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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
Pakistan Mammals 2005. Jungle cat and small Indian mongoose are enlisted as
Least Concern (LC) while fishing cat as Vulnerable (VU) in IUCN international
Red List 2006. Jungle cat, Fishing cat and Indian pangolin are protected (P) in
Sindh. Jungle cat and Fishing cat are listed in Appendix II of the Cities Category
2007.
Small mammals: A total of 17 small mammal species were found in Keenjhar
Lake during the whole survey. A total of 14 species were recorded during the
summer survey whilst 10 were recorded during winter. The 17 species found in
the summer represented 4 orders (Rodentia, Insectivora, Lagamorpha and
Chiroptera) and 8 families. Out of the 7 families Muridae was the most abundant
(6 accounts in summer and winter) followed by Erinaceidae. The remaining
families were represented by only one or two species. There is absence of some
families in winter possibly due to migration or hibernation.
Granivores are the most prominent species found in Keenjhar followed by
insectivores with herbivores and omnivores having the same representation. The
majority of the species were recorded from agriculture land (nine species) with
only one being found in open country.
Reptiles and amphibians: Several villages around the Keenjhar Lake were
surveyed during June and November 2007 for the presence of amphibians and
reptiles including Jhol, Haji Hajab Goth, Khau Makan (Sumar, Jakro), Katian Mori,
Goth Bhambroon, Dolatpur, Sonda, Chull, Jhimpir, Chilliya and Amirpir. To
precisely account for the amphibians and reptilian population, several of the small
islands inside the Keenjhar Lake were also included in winter studies consisting
of Dhorarr, Nori Tomb, Gadapirri and Dhor. Both day and night surveys were
conducted for the observation and collection of amphibians and reptiles. As most
of the areas around Keenjhar Lake are plains dominated by interspersed stones,
the author was unable to place pitfall trap in any of the location. Most of the
collection was carried out through hand picking or snake-clutches (Snake-rods).
The terrestrial vegetation in most of the areas is dominated by Prosopis juliflora,
Capparis decidua aphylla, Euphorbia caducifolia, Salvadora spp., with small
patches of Acacia nilotica and Populus euphratica. Aquatic flora of the lake is
comprised of Phragmites karka, Typha angustata, and Persicaria glabra with
submerged and floating vegetation including Nelumbo nucifera, Hydrilla
verticillata and Potamogeton pectinatus. In the agricultural fields around the
Keenjhar Lake, vegetables, sugarcane, rice and maize are grown.
Birds: The summer surveys in the area were undertaken from 14 June 2007 to 17
June 2007 and the winter surveys from 13 January 2008 to 16 January 2008. The
locations visited were the South Western Bank, Western Bank, Southern Bund
Side, Southern and Eastern Bank of the lake and the Jhol Dhand.The figures
show that the number of species collected was higher in the winter than in the
summer. Along with 51 resident birds found in the winter there were 43 winter
birds as well.
Zooplankton: The information collected during this survey was also biased by the
certain temporal, technical and spatial limitations. An endeavor was however
always made to capitalize the available resources and time. Results charted and
compiled in this report have therefore been authenticated through technical
acumen and scientific expertise.
The prawn species Macrobrachium dayanum found in this area is effectively large
in size and, though freshwater basically, it has the physiological capability to
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme
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