Conservation in Pakistan explained

Conservation in Pakistan is the act of preserving, guarding, or protecting, biodiversity, environment, and natural resources of Pakistan.

Initiatives

See main article: Living Indus Initiative. The Living Indus Initiative is a comprehensive environmental program launched by the Ministry of Climate Change in Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations. This initiative aims to protect, conserve, and restore the natural ecosystems within the Indus Basin, which is crucial for the livelihoods of 90% of Pakistan’s population. The initiative addresses the severe environmental degradation caused by climate change, unsustainable population growth, and inefficient resource use. By implementing a series of 25 preliminary interventions, Living Indus focuses on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches. These efforts include restoring freshwater, terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems, thereby enhancing the resilience of the Indus Basin against climate impacts. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of collective action, involving government bodies, the private sector, and civil society, to mobilize resources and foster a sustainable future for the region.

Protected areas

See main article: Protected areas of Pakistan. The protected areas serve the purpose of conserving the forests and wildlife of Pakistan. National Conservation Strategy of 1993 was a major landmark of start of conservation of natural resources and wildlife in Pakistan. Resource-managed man-made forests like Changa Manga, Kamalia plantation and Chichawatni plantation have also been planted to serve purpose and conserve forests. Through conservation, a large region of Thal desert has been afforested.

Natural protected forests
Artificial resource managed forests

Endangered species

Cheer pheasant, which became extinct in Pakistan, was planned to be reintroduced in the region. The World Pheasants Association sent 90 eggs of the species to the Dhodial Pheasantry. Among the eggs which hatched, the mortality was high and remained high till 1995. This situation got better in 1996. In 1997, a parent flock of 40 pairs was raised and eventually reintroduction of the cheer pheasant in Hazara District was carried out. As of 2007, there are around 60 pairs of cheer pheasant in the Dhodial Pheasantry.

Pakistan Crane Center is a conservation center for the captive breeding of common crane and demoiselle crane. It is located west of Kurram River in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 250km (160miles) south of Peshawar. The center is equipped with a total of 15 circular aviaries as well as an education block for visitors.[7] The center is operated by the Bannu Wildlife Division, Bannu and Pakistan Wetlands Programme of Ministry of Environment (Pakistan). The programme is funded by WWF - Pakistan, GEF, UNDP and Darwin Initiative.[8]

Notable conservation organisations

(WWF - Pakistan)

Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA)

Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birir Valley Coniferous Forests . wwfpak.org . WWF Pakistan . 14 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034930/http://wwfpak.org/birirvalleyforests_pa.php . 13 June 2010 .
  2. Web site: Remains of Jhangar scrub forest . wildlifeofpakistan.com . 14 August 2010.
  3. Web site: Jhangar Scrub Forest . wwfpak.org . WWF Pakistan . 14 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034706/http://wwfpak.org/jhangarscrubforest_pa.php . 13 June 2010 .
  4. Web site: Sulaiman Chilgoza Pine Forest . wwfpak.org . WWF Pakistan . 14 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034900/http://wwfpak.org/suleiman_chilghozaforest_pa.php . 13 June 2010 .
  5. Web site: Zarghoon Juniper Forest . wwfpak.org . WWF Pakistan . 14 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034833/http://wwfpak.org/zarghoon_juniper_pa.php . 13 June 2010 .
  6. Web site: Khipro Reserve Forest . pakistani.tumblr.com . Mahadev Dheerani . 14 August 2010.
  7. Web site: Tavels with George: International Travel, Fall 2006 . . November 3–5, 2006 . July 21, 2011 . International Crane Foundation . savingcranes.org .
  8. Web site: Captive Cranes of North West Frontier Province, Pakistan . . Zafar Ali . pakistanwetlands.org . July 21, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120325083954/http://pakistanwetlands.org/Captive%20Crane%20Final%20PDF.pdf . March 25, 2012 .