A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DEFORESTATION AND REGENERATION STATUS OF ZIARAT JUNIPER FOREST

Abstract

This study was carried out in Ziarat Juniper forest {(Juniper excelsa (M. Bieb)} through surveying the five selected locations viz., Zangoon Jungle, Salik Sakhobi, Warkai Zazri, Ambaar Zawar Sar and Nishpa. The data obtained were statistically analyzed for analysis of variance (ANOVA), mean, standard deviation and also for multiple comparison tests of mean values. Results showed that there was statistically an intra non-significant variance but inter significant variance (p<0.01) in the average diameter at breast height (DBH), old (OR), new regeneration (NR) and deforestation (DFR) of the Juniper grown in five selected locations. The OR percentage was calculated to be 13.17, 12.92, 9.92, 8.78 and 6.61 in Zangoon Jungle, Salik Sakhobi, Warkai Zazri, Ambaar Zawar Sar and Nishpa. Likewise the NR percentage found was 10.43, 13.11, 9.74, 5.86 and 7.93 in aforementioned localities, respectively. In comparison to regeneration, the DFR percentage was alarmingly high and it was 20.95, 14, 13.76, 10.22 and 19.02 at Zangoon Jungle, Salik Sakhobi, Warkai Zazri, Ambaar Zawar Sar and Nishpa, respectively. Therefore, the survival chances of Ziarat Juniper forest is equally dangerous/alarming, which is in an urgent need of conservation for its sustainability.