Untitled - WWF - Pakistan

Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
1.3.3 Reptiles and amphibians
The herpeto-fauna of Indus for All Programme, WWF Pakistan areas was little
studied by early herpetologists (Murray, 1884, 1886; Boulenger, 1890, 1920;
Smith, 1933, 1935, 1943; Minton, 1966; Mertens, 1969; Dubois & Khan, 1979;
Khan, 1979, 1980). Comprehensive studies have not been undertaken and
herpeto-fauna remains marginally explored. This is because the areas are very
wide, extremely difficult with very limited infrastructure and other facilities. The
conditions were even worse in the past and did not encourage the scientists to
venture for studies. Amphibians and reptiles are cold-blooded animals and
therefore are more sensitive to the environmental conditions as compared to
birds and mammals. However, in the recent past, Khan (1989, 1992, 1993, 1997,
1998, 2006), Baig (1988 a, b, c; 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 a, b,
2002); Khan and Baig, (1988, 1992); Khan and Tasnim (1989, 1990); Baig &
Böhme (1991, 1996); Baig and Gvozdik (1998); Auffenberg & Rehman (1993);
Woods et al. (1997) and Shah and Baig (2001) attempted to explore the herpetofauna
of different areas of Pakistan and published their findings, which were
surprisingly, either new to the science or extended the range of several species
which were reported only from the neighboring countries of Pakistan.
Although no extensive studies on the amphibians and reptiles have ever been
conducted in the Programme sites but as per preliminary Baseline report of the
Indus for All Programme sites, conducted by Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman in 2006, 23
species of amphibians and reptiles from Keti Bunder, 31 species from Keenjhar
Lake, 35 species from Chotiari Reservoir and 23 species from Pai Forest, were
reported, based on collection, observation or as a result of interviews with local
people or cited by the earlier authors. The site of Keti Shah, District Sukkur, was
not included in those studies hence; baseline report regarding the herpeto-faunal
assessment of the area is not available.
Detailed herpeto-faunal (amphibians and reptiles) assessment studies conducted
during June 2007, in all the Programme sites recorded through observation and
collection, 20 species of amphibians and reptiles were collected or observed from
Keti Bunder, 17 species from Keenjhar Lake (District Thatta), 28 species from
Chotiari reservoir (District Sanghar), 13 species from Pai forest and 11 species
from Keti Shah. While in discussion with the locals and some earlier literature
citations, the number of amphibian and reptilian species is expected to be much
more than this. Therefore the species likely to be present in the areas have also
been included in the checklist prepared. Keti Shah riverine forest was for the first
time surveyed in terms of amphibian and reptile biodiversity. The studies were
repeated in November 2007 to add species not represented in the earlier studies
to the existing records.
The studies focused on different aspects of amphibian and reptilian biology,
ecology and systematic and also addressed the issues like illegal live reptile
trade, illegal poaching of freshwater turtles and lack of implementation of
Government policies to meet these issues. Measures are also suggested to keep
intact and conserve these vital biodiversity resources in a sustainable manner for
future.
1.3.4 Birds
Data regarding water birds and wetlands of Pakistan mainly comes from
Midwinter waterbed Census conducted regularly from 1987 onwards and
published by IWRB/AWB in the following publications. Perennou and Mundkur,
1992, Perennou et al. 1993; Mundkur and Taylor 1993; Lopez and Mundkur 1997
and Li and Mundkur 2004.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 17 of 165