Locals Perspectives towards Climate Change and Its Effect in Buner District of KPK, Pakistan

Purpose: This study was conducted during September 2015-August 2016 to know the perception of people living in expansive territory of district Buner, KP Pakistan on CC. Methodology: Sample size of 384 was selected. This study was based on stratified random sampling technique using a structured and detailed questionnaire for collection of data. Among educated respondents (84.48%) questionnaires were distributed while from illiterate ones (15.10%) semi structured interviews were conducted.Sociodemographic variables and knowledge of CC was explored by cross tabulation and measured using chi square tests. Results: The study revealed that majority of the participants (86.7%) had some knowledge of CC but (13.3%) did not. Respondents (89.5%) claimed that CC had negative impacts on the livelihoods of residents. The people in the area have realized the causes of the CC that is deforestation, anthropogenic activities and increased population. Conclusion: The recruited respondents had sufficient knowledge of CC and its impact on their livelihoods. Present study revealed that extreme cold winters of district Buner has been changed to a warmer and mild weather over time. The impacts of CC were in the form of negatively affected livelihoods which is still in progression on the majority of the participants. Negative impacts of CC experienced by respondents (89.50%) are in the form of flooding, loss of biodiversity and various diseases while some respondents (10.50%) experienced positive impact of CC. Recommendations: Human activities contributing to CC should be reduced. Communities should be made awareof CC and its harmful effects through different awareness campaigns.