Effect of Mango Tree Cutting on Dependent Communities due to Real Estate Development: A Case Study of Multan

Abstract

Trees are an important asset to the environment, as they are air purifiers. Cutting down trees creates havoc on the environment as the pollution rate accelerates with an enhancement of temperature as well. Deforestation has always impacted the environment negatively. The major reason for deforestation is urban sprawl. Since urbanization is increasing gradually, the growth of the real estate business is enhancing consequently. In a city like Multan, where mango has been an asset to the city, the city’s main export, its deforestation has not only squeezed mango production but also highly impacted the livelihood of the local community. In Multan, it has been observed that a lot of new housing societies have been established. This study aims to identify the influence on the local community created due to mango tree cutting. For that research, we surveyed 376 people. Socio-economic impacts were found on the local community through this survey. The cutting of agricultural areas for real estate business has become very common. Multan, which is the hub of mango production, the deforestation of mango trees on that huge scale has affected the thousands of people who were associated with the mango garden. The major drawback of this development is that the livelihood of the people of the local community has ended. They were forced to move from that area. The Government should take strict action against the emergence of real estate on agricultural land and allow this business to be flourished only on barren land