This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
Forests across the world are considered to be a huge socio-economic and environmental benefit to host and adjacent communities. This study focuses on assessing the impacts of fuelwood and timber consumption on the livelihood of households in the Baltistan region in Pakistan. Primary and secondary sources of data were employed for the study. The primary sources involved the use of questionnaire survey and interview while the secondary sources involved the use of documented information in textbooks and internet materials. The study revealed that 82% of the people within the region were involved in agricultural activities, 71% depended on the extraction of forest resources for their livelihood, while 18% depended on off-farm activities for their livelihood. The study also observed that among the number that depended on forest resources for their livelihood, 59% were involved in the extraction of non-timber forest products while 41% were involved in the extraction of timber forest resources. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference in the level of benefits from the forest across the seven districts under investigation with a chi square value. The volume of forest products extraction was found to be high closest to the forest and to be low with increasing distance from the communities. The major benefits from the forest range were due to employment that increases the individual and family income. Forest also helps to control erosion and enhances aesthetic beautification and temperature regulation. The research suggests that the policy makers must provide a sustainable solution to reduce the overexploitation of the forest resources by providing better alternative earning resources to the resident communities.
Saif Ullah; Rana Noor; Ali Abid; Richard Mendako; Muhammad Waqas; Adnan Shah; Gang Tian. Socio-Economic Impacts of Livelihood from Fuelwood and Timber Consumption on the Sustainability of Forest Environment: Evidence from Basho Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan. Agriculture 2021, 11, 596 .
AMA StyleSaif Ullah, Rana Noor, Ali Abid, Richard Mendako, Muhammad Waqas, Adnan Shah, Gang Tian. Socio-Economic Impacts of Livelihood from Fuelwood and Timber Consumption on the Sustainability of Forest Environment: Evidence from Basho Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (7):596.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaif Ullah; Rana Noor; Ali Abid; Richard Mendako; Muhammad Waqas; Adnan Shah; Gang Tian. 2021. "Socio-Economic Impacts of Livelihood from Fuelwood and Timber Consumption on the Sustainability of Forest Environment: Evidence from Basho Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan." Agriculture 11, no. 7: 596.
Deforestation remains a major ecological problem in most developing countries especially Pakistan which has a very high deforestation rate. Fuel-wood consumption is a determining socioeconomic factor for deforestation and degradation. Agroforest biomass utilization for energy production is an extreme value socioeconomic incentive towards the reduction in deforestation and degradation in Pakistan. This study was conducted at Basho forest valley Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, in 2019. In this study, dried and milled forest waste (FW) including tree leaves and branches were briquetted (biofuel) to be used as an alternate of wood fuel and determined its physical properties regarding quality of the briquette. The screw extruder briquetting technology was employed. Dried (<15%) forest biomass was briquetted at 4 mold temperatures (225, 250, 275, 300 °C) and grounded biomass sizes (2, 4, 6 mm). The briquette was 100 mm in length with 20 mm diameter. Briquettes were analyzed for physical and thermal characteristics. Results indicated that the mold temperature and biomass particle size have insignificant effect on the fracture resistance and endurance and fracture resistances, respectively. It is determined that the mold temperature and the particle size are markedly effective on examined other briquettes characteristics. The maximum moisture content and density of briquettes was 12% and 1092 kgm−3 respectively. Biomass briquettes showed ≥95% of durability, shatter, moisture, and compressive resistance which ensure sustainable handling. The maximum calorific value and ash content was 4339 kcal/kg and 7.23%, respectively, while the emission of flue gases was below the standard values. The economic and feasibility analysis proved to be a sustainable and profitable study with payback investment time (0.9) year and benefit-cost ratio as 1.39. The utilization of FW would contribute to the elimination of the energy deficit and reduce of control deforestation activities for fuel-wood while contributing to economic growth. Considering the benefits of the FW for environmental conditions, it will be understood that the issue is very comprehensive. Therefore, instead of using forest wood material for fuel, the conversion of FW into alternate energy source would be an economic and environmental positive behavior.
Saif Ullah; Rana Shahzad Noor; Sanaullah; Tian Gang. Analysis of biofuel (briquette) production from forest biomass: a socioeconomic incentive towards deforestation. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 2021, 1 -15.
AMA StyleSaif Ullah, Rana Shahzad Noor, Sanaullah, Tian Gang. Analysis of biofuel (briquette) production from forest biomass: a socioeconomic incentive towards deforestation. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2021; ():1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaif Ullah; Rana Shahzad Noor; Sanaullah; Tian Gang. 2021. "Analysis of biofuel (briquette) production from forest biomass: a socioeconomic incentive towards deforestation." Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery , no. : 1-15.
The research on international trade competitiveness is progressing continuously. Environmental factors have been gradually considered in the competitiveness of international trade. However, the green assessment system of international trade competitiveness is not perfect. Building a model based on the trade economy is complex. This study combines environmental pollution data based on the forest processing industry with trade flows. Environmental trade competitiveness, pollution treatment, and trade scale were selected as the three criterion levels to construct an assessment system. The weight and score of each index were calculated by the overall entropy method. The overall entropy method is more comprehensive than the traditional entropy weight method due to introduce longitudinal comparisons of time and category. This method is a dynamic evaluation model with analysis of three-dimensional sequential data tables. The use of this method enables the assessment model to analyze more comprehensively the green level of a country’s trade in wooden forest products in terms of time and product category. The green level of chemical wood pulp and sawn timber trade in China is at a high level. The pollution treatment and trade scale of chemical wood pulp and sawn timber attained a medium level of matching. The trades in particle board, hardboard, newsprint, carton board, and wrapping paper are at medium levels of green. The trades in medium density fiberboard and plywood have poor levels of green and need to improve their green production capacity. It is suggested that China should increase investment in scientific research, as well as establish policies to restrict and treat pollution in the industry of wooden forest products, while increasing the export volumes of products with high added value. China should attach importance to the pollution resulting from the manufacture of wooden forest products. The state should support policies for these producers reducing production emissions.
Gang Tian; Wen Yu; Thi Vu; Guo-Yong Ma. Green Assessment of Imports and Exports of Wooden Forest Products Based on Forest Processing Industry: A Case Study of China. Forests 2021, 12, 166 .
AMA StyleGang Tian, Wen Yu, Thi Vu, Guo-Yong Ma. Green Assessment of Imports and Exports of Wooden Forest Products Based on Forest Processing Industry: A Case Study of China. Forests. 2021; 12 (2):166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGang Tian; Wen Yu; Thi Vu; Guo-Yong Ma. 2021. "Green Assessment of Imports and Exports of Wooden Forest Products Based on Forest Processing Industry: A Case Study of China." Forests 12, no. 2: 166.
The conservation of forest in the northern areas of Pakistan is the major priority of the national environmental policy to fight against global warming. Despite the policy for the protection of forest, rural residents’ behavior toward economic incentives for deforestation may undermine their conservation goals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the factors that affect the illegal behaviors related to deforestation in the northern areas of Pakistan. The present study applied the socio-psychological theory of planned behavior to predict the behavioral intention of rural residents toward economic incentives for deforestation. Correlations were explored between background factors toward motivations for deforestation based on positive and negative views through open-ended questions. Attitude and descriptive norm were found good predictors to perceive the behaviors. The findings of the study suggest that rural communities’ support for compliance with policies is vital for the long-term efficacy and protection of the forest in the region. Further, change in the behaviors of inhabitants toward the ecosystem through training can be improved to manage the forest.
Saif Ullah; Ali Abid; Waqas Aslam; Rana Noor; Muhammad Waqas; Tian Gang. Predicting Behavioral Intention of Rural Inhabitants toward Economic Incentive for Deforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Sustainability 2021, 13, 617 .
AMA StyleSaif Ullah, Ali Abid, Waqas Aslam, Rana Noor, Muhammad Waqas, Tian Gang. Predicting Behavioral Intention of Rural Inhabitants toward Economic Incentive for Deforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (2):617.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaif Ullah; Ali Abid; Waqas Aslam; Rana Noor; Muhammad Waqas; Tian Gang. 2021. "Predicting Behavioral Intention of Rural Inhabitants toward Economic Incentive for Deforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan." Sustainability 13, no. 2: 617.
Deforestation remains a major ecological problem in most developing countries especially, Pakistan has a very high deforestation rate. Various socioeconomic factors determine deforestation and degradation. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the causes of deforestation in Basho forest, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. This study collected data on factors of deforestations and degradation resulting in environmental problems such as air pollution, soil erosion, temperature rise and to recommend practices for sustainable forests. A questionnaire survey of 220 respondents was conducted including; educated locals of different age group and forest officials (forest engineers, civil servants and workers) in Forestry service division. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were applied on the collected data and Likert scale method to determine the mean score of socio-economic factors encouraging deforestation. More than 70% respondents were below 30 years old, while 14.6% and 12.6% respondents from 31–40 to 41–50 age groups, respectively. 65.9% and 34.1% of the respondents were male and female respectively. Only 26.8% of the respondents were university graduates, while below 50% (48.6%) of respondents were primary school graduates. According to the analysis, the respondents were completely dependent on the forest for their livelihood needs. The socioeconomic factors such as rapid population growth, livelihood activities, lack of education, Poor forest management, Fuel wood consumption and Period of residence were found to be the prominent factors for deforestation. Results of the logit regression established reward socioeconomic factors were statistically significant variable at (p < 0.05). Based on study results, the deforestation activities cannot be entirely eradicated but it can be reduced to the level of sustainable forest through convenient forest conservation policies and application of efficient and energy conservation technologies. Adequate economic incentives and applied technologies for locals could be a productive approach to reduce deforestation rate.
Saif Ullah; Tian Gang; Tariq Rauf; Furqan Sikandar; Jia Qi Liu; Rana Shahzad Noor. Identifying the socio-economic factors of deforestation and degradation: a case study in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. GeoJournal 2020, 1 -14.
AMA StyleSaif Ullah, Tian Gang, Tariq Rauf, Furqan Sikandar, Jia Qi Liu, Rana Shahzad Noor. Identifying the socio-economic factors of deforestation and degradation: a case study in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. GeoJournal. 2020; ():1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaif Ullah; Tian Gang; Tariq Rauf; Furqan Sikandar; Jia Qi Liu; Rana Shahzad Noor. 2020. "Identifying the socio-economic factors of deforestation and degradation: a case study in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan." GeoJournal , no. : 1-14.
This study applied a gravity model estimation using panel data in order to analyze the impact of the determinants of Vietnam’s wood products trade from 2001 to 2016.The gravity estimates imply the importance of size of the economies, distance, level of openness of the economy, population, forest resource endowments of Vietnam’s trade partners, Vietnam’s logging restrictions policy, common border, free trade agreement, and exchange rates as determinants of Vietnam’s wood products trade. These variables were found to have different effects on the export and import of wood products. Vietnam’s access to the WTO and APEC did not help either its imports or exports in wood products. The results of this study also indicate that the Government of Vietnam needs to implement policies to increase investment in the wood processing industry, develop high quality wood materials from domestic plantations, and take advantage of trade preferences from new free trade agreements in order to promote wood product trade. The results of this study have implications for trade policy, resource-based economic development, and Vietnam’s forest resource conservation.
Thi Thanh Huyen Vu; Gang Tian; Bin Zhang; Thanh Van Nguyen. Determinants of Vietnam’s wood products trade: application of the gravity model. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 2019, 39, 445 -460.
AMA StyleThi Thanh Huyen Vu, Gang Tian, Bin Zhang, Thanh Van Nguyen. Determinants of Vietnam’s wood products trade: application of the gravity model. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 2019; 39 (5):445-460.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThi Thanh Huyen Vu; Gang Tian; Bin Zhang; Thanh Van Nguyen. 2019. "Determinants of Vietnam’s wood products trade: application of the gravity model." Journal of Sustainable Forestry 39, no. 5: 445-460.
Indicators measuring industrial international competitiveness are being continuously improved. However, so far, there is no unified perfect indicator to measure the level of international competitiveness of the industry. Based on the market share index (MS), trade competitiveness index (TC), revealed comparative advantage index (RCA), and relative trade advantage index (RTA), we constructed a comprehensive international competitiveness index by combining the variation coefficient and the entropy method. This study aims to compare and evaluate the international competitiveness of the wood processing industry (ICWPI) in Vietnam using a comprehensive international competitiveness index. The data is collected from the top 22 countries and the total import and export volume of the wood processing industry from the repository of official international trade statistics (UN Comtrade) database for 2001–2017. The results found that it is more accurate to use the combined variation coefficient and the entropy method to evaluate the international competitiveness of the wood processing industry, compared to using only a single index. The growth rate of international competitiveness of Vietnam increased rapidly from 2001 to 2007 but slowed from 2008 to 2017. Vietnam has the advantages of natural resources, low labor costs and favorable geographical location. However, the low productivity gains and added industry value have led to a gradual decline in the international competitiveness growth rate of Vietnam's wood processing industry.
Thi Thanh Huyen Vu; Gang Tian; Naveed Khan; Muhammad Zada; Bin Zhang; Thanh Van Nguyen. Evaluating the International Competitiveness of Vietnam Wood Processing Industry by Combining the Variation Coefficient and the Entropy Method. Forests 2019, 10, 901 .
AMA StyleThi Thanh Huyen Vu, Gang Tian, Naveed Khan, Muhammad Zada, Bin Zhang, Thanh Van Nguyen. Evaluating the International Competitiveness of Vietnam Wood Processing Industry by Combining the Variation Coefficient and the Entropy Method. Forests. 2019; 10 (10):901.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThi Thanh Huyen Vu; Gang Tian; Naveed Khan; Muhammad Zada; Bin Zhang; Thanh Van Nguyen. 2019. "Evaluating the International Competitiveness of Vietnam Wood Processing Industry by Combining the Variation Coefficient and the Entropy Method." Forests 10, no. 10: 901.