Vegetation plays a significant role in determining ground and surface water of an area. The present study was aimed to investigate the impacts of exotic Eucalyptus plantation on the ground and surface water in district Malakand (34.50° N, 71.75° E) Pakistan. Two villages (Kot and Totai) were selected randomly for data collection with a sample size of 25% of the population representing each village. The methods used were questionnaire survey, interviews, water table and discharge rate measurement. The results of the study indicated that 64% springs have been dried out so far in village Kot and 75% in village Totai due to high uptake of water. Eucalyptus plantation has adverse effects on ground and surface water. It was found that Eucalyptus has deepened the water table by 0.762m (0.833 yards) per year in both villages as a result the average depth of water table has reached 20.116 m (22 yards) in village Totai and 15.544 m (17 yards) in village Kot. As a result, some springs have become seasonal depending on rainfall. Results of the current study suggest that ground water and surface water resources should be monitored regularly to determine the protection and regeneration of natural forests and better utilization and improvement of marginal and degraded lands. Moreover introduction of new plant species to an area should be made after careful observation of climatic conditions of the area and keeping in mind the possible effects of these species on the environment.

The study was aimed to document the suitability of Eucalyptus for Malakand (34.50° N, 71.75° E) social forestry project. The project was started in February 1987 with the aim to improve life style of villagers by improving the yield and use of the hillsides, and marginal lands. The methodology used was questionnaire survey; point count and line transect method. It was found that the project has not yet achieved its objectives and caused economical, ecological, and social problems in the project area. The revenue generated from Eucalyptus plantation remains in few hands of the community. It was found out that project is not socially acceptable, ecologically viable and economically feasible. The poor are suffering more as they are more dependent on the natural resources that are water and soil. The results showed that wheat production has been reduced from 1350 to 1100 kg per hectare. The results indicated that birds prefer native species (Ziziphus mauritiana 26% and Acacia nilotica 14.6%) over Eucalyptus (2.6%) for nesting. As a result Eucalyptus supports less bird's diversity as compared with native species. Many species of birds, cattle and other wild animals are suffering because of their dependency on water and soil. Government has to look for sustainable and environment friendly alternatives. Moreover introduction of new plant species to an area should be made after careful examination of hydrological and geological conditions of the area by keeping in mind the possible impacts on environment.

Water logging, heavy metals contamination, energy crisis and pest control are some serious environmental problem that affects valuable agriculture lands, production and affect other organisms directly and indirectly. Many convention techniques are used to remediate pests, water logging and heavy metals pollution. However these techniques require extensive operation and management practices. Biotechnology and bioremediation provide some of the most economically and environmentally sound techniques for the environmental pollution. This review paper discusses the potential of Eucalyptus in the remediation of environmental problems.