An Analysis of Land Degradation Resulting from the Conversion of Agricultural Land to Commercial Use Due to Tourism in Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study aimed at finding the association of tourism influenced land conversion (dependent variable) with land degradation (independent variable). The study was conducted in seven tehsils and fourteen village councils of District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A sample size of 345 respondents was selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected on a two level likert scale interview schedule. The association of study variables was tested by using chi-square test statistics. The association community perception regarding the effect of agriculture land conversion into commercial use due to tourism was found significant with agriculture land conversion to commercial use is the land degradation aspects a highly-significant (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.459) association was established between Frequent visits of tourist has not only disturbed the eco-system but has also brought other related miseries the noise pollution and Tourism influenced land conversion. A highly-significant (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.493) association was explored between Tourism affect land degradation and important land resources, including minerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil, forests, wetland and wildlife and Tourism influenced land conversion. highly-significant (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.459) association was confirmed between Economy due to tourism development, poses a threat to the livelihoods of the indigenous people who mostly work as farmers and Tourism influenced land conversion.