ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WETLAND MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOODS IN THREE VILLAGES
5. 1. The wetlands of the Punjab Salt Range: background information
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The Ucchali complex is located in the picturesque Salt Range of
north central Punjab, in the Khushab District. The Punjab Salt
Range is part of the Himalayan sub-hill system and is predominantly
made up of sandstone and limestone scattered over the whole area.
The sandstone is laminated, with white or cream colours, dark-red
or purple-brown. Limestone occurs in pure, laminated and compact
form generally in the higher reaches. On the southern side strata
of gypseous red-marl are greatly exposed.
Ucchali complex is a combination of three interdependent wetlands
viz., Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar. The three lakes are in a closed
basin surrounded by hills of varying altitudes, which serve as
the catchment areas. The hills are 800 to 1500 m a.m.s.1. and
are sparcely covered with sub-tropical broad leaved forest vegetation.
Vegetation around the lakes is of the dry deciduous scrub type.
The predominant species are Kau (Olea ferruginea), Phulai (Acacia
modesta) and Snatha (Dodonea viscosa) with Gurgura (Monotheca
buxifolia) and Pataki (Gymnosporia royleana). Grasses are abundant
around the lakes. Good fodder grasses like Pharion (Digitaria
bicorni) Palwan (Bothriochloa pertusa) and Khar (Chrysopogon
montanus) are found in places where the incidence of grazing is
less. In areas subjected to heavy grazing grasses like Lam (Aristida
depressa), Khawi (Cymbopogon jwarancusa) and Deela (Cyperus pilosus)
replace good quality grasses.
The fauna of the tract is mainly oriental with a few migrants
from the palaearctic region.The site is famous for its species
of special concern for international conservation. For example,
the White-headed Duck is a globally threatened species that
overwinters in the area: 130 individuals visited Jahlar and Khabakki
lakes during 1992-93 winter. Other important avian species visiting
the wetlands include, flamingoes (Phoenicopterus rubber), ferruginous
duck (Aythya nyroca), greylag goose (Anser anser), Sociable plover
(Vanellus gregarius), pied harrier (Circus melanoleucos), Cinerous
vulture (Aegypius monachus) imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) besides
many others.
The waterfowl populations on the lakes have been monitored since
1970. On a national scale Ucchali complex is an important element
of the network of wintering sites for migratory waterfowl, particularly
the White headed Duck and Greylag geese.It is the only site where
the White headed duck overwinters in Pakistan . On a provincial
scale , the Ucchali complex shelters the largest concentration
of flamingoes (Khan and Chaudhry, 1993). Interest in wetland conservation
has been sustained since 1987 thanks to the active collaboration
of the World Wildlife Appeal-Pakistan, the Punjab Wildlife Department
and the Pakistan Forest Institute in Peshawar. Ecological studies
on the lakes have been carried out by the Punjab Wildlife Research
Centre (Faisalabad) and the results are summarised in the WWF
sponsored management plan for the Ucchali complex (Khan and Chaudhry,
1993).
All around the lakes, the local population lives in villages which
are typically made up of mud houses that are gradually being
transformed into pucca masonry houses. The nearest large town
is Nowshera.
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