INTRODUCTION

1.1 WWF-Pakistan and the Ucchali wetland complex


WWF-Pakistan is the largest non governmental organisation working for nature conservation in Pakistan. Its activities mainly focus on forest conservation and the protection of endangered species, migratory birds and wetlands.

In order to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan has established model demonstration projects in different parts of Pakistan. The sustainable management of wetlands, including mangroves, is a major activity in WWF's overall conservation programme.There are 15 proposed Ramsar sites in Pakistan and, through its work on the wetlands of the Ucchali complex, WWF has been actively involved in the preparation of the country's first wetland management plan.

The Ucchali complex is an internationally well known area for wetland conservation. This site is located in the Salt Range of north central Punjab, Pakistan.The Ucchali complex is a combination of three interdependent wetlands: Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jalar. The three lakes are in a closed bassin surrounded by hills which form the catchment areas. The wetlands are important for international conservation as they presently support the only wintering flock of White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) visiting Pakistan. Along with the White-headed Duck, three other bird species also listed in the IUCN Red Data Book are supported on these lakes: the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) and the Sociable plover (Vanellus gregarius). Other important avian species visiting the wetlands include flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber), pied harrier (Circus melanoleucos), greylag goose (Anser anser) and the ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) besides many others.

On the recommendations of the World Wildlife Appeal in 1966, Khabbaki lake was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. It was then declared a Ramsar site in 1976. The area was denotified in 1987 but, following the recommendations of the Ramsar Mission in 1991, Khabbaki lake was again declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in December 1992. Ucchali lake was declared a Game Reserve in May 1986 and its conservation status was extended for another five years from may 1991. Lake Jalhlar was given the status of Wildlife Sanctuary in 1993. Following the 1991 Ramsar Mission, it was proposed to declare the total Ucchali Complex as a Ramsar site. The Ucchali wetlands cover about 1243 hectares and are managed as protected areas under the Punjab Wildlife Act (1974). A public awareness campaign was initiated by WWF-Pakistan to highlight the wetlands' conservation values.

WWF-Pakistan and the Punjab Wildlife Department have prepared the first integrated management plan for the Ucchali complex (Khan and Chaudhry, 1993). The plan seeks to maintain the natural integrity (our emphasis) of the site through appropriate conservation measures and also cater for the needs of local communities through sustainable development.

However, the proposed management plan for the Ucchali complex contains significant analysis of secondary information and opinions from experts working in the region but no information on the opinions of the village communities. It was therefore agreed that there was a need to understand the local communities' perceptions on development and conservation issues and, more particularly, their views on the links between wetland management and local livelihoods. A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) workshop was thus organised as a result of a dialogue between WWF International, WWF-Pakistan and the Punjab Wildlife Department of the Government of Pakistan. Participatory Rural Appraisals were then carried out in three villages to further develop the proposed wetland management plan, prior to its submission for government approval and donor funding.


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