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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder
Figure 7 – Shannon and Margalef indexes for summer and winter at Keti Bunder
Diversity values
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
2.89
2.38 2.32
2.77
Summer Winter
Season
Shannon Index
Margalef Index
3.3.4 Discussion
More species of reptiles and amphibians were recoded during summer that in
winter at Keti Bunder. Given the hibernating nature of reptiles and amphibians,
thus is not an unusual phenomenon. The evenness of species was greater in
winter than summer presumably because in summer there is more variation in the
available species population
3.3.5 Threats and recommendations
3.3.5.1 Threats
• The increased demand of seafood for export has led to the mechanization
of fishing crafts, which is not only responsible for over-exploitation of
fishery resources but also causing threats to un-targeted vulnerable and
endangered sea turtle species through their entanglement in fishing gears
or accidental capture.
• Due to lack of proper sewage water and solid waste disposal systems,
Keti Bunder area is heavily polluted. Extensive farmland and agricultural
activities are causing pesticides contamination in the sea and ground
water, keeping the fauna of the sea, as well the population of Keti Bunder,
at stake.
• All the lizards and snakes are regarded as poisonous by the locals and
thus are killed on sight, without considering its impacts, ultimately
decreasing the herpetile population.
• Some of the reptilian species, which are protected under IUCN categories,
are killed on roads. The road-kills of Varanus species (Monitor lizards) are
self-evident and are increasing at a rapid scale due to infrastructure and
road construction.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 49 of 188