Forest inventory of district Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan
Forest inventory of district Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan
Anwar Ali1, Muhammad Ismail2 and Kiramat Husain3
ABSTRACT
A forest inventory was carried out in Astore District in 2016 to find out the total growing stock in the forest. A total of 98 sample plots were laid out randomly in different forest strata for data collection. It was found that Kail is the dominant species followed by fir and spruce. Juniper and Chilghoza pine are also present in very small proportion. Birch is the only broad-leaved species recorded during the inventory. Stand structure is almost young as most of the trees fall in immature (38%) and sub-mature (44%) development stages. On the other hand, 14% of the trees are mature and 3.64% are over-mature which together constitute 18%. The current total growing stock in the forest of Astore District is estimated at 7,165,012 m3 with an average of 327.60±31.81 m3/ha. The total timber in the forests of District Astore is estimated at 6,010,475 m3 with average of 274.81 m3/ha. Similarly the total small wood/fuelwood is estimated at 1,154,537 m3. The future growing stock for 2026 is estimated at 8,368,376 m3 with average of 382.62m3/ha. This is equal to annual increment of 5.50 m3/ha. The study noted lack of regeneration in most of the forest areas due to open grazing.
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June 2014
Vol. 64, Iss. 2
