ICT Development and Deforestation in Asia-Pacific Region: An Empirical Analysis

Main Article Content

ayesha
Dr. Bilal Mehmood

Keywords

deforestation, information and communication technologies, forest monitoring, Forest management, GDP per capita, Population growth

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have spread throughout the world and are affecting almost every aspect of life. This research examines the effect of ICT adoption levels on deforestation rates in 26 countries of Asia and the Pacific. Independent variables include four ICT determinants and three control variables: population growth, agricultural land expansion and GDP per capita. The Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimates confirm a strong positive relation between ICT index and deforestation in the region. Population growth, GDP per capita and agricultural area expansion are found to contribute positively towards deforestation. On basis of empirical findings, this study suggests that policies emphasizing integration of ICT diffusion and its application in forestry sector will lead to goals of sustainable forestry and reforestation efforts’ success.

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