SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL LAND CONVERSION INTO COMMERCIAL USE DUE TO TOURISM IN DISTRICT SWAT, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

This study aimed at finding the association of commercialization of agriculture/rural lands for tourism (dependent variable) with threat to biodiversity (independent variable). The study was conducted in seven tehsils and fourteen village councils of District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A sample size of 346 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 threat to biodiversity aspects (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.144) association was found between in terms of its negative impact tourism has the potential to over-consume natural resources and commercialization of agriculture/rural lands for tourism. (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.234) association was explored between The agricultural land in all scenic spots shows a decreasing trend annually due to tourism and Commercialization of agriculture/rural lands for tourism. (p=0.000) and Positive (T^b=0.226) association was confirmed between Tourism is argued to be the prime threat to indigenous habitats, and the natural resources and Commercialization of agriculture/rural lands for tourism.