Forest Cover Changes Under Hydropower Dam Construction in Paunglaung Reserved Forest, Southern Shan Highlands, Myanmar

抄録

This study examines the forest cover changes before and after the hydropower dam construction in Paunglaung reserved forest and impacts on the local livelihoods. Change detection from 2011 to 2018 was conducted by using the Landsat images taken in January and February. Satellite image analysis showed that the extent of closed forest cover significantly decreased and open forest area increased after the dam construction. Consequently, the area of water bodies dramatically increased because local framers lost their permanent farmlands and changed into water bodies. Agrarian transition from permanent farmland and swidden agriculture into orchards were also confirmed by using the Geo eye image analysis. Interview results showed that livelihood’s activities were also significantly changed into other income activities such as motor boat hiring to the tourism sites, and animal husbandry.