STATUS OF SOIL TEXTURE AND REQUIRED ASSOCIATED SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURE OF RIVER SWAT CATCHMENTS AREA, NWFP, PAKISTAN

This study was conducted during 2002-06 with an attempt to know about the status of soil texture of River Swat catchment area, also called Swat Valley. In total, 212 soil samples were collected twice (2005 and 2006) from 100 villages and were analyzed for soil texture. For water quality, river Swat water samples (three samples per month for the year 2006) were analyzed for suspended load. Slope was calculated in 100 different regions with the help of Global Positioning System (GPS). River Swat catchment is mountainous and the soil is mostly of sandy nature, presenting fragile picture of soil. The average forest cover is 17% with a range varying from 5% in lower Valley to 25% in the upper parts. Besides, of forestland has been acquired as agricultural lands making soil more susceptible to erosion. The seasonal fluctuation of suspended load of River Swat during 2001-2004 was from 19 to 116 mg/l during low flow season (October -March) and from 137 and 692 mg/l in high flow season (April-September). The field observation shows that the intensity of erosion is comparatively higher in rain-fed area. The paper suggests encouragement of agro-forestry through awareness campaign and technical assistance