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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