Wildlife of Pakistan - Otter Specialist Group

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012EDITORIALPakistan Wildlife Foundation (PWF)was established in June 2010 as anon-profit, conservation organizationby a small group of likemindedconservationists, nature lovers andwildlife ecologists with the missionto enhance awareness among themasses in the country regardingbiodiversity and environment andto change their attitudes towardspositive, sensible and responsibleactions for nature. The foundationwas incorporated with Securities andExchange Commission of Pakistan(SECP) in October, 2010 under theCorporate Universal IdentificationNo. 0073723.Pakistan Wildlife Foundation aimsto provide a platform for the naturelovers, university students andresearchers to share their wildliferelated experiences and ideasbesides help protect, preserve,conserve, management of wildlife,their habitats and their wise andsustainable utilization in thecountry. WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN;a quarterly magazine has beenlaunched to disseminate wildliferelated news, issues, ideas andinformation for wildlife lovers in thecountry and abroad. The magazineencourages wildlife lovers tocommunicate effectively.It also serves as a medium topropagate the national and theindividuals’ achievements and landmarks of interest among youth fornature conservation in Pakistan.Pakistan Wildlife Foundationawards “Best Article Shield” to thewriters on the basis of readers’evaluations to inculcate an interestin communicating among wildlifelovers and young writers.Readers comments, suggestionsand recommendations will be greatlyappreciated by the Editors.A separate section; “Letters toEditor” is allocated in the magazinefor readers’ feedback. The EditorialBoard can be accessed / approachedthrough Emails at;editor@pakwildlife.orginfo@pakwildlife.orgWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN3Observing Marcopolo Sheep (Ovis ammon polii) in Karchenai Nullah, Khunjerab National Park © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Atif YaqubLahoreEmail: atifravian@yahoo.comMuhammad Faizan NaeemLahoreEmail: faizan_naeem2003@yahoo.comWHAT IS WILDLIFE!WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN4When we hear the term "wildlife", itgenerally refers to large ferociousanimals living in jungles and forestssuch as tigers, lions, elephants,wolves, Wild boars, deer's etc. Butin fact, "wildlife" implies to any livingorganism in its natural habitat whichincludes all plants, animals andmicro organisms except cultivatedplants and domesticated animals.From ecological view point, wildlifeis a renewable resource. Wildlifealso includes the flora present inthe forests. Basically the flora is thecollections of plants and fauna, thecollection of animals. Precious plantsand animals are becoming extinct orendangered as a result of clearingof the forests. The forests are hometo many precious species of plantsand animals. In fact, the wealth ofwildlife is so much that we havenot even identified a large numberof the species. Many practices likepoaching, encroaching forestlandfor cultivation and occupation,pollution, etc. have resulted in thedecline in numbers of wildlife, bothflora and fauna.undomesticated state. OxfordAdvanced Learner's Dictionarydefines the term wildlife as animals,birds, insects, etc. that are wildand live in a natural environment.According to the concise Oxforddictionary of zoology, “wildlife isany undomesticated organisms,although the term is sometimesrestricted to wild animals, excludingplants”. Collin's concise dictionaryand thesaurus terms wildlife asflora and fauna. Collin's Englishdictionary refers wildlife as wildlifeanimals and plants collectively.English Collins Dictionary termswildlife as wild animals and plantscollectively. Longman Cambridgeadvanced learner's dictionarydescribes wildlife as animals andplants that grow independentlyof people, usually in naturalconditions. Longman dictionary ofContemporary English AdvancedLearner's dictionary delimits theterm wildlife as animals and plantsgrowing in natural conditions.Dictionary of contemporary Englishquotes wildlife as animals andplants growing in natural conditions.The new International Webster'scomprehensive dictionary of theEnglish language states wildlifeas wild animals, trees and plantsBy far, various experts haveattempted to define the term,“wildlife” in great many ways. Hereis a brief account of how variousexperts quote wildlife.The American heritage dictionaryof the English language defineswildlife as animals and vegetation,especially animals living in a natural,The Pioneer White / African Caper White (Anaphaeis aurota) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Indian Tree Lizard (Calotes versicolor) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWFcollectively, especially as objectsof government conservation.Macmillan dictionary refers wildlifeas animals, birds, and plants thatlive in natural conditions. Saunder'sveterinary dictionary: Animalsrunning unrestrained in a naturalenvironment.deer, moose, birds, etc. Economiczoology – A dictionary of useful &destructive animals coins wildlife aswild animals and plants adding thatthere exists a multi-million dollarwildlife trade.There may be extended views ormay be different angles to limitand delimit the term wildlife. Theabove account, however, enablesus to agree that rapidly growingunderstanding of wildlife is improvingour concepts faster than ever before.No wonder, in future scientists maysuggest normal flora (bacteria andother microorganisms living on wildanimals and plants) as part of thewildlife as well. No one knows whatcomes ahead. The ever increasingscientific understanding of natureand ecology may sometime opennew dimensions to us. To make anagreement, all life forms living innatural habitat are part and parcelof the term “wildlife”. Since allliving things, generally animals andplants, in all natural ecosystems,struggling to survive under variousecological and evolutionary forces,are interrelated and can never beparted; the term wildlife may refer toall of them.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN5According to Alan Gilpin Dictionaryof environmental terms, “A collectiveterm embracing several thousanddifferent species of mammals,birds and reptiles is wildlife. Notwo species respond in preciselythe same manner and degree tothe influences of the environment;the differences in response areaspects of competition, selectionand evolution.” Dictionary ofenvironmental science andengineering quotes, “Wildlifeincludes any animals, bees,butterflies, crustaceans, fish mothsand aquatic or land vegetationwhich forms part of any habitat”.Hanson Dictionary of Ecologydescribes wildlife as collectivelythe non-domesticated vertebrateanimals, except fishes, such asBlack buck (Antilope cervicapra) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Z. B. MirzaIslamabadEmail: zbmirza1936@gmail.comUNDERSTANDING THE SNAKESWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN6Most people fear snakes andseveral attempt to kill them, as theydo not know that they are part ofthe natural ecosystems in which welive. These innocent victims of ourignorance about their important rolein the control of rodents and insectsand as part of food chain are at thetop of the list of designated enemyspecies assumed by us. This briefarticle is intended to provide basicknowledge of our snakes.Basic TypesSnakes live on land and also in thesea. Sea snakes have flattenedtail from both sides and they haveusually very long body. They needlong body as they need more airin their single but very long lung.So they inhale lot of air and gosubmerged to hunt fish. After a lapseof considerably long time they needto come to the surface for anotherlarge quantity of fresh air. They areof course poisonous but I do nothave the information of biting man inour country.pythons have two lungs. Python’sleft lung is much smaller than theright one, which is very long. Snakesinhale lot of air and can keep it inthe lung for a long time. Food gut oresophagus is also long, thin-walledand without any muscles. The preyis not chewed but swallowed headfirst. It is pushed into the esophagusby the forward and backwardmovements of the left and rightlower jaws. Once it down the throatfurther push is brought about bythe body muscles. Stomach startsfrom esophagus without any distinctmark. It is also long and enormous.It is greatly distended when a largeprey is swallowed. The body skinaround it is then stretched and thescales separate from each othershowing the skin beneath. The liver,urinary organs and genital organsare also elongated. The elongatedliver is not lobed. The gall bladderand the pancreas are at the rearpart of the liver. Some organs aremissing in snakes, such as legs,ears, movable eye-lids, nictitatingmembrane, muscles of the eye-ballsand urinary bladder.Snakes swallow, not chewThe lower jaw is loosely attached tothe skull. Front tips of the both lowerjaw bones are also not united witheach other. The lower jaw bonesare joined with the upper jaw withcartilage. This enables a snake toopen it mouth very wide and swallowa bigger size prey. The lower jawLand snakes have rounded tail.Because of elongated body someinternal organs of snakes are alsomore or less elongate both in landas well as in sea snakes. The heartis slender or longish. There is onlyone lung in most snakes, whichis very long. The lung forms an airsac towards tail end. This allowsair storage. However, boas andIndian Cobra (Naja naja) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012bones, the palate and the upperjaws have backwardly pointed teeth.In case of poisonous snakes fangsare present on the upper jaws. Thelower jaw bones work alternatelyforward and backwards, enabling thebackwardly curved teeth to hook thefood into the throat. It is then pushedinto the neck portion by the wrigglingmovement of the neck part of thebody. Location of the food remainsvisible as a bulge for two day orthree or for more days, dependingon the size of the food, until it isconsiderably degraded or dissolvedin the stomach and pushed into theintestine for digestion of soft parts.The food is digested in swallowed‘Myna’ or pigeon takes more thanten days to be digested in summermonths. After that defecation isdone in a slime covering. Thebones, feathers, scales and hair arenot digested.How the non poisonous snakeskill?The prey is killed before it isswallowed. The python seizes itsprey with a sudden dart of the head.It is held firm with its strong, sharpand backwardly curved teeth. Nextthe body is wrapped round the preytwo or three or more times. Theprey is constricted strongly by themuscular body of the snake so that itis suffocated and its blood circulationis blocked. The snakes have singleset of muscles from head to tail onboth upper sides of the vertebralcolumn that makes the constrictionvery strong. After several minute thepressure is released and the deadprey is held from its head.How the poisonous snakes kill?The poisonous snakes have fangson front side of their upper jawinstead of having a row of teeth.These are long hollow and sharp.The venom tube opens at thebase of these teeth. The venom isinjected deep into the body of thevictim, which dies not far from thesnake depending on the amount ofvenom injected. If the prey managesto run away for a distance or entersa burrow and dies after a lapse oftime it is located by the snake.How they prey is retrieved?Snakes have long slender tongue,which is bifurcated at the frontend. Each part of the tongue has apointed tip. The rear end of is lodgedin a sac. The sac has muscles on theouter side, which pull the sac forwardwhen ever the tongue is protrudedout of the mouth. The scale at thetip of the mouth has concave loweredge. That enables the tongue tocome out without opening the mouth.An alert snake protrudes its tonguefrequently and fast as well. The tipsof the tongue are chemo and thermosensitive. The sensation of slightvariation in outside temperature andthe chemical particles of odour orsmell are carried by the tips of thetongue and touched in a pit in thefront upper part of the palate or theroof of the mouth called Jacobson’sorgan. The sensitive lining of theJacobson’s organ transmits to thebrain the taste or smell and the slightvariation of temperature througha nerve. The snakes can find theirprey even in complete darkness byfeeling the heat left on ground by aprey short time ago. Himalayan PitViper has even two additional pitsbetween the nostrils and the eyes.These pits have the same sensitivityas the Jacobson’s organ. The snakecomes to know when any thingpasses by even when it is not alert.The same quality keeps the pairs incontact. Also this helps in escapinga predator much before a predatorwould discover it.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN7Line Drawing of a Snake JawThe dead prey is then swallowedhead first. The snake venom isdigestive in nature and helpsdissolving of the body of the preyfaster in the stomach. The snakesdo not feed if large food is presentin their body. During the winter

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN8Blanford’s worm snake (Leptotyphlops blanfordii) © Dr. M. S. Khansleep snakes do not need to eat atall. Even when some snakes comeout of their burrows during sunnydays in winter, they may not eat forseveral days.LocomotionBeing without legs snakes notonly have fast or slow locomotionbut also several of these are goodclimbers. Several species are goodswimmers. Many terrestrial snakesare also good swimmers. Somespecies like to be in water to keepcool, seek shelter or to hunt fish,toads, frogs and giant water bugs.Python prefers to remain completelysubmerged in water in summerseason during the day time to keepcool. It may keep its eyes and nostrilsabove the surface to catch a preyon the surface or at the edge of thewater. Out of water it creeps straightwithout undulating. Ribs, musclesand skin move the body forward.Groups of ribs on both sides movealternately by lifting and loweringthe skin and scutes of that side.Each group of ventral scutes giveswalking movement of legs. Manygroups of ribs on each side of thebody produce waves and the bodymoves forward. This movement isnever rapid.Most snakes show undulatingmovement. The snake anchors itshind part of the body to the groundand front portion is stretchedforward. The front part of the bodyis then anchored to the ground andhind part comes forward. This isdone with undulating movement ofthe long body.Some snakes move sideward as thebody forms a loop on one side only,which is held fast to the ground.The rest of the body is raised abovethe ground. The whole body thenpasses though this point of contactto the ground. When the tail endreaches this point at that time thefront end of the body touches theground and the same process goeson. This is achieved through the fastgroup movements of the ribs.BreedingMajority snakes lay eggs. The eggsare covered with soft but strongmembrane. Some few snake thatgive birth to tiny snakes. Theirembryonic stage is completed whilethe egg is still in the body. So thetiny snakes hatch out of the eggsshort before their birth. Femalesnake stops feeding much beforeegg-laying. It finds a suitable placefor egg laying and remains therepassively. Longish eggs are laid. Theeggs are hatched with atmosphericwarmth. If the weather is cool theembryonic development slowsdown. In warmer weather incubationis faster. Usually most snakes eggshatching is between 30 to 50 days.Parent snakes do not play any rolein the incubation. However, pythonfemale keeps her eggs under hercoiled body. While sitting on theeggs the female often expands andcontracts its body to produce heatfor the eggs. It may even go in thesun to warm its body and to transfersome heat to the eggs.GrowthYoung snakes do not dependon their parents and look afterthemselves, although they have toface many enemies as comparedto the adult snakes. They are moreactive than the adults and growfaster. A snake keeps growingthrough out its life. However, thegrowth rate slows down with age.Young snakes hunt frequently. Firstthey eat small creatures and insectsand as they grow they catch biggeranimals. The skin of a snake is dryand without glands. Outer part ofthe skin forms scales which protectits body. With the wear and tear ofthe outer part of the skin it becomesdead. The covering of the skin overthe eyes does not remain clearlytransparent. Snake’s skin is highlysensitive but this sensitivity also

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012VisionSaw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) © Syed Shamim Fakhri, ZSDfades and finishes with the deathof the outer cells of the skin. Thesnake becomes passive for a weekor two. The dead skin is removedby expanding and contracting thebody. The snake opens and closesits mouth and rubs its body tohard any surface. First the skin isremoved from the head. Suddenlythe vision becomes sharp as thedull eye covering is removed. Withthat the snake becomes agile andthe dead skin is peeled off inside outfrom head to tail. Bright and glossycolour pattern of the body appearsagain. The snake becomes againactive for hunting. The first removalof the dead outer skin takes placein early part of the life when bodygrowth rate is faster. This occurs infirst one week or so after hatching.Afterwards the dead skin is removedwith the growth of the body once,twice or even three times during thesummer season.Snakes have no external earsA snake has no external and middleear. So it cannot hear. However, asthe bones of the middle ear havebecome connected with jaw bonewhich are normally attached tothe ear drum. As the under part ofthe head and the body are directlyplaced on ground any vibration fromany movement or scratching on theground nearby is communicatedfrom the lower jaw to the brainthrough the auditory nerve whichis connected to the internal ear. If asnake happens to be lying on a floor,any music or sound will not affect it.But if a chair is dragged on the floorthe snake will respond immediatelyby its body movement. Swaying ofCobra with the snake charmer’s fluteis not because the cobra has enjoyedthe music. The snake charmer firstprovokes the cobra in his basket.The excited snake expands its hoodand exhales loudly, at the sametime darts its head forward to bluffand frighten away the provoker. Asthe sensitive ventral plates belowthe neck receive sound waves ofthe flute the upset snake focuses itsattention on to the flute.It moves its head as the snakecharmer sways the flute.Eyes are placed on the sides of thehead, so these can see on bothsides, but both are unable to focuson an object together like we do.Each eye has its own independentfocusing. Snake makes its lensto move forward or backward tofocus. Snake’s lenses are yellowwhich helps in night vision. Its eyesight is not sharp. It can detectmoving creatures, however, thingsnot moving become difficult torecognize, unless they are closeenough to be felt by their heat.Body temperatureThe body temperature of snakerises or decreases with the riseor decrease of surroundingtemperature. In winter days, as theatmospheric temperature lowers, thesnakes cannot remain active as theirbody temperature also decreases.They look for some shelter from coldtemperatures of the night in someburrow or heap of dead leaves.They remain passive in that placefor the winter months. The bodyneeds much less energy. However,even slow functioning of the bodysystems some energy is consumed.This energy is transferred frombody fat. In late spring or earlysummer with the rise of atmospherictemperature their body temperaturealso rises. The snakes come outof their wintering places to look forfood as their body has no fat.Poisonous or Non poisonousMajority snakes found in Pakistanare non-venomous. Only threecategories are venomous. Thesecategories are Cobra, Krait andVipers. The basic difference inpoisonous snakes is that these injectWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN9

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN10poison in the victim through largefangs. The fangs are large size pairof inwardly folding sharp and hollowteeth at the anterior end of upperjaw. Rest of the upper jaw is withoutteeth. In non poisonous snakes theupper jaw has number of fixed teethand no fangs. A poisonous has apoison gland and a poison pouchor sac little below and behind theeyes. A venom tube joins the venompouch with the base of the fang. Thepoison gland secretes poison intothe pouch. When a snake opens itsmouth to attack the poison pouch ispressed by a set of muscles whichare attached to lower jaw and theside of the skull.Cobra spreads its hood when excitedof frightened. If a dead specimen isexamined closely, preferably with ahand lens, 3rd and 4th upper labialscale touch the eye and the 4thupper labial scale is the largest.Krait is a glossy dark brown or blacksnake with white cross streaks. If adead specimen examined closely,the mid dorsal row of scales ishexagonal and these scales arelarger than the side scales.Vipers have arrow head. If a deadspecimen examined closely, thescales on the head are similar to thescales on the back side of the body.These also overlap each other onhind side.Snakes avoid biting humansNormally a snake would avoid aperson coming closer. It would getwaves of the steps of an approachingperson through the ground. It wouldtend to creep away. A viper mighttake defensive posture out of fear. Aperson gets bitten if he steps on asnake or steps too close to it. Kraitwould never bite during the daytime even stepped on or tortured orhandled.Snake bite symptomsIf a person is bitten by a cobra, heartbeat and breathing slows down.Death can come in a day if full doseof venom is injected in the blood.If a person is bitten by a Krait, the biteis slightly painful for a short period,and then it becomes painless. Thevenom is toxic to nervous system.The victim gets paralyzed and deathmay come very soon or as quicklyas 4 - 10 hours, if full dose of venomhas gone in the blood.If a person is bitten by a viper soonbleeding starts due to hemorrhageof capillaries of soft parts like insidethe nose or throat. Death can comein less than an hour if the victim gotfull dose of venom injected in theblood.If a person is bitten by a nonpoisonous snake, it is safe but if thebitten person is ignorant about thefacts he or she might react in fearand may be panic.Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) © Dr. M. S. Khan

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Waseem Ahmad KhanIslamabadEmail: khanwa@hotmail.comNATIONAL PARKS IN PAKISTANPakistan hosts a wide range ofecosystem / habitat types andassociated biological diversitydue to its unique geographicaland climatic conditions. There aresnow covered peaks, permanentsnowfields, lush green as well asbarren mountains, forests, irrigatedplains, riverine tracts, sand dunesand deserts and coastal areas. Forthe conservation of such naturalassets, a national governmentdeclares some specific areas as theprotected areas. Protected areasare thosewhere the representativeecosystems, fauna and flora areprotected and maintained under thenatural conditions. Five categoriesof protected areas have beenrecognized in Pakistan that include;national parks, wildlife sanctuaries,game reserves, private gamereserves and community controlledhunting areas / communityconservation areas.fauna in natural state and protectedfrom hunting, cutting of vegetation,developmental activities andpollutionHistory of National ParksThe idea for the establishment ofa national park came from WilliamWordsworth (1810), who describedthe Lake District as a sort of nationalproperty, George Catlin (1832), whowrote about preserving the NativeAmericans in a magnificent park - Anation’s park containing man andbeast in all the wild and freshnessof their nature’s beauty. The firstpractical effort by any governmentwas in USA on April 20, 1832, whenPresident Andrew Jackson signedthe legislation to establish HotSpring Reservation in Arkansas toprotect the natural, thermal springsand adjoining mountainsides. Thenext effort was again in USA on June30, 1864 by President AbrahamLincoln ceding the Yosemite Valleyand Mariposa Grove to the state ofCalifornia. The first ever nationalpark in the world was YellowstoneNational Park (USA) established in1872.National Parks in PakistanThere are now 6,555 national parksworldwide and 21 exist in Pakistanrepresenting different ecologicalregions of the country and coveringabout 29,589 km², about 3 % ofthe total area (10,060,96 km²) ofthe country. A century after theestablishment of first national park,LalSohanranational park was theWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN11National parkA national park is not likeaacityparkor public garden withfencedboundaries and having play grounds,picnic spots, jogging and walkingtracks etc. Rather it is a reserve ofland usually declared and ownedby a national government,meantfor the protection and preservationof the outstanding scenery, naturallandscape, majestic and aweinspiringplaces, natural flora andA view of Hingol National Park © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012first to be established in Pakistan in1972. The largest national park is theNortheast Greenland National Park,located in Greenlandand coveringan area of 972,000 km².Minimumrequired area for a national parkis 1000 acre (04 km²) and such anational park exists in Pakistan thatis ToliPir National Park located inPoonch district of AJ&K. Nationalparks in Pakistan are;Purpose and Objectives ofNational ParksProtection of biodiversity is themain purpose for the establishmentof a national park however, being01. Margallah Hills National Park: Islamabad, established 1980, area 15,883 ha.02. Hazarganji Chiltan National Park: Balochistan, established 1980, area 15,555 ha.03. Hingol National Park: Balochistan, established 1997, area 6, 19,043 ha.04. Kirthar National Park: Sindh, established 1974, area 3, 08,733 ha.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN05. Ayubia National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1984, area 3,122 ha.06. Chitral Gol National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1984, area 7,750 ha.07. Sheikh Badin National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1999, area 15,540 ha.08. Saiful Maluk National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 2003, area 12,026 ha.09. Lulosar Dodipat National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 2003, area 75,058 ha.10. Broghil Valley National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established August 25, 2010, Area 134,744 ha.1211. Khunjerab National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1975, area 2, 27,143 ha.12. Hunderab Shandoor National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 1, 65,000 ha.13. Deosai National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 3, 63,600 ha.14. Central Karakoram National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 9, 73,845 ha.15. Qurumber National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established August 2, 2011, area 74,000 ha.16. Machhiara National Park: AJ & K, established 1996, area 13,532 ha.17. Ghamot National Park: AJ & K, established 2004, area 27,271 ha.18. Pir Lasoorha National Park: AJ & K, established 2005, area 1,580 ha.19. Toli Pir National Park: AJ & K, established 2005, area 1,000 ha.20. Musk Deer Gorez National Park: AJ & K, established 2007, area 52,815 ha.21. Deva Vatala National Park: AJ & K, established 2007, area 2,993 ha.22. Poonch River Mahaseer National Park: AJ & K, established 201123. Lal Suhanra National Park: Punjab, established 1972, area 51,368 ha.24. Chinji National Park: Punjab, established 1987, area 6, 097 ha.25. Kala Chitta National Park: Punjab, established Dec. 2008, area 36,965 ha.26. Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park: Punjab, established Sep. 2009

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012A view of Khunjerb National Park © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWFbiologically, geologically andculturally important, the nationalparks also serve to cater foreducation, recreation and scientificpurposes for the public. Peoplevisit the parks to see and share thewonders of their land and to learnabout the forces and the peoplewho have shaped it through thecenturies. Outstanding scenery,majestic places, natural flora andfauna in natural state renderspositive impacts on visitors’ mindthus helping divert a nation’s attitudetowards a healthy tract. Nationalparks ensure the preservation ofnational natural heritage, cultureand monuments, and present themto the public.Role of National Parks in NatureConservationDue to the growing threats to naturelike global warming, populationexpansion, habitat destruction andworldwide reduction of biologicaldiversity, the national parks are nowbeing considered as the ecologicallaboratories, gene pools andbulwarks against the irreversiblechange or the loss of species andhence, preserving the nature andensuring the ecological health of theplanet. National parks are the idealplaces for eco-tourism, tracking,bird and animal watch and naturephotography. National parks withtheir lush green forest componentsneutralize the carbon emissions inthe surrounding environments.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN13A view of Hingol River, Hingol National Park © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Mohammad Naeem BhattiLahoreEmail: dgwildlife@gmail.comWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANWILDLIFE AND PARKS DEPARTMENTPUNJABINTRODUCTIONPunjab Wildlife & Parks Departmentwas established as GameDepartment in 1934. It served in thiscapacity under various departmentsand finally in 1973 it was given thestatus of attached Department ofForestry, Wildlife, Fisheries andTourism Department. Accordingly,the responsibilities of the Departmentwere re-fixed from sport huntingto entire focus on sustainablemanagement, conservation,propagation and protection ofwildlife under the umbrella of PunjabWildlife Protection, Preservation,Conservation and Management Act,1974. With considerable share ofwildlife diversity from the world, theDepartment prioritized its functionsas determined under the saidWildlife Act: -i. ProtectionControl illegal hunting /poachingii.PreservationCaptive breedingiii. ConservationEnsure survival of Wildlife innatural habitat14Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE DIVERSITY OF PUNJAB (Share from World)SPECIES WORLD PAKISTAN PUNJABMammals 4327 188 (4.3%) 56 (30%)Birds 8700 666 (7.7%) 434 (65%)Reptiles 5500 174 (5.5%) 69 (40%)Total 18527 1028 559iv. Managementa) PlanningDeclaration of protected areas& their management planning.b) RegulationsRegulate hunting forsustainable yield.Extension and AwarenessCampaign.c) Monitoring & EvaluationResearch, Census & SurveysAs sole provincial wildlifeconservation entity, 65-protectedareas (Wildlife Sanctuaries-37,Wildlife Parks-4, Game Reserves-24covering an area of 9.686 millionacres were established. A chainof 16-Wildlife Breeding Centres /Zoos was established to preservecritically endangered speciesthrough captive breeding. Strictenforcement of Wildlife Act wasensured and vigorous publicitycampaign was launched to motivatepublic for wildlife resourcesmanagement. Within budgetaryand establishment limitations, theDepartment succeeded to conservewildlife resources of the provinceto a considerable extent. Trophyhunting, establishment of privategame reserves / breeding farms,sale of surplus stock and arrangedsport hunting were introduced byDepartment as new initiatives.Wildlife diversity profile of protectedareas of Punjab province is asunder:-As sole provincial wildlifeconservation entity, 65-protectedareas (Wildlife Sanctuaries-37,Wildlife Parks-4, Game Reserves-24covering an area of 9.686 millionacres were established. A chainof 16-Wildlife Breeding Centres /Zoos was established to preservecritically endangered speciesthrough captive breeding. Strictenforcement of Wildlife Act wasensured and vigorous publicitycampaign was launched to motivatepublic for wildlife resourcesmanagement. Within budgetaryand establishment limitations, theDepartment succeeded to conservewildlife resources of the provinceto a considerable extent. Trophyhunting, establishment of privategame reserves / breeding farms,sale of surplus stock and arrangedsport hunting were introduced byDepartment as new initiatives.Wildlife diversity profile of protectedareas of Punjab province is asunder:-WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN15PROTECTED AREASCategory Area in (Acres) Associated Wildlife1 NationalParks2 WildlifeSanctuaries3 GameReserves04 268917 excludingMurree,Kahuta Kotli SatianNational Park.37 490744excluding HeadPanjnad Pond area24 7533878excluding BorderBelt area of 05mile strip.Total 65 8293539(24012Km2)Common Leopard, snow Leopard, Barking Deer, RhesusMonkey, Urial, Francolins, Falcons, Chukar, See see partridge,Song birds, Snakes and Lizards.Urial, Barking deer, Common Leopard, Snow Leopard, RhesusMonkey, Wolf, Hare, Porcupine, Caracal cat, White headed duck,Flamingo, Cranes, Spoon bill, Storks, Waterfowl, Partridges,Falcons, Song birds, Snakes and Lizards.Urial, Barking deer, Nilgai, Chinkara, Fox, Common Leopard,Snow Leopard, Rhesus Monkey, Wolf, Hare, Porcupine, CaracalCat, White headed duck, Flamingo, Cranes, Spoon bill, Storks,Waterfowl, Partridges, Falcons, Houbara Bustard, Great IndianBustard, Song birds, Snakes and Lizards.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Babar KhanGilgitEmail: babarwwf@yahoo.comWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN18BIODIVERITY OF GILGIT-BALTISTANPotential, challenges and opportunitiesGilgit-Baltistan (GB) formerlyknown as “Northern Areas” ofPakistan, lyingin the extreme northof Pakistan (75 08 48.12 E & 37 0047.33 N to 77 41 11.82 E & 35 2726.06 N) iscomprising of territory ofseven districts amidst Karakoram,Himalayas, Pamir and HinduKush mountain ranges. It bordersPakistan’s Khyber Pukhtunkhwaprovince to the west, Afghanistan’sWakhan Corridor to the north, Chinato the east and northeast, AzadKashmir to the southwest, andIndian-administered Jammu andKashmir to the southeast. GB coversan area of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²)and is highly mountainous. It has anestimated population approaching1,000,000. Its administrative centeris the city of Gilgit.Gilgit-Baltistan is unique in its wildliferesources;bird fauna in particularis of special importance. Its alpineand sub-alpine pastures are rich inplants of medicinal and economicimportance. Mountains in thisregionoffer the primary watershedsthat addfreshwater toIndus River,the lifeline of Pakistan.Infiniteresources, gorgeouslandscape,towering watersheds, famousglaciers, gigantic rivers, energeticstreams, lively forests, prettypastures and rangelands, that’swhat GB is all about.The Hindu Kush Mountains, theclimber’s paradise, lies at northwestof the Karakoram, andextends eastward into Afghanistan.With the assemblage of 35 skyhighpeaks, each over 24,000feet (7,315m),many of them evenexceeding 26,000 feet (7,925 m),K-2 (Mt. Godwin Austin) being thehighest of them, second largest in theworld after Mt. Everest,GB lures theattention of nature lovers worldwide;internationally known famous touristspots attract thousands of touristsevery year, thus contributing toeconomic growth at regional as wellas national level.This region is known to have thelargest mass of glaciers afterNorthand South poles; Siachen (75km), Hisper (61 km), Biafo (60km), Baltoro (68 km), Batura (64km), Kurumbar (5 km), etc. Snowmelts trickling down the cheeksof the glaciers and peaks feedhigh altitude lakes, streams andrivers and serve as major sourceof freshwater for drinking, industry,agriculture and hydropowergeneration. Gilgit, Hunza, Ghizer,Astore, Shigar and Shyoke riversmake almost 72% of the total annualinflux into the Indus, definitely thebackbone of agro-based nationaleconomy. Freshwater lakes, riversand streams also provide habitatsto native and exotic species offreshwater fish. Rainbow and Browntrout are abundant in the rivers andlakes of Gilgit, Ghizer and Skarduvalleys. The area is also famous forhigh altitude lakes and wetlands.Hundreds of lakes, such as Uttar,Karambar, Seosar, Handrap,Baha, Shandur, Phander, Gasho,Naltar, Rash, Shimshal, Pamir,etc. are important not only socioeconomicallybut also ecologically,and host a number of migratory birdsand waterfowls during the winterand spring migration seasons.These all resources are a source ofinspiration for tourists, researchers,scientists,educationists,archeologists, gelogists, etc. Withincrease in human population,poverty, socio-economic constraintsof the locals, and mismanagementBlack and White Glaciars in Khunjerb National Park © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012of the forest ecosystems. Carbonsink, carbon credit, mild climate,food and shelter to wildlife andaesthetics are also some of theirinvaluable non tangible benefits.Forests also stabilize slopes andcontrol soil erosion, landslides andsiltation into downstream preciousdams and water reservoirs.Himalayam Rock Agama (Laudakia himalayana) © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWFand over-exploitation of thesenatural resources, their associatedbiodiversity has also been affected.Acute efforts are needed to boostthe socio-economic status of thepeople living in GB, and to link theirearnings to the conservation ofthese assets is the need of the hour.Forest and rangeland resourcesthat constitute4.4 % and 22%of GB respectively, host richbiodiversity.Most of this comprisesof threatened species of wildanimals and plants as well as somespecies that are endemic to theKarakoram, Himalayas and HinduKush mountain ranges only. Naturalforests being primary watershedsof Indus River regulate freshwaterfor drinking, agriculture, industryand hydro power generation. Highvalued timber, firewood, medicinalherbs, food and fiber, worth millionsare amongst other tangible benefitsThe natural forest in the GB coversan area of 2884.99 sq km (4.1% ofthe total land), which falls under twobroad categories, viz., private forestand state owned forest. The area ofprivate forest is around 1253.56 sqkm (3.2%) and state owned forestis 652.77 sq km (0.9%). The naturalforest is mainly in Diamer, southernparts of Gilgit, Punial area of Ghizerand few pockets in Baltistan district(NASSD 2003). Private forests aremostly in Chilas, Darel and Tangirwhile government protected forestsare in Astore, Skardu, Ganche, Gilgitand Ghizer districts of GB.Despite rigorous efforts by thecustodian department and theprivate sector, the forests areconfronted by wide array ofthreats and pressures. Directcauses of the forest degradationand loss are due to excessiveexploitation of forest resourcesfor commercial and subsistencepurposes, encroachment andwildfire. Besides this, populationgrowth, inequity, climatic change,poverty and insecure land tenure;indirectly degrade the forestecosystems. Both direct and indirectcauses are aggravated by poorforest management and planning,insufficient institutional capacities,inappropriate forest management,legal and administrative constraintsand lack of appropriate strategiesfor managing forest resources.People living in remote valleysnearer to forests and rangelands areoften poor and hence depend largelyon local forests for subsistence andlivelihood. As a result, with increasein population and resultantlyWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN19Golden Mormat (Mormota caudata) © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN20demand for more food, spaceand shelter; encroachment, forestlands conversion, illicit cutting,over grazing and introduction ofexotics have increased puttingmore pressure on natural forest andrangelands.Gilgit-Baltistan is a living museum.It harbors a range of approximately230 species of birds, 54 species ofmammals, 23 species of reptiles,20 species of fish and 6 species ofamphibians. Astore valley is calledthe store house of medicinal plants.Deosai plains, adjacent to Astore isknown to have over 10,000 speciesof wild plants, almost 50% areendemic to Karakorum – Himalayanmountain ranges. The governmenthas established a network of 19Protected Areas and 26 CommunityManaged Conservation Areas(CMCA) covering about 28% of thetotal area to protect and managethe precious wild resources ofthe area. Khunjerab NationalPark, for instance is a significantbiodiversity hotspot in the colddesert eco-region. Snow leopard,Himalayan Ibex, Marcoplo sheep,Blue sheep, Astoremakhor, Muskdeer, Tibetan wild ass, Ladakhurial,Wolf, Brown bear, Black bearand lynx are amongst key wildlifeinhabitants of the area. MajorBirdlife species include waterfowls,resident birds, birds of prey andpheasants. Community basedwildlife conservation has become agreat success. Through communitybased trophy hunting program, bothgovernment and local communitieshave earned huge amounts tocater for their social, economic andenvironmental needs. Currently, thetrophy hunting fee for Himalayanibex, Blue sheep and AstoreMarkhoris 5000, 8000 and 50000 USD,respectively. Eighty percent of therevenue from GB goes to localcommunities, whereas 20% is takenby the custodian department forvigilance and regulation. Thoughthe area is also rich in bird, wildlifeand fish resources, but appropriatemechanism for their effectiveconservation and sustainableharvest is yet to be introduced.The treasures of this region are atstake. This can be estimated byongoing activities such as holdingfestivities and cultural events inthe ecologically sensitive areaswithout adequate prior care andNorth-Pakistan Agama (Laudakia pakistanica) © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWFprotective measure,continuousdumping of solid wastes bytouristsin snow covered peaks andglaciers,uncontrolled hunting andexcessive fishing, etc. All of these, ifremain unchecked, we may depriveour future generations to enjoy theaesthetic, ecological and economicvalues of this national treasure.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Abdul Aleem ChaudaryLahoreEmail: aleemc1@gmail.comIUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIESCategories and CriteriaThe ‘IUCN Red List of ThreatenedSpecies’ is widely recognized asthe most comprehensive, objectiveglobal approach for evaluating theconservation status of plant andanimal species. The IUCN Red Listis mainly used to guide conservationactivities of governments, NGOsand scientific institutions. Thescientifically rigorous approach todetermine risks of extinction thatis applicable to all species, hasbecome a world standard. In orderto produce the IUCN Red List ofThreatened Species, the IUCNSpecies Program works with theIUCN Survival Commission (SSC)and with members of IUCN, drawson and mobilizes a network ofscientists and partner organizationsworking in almost every country inthe world, who collectively hold whatis likely the most complete scientificknowledge base on the biology andconservation status of species.The IUCN Red List Categories andCriteria are extensively reviewed.The revised Categories and Criteria(IUCN Red List Categories andCriteria version 3.1) were adoptedby IUCN Council in February 2000and the revised system came intouse in 2001. Guidelines to usethe IUCN Red List Categories andCriteria are regularly reviewed (therecent most review, Version 8.1;August 2010).The goals of the IUCN Red Listare to:Identify and document those speciesmost in need of conservationattention if global extinction ratesare to be reduced; andProvide a global index of the state ofchange of biodiversity.To achieve these Goals, the IUCNRed List aims to:Establish a baseline from whichto monitor the change in status ofspecies;Provide a global context for theestablishment of conservationpriorities at the local level;Pond heron (Ardeola grayii) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWFMonitor, on a continuing basis, thestatus of a representative selectionof species (as biodiversity indicators)that cover all the major ecosystemsof the world.Nature of the categoriesThere are nine clearly definedcategories into which every taxonin the world (excluding microorganisms)can be classified (FigureWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN21

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012assessed as LC and informationabout them has been documented,although these taxa have not beenreferred to as “red-listed”. This isespecially important, for example,for taxa that were Red-listed in anearlier edition, but have since beendown-listed.Following is a brief description ofIUCN Red List Categories:EXTINCT (EX)WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN22Hume’s Wheateer () © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF2.1). Complete definitions of thecategories are given in the Boxbelow:The first two categories viz., ‘Extinct’and ‘Extinct in the Wild’ are relativelyself-explanatory.Extinct means that there is noreasonable doubt that the lastindividual has died. Extinct in theWild means that the taxon is extinctin its natural habitat.The following three categories,Critically Endangered, Endangeredand Vulnerable, are Red ListGuidelines 8 assigned to taxa onthe basis of quantitative criteriathat are designed to reflect varyingdegrees of threat of extinction.The category Near Threatened isapplied to taxa that do not qualify asthreatened now, but may be closeto qualifying as threatened. Thecategory Least Concern is applied totaxa that do not qualify (and are notclose to qualifying) as threatened ornear threatened.The remaining two categories do notreflect the threat status of taxa. Thecategory Data Deficient highlightstaxa for which sufficient informationis lacking to make a sound statusassessment. The inclination toassess taxa as Data Deficientmay be very strong; it should beemphasized that assessors mustuse all data available in full whenmaking a Red List assessment.Precise information on scarce taxais usually lacking, and although thecriteria are highly quantitative anddefined, one can use projections,assumptions and inferences in orderto place a taxon in the appropriatecategory. Since Data Deficientis not a category of threat, taxaplaced in this category are not soobviously targets for conservationaction, although their needs mightbe very great. Assessors should usewhatever information is availableand relevant to make assessmentsand place taxa into the DataDeficient category only when thereis really no alternative. Guidance onhandling uncertainty is especiallyrelevant in the case of poorly knowntaxa. The category Not Evaluatedapplies to taxa that have not yetbeen evaluated against the Red ListCriteria.Taxa in all of the IUCN Red ListCategories, except LC and NE, arenormally presented in the Red Listand, consequently, are referred toas “red-listed”. The 2003 updateof the IUCN Red List of ThreatenedSpecies and all subsequent updates(available up to 2010) include all taxaA taxon is Extinct when there isno reasonable doubt that the lastindividual has died. A taxon ispresumed Extinct when exhaustivesurveys in known and/or expectedhabitat, at appropriate times (diurnal,seasonal, annual), throughout itshistoric range have failed to recordan individual. Surveys should beover a time frame appropriate to thetaxon’s life cycles and life formEXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW)A taxon is Extinct in the Wild when itis known only to survive in cultivation,in captivity or as a naturalizedpopulation (or populations) welloutside the past range. A taxon ispresumed Extinct in the Wild whenexhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriatetimes (diurnal, seasonal, annual),throughout its historic range havefailed to record an individual.Surveys should be over a time frameappropriate to the taxon’s life cycleand life form.IUCN Red List CategoriesCRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)A taxon is Critically Endangeredwhen the best available evidenceindicates that it meets any ofthe criteria A to E for CriticallyEndangered, and it is thereforeconsidered to be facing an extremelyhigh risk of extinction in the wild.ENDANGERED (EN)A taxon is Endangered when thebest available evidence indicates

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012that it meets any of the criteria A toE for Endangered, and it is thereforeconsidered to be facing a very highrisk of extinction in the wild.VULNERABLE (VU)A taxon is Vulnerable when thebest available evidence indicatesthat it meets any of the criteria A toE for Vulnerable, and it is thereforeconsidered to be facing a high risk ofextinction in the wild.NEAR THREATENED (NT)A taxon is Near Threatened whenit has been evaluated against thecriteria but does not qualify forCritically Endangered, Endangeredor Vulnerable now, but is close toqualifying for or is likely to qualify fora threatened category in the nearfuture.LEAST CONCERN (LC)A taxon is Least Concern when ithas been evaluated against thecriteria and does not qualify forCritically Endangered, Endangered,Vulnerable or Near Threatened.Widespread and abundant taxa areincluded in this category.DATA DEFICIENT (DD)A taxon is Data Deficient when thereis inadequate information to makea direct, or indirect, assessmentA view of Hingol National Park © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWFof its risk of extinction based onits distribution and/or populationstatus. A taxon in this categorymay be well studied, and its biologywell known, but appropriate data onabundance and/or distribution arelacking. Data Deficient is thereforenot a category of threat. Listingof taxa in this category indicatesthat more information is requiredand acknowledges the possibilitythat future research will showthat threatened classification isappropriate. It is important to makepositive use of whatever data areavailable. In many cases great careshould be exercised in choosingbetween DD and a threatened status.If the range of a taxon is suspectedto be relatively circumscribed, ifa considerable period of time haselapsed since the last record of thetaxon, threatened status may wellbe justified.NOT EVALUATED (NE)A taxon is Not Evaluated when it ishas not yet been evaluated againstthe criteria.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN23ExtinctExtinct inthe WildCriticallyEndangeredAdequateDataThreatenedEndangeredIUCNCategoriesEvaluatedNotEvaluatedDataDeficientNotThreatenedLeastConcernVulnerable

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN24Use any of the criteriaA-ECriticallyEndangeredEndangeredA. Population reduction Declines measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generationsA1 ≥ 90% ≥ 70% ≥ 50%A2, A3 & A4 ≥ 80% ≥ 50% ≥ 30%VulnerableA1. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of thereduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND have ceased, based on and specifying any of thefollowing:(a) direct observation(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon(c) a decline in area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or habitat quality(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation(e) effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.A2. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of reductionmay not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under A1.A3. Population reduction projected or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) basedon (b) to (e) under A1.A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population reduction (up to a maximum of 100years) where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the causes of reductionmay not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under A1.B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) AND/OR B2 (area of occupancy)B1. Extent of occurrence(EOO)< 100 km < 5,000 km² < 20,000 km²B2. Area of occupancy(AOO)< 10 km < 500 km² < 2,000 km²AND at least 2 of the following:(a) Severely fragmented, ORNumber of locations = 1 ≤ 5 ≤ 10(b) Continuing decline in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/orquality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals.© Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locationsor subpopulations; (iv) number of mature individualsC. Small population size and declineNumber of mature < 250 < 2,500 < 10,000individualsAND either C1 or C2:C1. An estimatedcontinuing decline of atleast(up to a max. of 100 years in future)25% in 3 years or1 generation20% in 5 years or2 generations10% in 10 years or3 generations

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012C2. A continuing decline AND (a) and/or (b):(a i) Number of matureindividuals in eachsubpopulation:< 50 < 250 < 1,000or< 50 < 250 < 1,000(a ii) % individuals in onesubpopulation =90–100% 95–100% 100%(b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals.D. Very small or restricted population Either:Number of matureindividuals< 50 < 250 D1. < 1,000AND/ORVU D2. Restricted area of occupancy or number of locations with a plausiblefuture threat that could drive the taxon to CR or EX in a very short time.E. Quantitative AnalysisIndicating the probabilityof extinction in the wildto be:≥ 50% in 10 yearsor 3 generations(100 years max.)≥ 20% in 20 yearsor 5 generations(100 years max.)D2. typically:AOO

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Saeed-ul-IslamSangharEmail: saeedislam2001@yahoo.co.ukNaveed Ali SumroSangharEmail:WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN26PITCHER IRRIGATION;EFFICIENT AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SECURITY & NATURE CONSERVATIONSAs agricultureis a dominant drivingforce for economical growth inPakistan, therefore the sustainableoutput of the sector is imperative tostabilize the country. The decliningproductivity status of the sector sincelast pair of decades is alarming topay intensive importance at differentlevels. Along with the water scarcity,irrigation system inefficienciesemerged as the main factorbehind productivity deterioration inagriculture, especially with the perilof conventional water loss up to 40 %and land degradation, that not onlyconsequent food insecurity & povertybut also potent environmentaldegradation leading biodiversitylosses. On other hand a large area(28,170 squire kilometer) of thecountry is arid and characterizedas too dry for conventional & evenrain-fed agriculture (except fewparts). Over a million of desertinhabitant’s livelihood & food needsare threatened by droughts &desertification in account of humanpopulation growth, climate change,over exploitation of rangelands &other desert resources. If currenttrends in population growth continue,there will soon be millions more andthese people will need food, so thewisest course for them is to producetheir own food. The rapid growth insaid issues, presents a strong casefor paying more serious attentionto the repercussions of the existingirrigation means in both human andecological terms.Pitcher irrigation is an indigenoustechnique being used in arid &semi-arid lands across the world.In addition to being water & costefficient,less labor-intensive andmore productive, this irrigationsystem can also extend the growingseason by efficiently providing waterto crops throughout the dry season.This sub-surface irrigation techniqueentails burying an unglazed & porousclay pot encircled with seedlings forcreating a steady supply of moistureinto the root zone under hydrostaticpressure and/or suction to maintainplant growth, minimizing percolation& evaporation losses, and risk ofsalinization by accumulating thesalts at the soil surface & wettedland boundaries, leaving the saltcontent of water in the root zonemore favorable than the salinityPitcher Irrigation in Thar Desert, Sanghar © Haji Mola Bux, IFAP, WWF-P

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Vegetables being harvested through Pitcher Irrigation © Haji Mola Bux, IFAP, WWF-Pof water used in the pitcher. Thuseven saline water can be used forirrigation through this technique.This farmer-friendly & most viablearid zone irrigation system is provedto be water efficient up to 90%(by A.A.Siyal, Sindh AgricultureUniversity) over flood & othersurface irrigation methods. Besidesthat the benefits include, increasedproductivity (2-3 times higher) sincethe plant’s energies are divertedfrom developing root mass neededfor acquiring water, to increasingoverall plant yield, and decreasedsoil erosion & crusting, reductionin weeds, and higher efficiency& reduced rate in application ofpesticides/insecticides & solublefertilizers through the same pitchersas need to be applied only ondefined/cultivated areas.The prospects of this local madeirrigation technique are practicallyhigh in the arid/semi arid regions(e.gThar&Cholistan) of the countrywhere we have limited or no cultivationdue to water scarcity & salinity.Pumped out saline groundwatercan be used to grow creepingcrop such as gourd, pumpkin, andmelon, sponge vegetable “luffa”,coliquentida (requires 2,000-2500pitchers per hectare) and uprightcrops, or crops producing a canopyaround the pot (requires up to 4000pitchers per hectare). A farmer caneasily cultivate about 0.5 hectare(on hand pump or pond) & 1 hectare(on motorpump) through the systemon hand-pump or pond. Six to eightvegetable plants could be grownaround one pot and may be refilledevery few days instead of dailyattention. To prolong the life of thepitcher, the mouth of the pot shouldbe kept closed and the water usedshould be clean.WWF-P Indus for All Programmeteam at Chotiari Wetlands Complexconceived all the existing issuesand in response, established aNature Resource based Enterprisesupported with Pitcher IrrigationTechnique for the herdsmen ofChotiari rangelands, with the titleas “Backyard Gardening throughPitcher Irrigation System”. Theenterprise is intended to establish,financially assist and strengthen aparticipatory community vegetableproduct management enterprise on1 hectares, aimed at sustainablymanage indigenous core livelihoodsource for poverty reduction, foodself-sufficiency and better nutritionof the people of three villages.The selected villages namelyMajeedMangrio, MangioJunejo andRanoJunejo (with 400 population)are located at northern edgesof Chotiari reservoir along withthe widely spread sand dunes ofAchroThar (white desert) and thedwellers are totally dependant onlivestock. The ultimate objectiveof the intervention is to provideinhabitants an alternative to reducetheir dependency on rangelandsthat consequently will support toconserve biodiversity richness of theresource which is being degradeddue to overgrazing, increasedhuman settlements, & decreasedrainfall.After formation, orientationthrough field trips & training of theentrepreneurship comprised ofcommunity member form targetedvillages, an MoU addressingenterprise operations mechanism,WWF role and communitycontributions towards enterprisedevelopment & the conservation ofnatural resources of area rangelandsis signed. The community isprovided with only 1200 pitchers,a hand pump per 400 pitchers &vegetable seed at site, and the landpreparation, pitchers installation,fertilizer (livestock manure) andcrop management & marketing is atcommunity part.The first six month crop yielded anaverage of 10 kilograms (creepingcrop vegetables) per pitcher with anapprox net profit of Rs. 5 per kilogram.With the compiled crop harvest datafrom three villages, a total amount ofRs. 60,000 net profit is recorded thathighly advocates the introductionof Pitcher Irrigation System in arid&semi arid regions at large scalein such a scenario of severe waterscarcity and desertification issuesthat our country is experiencing.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN27

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Waseem Ahmad KhanIslamabadEmail: khanwa@hotmail.comMUD VOLCANOES OF PAKISTANWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN28Nature has blessed Pakistan witha number of geographical wondersand mud volcanoes being one ofthem. Mud Volcanoes also knownas Sedimentary Volcanoes or Gas-Oil Volcanoes are not very famousand not as devastating in actionas their counterpart MagmaticVolcanoesare. They have existedon the face of this planetsincevery beginning but their actualdiscoveries and studies date backonly a few centuries.They are one of the earth’s mostinteresting natural phenomena.They may erupt abruptly andpowerfully vomiting tons of muddybrackish water, which is chemically amixture of water, mud, gases (CH4,C2H6, and SO2),a few elements,some traces of hydrocarbons, oiland some heat energy. The mudvolcanoes therefore have a directlink to gas and oil fields and areexcellent indicators to the presenceof these natural resources.More than 700 mud volcanoes havebeen reported around the world sofar and according to Owais Mughal(2007), the managing editor of ALLTHINGS PAKISTAN - a websitehighlighting Pakistan’s beauty, thereare 18 mud volcanoes in Pakistanand all being located in Balochistan.The earliest account of the presenceof mud volcanoes in Balochistandates back to 1840. The firstsurviving account of their existenceis by Major Frederick John Goldsmithwho wrote a diary of his travels fromKarachi to Gawadar in 1862 wherehe tells about thebubbling springsnear RasKoocheri and the mudvolcanoes near Ormara. There aretwo known groups of mud volcanoesin Balochistanviz.,Chandargupand JablulGhurab. According toOwais Mughal, seven out of 18 mudvolcanoes are located near Sapatpost in Hingol National Park (HNP)and the remaining 11 are locatedbetween Kutch and Gawadar.New Records of Mud Volcanoesin PakistanWhile conducting wildlifesurveysinBabbroKaur and LaksarPlains in the northern HNP duringFebruary 2007 we (a team offive members; the author (teamleader), two wildlife watchers fromBalochistan Forest and WildlifeDepartment and two porters) heardrather strange stories from localresidents about occasional blastsfollowed by fire and smoke in a mudmountain known as KundigoKurt.The last such blast was heardby locals about six months ago.This mountain is not very far fromBabbroKaur and Laksar Plains.Visualizing that these could beactive mud volcanoes, we decidedto investigate the stories.Access to the AreaVisiting the Kundigo KurtMountainisnot an easy task as itfalls in a mountain range where onlythe professional hikers can venture.There are two access routes to theKundigo Kurt Mountain and both arevery difficult; One from Uthal (Tehsilof Lasbela District) - Jhau on RCDHighway leading toKhuzdar / Quetta,branching off atDhalliHinj villagefollowing a dirt track to KukreeBhent(a hamlet) along the AraKaur (AraRiver) in HNP;the other route is fromTraanch valley which is even moredifficult especially its part knownas Dozakh (Hell). KukreeBhent isaccessible riding a four wheel drivejeep only as there are many smallmounds, stony beds, streams andplains. It takes about two and a halfhours to reach KukreeBhent fromActive Mud Volcano in Hingol National Park © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012crater size, irregular in shapeand 1480 ft above sea level.Actively oozing mud.5. Borbroong V: About 3 x 3ft cratersize, circular in shape and 1480ft above sea level and activelyoozing out mud.6. Borbroong VI: About 40 x 60ftcrater size, irregular in shapeand 1470 ft above sea level.Mud was oozing from two pointseach of 2 ft diameter.Active Mud Volcano in Hingol National Park © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWFJhau at RCDHighway (a distanceof only 16 km). From KukreeBhentonwards starts the camel ride forabout eight hours along AraKaurup to PishiBhent and then aboutfour hours walk on footto reach thebase of the KundigoKurtMountain inthe east of AraKaur. It takes abouttwo hours from the base of theKundigoKurtMountainto reach thetop following a very difficult and riskytrack.Our FindingsAfter a tiresome journey of about 12hours both on camel back and on foot,we reached the base of the mountainin the evening therefore spent thatnight there.Climb to the mountaintop started next morning (0700hours).After following the difficultand risky track and passing throughvarious gullies and depressions, wereached the top by 1100 hours andfound seven magnificent and activemud volcanoes within about 150 mlength and 70 m width at the top ofKundigoKurtMountain at 1509 feet(460 m) above sea level and thedeposited extrusions all around. Wetook photographs, GPS coordinatesand measurements of craters ofdifferent volcanoes. We observedgas bubbles rising from the mudin the crater, a network of gullies,ridges and beautifully carved deepgrooves made of mud extrudedfrom the volcanoes by rain and winderosion. We returned to the basecamp at 1600 hours, very tired butjubilant and exited at this new findwhich is the 3rd mud volcano fieldin Pakistan after Chandargup andJablulGhuraband second in HNPlocated at N: 25º 52’ .180” and E:65º 45’ .930”. Local people use theword Borbroong for mud volcano.Wetherefore named these mudvolcanoes as:1. Borbroong I:About 100 x 70ftcrater size, almost roundedinshape and at 1509 ft abovesea level. Mud was oozing fromthree different points each ofabout 2 ft.2. BorbroongII:About 15 x 12 ftcrater size, almost rounded inshape and at 1490 ft above sealevel. Surface was wet, about 5ft deep and mud was not oozing.3. Borbroong III: About 12 x 12 ftcrater size, circular in shape and1480 ft above sea level. Surfacelooked like a spring and mudwith water oozing out.4. Borbroong IV: About 4 x 3ft7. Borbroong VII: About 08 x 08ftcrater size, rounded in shapeand 1470 ft above sea level.Crater was elevated about 3 ftfrom the surface and mud wasoozing.One special thing about these mudvolcanoes is that small glitteringcrystals of gold ranging 5 – 20 mm insize can frequently be seen aroundthe craters. But instead being the realgold these are actually the crystalsof pyrite or iron pyrite (FeS2); an oreof Iron also known as Fool’s Gold.As mud volcanoes have a directlink to gas and oil fields therefore,it is recommended that governmentshould search these naturalresources here but keeping inview that the area falls within theboundaries of a National Park .WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN29A network of Gullies in Mud Mountains, HingolNational Park © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Sharjeel ShehzadIslamabadE-mail: sherjeel1998@yahoo.co.ukROLE OF CHILDRENIN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION!WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN30Wildlife plays a great part in thenatural cycle of the world. To fullyhelp preserve this cycle, we musteducate the children. They are thefuture of the world, and may evenlive to see the first colonies out inspace .Wildlife is important. It helpspreserve culture and teaches usthat we are not the only sentientlife-forms on Earth. It shows us theways other animals and plants use tolive and gives us knowledge of howthey adapt to their surroundings,whether the referred-to surroundingis a desert, a fish pond, a forest, or aschool ground. It gives us a reasonto know about what these otherbeings do for their survival, andhow their ways compare to ours, sosimilar, and yet, so different.Thinking about these goals ofunderstanding the specifics andlives of other wild species, however,we stand at a considerabledisadvantage. The human raceseems impeccably determinednot to let go of its prejudices, anddelusions of grandeur. There aremany sensible people in this world(sensible in matters like these,anyway), of course, but they, asthe poor and poverty-strickenbeggars often-mentioned, are in anunfortunate position, where theiropinions matter little. This, I considerto be a sad (yet horribly true) fact.In a world where power, influence,wealth, among others, matter most,the wildlife is pushed to the farthestcorner, and deprived of a very basicright; that of freedom. Freedom,not in its most literal sense, but inanother sense; a deeper one. Theseanimals that have done nothing todeserve the ruthless hunts, theyare being attacked with. Most ofthese precious species have hadtheir existences wiped from theEarth, and many are on the verge ofextinction. Many of these beings arein no control of what they do, not,at least, in a complete way. Theypossess ostentatious fur costs, and/or a canine desire to tear all fleshpossessingbeings apart. The firstcan be explained with the simpleanswer that this gift was given tothem by God. The second, a desire:to live, and consequently, eat food.The actions of humans actingagainst these possessions cannotbe explained, however. It would bea loss of valuable time to dwell onthe point.It stands to reason that we donot owe these animals anything.Parallel to that, though, it must alsobe remembered that these animalsdo not owe us anything, either.They are faultless in the matter thatman possesses more intelligenceand understanding than they do(not much understanding in thesematters), and that man misuses thatintelligence to lord and overshadowthese beings. This does not meanthat all animals should be treatedequal to or higher than mankind,but they should be treated withappropriate amounts of dignityand respect. In simpler terms, theyshould in no way, shape or form,should be mistreated.Hatchlings of Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) © Syed Shamim Fakhri, ZSD

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012So, therefore, we move to thechildren. As with all life cycles,nothing can sustain itself forever,not even in a physical way, muchless a psychological one. It standsto reason that the children of thisgeneration will be the leaders andmen of the next. Seeing as how wecannot impose laws upon the public,to suffer a one-year sentence ifcaught in any way abusing a wildlifespecies, we have a much morefoolproof and easier-to-implementmethod to go about saving andpreserving the wildlife.The children of this world undergoa lengthy process of education. Itwould be extremely benefiting forthem to understand the morals andvalues-in respect to rights of wildlifeofa good society. They would be ableto garner a deeper understanding ofthe way the world works, and knowwhat basic rights all beings musthave (as previously mentioned).They might even be able to work outways to help and benefit humankind,without harming the environment orthese wild animals and plants. (Thisis something known as sustainabledevelopment, though that is anothertopic.)WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN31Thus, finding out an easy way tohelp wildlife, we conclude that wemust educate the children on all thebenefits, and moral righteousnessof helping the wildlife. As previouslystated, the powers of this generationwill not be able to influence the next.The next generation will be able tocreate more suitable positions andrights for the wildlife. This wouldmean that the animals and plantswould be well protected, pro bonomundum etuniversihominesCommon Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Qamar ZamanMuzaffarabad, AJKEmai: qamarkailvi@gmail.comWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN32HIMALAYAN MUSK DEERMoschus chrysogasterDescriptionHimalayan Musk deer is a smallmember of the deer family, welltailored to the cold environment,having a head-to-body length of 86-100 cm and a weight of 13-18kg.The general body color of the coat,composed of brittle coarse hairs,is a slightly grizzly brown with thelower cheeks, throat and bellybeing whitish. The deer has two tothree distinctive horizontal rows ofpaler creamy spots extending fromshoulders to the pelvic region. Thebody slopes forward, as the hindlegs are almost one third longer thanthe forelegs, causing the height atthe rump to be at least 10 cm abovethe shoulder. This is recognizableby its distinctive jumping movement– more like the leaping steps of akangaroo than a deer. The ears arelarge and rounded, generally linedwith whitish fur. Musk deer haveelongated well-developed uppersaber like canine teeth, which inmales can be up to 10cm long andprotrude beneath the upper lip in afang-like manner. This deer is veryfamous for musk gland or pod.Cause of tradeThe word ‘musk’ derives from theprehistoric Indian word (Sunskrit)Muska meant scrotum or testicles.This is probably due to the musksac of the male musk deer which islocated around their navel close tothe male genital opening. The priceof musk is more than five times theprice of gold in international muskmarket. Traditionally musk deerhave been hunted for centuries inorder to excise/harvest the muskgland or ‘pod’, which, in the liveanimal, may play a role in attractingfemales during heat period. The highvalue of musk has been an incentivefor the illegal hunting of musk deer.These glands contain a dense jellylikeoily substance (about 20-30gm)with strong odor and reddish-browncolor becomes a powdery masswhen dried and gradually turnsblack.Worldwide DistributionThese deer are normally foundsolitary and are highly shy animalsdepending on sense of hearing tolocate sources of danger. Whenfrightened, they make broadleaps and emit a loud double hissif alarmed. They remain mostlyactive between dawn and dusk. Atnight, musk deer can be seen inthe open areas of their habitat asthey graze, while during the day,they remain in dense cover. Theseare sedentary, remaining within adefined home range throughoutthe year and usually do notundertake any seasonal migrationseven in harsh weather conditions.Musk deer (M. chrysogaster) arefound in the western region of theHimalayas, from Afghanistan andPakistan to China, India and Nepalin alpine forest and sub-alpine scrubzone and upper line of coniferousforests at elevations of 2,200-4,300meters on the steep slopes of theHimalayas.Distribution in AJKIn Azad Kashmir, these deers aredistributed through outNeelumValley,some areas of JehlumValley andMusk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Musk pods extracted from Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)Tehsil Haveli of District Bagh. In AzadKashmir Neelum valley is renownedBiodiversity hot spot for outstandingbeauty, intact forests, floral diversityand key wildlife species of thetemperate zone. Its forest is themost outstanding remaining tractof temperate forests in Pakistan.This valley hosts largest knownpopulation of globally threatenedMusk deer Moschuscrysogaster, inPakistan. At present,Neelum Valleyis only the area in which biodiversityis still intact, so for the in-situconservation of the biodiversity ofNeelum, Government of AJK notifiedprotected areas,includingMachiaraNational Park (MNP), Musk DeerNational park (MDNP), GhamotNational Park (GNP) and SalkhalaGame Reserve (SGR). In theseprotected areas musk deer alone gainthe most attraction of internationalcommunity and conservationists.It is very first time in protectedareas history that an area, MuskDeer National Park was notified toconserve this specific species. MNP,Salkhala Game Reserve and MDNPare the areas in which a viablepopulation of Deer is found, alongwith these areas Chogalli, Gahl,Rawtta, Pallri, Dudhnial, Tehjian,RattaPani, Sinjlinalla and Arangkailare its renowned hot spots, whereillegal hunters remain active allround the year..Threats to musk deer Although musk is used forthe treatment of ailments butuse of musk as traditionalmedicine is limited in AJK,which clearly reflects thatinternational commercial illegaltrade is the main reason forhunting. Hunting methods donot discriminate age and sex ofanimals. Musk deer are killedto excise the musk pod foundin mature males for musk podcollection; both females withoutmusk gland, and juveniles,which secrete little musk, arealso killed in illegal harvesting.However, poaching activityfetches US $275–310 per muskpod while selling them to localmarket; hence musk trade, asan economic incentive, posesa major threat to the survival ofthe species. Population of Himalayan muskdeer is on a rapid declinebecause of destruction of itsnatural habitat due to nomadicand local grazers activities,along with unsustainablecommercial logging andextraction of medicinal plantsby the government as well asWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN33Worldwide distribution of Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012fun by the merciless herders.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN34A view of habitat of Musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Neelum Valley, AJK © Qamar Zaman, AJKby the locals. According to theofficial data Neelum ValleyDevelopment board, in additionto local livestock, a total of around150,000 livestock heads enterevery year in NeelumValley fromlowlands for seasonal grazing.These nomads (Bakarwals)invade alpine and sub-alpinepastures of core habitat of muskdeer in June and remain up toSeptember. External nomadsalong with local grazers damagenatural resources and habitatrelentlessly. Habitat degradationis other major threats to survivalof the species. Weak law enforcement is also asevere threat to its population.Weak law enforcement hasmade it easy for poachers andmusk-pod traders to continuetheir illegal activities. Due tosmall size of the musk gland, it iseasy to hide and transport, thusmaking detection of smugglingextremely difficult. Local people of the area couldeasily get the license of gunon the behalf of self defencefrom the relevant DeputyCommissioner, which may beused for hunting the deer. Thisweapon poses a drastic effecton musk deer population, asevery individual could use thegun to kill the deer. Indiscriminate hunting methodssuch as trapping, over shootingand poaching of kids also posesevere decline in its population. Unawareness about its scenic,aesthetic, economic ecologicalimportance and non custodianattitudes of the local communityis also a main cause of declinein musk population.Common methods of hunting Trapping: The hunters dig apit in critical sites of the deer’sterritories, trench tops arecovered by rotten vegetationand small sticks. As a nocturnalhabit deer may move aboutin search of food, during thissearch voyage deer drops intothe pit and get intertwined withtraps. Experienced hunterscould use this method effectivelytrapping the deer. Poaching of kids: This is thewidespread practice of herderswho are very memorable tobreeding grounds of femalemusk deer in the scrub forest,just above tree line. Theyunswervingly locate the smallkids, who could not detect threatand consequently poached as a Shooting: This is a widespreadmethod used by majority ofpoachers, during which, a skilfulhunter, locate the foot trekkingof the deer on snow throughbinocular and exact location ofits day cover is searched. Thena team of hunters come withinreach of the specific site, spreadin a burrow manner, uphill side ofits day hide, one of the memberflush the animal to upwarddirection, as the deer couldnot flee fast in a straight line ordownward due to its kangaroolike leaping, instantaneouslydeer will leap uphill toward thehunter who are already postedthere and ultimately get shotdown.Musk trade in AJKMusk deer are mostly killed for themusk gland found in mature malesaround the genital opening nearthe umbilicus. Many professionalhunters are involved in musk podextraction and trade by killing themusk deer. Local hunters can earnabout US $275– 310 per musk podof 25 g average weight. According toexisting data, in 2000 a total of 26musk pods were sold, in 2001 it wasto 31, in 2002 44,in 2008, 60, and in2009, 70 musk pods were sold fromupper Neelum valley alone. Tawbutt,Pholawai, Kail, Sharda, Dudnyaland Athmuqam are its local marketswhere middlemen purchase the podand sell it in Muzaffarabad; at secondstep illegal traders of Muzaffarabadsell to traders in Rawalpindi, fromwhere, finally handed over to theinternational smugglers in Lahore.Current status within CITEThe international trade in musk deerand its products has been controlledby CITES since 1979 when muskdeer populations in Pakistan waslisted in Appendix1.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Mohammad IrshadIslamabadEmail:mirshad51@hotmail.comBiological Controlin the Context of Insect BiodiversityIn the process of providing foodand fiber to humanity, agricultureis putting serious burden on theenvironment. Agriculture has thecomplex relationship with naturalresources and environment. Insectsdominate pest problems and theinjury by these insects may be sosevere that economic yield of acrop may not be possible. Theseare managed by various meansand one is Biological control. Itis direct or indirect manipulationby man of living natural controlagents to increase their attack onpest species. Biological control isself perpetuating, does not showresistance and with minimal adverseside effects. However, to usebiological control agents is a trickypreposition. In biological control, thewhole ecological niche has to beunderstood.Biological control is the use ofparasitoids, predators or pathogensto attack an insect and reduce itsnumber. It control has been moresuccessful against insect pests ofperennial plants, especially thosepests that feed externally on theplant and are more or less sessilein habit. It does not eradicate thetarget pest.Classical example of biologicalcontrol is of the cottony cushionscale by the ladybird beetle. Thescale had critically ruined the citrusindustry in California, USA by 1880.The scale was found to be nativeof Australia and exploration of thehost country showed that Vadalialadybird beetle fed on this scale. Afew beetles were imported in 1888and 1889 and released. The beetlesmultiplied rapidly and controlled thescale. Since then there had been214 cases of complete or partialbiological control in the world. Manyattempts have failed when launchedin the fields even if successful onexperimental scale.There are various agents. Aparasite is an organism that isusually smaller than the host. Theparasite feeds on its host, usuallyweakening it and sometimes killingit. Parasitoids are special kind ofpredators. A parasitoid is parasitic inits immature stages but is free livingas an adult. Predators are free livingorganisms that feed throughout theirlife on other animals. They kill theirprey. Viruses, bacteria, protozoa,fungi, rikettsia and nematodes infectinsects.Lacewing Insect (Chrysoperla sp.)© Mohammad Irshad, NARCThere are several way of itsuse. Introduction, also known asimportation is often consideredthe classical practice in biologicalcontrol. Augmentation is a practicethat includes any activity designed toincrease numbers or effect of existingnatural enemies. Conservation isallowing natural enemy to build upits population in appreciable numberwhen man removes the detrimentaleffects. These are all methods usedin applied biological control.In Pakistan, work on biologicalcontrol started in 1956 whenCommonwealth Institute ofBiological Control (CIBC) wasestablished. The material massexplored in Pakistan is meager.It includes about 550 insect pestspecies and 600 parasitoid, 200predators and 30 pathogens.There are few outstanding examplesof its use. In sugarcane cropreleases of Epiricrania melanoleucaan ectoparsite were undertakenagainst Pyrilla in Mardan andPeshawar during 1975-76. Itbecame widespread and after alot of advocacy the aerial spraywas stopped and the pest is undersufficient control. This resulted insaving of over Rs 20 million per yearin the cost of insecticides at thattime.The interest of mass rearing ofTrichogramma started in sugarcanearound 1983 with success in Sindh.The success achieved in Sindhhelped to spread among the sugarindustry in other areas of the country.Despite of its importance, rearing ofthis parasitoid in Pakistan has notbeen done as should have been. Afew other examples exists in somecrops in the country.About 30 Million Rupees have sofar been spent on basic work ofbiological control of insect pests.Another 30 million may have beenspent on practical biological controlin Pakistan. With this meageramount the achievements are muchgreater. However more efforts areneeded.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN35

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Syed Iftikhar AhmadKarachiEmail: syediftikharahmed@yahoo.comWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN36BARN OWLA Friend of FarmersINTRODUCTIONThe barn owl with nocturnal lifestyle ghostly white appearance,silent flight, terrifying voice andbirds of ill omen are association withruins or churches and near old wellwhere it likes to nest, have earnedit a place in the folk lore of manycultures. In spite of these charactersowls have been thought of a beingvery wise since the time of ancientGreece .The owl was associatedwith Athena, the Greek goddess ofwisdom .In our country verbally it hasdeep effects .There are many idiomsand phrases, which are directlyconcerned with this Creature and itis true that the idioms and phrasesshow a great role as indicates itsimportance. However, the barn owlis best known for its association isbest known for its association withfarmers .whenever crops are grownlarge population of rates and miceattracts the attention of barn owl .Onthis basis this creature is also knownas “Rodent hunting “barn owl.HABITATThis species is an important predatorof agricultural pests .it is commonlyfound on farmland, in marshes,deserts also occupies uses buildingsuch as barns, church, towers andruins. It is often found in or nearhuman habitations.DISTRIBUTIONopen wells provide daytime shelter.Barn owl is scarce in status .CHARACTERS OF BARN OWLBarn owl can not be mistakenbecause of its heart shaped face andlarge disc shape around the eyes .Itis some time called” Monkey facedowl” .The bill are strongly curved asin other owls the eyes usually black,are forward looking .The head largeand round has no eartuffs. The neckis short and moveable edges of theface mask hide large ear openings.The long and slender legs arefeathered ,claws are strongly curvedas in other owls .The wings are longand board with rounded tips andsoft feathers which make very littlenoise in flight .It is 34 cms in length,with wing spans up to 95 cms .Theweight of the owl is 350 g and visionis better.DIET AND BEHAVIOURFood consists of small Mammals,Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishand large insects, but mainlyrodents and shrews which constitutean average of 80% of all prey. Thebarn owl require 3 to 4 mice daily.They swallow their food and likemany other predators regurgitatethe bones and other indigestibleparts in the form of pellets ,Pelletsare black and smooth on the surface,fairly large (3.5 to 8 cms and about3 cms thick ) and rounded at the tip .movement of impact it closes it eyesto protect .Often kills its prey andswallows it whole from head side.REPRODUCTIONThe barn owl is one of the fewbirds whose eggs can be found thewhole year round .As a rule ,theeggs are laid in April or may .Duringfavourable condition i.e. .When foodsupply is an abundant .The breedingperiod may extend from February toNovember .There is usually only oneclutch a year .Each clutch usuallymay contain 4 to 7 eggs ,accordingto available food supply .It does notmake a nest ,but lays the incubation,a shallow hollow may be found inthe soft earths .The female carryingout all the incubation duties while themale fetches food .The incubationperiod is 30 to 40 days.LONGEVITYBarn owls are fairly long lived .Largerspecies probably live even longer a68 years.The barn owl is the world’s mostwidely distributed species ,rangingthrough North ,Central and SouthAmerica ,Britain and WesternEurope to the Black Sea ,Central andSouthern Africa ,Madagascar ,India,Burma, Australia and Tasmania.In Pakistan found in Sindh andPunjab .In Sindh specially in Karachi,particularly in Malir where deepOwl catch most of the prey in theopen field .During hunting they suitquietly on a low perch .Watchingand listening the noise of rodents, onhearing they rapidly rotate their headuntil the sound registers equally inboth ears .They then directly facetheir prey .When the force of thesound is pin pointed, the barn owlglide silently down towards it .At theBarn Owl (Tyto alba)

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012Mrs. Gulshan Ara MirzaIslamabadEmail: zbmirza1936@gmail.comConservation awarenessof Margallah Hills National park: a success storyEarly start of summer season,late winters, prolonged dry spells,and short rainy seasons startedenvironmental miseries, which wealso share with other nations due toglobal climatic change. Locally weface the abnormalities of less flow ofsurface water, deepening of subsoilwater and short duration flow ofsprings in the mountains. We havebeen attempting remedies ratherthan preventives. That’s why we havemany National Parks, with the hopeto save parts of natural ecosystems.But it remained impossible for us toprevent ever-increasing pressure onour natural resources and naturalecosystems. For many reasonshuman population growth remainsuncontrolled. At the same timemajority population is uneducatedand unskilled and poor, even livesbelow the poverty line. Many ofthese poor communities merelysurvive against starvation andlive unhygienic life. Their negativeimpact on natural environment is ofdifferent nature than that of richerpeople.Margallah Hills National Park hasmore than 125,000 people, nativeto the area, living in 34 village ruralcommunities, within its notifiedboundary. Most of them are poor.Majority of these National Parkdwellers, and several living aroundit, traditionally use natural resourcesof the area, such as fuel wood,fodder, water, land for agricultureand pastures for livestock grazing.This pressure keeps increasing withthe alarming increase of population,making it ever difficult to achieve theobjectives of the National Park.As the ecosystems get degradedor modified by man, the urge tosave nature, at least to see itintact in the National Parks hasaroused determination to addressissues among some nature lovingenthusiasts. The Human Welfareand Nature Conservation Society(HWNCS) decided to interactwith the communities living in theMargallah Hills National Park,to understand and address theirissues, which in turn have negativeimpacts on this ecosystem. Underthis conservation strategy creationof environment awareness was oneof the projects, for which I was giventhe responsibility to take up withthe communities. I chose schoolchildren of class 3 to 7. The agegroups of students in these classesdo not easily forget the message,which is given to them in series ofslide shows. They were educatedon the components of environmentand their functions and linkageswith each other. They were madeto understand the unpleasantconsequences of disturbing thebalance of nature. Also once theylearnt that the denuded lands areslow in replenishment of subsoilWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN37Preparation of beds for kitchen gardening © Gulshan Ara Mirza, Islamabad

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTANwater, they were prepared to takeup tree plantation campaigns, forwhich I gave them training includinggrowing of their own nurseries. Theytook care of the young plants soreligiously that all their young treeslived. HWNCS further increasedthe children’s enthusiasm by givingincentives. The young plantationssurvived the unusual prolongeddry and hot season as the childrenwatered them regularly. Now thereare several trees in open spaces ofthe schools, courtyards and openareas of the villages. The incentivesincluded informative books onscientific topics.The young students were also madeaware that by growing trees theycontributed in addressing severalenvironmental issues at global level,and also at local level. They hopedthat not only their trees will besource of firewood for them but alsotheir wells will no more be going dryin the drought seasons.Poverty alleviation needs sustainedefforts for a long time. However, inthe mean time some regular benefitscan be provided. For this purposeanother well-conceived project,again through the school childrenwas started for these HWNCS projectvillages. Average daily purchases ofpulses and vegetables for cookingper family were estimated. Thismoney was saved, by growingseasonal vegetables in courtyardsof village houses through out theyear. The school children weregiven training in growing vegetablesin their respective schools. Qualityseeds were provided to them fortheir household vegetable beds.Again the children were induced tocompete for the incentive of first,second and third prizes. It wasseen that the whole families gotinvolved for their young daughtersand sons. Soon they were eatingtheir own grown fresh vegetablesinstead of purchasing at least dayold withered vegetables from thevillage shops. During this healthyactivity, the leisure time, which usedto be wasted by sitting idle, wasusefully utilized. Now the householdvegetables growing have becomeroutine in majority of houses in thevillages of Margallah Hills NationalPark.HWNCS celebrated even thesmall achievements of the targetcommunities. Those who arepraised for their work naturally feeldistinct. The others also get filledwith enthusiasm to work to helpthem selves. The villages in theproject area now have their owngrown trees and the green beds ofvegetables in their houses.38Fuel efficient stove © Gulshan Ara Mirza, Islamabad

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHYWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN39Green Bee eater (Merops orientalis) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWFIndian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) with Indus Valley toad (Bufo stomaticus) in its beak © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHYWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN40Skittering frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWFCollared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012UPDATES ON WILDLIFE (NEWS & VIEWS)NEW RECORD FROM SINDHSmooth coated otter (Lutrogaleperspicillata) is a semi-aquaticmammal belonging to the OrderCarnivora and Family Mustellidae.It is known as “Oodh Balao” inUrdu language, “Ludhro” (singular)and “Ludhra” (plural) in Sindhilanguage, “Ludhar” in Punjabi and“Khuwarr Spay” in Pushto language.It inhabits freshwater wetlands,including canals, rivers, lakes etc.and tends to be very secretive andshy in nature. It is nocturnal in habitsbut social and gregarious. Its foodmainly (96%) consists of fish. It isLack of AwarenessAn unfortunate Smooth coated otterhad an accident with a motorbike ona road in Khairpur District of SindhProvince on January 4 th , 2012. Theotter was injured like the motorbikerider and was then taken by a groupof local hooligan boys. The boys tieda rope around the neck of the otterand dragged it through the streets inthe town claiming that they had gothold of a fearful creature. Finally, asa result of the cruel attitude of locals,lack of awareness about wild animalsand violation of animal rights, theinnocent otter died in a miserablecondition. Mr. Ghulam Muhammaddistributed in Punjab, Sindh and afew areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwanear DI Khan along Indus River.According to literature, (Roberts,2005), four cubs per litter arecommon among Smooth coatedotter and five in rare cases.However, more than five cubs perlitter have never been reportedamong Smooth coated otter. Duringa study in 2010 in Sindh Provincefunded by Indus For All Programmeof WWF Pakistan, six otter cubsper litter were found at two differentplaces; first near Jamrau Headworkin Khairpur District and secondly,Gadani, Deputy Conservatorof Wildlife, taking notice of theincident, warned the culprits and thecommunity elders took an oath onbehalf of the motorbike driver andso the matter was settled.around Chotiari Dam in DistrictSanghar. According to the localresidents, six otter cubs per litter isa common observation in the studyarea.This is not the first incident of animalrights violation but the one whichhas been highlighted. This incidentalso reflects the level of awarenessamong the local communitiesabout wildlife, their importance andecological role.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN41Wolf Killed in AJKA Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) was killedby local community in Domail Balavillage, in Upper Neelum valley,AJK in October, 2011. Accordingto Mr. Usman Ali, a representativeof Breath Foundation, AJK the wolfcaused a damage of around Pak Rs.150,000/- by killing more than 25sheep and goats in the area duringtwo months.Wolves use to come down in theNeelum Valley during autumn(September) each year and goback to high altitudes in KarakorumMountain Ranges after spring(April) using the Deosai Plateau asa corridor. Local residents told thatthe killed wolf and its pack could notmigrate backward during April due toprolonged winter season last year.When these animals found plenty offood with fewer disturbances, theypreferred to stay here and the killedwolf dared to live in close proximityof villages and kept on huntinglivestock until October last yearwhen it was killed finally.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012UPDATES ON WILDLIFE (NEWS & VIEWS)WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN42Huge sized FreshwaterMussels (Nodulariapachysoma) found inChashma BarrageProf. Z B Mirza and his teamof Kinnaird College for WomenUniversity while studying theecological linkages of fauna andflora of Chashma Barrage pondarea under a WWF Pakistan fundedproject, found extraordinarily largesized Freshwater Mussels on 9 thFebruary 2012. These FreshwaterMussels are more than 19 cm longBaer’s Pochard (Aythyabaeri) sighted in ChashmaBarrageMr. Sakhawat Ali, a research scholarin Prof. Z. B. Mirza’s team whilestudying the ecological linkages offauna and flora of Chashma Barrageunder a WWF Pakistan fundedproject, sighted a Baer’s Pochard(Aythya baeri) along the easternflank of the Barrage on 9 th February2012. The Pochard was sighted inand 11 cm in width. Smaller sizedshells were greatly abundant. Theseinvertebrate animals belonging tothe Phylum Molluska are found inthe bottom mud of the ponds. Theyplay important role in the freshwater pond habitats by eating algae,zooplankton and organic waste. So,the middle of a sitting flock of overten thousand ducks which werebeing counted by him along with twoKinnaird College M. Phil. scholarsMs. Azubah and Ms. Kamni. Mrs.they convert organic matter intosimple nutrients and also decreasethe concentration of suspendedparticles from water through theirfiltration process. They are also partof the food of many types of fishesand birds. Their abundant presenceindicates the healthy pond waterhabitat of Chashma Barrage.Mirza also thoroughly watched itthrough the spotting scope fitted ona tripod. The Pochard was a maleand seemed molted to breedingplumage with black head and neckwhich blended into maroon-chestnutof the breast. This is a secondrecord of its occurrence in Pakistan.In 1957 a specimen was shot in apond area in district Gujrat by Brig.Haider. It is winter visitor to easternpart of India and other far easterncountries.Plumbeous Redstart(Rhyacornis fuliginosus)Sighted in ChashmaBarrageA Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornisfuliginosus) was sighted by Prof.Z. B. Mirza on 9 th February 2012 atthe reservoir on the eastern flankof Chashma Barrage at the fall ofan escape canal, which is beyondKundian towards Mianwali. TheRedstart was a solitary bird feedingon insects as it found at the edgeof the waterfall. Normally it is foundnear the mountain streams at highaltitudes in summer. In winter itdescends to lower altitude valleys.This winter, some birds dispersed tolong distances in the plains, perhapsdue to heavy snow fall even in thevalleys.Yellow-bellied FantailFlycatcher (Rhipidurahypoxantha) sightedMarch, 1998 in Malkandi forest ofKaghan valley.A Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher(Rhipidura hypoxantha) was sightedin Margallah Hills National Park byProf. Z. B. Mirza during early summerin 2011 in Margallah Hills NationalPark between Monal restaurant andPir Sohawa. It was earlier recordedin winter 2010 in Margallah Hills andSialkot. It was also seen by him in

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012UPDATES ON WILDLIFE (NEWS & VIEWS)Pied Myna (Sturnuscontora) is DispersingFurther WestPied Myna (Sturnus contora) wasfirst recorded from Pakistan by Prof.Z. B. Mirza in 1982 in Shahdara indistrict Sheikhupura. Its dispersalfrom India advanced to Lahore,Kasur, Changa Manga, Balloki,Nankana Sahib and northwards toKharian and Rasul Head works inabout twenty years. In early 2000’sit was seen at Kalar Kahar and Dina.Recently, on 9 th February, 2012 itwas seen at Chashma barrage byProf. Z. B. Mirza.Was that a firstrecord of Tibetan Lark(Melanocorypha maxima) inPakistan?The difficult mountainous terrain ofextreme northern Pakistan is shortof data on birds. Mr. Shahid Iqbalalong with Mr. Waseem AhmadKhan and Syed Shamim Fakhri wereconducting a two-week baselineavian survey in Shimshal valley inKhunjerab National Park duringJuly 2009. We observed a flock ofeight larks, which appeared largerthan other lark species in Pakistan.These were about the size of acommon starling. That excited us, aswe thought it could be Tibetan Lark(Melanocorypha maxima). We werewatching these birds on ground from35 to 40 meter distance and it wassnowing light so the visibility was notvery clear. The Length of the wing inthis species reaches almost to the tipof the tail, which could not be noted,nor could we note the tail feathers,which are broadly white tipped,except the middle pair and the outermost feather is nearly white.There is a similar lark Melanocoryphabimaculata that also occurs in thesame area, but its size is little biggerthan a House Sparrow. Underpartsof both the species are white.We attempted to photograph ittwice but the flock was shy of ourphotographer and flew away eachtime he attempted to advance.Perhaps it was Tibtan Lark, a newbird record for Pakistan.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN43New distribution Range ofSeistan spiny-tail groundlizard (Uromastyx asmussi)in PakistanSyed Shamim Fakhri fromZoological Survey of Pakistan whileconducting herpetological surveysin Balochistan Province duringAugust 2009, found six specimensof the Seistan spiny-tailed groundlizard or Seistani sanda in Kharan,Washuk and Punjgur districts.It was previously reported fromChaghai in Balochistan along Pak-Afghan border whereas; the currentfindings extend the distributionrange of the species to further southof the country. Seistani sanda isa herbivore lizard taking leavesand flowers of grasses and othervegetation around. Its burrow has awide opening. It uses its spinose tailas a weapon by lashing it out anddoes not attempt to bite.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN44Indian Tree Lizard (Calotes versicolor) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012ABOUTPAKISTAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATIONPakistan Wildlife Foundationis a Non-profit ConservationOrganization set up underSection 42 of the CompaniesOrdinance, 1984. The foundationwas incorporated with Securitiesand Exchange Commission ofPakistan (SECP) in October2010 under the CorporateUniversal Identification No.0073723. PWF is governed by aboard of directors supported by atechnical advisory committee.MISSIONTo educate the masses in thecountry regarding biodiversity,environment and social aspectsto change their attitudestowards positive, sensible andresponsible actions for natureOBJECTIVESpublicize them for students,researchers, policy makers,administrators and generalpublic.JOIN USPakistan Wildlife Foundationwelcomes to all young scientists,researchers and nature lovers tocome forward and join hands withPakistan Wildlife Foundation fornature conservation, environmentalprotection and raising awarenessabout importance of nature andnatural resources of Pakistan. TheFoundation can be joined as; Life Fellow Fellow Young Scientist Earth Watch Volunteer Corporate MemberJoining procedure and contributionsfor each category is given below;deposit slip to PAKISTANWILDLIFE FOUNDATION at;info@pakwildlife.org5. Account details are;Standard Chartered BankAccount Title; Pakistan WildlifeFoundationAccount No. 01-1887296-016. The completed form can also beposted at the following mailingaddress:PAKISTAN WILDLIFEFOUNDATIONWest Basement, Baluchistan Plaza,Fazal-ul-Haq Road, Blue Area,Islamabad.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN45To help protect, preserve,conserve, manage andsustainably utilize wildlife andtheir habitats in the countryand to provide a platform forthe community at large andprofessionals to share theirwildlife/environment relatedexperiences and ideas andREGISTATION PROCEDURE1. Download and complete theregistration form2. Deposit the membership feein any branch of StandardChartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd.3. Scan the completed membershipform and fee deposit slip4. Email the scannedregistration form and feeCONTRIBUTIONSCategory Pakistani Nationals ForeignersLife Fellow Pak Rs. 5000/- (Once in lifetime) US $ 500/- (Once in lifetime)Fellow Pak Rs. 1000/- (For two year) US $ 100/- (For two year)Young Scientist Pak Rs. 1000/- (For two year) US $ 100/- (For two year)Earth Watch Volunteer Pak Rs. 1000/- (For two year) US $ 100/- (For two year)Corporate Members Pak Rs. 25000/- (For two year) -

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012FOUNDER FELLOWSWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANZ. B. MirzaIslamabadAbdul Sattar KhanCanadaAbdul Aleem ChaudhryLahore46Ahmer MujtabaIslamabadAbdul Aziz KhanIslamabadWaseem Ahmad KhanIslamabadSyed Ahmed ShahLahoreAtif YaqubLahoreSyed Shamim FakhriKarachi

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012LIFE FELLOWSHugo Gajus ScheltemaNetherlands EmbassyIslamabadDr. A. A. QuraishyKarachiSyed Sadruddin HussainKarachiDr. Mohammad SharifKhanFlorida, USAWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANMohammad NaeemBhattiLahoreMoula Bux MallahSangherDr. Mohammad AyubLahoreSaeed Akhter BalouchKarachi47Dr. RehmantullahQureshiIslamabadDr. Muhammad MushtaqRawalpindiNaeem IftikharMuzaffarabad, AJKNaureen MumtazLahoreDr. Nazish Mazhar AliLahoreSaeed-ul-IslamSangharDr. Muhammad SajidNadeemRawalpindiSafwan Shahab AhmadIslamabad

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012LIFE FELLOWSWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANDr. Amjad Rashid KayaniRawalpindiMuhammad NaeemAwanIslamabadDr. Muhammad AshrafBodlaLahoreDr. Muhammad ShafiqAhmedLahore48Shahzad AslamIslamabadSaleha DaudLahoreMuhammad SiddiqueAwanMuzaffarabad AJKSaher HasnainIslamabadDr. Waseem AhmadKhanIslamabadJavaid AyubMuzaffarabad, AJKProf. Tahir OmerLahoreMehmood ul HassanKhanLahoreMrs. Gulshan Ara MirzaIslamabadChand RazaLahoreDr. Mohammad NasimSiddiqiKarachiUsama AnwerNawab Shah

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012FELLOWSMohammad FarhanKhanIslamabadQamar ZamanMuzaffarabad, AJKSakhi-uz-zamanMuaffarabad, AJKRiaz Aziz MinhasMuaffarabad, AJKWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANUsman Ali MughalMuzaffarabad, AJKMuhammad ShakilAhmedKarachiDr. Mohammad ZubairAnjumRawalpindiMumtaz HussainMuaffarabad, AJK49Dr. Mohammad AtherRafiIslamabadFalak NazIslamabadAbbas Ali RandhawaKarachiSyed Iftikhar AhmedKarachiDr. Abdul QadirLahoreDr. MohammadNusrallah KhanLahoreShahid IqbalLahoreDr. Muhammad FaridAkhterKarachi

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012YOUNG SCIENTISTSRukhsana TariqIIU, IslamabadFaiza MasoodUE, LahoreZunaira NoreenPU, LahoreRizwan Ullah KhanGCU, LahoreWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN50Rabia SaeedPU, LahoreAnum YousafPU, LahoreRabia SaddiqGCU, LahoreTayyaba AfzalGCU, LahoreIram LohdiUE, LahoreAnum IftikharAPWA, KarachiSakina Nazia MemonAPWA, KarachiWaheed Ali SoomroNCHD, HyderabadMuhammad FaizanNaeemGCU, LahoreBilal Ahmed KhanKU, KarachiHira TariqGCU, LahoreRohina IjazGCU, Lahore

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012YOUNG SCIENTISTSMehwish Mohy-u-DinGCU, LahoreFatima TahirGCU, LahoreSabiha Mumtaz ButtGCU, LahoreBilal AhmadGCU, LahoreWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANMadiha SanaGCU, LahoreNida EjazGCU, LahoreUsman KhadimGCU, LahoreAli KhadimGCU, Lahore51Muhammad AdnanShahidGCU, LahoreMuhammad RizwanShahidGCU, LahoreFaiza javedGCU, LahoreMajida Atta MuhammadGCU, LahoreTooba IramGCU, LahoreMaryam MukhtarGCU, LahoreYasir NadeemGCU, LahoreMuhammad Atif BilalGCU, Lahore

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012YOUNG SCIENTISTSFarah KhalidIIU, IslamabadAbdullah KhanBU, IslamabadIrsa KarimKarachiMehnaz AnwarLahoreWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN52Jahangir Khan JadoonLahoreAsma KhalidIIU, IslamabadAnum ZafarBU, IslamabadIqra IqbalGCU, LahoreFatima AzizGCU, LahoreAyesha NaseemGCU, LahoreIqra ZahoorGCU, LahoreAyesha MehmoodUE, LahoreQandeel RafiqueGCU, LahoreRukhshanda RehmanGCU, LahoreArbab ZahidPU, LahoreArfaa BatoolPU, Lahore

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012YOUNG SCIENTISTSMaryam AslamPU, LahoreMuqadas AyubPU, LahoreWajeeha NawazGCU, LahoreSadaf AminLahoreWILDLIFE OF PAKISTANFatima SughraUE, LahoreAbrar AhmadUAAR, RawalpindiIqra RiazIIU, IslamabadShazia SabirUE, Lahore53Syeda Faiqa BukhariGCU, LahoreSakhawat AliUAAR, RawalpindiIqra WaseemUE, LahoreHuma ShehzadiUE, LahoreSamra Tul HayeePU, LahoreSyed Israr ShahUAAR, RawalpindiMisbah RiazUAAR, RawalpindiNosheen RashidUAAR, Islamabad

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012YOUNG SCIENTISTSShaguafta NighatUAAR, RawalpindiAtufa KawanUAAR, RawalpindiNadeem AkhtarIMCB, IslamabadSajida NoureenUAAR, RawalpindiWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN54Rabia Zaman BhattiUAAR, RawalpindiAbdul Shakoor KhanMuzaffarabad, AJKMuhammad Irfan QadirQadosiUAAR, RawalpindiMalik Muhammad MunirUAAR, RawalpindiFouzia NiaziICG, IslamabadAdnan SiddiquiSUPARCO, KarachiAfaq Hussain MirzaBhimber, AJKAdnan Hamid KhanKarachiAbida KhalidLahoreUzair AhmedBhimber, AJKSajid AliKU, KarachiSuhail AhmedKU, Karachi

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN55White eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) © Waseem Ahmad Khan, PWF

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012OUR PARTNERSPakistan Wildlife Foundation has singed MoUs with the following Organizations, Institutes and Universities for jointventures and cooperative research.Punjab Wildlife and Parks DepartmentWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN56The Department was established as Game Department in 1934 and in 1973 was giventhe status of attached department of Forestry, Wildlife, Fisheries and Tourism Department.Accordingly, the responsibilities of the Department were re-fixed with entire focus onsustainable management, conservation, propagation and protection of wildlife under theumbrella of Punjab Wildlife Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management Act,1974. The department is supported by a squad of 1880 professional, technical and field staffwith 74 members of scale 17-20, 1324 members of scale 5-16 and 482 members of scale1-4.Quaid-e-Azam University (Department of Biochemistry)Quaid-e-Azam University is one of the top few universities of the country; located in the footof the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. The University was initiallyfounded as the “University of Islamabad” in July 1967 but later it was re-named after the titleof the Founder of Pakistan as “Quaid-e-Azam University”. The University has qualified teamof teachers, researchers, scientists and skilled and technical personnel. According to HECranking 2011, the university holds the top position in the country among 177 HEC recognizedprivate and public sector universities.National Welfare & Human Development Organization (NWHDO)National Welfare & Human Development Organization is a registered Non GovernmentOrganization working in Sindh Province of Pakistan. Its head office is located in Nasarpur,District Matiari. The organization works in the areas of human development, education,poverty elevation and sustainable economic development in Sindh, Pakistan.Breath Foundation AJKBreath Foundation is Muzaffarabad (AJK) based Non Government conservation Organizationestablished in 2011 and registered with Joint stock company and firm Azad Governmentof state of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan Societies act 1860/21. The mission of theorganization is to empower the communities for active participation in the conservation ofnatural resources by addressing biodiversity, environmental, educational, economic andhealth issues and to play their role in the policy making for the sustainable utilization ofnatural resources.University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS)(Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology)University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, is one of the oldest VeterinaryInstitutions in Asia established in 1882 and one of the top few universities of the country.The university has latest and well equipped research labs and a qualified team of scientists,researchers, teachers and skilled and technical personnel. The university comprises of 21Departments and BS, MS and offers PhD program in different fields.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012OUR SUPPORTERSFollowing organizations and institutes are among our valuable supporters and we sincerely acknowledge theirsupport in our endeavors.Bio-Resource Research CentreBRC is a non-profit, non-political, multidisciplinary base organization with it’s headquarterin Islamabad, Pakistan. Main focus of BRC, till date, has been on the bear conservation inPakistan, through curbing bearbaiting. Therefore, the major part of present strategies andprojects of BRC are designed in this perspective and BRC has many successes at its claimwith regard to these projects. BRC assisted Pakistani authorities in development of a bearregistration scheme which can be used to monitor bears in captivity.IUCN Otter Specialist GroupThe Otter Specialist Group, founded in 1974 is part of World Conservation Union (IUCN)Species Survival Commission (SSC). The aims of the Group, as set out by IUCN, are to: Provide leadership for the conservation of all 13 otter species (Lutrinae). Determine and review on a continuing basis the status and needs of otters, andpromote the implementation of necessary research, conservation and managementprogrammes by appropriate qualified individuals, organizations and governments. Make known the status and conservation needs of otters, and promote the wisemanagement of otter species.The Otter Specialist Group has around 245 members representing 62 countries. It publishesa quarterly peer-reviewed research journal; IUCN OSG Bulletin and has an E-library withhundreds of research articles about otters available to its members. The Otter SpecialistGroup is represented in Pakistan by Mr. Waseem Ahmad Khan.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN57Zoological society of PakistanThe Zoological Society of Pakistan (ZSP) was founded in 1968 as an interdisciplinaryscientific society that would draw together members from diverse scientific backgroundsunder the unified discipline of Zoology. The objectives of the Society are: Promotion of scientific knowledge of animals and related subjects throughdiscussions, reports and publications. Stimulation of scientific investigations and their applications. Planning, organization and administration of projects for the advancement of scientificknowledge in Zoology. Improvement of education and professional qualifications in Zoology. Promotion of international cooperation in achieving the above objectivesInternational Otter Survival FundThe International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world’s leading otter charities. Inthe UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and careof otters based on 20 years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Througheducation, research, influencing policy and partner working the IOSF is making progress butthere is still much to be done in the UK and other countries where otters are at risk.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012WWF PakistanWorld Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan was formed in 1970 to address thegrowing environmental and conservation issues in Pakistan that not onlyaffected the flora and fauna, but were also affecting the human population.WWF - Pakistan is a proud component of the WWF International family network, one of theworld’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almostfour million supporters, 4,500 staff members and a global network active in more than 100countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: Conserving the world’s biological diversity ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumptionWILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN58Sindh Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh, PakistanSindh wildlife department was established for the conservation, protection and Managementof Protected Areas on scientific lines. Enforce anti-poaching measures under the provision of Sindh Wildlife ProtectionOrdinance 1972 and other legal enactments. Census and Surveys of important wild animals and birds. Encourage research and studies on different aspects of wildlife and their habitat. Promote and facilitate captive bred wildlife trade. Regulate lawful healthy sport of hunting. Promote wildlife related ecotourism, recreational, educational and awarenessactivities. Ensure Community participation in the management of wildlife resourcesPMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (Department of Zoology)In the 1970, the Government of Pakistan constituted a Barani Commission to review andrecommend measures for the development of rainfed agriculture and uplift of the poor massesthrough education, research and development of technology, and manpower. Pursuant tothe recommendations of the Barani Commission, the Government of Punjab establishedthe Barani Agriculture College, Rawalpindi which was later upgraded to University in 1994.The mandate of the University is to produce high quality agricultural scientist and to form anorganized scientific infrastructure for teaching and research for the development of the dryland regions of the country, thus minimizing the income gap.University of the Punjab, Lahore (Department of Zoology)Established in 1882 at Lahore, the University of the Punjab is the largest and the oldest seatof higher learning in Pakistan. It was the first to be established in the sub-continent in Muslimmajority areas. The fact that two Nobel laureates are from this University speaks volumesfor its academic and research excellence. Located in the historical and culturally alivecity of Lahore, this University has played a leading role in higher education in the country.The University strives to provide a conducive environment for the pursuit of the academicactivities. On account of its quality degrees and pleasant environment the University remainsthe institution of first choice for admission seeking students.

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012ANNOUNCEMENTSLetters to EditorDear readers, we will be happyto publish your letters, views,comments and suggestions.The EditorReaders EvaluationPakistan Wildlife Foundation awards‘best article shield’ to the writers onthe basis of readers’ evaluations.Readers are requested to send theirevaluation about the article theyliked best in the following format:Name of Article:Name of the EvaluatorPostal Address / Email:(Student should mantion their Classand the institution)Wildlife PhotographyEvaluationPakistan Wildlife Foundationgives awards to the best wildlifephotograph on the basis of theevaluation by the readers in thesame way as written above.Photographes will be exhibited inthe “Wildlife Photography section ofthe magaznine.Name of the Phogograph:Name of the EvaluatorPostal Address / Email:(Student should mantion their Classand the institution)Name of the observer:Postal Address / Email:Phone Number:Wildlife Safari / Eco-InternshipStudents of grade 9 and 10 (Matricand O level’s) are invited to join Eco-Internship program with PakistanWildlife Foundation. Eco-Internshipis 1-day training in the fieldregarding biodiversity, environment,ecosystems and their importance.Eco-Internship facility is open forstudents from throughout Pakistan.A senior Wildlife Ecologist will beavailable for conducting the trainingin natural environment preferablyin a Protected Area about onetwohours’ drive from the main city.Travelling, food and refreshmentswill be provided by Pakistan WildlifeFoundation. Students will be offereda MCQ test in the field and thesuccessful students will be awardedan Eco-Internship certificate. Groupsize will be 25 and groups fromschools will be preferred. However,separate groups for male and femalestudents can also be arranged. Feefor the training is Rs. 3,500/- perparticipant.Registration form is available at;www.pakwildlife.org.For further information contact us at;Email: info@pakwildlife.orgTraining Workshop inTaxidermy The training manual Practical demonstrationsfor stuffing reptiles, birdsand mammals Separate workshopsfor male and femaleparticipants Maximum 10 participants Fee Rs. 7000/-This training can be organized in anycity in Pakistan depending upon thenumber of participants. Registrationform is available at; www.pakwildlife.org. For further information, send usan Email at; info@pakwildlife.org orcontact Mr. Waseem Ahmad Khanat; 0333-5214333.Training Workshop inWildlife PhotographyA 3-day training workshop in WildlifePhotography is being organizedin second half of April, 2012 inIslamabad. Those interested inWildlife Photography can join theworkshop. Key features of theworkshop will be; The training manual Practical demonstrations inthe field Maximum 12 participants Fee Rs. 7000/-This training can be organized in anycity in Pakistan depending upon thenumber of participants. Registrationform is available at;www.pakwildlife.orgFor further information contact us at;WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN59Wildlife NewsReaders are requested to sharetheir observations on wildlife andany wildlife related News.A 3-day training workshop inTaxidermy is being organized inMay, 2012 in Islamabad. Thoseinterested in animal collection,preservation and stuffing can jointhe workshop. Key features of theworkshop will be;Email: info@pakwildlife.org

Volume 1: Issue 1: January - March, 2012ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWildlife of Pakistan is a platform for researchers, students and nature lovers to share their wildlife related experiences,ideas and information. Its main objectives are the education and awareness raising among youth about environment,biodiversity and wildlife. The editors are grateful to all those who have contributed the magazine through theirarticles and photographs and indirectly to the objectives of the magazine. The editors sincerely acknowledge thecontributions of all those who have contributed to this magazine and look forward to their regular support to themagazine in future.WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN60Wild rose (Rosa webbiana) © Waseem Ahmed Khan, PWF