ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WETLAND MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOODS IN THREE VILLAGES

5. 1. The wetlands of the Punjab Salt Range: background information


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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