~ 954 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(1): 954-960 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2017; 5(1): 954-960 © 2017 JEZS Received: 08-11-2016 Accepted: 09-12-2016 Aitezaz Muhammad Khan Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Ahmad Hussain Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Sadaf Siddique Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Shah Masaud Khan Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Adnan Iqbal Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Tufail Ahmad Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Muhammad Suliman Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Gauhar Ali Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Correspondence Aitezaz Muhammad Khan Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Haripur, KPK, Pakistan Effects of deforestation on socio-economy and associated insect pests in district Swat, Pakistan Aitezaz Muhammad Khan, Ahmad Hussain, Sadaf Siddique, Shah Masaud Khan, Adnan Iqbal, Tufail Ahmad, Muhammad Suliman and Gauhar Ali Abstract The research was carried out to investigate proximate causes and underlying driving forces of deforestation and its socio economic impacts on the local people of district Swat Pakistan. Different methods were used for investigating the desired objectives. Assessment of forest dependencies as a source of livelihood in Swat, to document underlying forces and drivers of deforestation in the Swat forest division and to assess the impacts of deforestation on the socioeconomic conditions of the local community of Swat were the main objectives of the study. Primary data was collected through pre structured Questionnaires. The major findings were that most of respondents were given the rights for consumption of forest products on the basis of their needs and the effects of rights given to them have positive effects on them. The main cause of deforestation was fuel wood collection from the forest and the role of overgrazing in deforestation was moderate. Deforestation has adverse impacts on the biodiversity including the insect’s fauna. Deforestation has reduced the population of beneficial insects which has important role in pollination and natural products development including honey, silk and lac products. It was found that beneficial insects has important role in feeding on harmful insects which clearly states their role as predatory insects. Keywords: Deforestation, district swat, socioeconomic conditions, insect pests 1. Introduction A forest can be defined as a land enclosed by more than 10% of canopy cover, and that cover is more than 0.5 hectare area, comprising of trees with a height greater than 5 meters [1] . The land surface is covered by about 30% of forest cover, or approximately 3.9 billion hectares of forest [2] . Forest resources are of vibrant importance to preserve the soil and water resources and biodiversity all over the world which play a significant role in meeting the product requirements of the forest on both wooden timber and non-timber forest products [3] . The forests are an important constituent of the environment and are an essential portion of the life of people living in the rural areas, particularly in the developing countries. Forests store carbon and deliver various paybacks whereas giving many ecological and social welfares, like provision of fuel wood, role in cleaning of water and offers habitat for wildlife, and also used for recreational activities [4] . Pakistan, due to the inadequate forest resources with deforestation of 4.6% annually ranks second in the world and represents the destruction of ecological services [5] . Rapid increase in population, enlargement of agricultural land, and the ruthless cutting of forest for the export of wood contributes to deforestation in various areas of the world even though the time difference between the causes and results may differ considerably [6] . The foremost purpose of this study was to highlight the major and fundamental causes and effects of deforestation in the district Swat. The present study also suggest some methods to control deforestation, such as providing alternatives to firewood, involving more and more people in reforestation, making effective punishment policies for timber Mafia and smugglers, delivery of services to the local population, awareness in the local people regarding viable use of the forest resources, supporting the rules and regulations issued by the forest department, and reducing the use of wood in construction, and making furniture suggesting alternative materials for this purpose. The underlying causes of deforestation in the district Swat needs attention of the law making authorities and a good forest management can play a vibrant role