Socioeconomic Impacts of the Billion Trees Afforestation Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK), Pakistan

Abstract

In recent decades, the terrestrial ecosystem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK), Pakistan, has undergone tremendous destruction. To restore environmental conditions, the government implemented the Billion Tree Afforestation Program (BTAP), with a high target to impact multidimensional aspects of the terrestrial ecosystem. The government claims that it is local residents who have benefited the most from the BTAP. Hence, the objective of this research was to examine the socioeconomic impact and local rural perception of the BTAP in three districts of KPK. Primary data were collected from 406 households. Fundamental orientation theory was used to assess the social impacts of the BTAP, while cost–benefit analysis was applied to examine its economic impact. The results show that the overall social impacts of the BTAP are satisfactory and beneficial, increasing social sustainability by 69% between 2014 and 2018. Additionally, based on the cost–benefit analysis and perception-based analysis, it was found that the BTAP positively affects the economic conditions of rural households. The community livelihood increased during the program, with a total net income of 6.9 million USD in the three districts of KPK. It is concluded that the majority of respondents have benefited from participation in the BTAP. The sustainability of rural livelihood is one of the main concerns related to the establishment of the BTAP. Effort is needed by the government and other parties to both increase rural household income and to protect the environment.

Poverty and Prosperity: Impact on Livelihood Assets of Billion Trees Afforestation Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

“…Columns 1-3 evidently show that BTAP positively affects employment, income, and savings. These results are same with the findings of Khan, Shah [13] and Ali [9], who found a positive association between forest income and the saving behavior of households. In connection to this, Table 7 provides estimates of perceived physical capital due to involvement in BTAP forest-related businesses.…”

“…The significance results of these relationships indicates that local households associated to BTAP can easily manage their health-related difficulties and educate their children and also have many opportunities to train themselves so as to improve their professional performance and potentially their personal life. Broadly, this result is connected with results of Khan, Shah [13], who examined the impacts of BTAP on the livelihoods of rural households. Note: *** p < 0.01, ** p < 0.05, * p < 0.1 with Robust standard errors in parentheses.…”

“…So far there have been studies but they have not demonstrated in depth how livelihood can be analyzed comprehensively, transdisciplinary, and deeply. In fact, according to Khan, Shah [13] there is a need for in-depth research and strategies on how the livelihood can be sustainable. Quantifying the indirect and absolute contribution of BTAP income to total income collection is significant for understanding the livelihoods of rural communities, the wellbeing implications of degraded natural assets, the poverty and disparity level, and the design of efficient developmental and conservation strategies [13].…”

“…In fact, according to Khan, Shah [13] there is a need for in-depth research and strategies on how the livelihood can be sustainable. Quantifying the indirect and absolute contribution of BTAP income to total income collection is significant for understanding the livelihoods of rural communities, the wellbeing implications of degraded natural assets, the poverty and disparity level, and the design of efficient developmental and conservation strategies [13]. The analysis of sustainable livelihood framework issued by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) can be the right choice [25].…”

Evaluating the International Competitiveness of Vietnam Wood Processing Industry by Combining the Variation Coefficient and the Entropy Method

“…Vietnam's forest area expanded by about 5 Mha in the 25 years from 1990 to 2015 (from 9 Mha in 1990 to 14 Mha in 2015) [54,55]. In this increase, planting activities played a significant role [56]. Vietnam planted forests which covered about 3.6 Mha of land in 2015.…”