done manually. The woman and man usually visit forest area daily for collection of dry firewood and cutting of leaves of Kahu and other fodder plants. Mostly sickle is used to cut the Kahu leaves. The donkey is mainly used to transport firewood, grass and leaves from the forest area to villages. Some time people also use camel to carry firewood as well as fodder. The carrying of head load of firewood as well as fodder is however, the predominant way of transportation. The extraction of stones, medicinal plants is done by few individuals. Stone is normally transported through donkey load. The mining activities are done by the miners by employing mining machinery. The transportation of coal and other minerals is done through trucks plying on forest roads constructed in the forest area.

15 Quantity of Resources Extracted from State Forest of Landscape

15.1 Firewood Dependency of Communities on State Forest

Approximate Population of Landscape Area: 66000 Approximate No. of Households: 11000 Firewood Consumption for 12 Months @ 15 Kg: Per Households of 6 Peoples (11000 hh x 15 kg x 365 d): 60225000 Kgs Source of Fuel from LPG, Coal, Kerosin Oil etc. 10% eqvilent of Firewood: 6022500 Kgs Source of Fuel wood from Cow Dung, Crop Residue and firewood from private and Shamlat area 30% eqviluant of total firewood: 18067500 Kgs Firewood imported from outside of landscape area 10% 6022500 Kgs Total firewood from other sources than state forest: 30112500 Kgs Total quantity of firewood in kgs annually from state forest: 30112500 Kgs Total quantity of firewood in metric ton annually from state forest: 301125 (metric ton) Daily quantity of firewood extracted from state forest: 82 (approx.) Or Say: 70

15.2 Quantity of Fodder Extracted from State Forest

No. of approximate population of livestock: 20000 (animal head) Daily consumption of fodder per animal rate 10 kg dry rate of grass: 73000000 Kgs (20000 ah x 10 kg x 365 d) Source of fodder from private land 10% equalivent of total fodder: 7300000 kgs Stall feeding 5% of total fodder eqvilant: 3650000 kgs Total 10950000 kgs Net fodder extracted from forest area: 62050000 kgs Total quantity of fodder in metric ton annually: 62050 (metric ton) Daily quantity of fodder extracted from state forest: 170 metric ton (approx.)

16 Existing or Potential User of Resources

(i) Local communities (ii) Nomadic grazers (iii) Mining owners (iv) Quarrying / crushing mill owner (v) Quarrying / crushing labour (vi) Concrete block construction owner & labour (vii) Wildlife hunters (viii) Medicinal plants collectors (ix) Traders in fuel wood of Phulai & depot holders (x) Local politicians

17 Inter-Sector Conflicts

(i) Mining Department V/s Forest Department conflict due to improper solid waste disposal and use of wood by mining labour. (ii) Local population Vs nomadic grazers conflict, they compete for the same resource. (iii) Concrete industry Vs local population. (iv) Wildlife Department Vs Mining Department, poachers are stationed and facilitated by miners. (v) Forest department, Wildlife Department Vs Police. (vi) Local population Vs Forest Department, due to illicit cutting, lopping, firewood collection. (vii) Local population for permit fees Vs Forest Department for forest fire.

18 Impacts of conflict on the resources

(i) Degradation of resources (ii) Over exploitation of resources (iii) Extinction of resources

19 Potential Options for their Resolution

(i) Complete ban on grant of leases in category “A” & landscape area. (ii) Non renewal of leases in category “A” landscape areas after expiry of existing leases. (iii) Ban on nomadic grazers in the landscape area. (iv) Declaring Phulai & Kau as reserve tree in landscape area. (v) Rationalization of the existing fee structure for grazing permits. (vi) Effective enforcement of existing law rules related to mining, forestry and wildlife department. (vii) Preparation & implementation of scientific management plan for these forest areas. 40

20 Key Existing or Potential Resource Use a) Local communities of village UC Basharat, Arra & Choa Ganj Ali Shah b) Key existing resources use

(i) Firewood collection (ii) Grazing of livestock (iii) Fodder collection (iv) Grass cutting (v) Right of way (vi) Right of water (vii) Mining

21 Potential Resource uses in Future

(i) Tourism (ii) Carbon trading (iii) Wildlife watching

22 Inter Sector Conflict

(i) Mining leases are in direct conflict with the existing resource use, especially the existing mining in category A forests of Parera, Diljabba and Arra are posing senses issues (ii) Disposal of poultry waste is causing threat to biodiversity conservation

References

1. The United Nations Development Programme, project document titled: “Sustainable forest management to secure multiple benefits in Pakistan’s high conservation value of forests.” 2. Census, report of 1998 for District Chakwal 3. Working Plan for the forests of the Jhelum, Mianwali and Shahpur Forest Divisions volume I & II, written by Rana Muhammad Said. 4. History facts of Diljabba, Parera and Arra forest of Chakwal Forest Division Chakwal 5. Wajul-Araz of villages Diljabba, Arra & Prarera. 6. Record of mining leases of Deputy Director Mines & Mineral Department Chakwal 7. Record of Deputy Director Agriculture Department of Chakwal District. 8. Record of Additional Director, Livestock Department Chakwal. 9. www.wikipedia.org 10. Punjab Development Statistic, 2017