Earthquake Induced Forest Damages in Balakot, Palas Valley, Muzaffarabad and Bagh Areas of North West Frontier Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Regions

The earthquake hit Pakistan on October 8, 2005. The Balakot, Palas Valley, Muzaffarabad and Bagh areas of NWFP and AJ and K were adversely affected. Being eminent because of their forestry resources, it was essential to assess the damages caused by the earthquake. For the purpose, the study was launched with primary focus of investigating the forest damages due to the earthquake in the aforementioned areas of Balakot, Palas Valley, Muzaffarabad and Bagh areas. The results revealed that Muzaffarabad had the most of felled trees damages, with 70%. Similarly, the Palas Valley had the most of root system damages, with 46%. There were, overall, 60% of felled trees damages and 40% of root system damages recorded.