Biodiversity

The country lies at the western end of the South Asian subcontinent, and its flora and fauna are composed of a blend of Palaearctic and Indomalayan elements, with some groups also containing forms from the Ethiopian region. Indomalayan forms are found in the east of the country, in the Indus Basin, and Palaearctic forms in the mountains of the north and west. The Palaearctic species contain a mixture of those common to a large part of Eurasia, along with those with affinities to the Middle East, West Asia (Afghanistan and Iran), Central Asia, and Tibet. The rate of endemism is relatively low (5% for plants, 4% for mammals, 0% for birds, 10% for reptiles, and 11% for fish), but the blending of elements from different origins has ensured a diverse and unique mix of flora and fauna. Since a lot of primary field research still needs to be done, these statistics are likely to underrepresent the actual biodiversity of Pakistan.

Protected areas
Pakistan has a network of 225 Protected Areas comprising 14 National Parks, 99 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 96 Game Reserves, and 16 unclassified (private, proposed or recommended). The total area covered by these categories is 9,170,121 ha which is 10.4% of the total land area (Biodiversity Action Plan for Pakistan, 1998). Based on their global significance, 9 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites. No World Heritage site has yet been designated. Most major habitats are represented within Pakistan's Protected Area system. However the size, distribution and management of these areas do not meet the needs of the ecosystems they are meant to safeguard.

Species of Special Concern
List down the side which links with relevant paragraph on the page:

1.Indus River Dolphin
2.Chiltan Markhor
3.Chir Pheasant
4.Marco Polo sheep
5.Marine Turtles
7.Migratory Birds
8.Punjab Urial
9.Snow Leopard
10.Woolly Flying Squirrel
11.Siberian, Sarus, Demoiselle, and Common Cranes
12.Marbled Teal
13.White-Headed Duck
14.Balochistan Black Bear
15.Asiatic Cheetah

The term 'species of special concern' is defined by WWF to include endangered, threatened and nationally important species, irrespective of their global status.
Pakistan is host to a number of endemic species and sub species, including six mammals: Indus dolphin, woolly flying squirrel, Chiltan markhor, Suleiman markhor, Baluchistan black bear, and Punjab urial. Although no completely endemic bird species have been found, some birds have their principal surviving population located in Pakistan. Out of the 16 amphibian species recorded to date, two are endemic. For invertebrates, exact data is not available but a number of butterfly species are endemic, especially in the North-west Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush mountains.
The Northern Areas of Pakistan provide a habitat for a number of globally significant wildlife species. Bar, Karambar, Shinaki, Gulkin and Bulashbar valleys, the five selected sites for a WWF-P project, are representative of this rich wildlife and habitat diversity and of the threats faced by these wildlife species. The valleys provide critical habitat to musk deer, snow leopards, markhors, Himalayan ibex, woolly flying squirrels, and brown bears. The survival of these species threatened by loss of habitat stemming from human activities, excessive hunting by locals and outsiders, and weak enforcement of wildlife protection laws. WWF-P has been working in the Bar valley for over three years. It plans to extend the scope of its work there and also implement the programme in four other valleys. The project aims to conserve key wildlife species by improving the economic and social conditions of the communities through sustainable development and enhancing the management capacity of stakeholders.

Table 4: Species Biodiversity of Pakistan
Number of species (approximate)

Categories World Pakistan
Total Endemic Threatened
1. Mammals 4,100 188 6 3.2% 51
2. Birds 8,600 662 0 0 42
3. Reptiles 6,500 174 15 8.6% 10
4. Amphibians 3,890 16 2 12.5% NA
5. Fish 2,600 525 60 11.4% 1
6. Invertebrates 750,000 20,000 NA NA 1

1. Indus River Dolphin
Endemic to the Indus River system, the blind Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor) is regarded as one of the most endangered dolphins in the world. It has been classified as endangered by the IUCN Red Data Book. Current research indicates that there may be less than 700 Indus dolphins remaining. These are split into small populations by impassable irrigation barrages. Because of the isolation of surviving dolphin populations, reduced flow in the Indus River, increased exposure to pollution, human activities and development threats, there is an urgent need for immediate conservation measures. WWF-P plans to further its dolphin conservation efforts by raising community and public awareness, enhancing the government's capacity for better management, highlighting policy issues and developing and implementing a trans-regional river dolphin conservation programme.

2. Chiltan Markhor
The endemic Chiltan markhor (Capra falconeri) is now found only in the Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, Balochistan. In collaboration with the provincial government, WWF-P has prepared a comprehensive management plan for conserving biodiversity in the Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park. The plan lays a special emphasis on improving the status of the Chiltan markhor and proposes that additional populations be re-established in suitable habitat. To ensure financial sustainability of the conservation efforts, a trust fund will be established.

3. Chir Pheasant
Chir pheasants (Catreus wallichi) are an endangered species found in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Efforts to breed and re-introduce them have so far been largely unsuccessful. Protection of chir pheasants’ remaining population and conservation of its natural habitat is therefore necessary to ensure its continued existence. Initial surveys have indicated the presence of a viable population in a very few areas. One of these is Lawasi which has a considerable population of the chir pheasant, but needs immediate protection. Therefore WWF-P will direct its efforts at encouraging the conservation authorities to declare Lawasi a Protected Area and improve its management by involving the stakeholders in the development and implementation of conservation strategies.

4. Marco Polo sheep
Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon) have a scattered distribution in the Karakorum Mountain Range and Hindu Kush. In Pakistan, they are mostly found in the Khunjerab National Park and adjoining areas. The sheep have an endangered status and their numbers have been rapidly decreasing in the last two decades. WWF-P plans to improve the status of Marco Polo sheep through the implementation of the Khunjerab National Park management plan, reduction of grazing pressure in Karchanai Nalla, improvement of watch and ward mechanisms, updating the population statistics, and identification of additional sites where Marco Polo sheep occur.

5. Marine Turtles
Two species of marine turtles nest on the Karachi coast, the green turtle (chelonia mydas) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The main threats are commercial trade in turtle skin, shell, medicines and cosmetics, and destruction of eggs by predators, especially feral domestic dogs. Other dangers to turtles come from poachers, accidental capture in fishing nets, and extensive coastal development which results in human disturbance to nesting sites and pollution. WWF-P aims to protect endangered marine turtles and conserve their critical nesting sites. The main focus of work will be on public awareness and community participation, with local communities being trained in turtle management techniques.

7. Migratory Birds
Chitral, in the North West Frontier Province, is on the migratory route or flyway of several globally important bird species. About 20% of approximately one million migratory birds passing through Chitral fall prey to hunting. WWF-P initiated efforts to reduce the hunting pressure in 1992. Awareness and education efforts proved quite successful when, in addition to reduced local hunting, communities also started establishing private bird refuges. The next phase of the project will develop formal conservation guidelines for these bird refuges and build the capacity of the locals to manage them effectively. In addition, WWF-P will continue the mobilisation of communities to establish private bird refuges, facilitate the establishment of conservation associations, establish nature clubs in high pressure hunting areas and enhance environmental awareness.

8. Punjab Urial
The Salt Range, which is the primary habitat of the Punjab urial, is facing rapid degradation. Primary among these threats are development activities such as exploitation of mineral reserves and widespread poaching for economic and sustenance reasons. Efforts to improve the status of the Punjab urial depend on assessing the nature and extent of the threats and on involving major stakeholders in conservation efforts. WWF-P aims to take this approach in its efforts to save the urial by determining the current distribution and health of habitats, identifying existing and potential threats and working with the stakeholders to implement measures to conserve this endangered ungulate. The establishment of adjoining conservancies in the urial’s home range will be a major part of the project.

9. Snow Leopard
The IUCN Red Data Book lists the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) as a globally endangered species. It is estimated that the total remaining population is 7,000-10,000, out of which approximately 300 are found in Pakistan. WWF-P has identified some of the critical habitats of the snow leopard and now plans to extend its scope of activities by focusing on identifying critical habitats in NWFP, AJK and Northern Areas. The number of snow leopards killed by graziers will be reduced by raising the awareness of local communities and improving livestock protection by training and developing the skills of grazier communities.

10. Woolly Flying Squirrel
Local sightings of the endemic woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), once thought to be extinct, provided the impetus for undertaking initial surveys to verify its presence in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. The surveys not only confirmed the presence of this species but also indicated viable population levels. WWF-P has established the ecological status of woolly flying squirrels and identified critical habitat areas in the Sai valley. Surveys will be extended to other parts of the Northern Areas and Chitral. In addition, WWF-P aims to help ensure the survival of the squirrels by facilitating the notification of a protected area for them and undertaking local awareness programmes.

11. Siberian, Sarus, Demoiselle, and Common Cranes
Out of the for crane species found in Pakistan, Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus) are rare and seldom seen. The status of Sarus cranes (Grus antigone) is vagrant. They have been locally extinct as breeding birds since 1968. Demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides virgo) are seen quite often on migration but are ruthlessly hunted in the Bannu District, NWFP. Common cranes (Grus grus) are scarce and there are no permanent wintering populations. They are not often seen, even on migration. Efforts to protect these cranes and their important staging and breeding habitats in Pakistan will include identification of critical sites for each species, mobilization of communities in protection, development and dissemination of conservation educational material in crucial hunting areas, and establishment of private crane refuges.

12. Marbled Teal
The marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) one of Pakistan’s five resident duck species. It has an endangered status, but information on its population and local migration patterns is inadequate, as surveys have been limited to the Punjab. WWF-P plans to establish the status of marbled teal in other provinces before developing a national recovery plan to protect the marbled teal and its crucial wetland habitat.

13. White-Headed Duck
Wintering populations of the globally significant white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) have decreased significantly in number during the last few years, with only an estimated 50 birds remaining. Wintering sites in Pakistan are limited to three adjoining wetlands, known as the Ucchali Complex in Punjab. The significance of this species has led to the development of a global action plan. As part of this plan, WWF-P plans to establish a model wetland site at Ucchali Complex for the conservation of the white-headed duck. Ucchali is a series of lakes and associated wetlands in the Salt Range. Baseline work, including community mobilization, Participatory Learning and Action surveys, and awareness raising, has already been undertaken.

14. Balochistan Black Bear
WWF-P aims to assist the Balochistan Government to establish a Protected Area for the Balochistan black bear, and to prepare a recovery plan. This endemic sub species is faced with severe hunting pressure and serious habitat loss. A WWF-P preliminary survey in part of the Phub Range of Balochistan indicated the presence of only a few animals. Conservation efforts in this phase will entail establishing the population status, threat levels, identifying the core habitat, collecting relevent socio-economic and ecological data and proposing feasible recommendations.

15. Asiatic Cheetah
Recently there have been several unconfirmed reports of the presence of Asiatic cheetah in Pakistan and at least one dead animal has been recovered. Since this species has long thought to be extinct in Pakistan, its occurrence is of tremendous scientific and ecological value. WWF-P plans to undertake a two-year explorative study in order to investigate the status of the Asiatic cheetah.