- In Bisala Village, Mansehra district, mining activities within a forest ecosystem have caused drastic vegetation loss.
- Satellite analysis (2001 vs. 2025) reveals a reduction in forest tree cover from 8.515 hectares to 0.131 hectares.
- This represents an alarming 98.5% decline in forested area over the observed period.
- Land cover classification maps confirm near-total removal of tree canopy in the affected zone.
- Expansion of excavation areas and mineral extraction sites is clearly visible in multi-temporal satellite imagery.
- Forest-to-bare land conversion has significantly altered the landscape structure.
- The environmental impact includes habitat loss and disruption of local ecological balance.
- Reduced vegetation cover increases susceptibility to runoff, erosion, and sedimentation.
Impact of Mining site on local forest cover at Bisala Village, Mansehra (2001 vs 2025)
Images
- Satellite imagery analysis (2013–2025) indicates a notable decline in forest cover in Buner district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Remote sensing data highlights fragmentation of previously contiguous forest patches.
- Forest loss in the region is primarily associated with mining operations, road construction, and associated infrastructure development.
- Temporal satellite comparison confirms progressive canopy thinning over a 12-year period.
- Land surface analysis shows conversion of vegetated zones into exposed soil and mining pits.
- Reduction in tree cover may contribute to soil erosion and increased landslide risk in hilly terrain.
- The findings underscore the importance of balancing mineral resource extraction with environmental sustainability.
Impact of Mining site on local forest cover at Buner(2013 vs 2025)
Images
- Satellite-based assessment reveals a 45% increase in forest cover across the Shinkiyari region of Mansehra district.
- Comparative satellite imagery demonstrates a clear increase in canopy density between baseline and 2025 observations.
- Improved vegetation cover contributes to biodiversity conservation and watershed protection.
- Increased green cover supports carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation efforts.
- The Shinkiyari case serves as a model for sustainable forest governance through policy enforcement.
Natural Forest at Shinkiyari, Manshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2013 vs 2025)
