PAKISTAN’S MARKHOR POPULATION HAS DOUBLED IN THREE DECADES
Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) designation of the markhor as an endangered species, the relevant authorities in the northwest areas made a concerted effort to shield the animal’s habitat from detrimental human activity. Markhor, a rare and exceptional species of wild goat, is recognized as one of Pakistan’s national emblems.
The population of markhor in Pakistan has more than doubled in the last three decades due to these dedicated wildlife conservation initiatives, which is an important sign that the wild goat is prospering in the nation’s natural settings.
The people living in the area are also prepared to collaborate with the government in order to take all necessary steps to stop the illicit markhor hunting, which is crucial for maintaining population growth.
Revised on May 24, 2021: One of the rarest animal species in the area, Persian leopards, was recently discovered by the wildlife department of Balochistan. They were seen in the Hazarganji National Park, which is directly next to the Chiltan Mountain Range. It’s one of Pakistan’s biggest and most well-known national parks.
The most recent news sources state that about six months ago, representatives of the Balochistan wildlife agency began searching for Persian leopards. That’s when they learned that this uncommon animal lived in the neighbourhood. The Persian leopard’s natural habitats are primarily in Central Asia, Iran, and the southwest regions of Pakistan, which include Sindh and Balochistan.
The officials felt a sigh of relief upon seeing these animals. The Chief Conservator of the Wildlife Department, Sharifuddin Baloch, stated in a well-known news outlet that the tireless work of the wildlife specialists to prevent the extinction of indigenous animal species had at last begun to bear fruit. He added that the Persian leopard was one of the threatened animal species facing death before the conservatory initiatives.
Pakistan’s climatic and geographical characteristics are immensely varied. The country’s southern regions primarily comprise plains and hilly terrain. However, the majority of Pakistan’s northern regions are mountainous. Given that a region’s flora and fauna are influenced by its territorial makeup, you’ll find.
GREENERY IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s Minister of Climate Change, Zartaj Gul, claims that only 5.01 per cent of the country’s territory is covered with forests. The figures are concerning. Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, has therefore promised to advance forestry in his country. The two main factors that influence the growth of forests in a given place are human intervention and climatic circumstances. The government intends to address the current issue with a focus on these two aspects.
NATURAL RESERVES AND SANCTUARIES PROVIDING SHELTER TO WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan has several noteworthy natural reserves and animal sanctuaries despite the country’s low level of forest cover. These locations are primarily in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and they are contributing significantly to the protection of animal and plant species. The following is a list of Pakistan’s natural reserves and wildlife sanctuaries arranged by province.
FACTORS POSING THREAT TO WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN
There are a number of factors adversely affecting the wildlife of Pakistan; however, the increase in human population is, perhaps, the biggest of them all. In addition, human interference in the form of animal trafficking and illegal hunting are also some other major contributors to the problem.
ROLE OF WORLD WILDLIFE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF) PAKISTAN
1970 saw the founding of WWF Pakistan, a tiny organization that is now a part of the WWF International Network. Ever since, local efforts have been made to protect Pakistan’s wildlife and its natural reserves.
The headquarters of WWF Pakistan are situated in Lahore. Cities include Gilgit, Quetta, Peshawar Muzaffarabad (AJK), Karachi, and Islamabad also have regional offices. In order to lessen carbon footprint, WWF Pakistan offers environmental education based on the Global Programme Framework in addition to conservation initiatives.
5 INCREDIBLE WILD ANIMALS EXCLUSIVELY FOUND ON PAKISTANI SOIL
The wildlife of Pakistan comprises around 188 species of mammals and at least 666 migratory and resident species of birds; there are 174 species of reptiles, 16 of amphibians and 525 of fish. For this piece, we shall focus on some of the most unique and endangered mammals found on Pakistani soil.
MARKHOR
The markhor inhabits the hilly areas of Pakistan. Its native habitats are primarily the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Being native to the area, the wild goat is also recognized as Pakistan’s national animal. As per a story that appeared in a prominent English daily, the government data indicates that there are currently 5000–6000 markhor in the country, and their numbers are continuously rising.
SNOW LEOPARD
The northern regions of South and Central Asia are home to snow leopards. This stunning natural creature can also be seen in Pakistan. Muhammad Kabir, an expert connected to the wildlife department of Haripur University, states that the number of snow leopards in Pakistan is currently only 300–400. This is an alarming rate of population decline. Additionally, he mentioned that the government and non-governmental organizations were working to save snow leopards in Pakistan.
ASIATIC BLACK BEAR
Iran and the Pakistani Balochistan mountains are home to the endangered Asiatic black bear species. The Asiatic black bear, also called the Balochistan black bear, lives in the hill ranges of Khuzdar, Toba Kakar, Takht-e-Suleiman, Ziarat, and Kalat. Asiatic black bears consume pine nuts, acorns, and occasionally dead fish because of their small jaws and the little flora in their natural environments. There are only about 1,000 Asian black bears remaining in its native habitats in Pakistan, making it one of the most endangered wildlife species.
GREY WOLF
The Tibetan wolf is one of the two subspecies of grey wolves found in Pakistan, and the Indian wolf is the other. One of the most visited tourist destinations in Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan, is home to the Tibetan wolf’s rocky highlands. The Cholistan desert is home to the Indian wolf, on the other hand. Typically, grey wolves hunt animals like sheep and goats. These creatures also pursue small rodents, such as squirrels and rabbits. Because of unlawful killing and the destruction of their natural habitat, the population of grey wolves in Pakistan has drastically decreased over the past few decades.
HIMALAYAN BROWN BEAR
The Pakistani Himalayan mountain ranges are home to the Himalayan brown bear. It is a smaller-bodied subspecies of brown bear that can also be found in Nepal, western China, northern India, and Afghanistan. Being omnivores, these creatures can live off of plants, insects, small animals, and roots. There are only 150–200 Himalayan brown bears left in Pakistan, making it one of the most endangered animals in the world.
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s fauna is also being preserved by several zoological facilities. Every major province in Pakistan has a wildlife department under the direction of a minister. Illegally keeping wild animals is a serious offence that carries a six-month jail sentence, a large fine, or the animal’s confiscation as punishment.
In Pakistan, there are more than a dozen zoos. While some of them are owned by private companies and individuals, the bulk are managed by the public sector. There are three zoos in Karachi only: Danzoo in Bahria Town Karachi, Safari Park, and Karachi Zoo. On the other side, the Lahore Zoo is among Pakistan’s best-kept locations.
As responsible Pakistani citizens, it is also our duty to support and protect Pakistan’s natural environment and wildlife. This is how we can bring out the natural beauty of our country.
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