PK0019 Pakistan: Conservation of Wetlands

Project Summary:
This project aims to conserve Pakistan's wetlands, many of which
have already been lost to increasing human pressure, irrigation,
and drainage projects. Pakistan's wetlands are a major wintering
site for large populations of Palearctic waterfowl, and are an
important habitat for a number of threatened species. They are
also important to local people, providing water for drinking,
irrigation, and industries, important commercial and recreational
fisheries, sediment traps, flood protection, and other essential
functions.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 10 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 80 |
| EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 10 | |
Protected Areas 20 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 10 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 70 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
Although predominantly arid and semiarid, Pakistan has a
wide variety of wetlands throughout the country, from coastal
mangroves and mudflats on the Indus Delta, to the glacial lakes
of the high Himalayas. Many of the natural lakes, marshes, and
mangrove areas have already been lost or degraded through increasing
human pressure, particularly from irrigation and drainage projects.
Many new wetlands have been created in the form of reservoirs
and overspills from irrigation canals. The wetlands of Sind, in
the lower reaches of the Indus, have been particularly affected
by dam construction and remain under threat from new schemes.
Pakistan was one of the first countries to sign the Convention
on Wetlands (the Ramsar Convention), and in 1976 designated nine
wetland sites to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International
Importance. Unfortunately research has since shown that a number
of these wetlands do not meet the criteria for acceptance, and
at least one (Kheshki) has been so degraded that it can no longer
be considered even a wetland habitat. Two others (Drigh and Khabbaki)
have suffered major ecological changes and have also lost their
international importance. In contrast, there are a large number
of presently unlisted wetlands which easily meet the criteria
for listing as Ramsar sites.
View Map
Pakistan's wetlands form a major staging and wintering area for
large populations of Palearctic waterfowl, the socalled
"Indus Flyway". Most of these birds come from breeding
grounds in Russia, and either spend the winter in Pakistan or
pass through en route to wintering grounds further south in India,
Iran, or the Middle East. As well as supporting extremely large
populations of wintering waterfowl, Pakistan's wetlands are important
for a number of threatened species, such as marbled teal and whiteheaded
duck, Dalmatian pelican, Indus dolphin, gharial, and marine turtle.
Aside from these natural assets, Pakistan's wetlands are of great
importance to local people, providing water for drinking, irrigation,
industries, important commercial and recreational fisheries, sediment
traps, flood protection, and other essential functions. The rapidly
growing human population and the country's expanding economy are
placing increasing pressure on natural and artificial wetlands;
the situation is particularly acute in the Punjab Province. Specific
threats include drainage, increased salinity and siltation from
irrigation waters, the introduction of commercial fish species,
pollution, hunting, and other forms of disturbance. There is therefore
an urgent need to raise awareness of the socioeconomic and
natural values and functions of wetlands, and to develop a programme
to integrate wildlife conservation with sustainable development
on a network of wetlands throughout Pakistan. This project addresses
these needs.
Project Objectives:
1. To set new priorities for wetland conservation in Pakistan.
2. To prepare management plans for all of the internationally
important wetlands, for implementation by staff from appropriate
agencies.
3. To develop information and education materials for different
user groups.
4. To involve local communities at every stage of research, planning
and management when surveying a wetland.
5. To establish a comprehensive database of the characteristics
of important wetland sites.
6. To train stakeholders (local community, government personnel
etc.) in mangroves conservation and plantation techniques.
PK0019.1: Conservation of Wetlands (Dec. 89 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
Project activities are divided into three phases: (a) the establishment
of a wetland office and the training of a wetland officer; (b)
the preparation of an action plan for the conservation and management
of wetlands along the "Indus Flyway"; and (c) implementation
of the action plan. Development and implementation of the programme
will require close liaison with other national and international
agencies.
Activity Objectives:
1. To establish a wetland office.
2. To better train and equip wetland managers.
3. To develop an action plan for wetland conservation.
4. To organize an international workshop in Pakistan.
5. To enhance the conservation of selected individual wetland
sites.
6. To improve local awareness of wetland values.
7. To improve international liaison on matters related to wetlands
conservation.
Activity Biomes:
Lake Systems; Marshes/Swamps.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Policy Development; Research and Monitoring.
Activity Species:
White-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala); Marbled teal (Marmaronetta
angustirostris).
PK0022 Pakistan: Support for WWFPakistan's Environmental
Education Programme
Project Summary:
Pakistan is an industrialized country with high population growth
and increasingly stretched facilities. More and more pressure
is being put on land use and forests and wetlands are being destroyed
whilst pesticide and fertilizer usage is increasing. Waterlogging
and salinity in rural community areas has become a serious problem.
This project seeks to help educate people about these issues,
and promote sustainable development by working through the country's
local education system.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 100 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 100 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Pakistan is an industrialized country with a population growth
rate of 3.2%. This is placing increasing pressure on municipal
facilities in the rapidly expanding urban areas, and generating
major problems in land use, destruction of forests and wetlands,
pesticide and fertilizer usage, and waterlogging and salinity
in rural community areas. There is an urgent need to educate the
young about these issues and their impact on the daily lives of
the Pakistani people, and to get across the idea of sustainable
development early enough for it to have an effect on their development.
This project therefore targets the education system in Pakistan.
Project Objectives:
View Map
1. To expand WWFPakistan's environmental education programme
in all four provinces, based on experience to date.
2. To develop audiovisual materials, leaflets, posters,
and exhibit items on Pakistan's natural habitats and resources,
in order to encourage their sustainable use.
3. To develop a network of Nature Clubs in selected schools in
and around Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, and Peshawar.
4. To raise interest in the environment among young people and
to encourage schools to run projects on the environment.
5. To develop a series of comic books covering the various environmental
issues of immediate and vital relevance to Pakistan, including
deforestation, pesticides, river and air pollution, population
pressure on limited natural resources and their sustainable use,
etc., for distribution among schools in and around Karachi, Lahore,
Islamabad, Quetta, and Peshawar.
PK0022.1: Support for WWFPakistan's Environmental
Education Programme (Dec. 90 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
Four education officers will be recruited for each province, to
be trained by the senior education officer from Karachi, who has
already received four weeks intensive training in England. The
officers will contact selected public and private schools in their
respective areas and work with groups of teachers from these schools,
providing them with teaching materials. They will help each school
set up a Nature Club for children, which will be the focal point
for conservation activities. One person will be recruited in Lahore
to produce a series of 12 comic books on critical conservation
issues. Produced in the local language, the comics will then be
distributed through the Nature Clubs. It is hoped that they will
increase awareness of sustainable development and sustainable
use of national resources.
Activity Objectives:
1. To publish community educational materials, posters, brochures,
and resource materials.
2. To develop an elective environmental education (EE) course
at university level.
3. To organize nationwide workshops for school teachers.
4. To train volunteers/extension workers so as to expand WWFPakistan's
EE to remote areas.
5. To develop relevant material to be used in extension service.
6. To increase the number of awareness campaigns through the
media of theatre, special events, seminars, and competitions throughout
the country.
7. To develop a model community education project in the Zhob
district to support WWFPakistan's ongoing sustainable development
project there.
8. To hold a nationwide seminar on EE to promote awareness of
critical issues at the national level.
9. To conduct community education workshops for volunteers and
extension workers.
10. To promote the use of school grounds for EE.
11. To develop a series of short, informative videos on environmental
themes pertaining to Pakistan.
12. To liaise with other nongovernmental organizations
and collaborate with them in EE and awareness.
Activity Methods:
Communications; Education; Institutional Support and Development;
Training
PK0022.2: Animated Cartoons on Environmental Issues (Dec.
90 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
This is a spin-off from the successful WWFPakistan comic
book "Mithoo Begum", published quarterly with 10,000
copies per issue. Animated cartoons on television will reach a
much larger audience nationwide. WWFPakistan have established
a team of professionals to set up the system and produce the programmes.
The team consists of a leader and co-leader, each with several
years of experience in computer graphics production, animation
software, professional theatre, and cinematography, a graphic
artist with expertise in using graphics and PC-based lowlevel
animation software, three assistants, plus the support of a professional
music composer.
Activity Objectives:
1. To develop inhouse capability for computerized production
of animated cartoons.
2. To produce 24 10-20 minute animated cartoon programmes on
local environmental issues, to be used by Pakistani TV stations.
3. To set up banks/databases of images, sounds, film, music,
and other data useful in the production of animated cartoons on
computer.
PK0025 Pakistan: Environmental Data Resource Centre (EDRC)
Project Summary:
Under this project WWF-Pakistan maintains a systematic database
of information, books, and audio-visuals on environmental issues,
based in their Lahore office. The database assists WWF-Pakistan
in their public awareness and information efforts.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 40 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 40 |
| EE & Capacity Building 100 |
Oceans and Coasts 20 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
As WWF-Pakistan has expanded the scope of its activities, including
numerous conservation and education projects, so there has been
a growing need for accurate and relevant informational material.
This has combined with a rapidly growing concern for, and awareness
of, the environment in Pakistan. Hence the emergence of WWF-Pakistan's
Environmental Data Resource Centre (EDRC), established under this
project in 1992. The centre helps WWF-Pakistan to deal with requests
for information/data on various general and topical environmental
issues from individuals, organizations, government officials,
researchers, students, and its own members, and in so doing helps
to maintain the organization's reputation for scientific reliability.
Project Objectives:
1. To establish the core of a national EDRC at WWF-Pakistan's
head office.
2. To publicize and encourage its use by professional researchers,
wildlife and conservation departments, national policy-makers,
nongovernmental organizations, international organizations,
and other interested individuals and parties.
3. To fill the critical gap created by the absence of an information
centre at a time of growing environmental awareness.
PK0025.1: Environmental Data Resource Centre (EDRC) (Dec.
92 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
WWF-Pakistan's environmental awareness programme started at a
steady pace, working in conjunction with several NGOs. Books and
other materials on the environment and wildlife were gathered
from various international agencies who kindly cooperated with
WWF's effort to establish a respectable base of information on
nature conservation and other environmental pursuits.
Activity Objectives:
1. To collect and update relevant information on the environment
and wildlife.
2. To give assistance to people involved or interested in environmental
research.
3. To increase awareness of environmental issues.
4. To circulate a newsletter to various national NGOs regarding
WWF-Pakistan's environmental programme.
5. To collect various legal case summaries concerning environmental
issues in Pakistan.
6. To catalogue any resolutions or objections raised in Pakistan's
national and provincial assemblies concerning the environment.
7. To encourage the use of the data resource centre for environmental
purposes.
Activity Methods:
Information Systems.
PK0026 Pakistan: Conservation of Migratory Birds in Chitral
Project Summary:
View Map
This project aims to decrease the pressure on migratory birds
in Chitral by reducing uncontrolled hunting and through a series
of measures including education, publicity, and the formulation
and implementation of legislation.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 50 Freshwater Ecosystems 50
Oceans and Coasts 0
Non-Priority Biomes 0Non-Biome Specific 0
| | Consumption & Pollution 0
EE & Capacity Building 20
Protected Areas 10
Species 30
Sustainable Resource Use 40
Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
The district of Chitral is located in North-West Frontier Province
(NWFP), in the far north of Pakistan, and covers an area of 14,860
sq km. The hunting of birds in Chitral is a traditional sport,
however this has become highly unsustainable with the increase
in human population and the amount of people involved in the activity.
Depending on the availability of resources and the age of the
hunters, different groups of birds are targeted. These include
ducks, doves, thrushes, and small birds such as sparrows. Falcons
and Houbara bustards are trapped during migration in September
and sold to falconers and hunters. Although hunting statistics
for other birds are not yet available, it is known that more than
100,000 ducks are killed each year in Chitral. This project was
initiated in 1993 to create an awareness and appreciation of birds
and the valuable natural resource they provide, and to stop their
uncontrolled killing.
Project Objectives:
1. To create public awareness regarding the wise use of migratory
bird resources.
2. To reduce the current hunting pressure on migratory bird populations
in general, and on endangered bird species in particular.
PK0026.1: Conservation of Migratory Birds in Chitral (Dec.
92 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
This activity focuses on: (a) educating hunters that they may
form societies which impose self-restrictions on uncontrolled
hunting; (b) creation of general awareness through lectures in
schools, colleges and villages, articles in newspapers, radio
talks, and display boards in prominent places; (c) meetings with
local administrators and policy-makers for the formulation of
better rules and regulations and their effective implementation;
and (d) arranging workshops for the adoption of appropriate conservation
measures.
Activity Objectives:
1. To secure the safety of an important flyway for migratory
birds.
2. To increase public awareness of the need for conservation.
3. To protect falcons and other endangered species.
4. To identify more conservation areas in Chitral for future
WWF activities.
Activity Biomes:
Marshes/Swamps.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Education; Species Management.
Activity Species:
Rock dove; Eastern rock dove; Grey heron (Ardea cinerea); Saker
falcon (Falco cherrug); Spotted dove; Tickell's thrush; Mistle
thrush; Blue rock thrush; Blue whistling thrush.
PK0029 Pakistan: Conservation of Chalghoza Forests Ecosystems,
Suleiman
Project Summary:
This project proposes an integrated conservation and development
programme for the tribal communities living in the Suleiman mountain
range. The project will facilitate consensus building amongst
the tribal communities on sustainable forestry and landuse
practices. The project will also introduce alternative means of
income generation, and will meet some of the development aspirations
of these communities, such as the construction of a dirt road.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 90 | | Consumption & Pollution 10
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 30 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 20 |
Non-Biome Specific 10 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 40 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
The Suleiman mountain range lies at the junction of three provincial
boundaries of Pakistan: the Punjab, Balochistan, and North-West
Frontier Province (NWFP). A major portion of this mountain range
lies in the tribal belt of NWFP and Balochistan provinces, whose
political and administrative systems differ from those in the
rest of Pakistan. The tribal areas constitute approximately 10%
of the total land area of Pakistan. The tribal communities living
in and around the Suleiman mountain range are called "Shiranis".
Although there are several subtribes and branches of "Shiranis"
in different valleys of the range, most of them have similar customs
and traditions, and speak the same language, called "Pushto".
Owing to past mismanagement and overuse, the biggest segment of
the Suleiman range has lost its vegetation cover. However, one
area, covering some 80 sq km, is still covered with several plant
species. These include Olea and Acacia species on the lower elevations,
and two pine species, "Pinus gerardiana" (known locally
as "chalghoza") and "Pinus wallichiana", on
higher elevations; the latter is confined to very small areas
only. Although the exact area of "chalghoza" is not
yet known, it is considered to be the biggest chunk of such forest
found anywhere in Pakistan.
These forests are owned, to all practical use purposes, by more
than 1,000 tribal families, with little interference from the
government of Pakistan. The "chalghoza" forests produce
edible seeds which are quite valuable and popular throughout Pakistan.
During the seeding season (September to October), nearly 10,000
men, women and children collect "chalghoza" seeds and
earn a reasonable amount of money from them. It has been estimated
that some families make nearly CHF1,500 in the short seeding season,
enough to meet the food costs of a small family for nearly one
year. The dead and dry trees of this forest are the only source
of fuel and timber in about 100 villages. The forests of the Suleiman
range are the only remaining habitat of a wild goat ("Capra
falconeri jerdone") which takes it local name, "Suleiman
Markhor", from the mountain range. The species is highly
endangered and may vanish if not protected. Over and above this,
the presence of the forest, in otherwise totally barren surroundings,
is a major source of groundwater which keeps several springs alive
and freshwater streams running.
Unfortunately, the forests are now being cut down at a very fast
rate, and for several reasons. Located in a tribal territory,
the government can exercise little control over them. Opportunities
for employment or earning income through other sources, e.g. farming,
are nonexistent, and trees are therefore cut and sold. There
is a strong and influential gang of contractors who, by various
means, buy forests, fell them and sell the timber. Some of the
traditional tribal customs, festivals and ceremonies, especially
marriages, cost a lot of money and since other sources of income
are poorly tapped, the forests are overexploited. Tribal rivalries
also bring about the destruction of forests; during conflicts
the forests of the rival group are often destroyed.
There is no evidence of any conservation efforts on the part of
the government or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in
the area. A sense of conservation seems to be totally lacking
among the local tribal communities. A majority of the forest owners
are illiterate and unaware of the value of their natural resources,
so for them the present is more important than the future. Recently,
because of the above and other factors, the cutting of forests
has accelerated. According to one estimate, more than 30,000 trees
were felled during 1991, the highest number of trees cut in the
10 preceding years. It has been estimated that if the clear-cutting
of forests continues to accelerate at the same rate, the entire
"chalghoza" forests of the Suleiman range could disappear
within 10 years. If this happens, vast areas of topsoil
will be washed away, taking with it hundreds of plant species
and their dependent and associated fauna; and thousands of people
will lose an important source of income, fuel, and timber. Springs
and streams would dry up and floods would increase, resulting
in the total devastation of the environment.
Aware of the negative impact of current forest cutting practices
on present and future human generations in the Suleiman range,
WWF-Pakistan has carried out studies on the feasibility of bringing
an end to the deforestation. Results show that although it may
take some time to induce positive changes in tribal attitudes,
the goals should not be that difficult to achieve. The studies
show that a good proportion of people in the valley may agree
to stop cutting forests and killing wild animals if educated on
the need for, and the benefits of, conservation. This could be
done through effective communication and other means, including
the granting of social and economic incentives. Similarly, significant
changes could be achieved in the lifestyle and living standards
of these people, should they assist in the sustainable and profitable
use of their natural resources, as proposed by project. The benefits
and successes of the project, once visible, would provide a highly
motivating influence for tribal communities in the adjoining areas,
as well as in the whole of the tribal belt of Pakistan. In this
regard this project can be regarded as a pioneering one. If it
succeeds it may bring new hopes for conservation not only in Pakistan,
but also in Iran and Afghanistan.
Project Objectives:
1. To protect the forests of "Pinus gerardiana" and
their associated biodiversity for the benefit of the local tribal
communities who are dependent on these resources and environment.
2. To demonstrate the benefits of sustainable development and
local empowerment for villagers in the area.
3. To establish a close, friendly, and cooperative working relationship
between tribal communities and local government authorities in
the interest of conservation and development of local societies.
4. To convince and eventually obtain the support and cooperation
of forest-owning communities for protecting the "Pinus geradiana"
forest ecosystem within the proposed project period, and to use
the benefits obtained from this for motivating the forest owners
in surrounding areas.
5. To educate and create awareness among the local tribal communities
on the need for rational and sustainable use of their forests,
wildlife, and rangeland resources.
6. To help local communities in creating alternate sources of
fuel-wood and income through appropriate and profitable use of
their agricultural and uncultivated land, and by adopting improved
methods to enhance their income form the "chilghoza"
seed business.
7. To devise appropriate methods for range management, improved
agriculture, water development, and marketing of "chilghoza"
seeds using available expertise, and to train local people in
these techniques.
8. To enhance the interest of local government authorities in
the project activities, and to involve them in the long-term sustainable
development of the region.
PK0029.1: Conservation of Chalghoza Forests Ecosystems,
Suleiman Range (Jul. 92 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
This activity is specifically targeted at protecting the "chilghoza"
forests and their biodiversity for the benefit of the local community,
and reducing the pressure on the forests by identifying the means
and providing the incentives to improve the local economy.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Temperate Dry Deciduous Forest; Temperate Dry Evergreen Forest.
Activity Methods:
Agriculture Management; Community Conservation; Communications;
Education; Forest Management; Species Management; Training.
Activity Species:
Markhor (Capra falconeri).
PK0030 Pakistan: WWF-Pakistan Environmental Officer
Project Summary:
Under this project, the WWF Pakistan Environmental Officer will
address actions that reduce pollution and the wasteful consumption
of energy and other resources. The officer will be the principal
officer working on environmental protection/policy for WWF in
Pakistan and will be based in Lahore.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 33 | | Consumption & Pollution 50
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 33 |
| EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 34 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 40 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 10
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
In 1990 WWF redefined its Mission to include "promoting action
to reduce pollution and the wasteful exploitation and consumption
of resources and energy". As a first step towards this goal
in Pakistan, an environmental officer was appointed to launch
and coordinate WWF's environmental efforts in Pakistan, promoting
sensible environmental management through international and national
efforts. This project covers the expenses of employing the officer,
and provides the necessary support services through WWF-Pakistan.
The officer will collect basic data on water pollution, air pollution
(industrial and traffic related), and toxic wastes. Workshops
will help to identify water and air pollution issues in Pakistan,
and to obtain recommendations from experts as to how to address
them. Priority geographical areas will be identified for studies
on pollution levels and their effects on biodiversity, atmosphere,
and coastal and inland water bodies; proposals for these studies
will be developed in traffic, industrial air, and water pollution.
Two workshops on environmental audits and environmental impact
assessments (EIA) will be organized for the technical experts
from industry and other developmentrelated organizations.
A small guide book on the environment of Pakistan will be developed
and produced for the media, and a forum of nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) will be established to coordinate activities
on pollution, as well as to obtain support for WWF activities
in this area. Wherever possible, model systems will be established,
with collaboration from progressive agriculturists/industrialists
or citizens. The project will establish a dialogue with government
agencies and industry representatives, with a view to influencing
government policy and industry actions in the area of pollution
control and reduction. Promotional material will be developed
and produced for education and awareness purposes.
Project Objectives:
1. To help coordinate the development and implementation in Pakistan
of the third element of WWF's Mission, and to act as liaison between
WWF International's Resource Consumption & Pollution Unit
in Gland and officers in Pakistan.
2. To carry out a review of environmental pollution problems
in Pakistan, prioritize areas for WWF action and develop a programme
of activities relating to environmental quality in the region.
Special attention should be paid to coastal and wetland pollution,
atmospheric pollution, and toxins.
3. To provide technical expertise to WWF-Pakistan in order to
develop effective activities on pollution, and to comment on such
things as pollution legislation, energy policy, and EIAs.
4. To help build a network of NGOs working on pollution issues
in Pakistan, and seek opportunities for WWF support to the activities
of these NGOs and, where appropriate, develop joint activities.
PK0030.1: WWF-Pakistan Environmental Officer (Aug. 93 -
Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
1. To establish WWF-Pakistan as an authority on pollution issues
in Pakistan.
2. To fill the gaps that exist in pollution field research for
use in lobbying, policy work, and public awareness purposes.
3. To develop local expertise in the field of environmental auditing
and EIA techniques.
4. To develop models in pollution control for the government,
citizens, and other agencies to follow.
5. To develop informative, educational materials on pollution
issues in order to create a general awareness among the public.
6. To promote action to reduce pollution, wasteful exploitation
and consumption of resources and energy to a minimum.
Activity Biomes:
Open Oceans and Seas; River Systems; Agricultural Land.
Activity Methods:
Institutional Support and Development; Lobbying; Policy Development;
Programme / Project Development; Treaties.
PK0032 Pakistan: Sustainable Resource Use in Bar Valley and
Adjoining Areas
Project Summary:
In 1990 WWFPakistan initiated conservation efforts to protect
the endangered Himalayan ibex and other natural resources in the
Bar Valley (Nagar subdivision), located in northern Pakistan.
These efforts were designed first to increase the ibex population
through a voluntary ban on illegal hunting, allow a sustainable
harvest of the population, and facilitate promotion of ecotourism
in the area. Revenue generated from these activities went towards
the development of the Bar Valley community. By 1994 the Ibex
population had increased to 1,000 and WWF recommended the government
to allow controlled hunting in the area. Three licenses for trophy
hunting were sold in 1995, part of the funds raised going for
development and conservation in the area. In order to replicate
this "model" project in four other areas, it is essential
that the Bar Valley experience is documented and monitored. WWF
therefore intends, under this project, to facilitate ongoing activities
in ecotourism, environmental education, linkages with other organizations,
and new conservation interventions, while at the same time undertaking
feasibility studies in the other four replication sites so as
to effectively incorporate the lessons learnt in the Bar Valley.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 70 | | Consumption & Pollution 15
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 20 |
| EE & Capacity Building 25 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 30 |
Non-Biome Specific 10 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 30 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
WWF's Bar Valley project was initiated in 1990 for the protection
of its natural resources, in particular the Himalayan ibex, brown
bear, and snow leopard. Large-scale hunting of ibex to meet food
requirements, especially during the winter, had reduced the ibex
population in the valley to threatened proportions, while snow
leopards were also declining as a result of poisons being used
to keep them from preying on domestic goats and sheep. At the
suggestion of WWF and local community leaders, local villagers
agreed to stop hunting and killing all wildlife, provided they
were compensated for the loss of their food source. Subsequently,
through the effective wardening efforts of the local communities,
the ibex population increased significantly. Snow leopard, brown
bear and other wildlife of the area were afforded protection in
the same way.
To help preserve the natural vegetation of the area, WWFPakistan
also persuaded the local villagers to replace goats with less
harmful grazing animals such as sheep. To further this, the community
were introduced to the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP).
Now, communities in adjoining valleys have also stopped wildlife
hunting of their own accord, in the hope of implementing a sustainable
development programme along the same lines as that in the Bar
Valley. These communities approached WWF and presented written
resolutions declaring their intended cooperation with similar
programme in their areas. Therefore, WWF intends to continue this
project and seek to replicate it in four more sites of the Northern
Areas province, in those communities who have requested such assistance.
To undertake this challenge and long-term commitment, WWF has
to strengthen its resources, both human and infrastructural, in
the Northern Areas. While financing this initiative through its
own resources from the recent PSD21 component, WWF-Pakistan is
looking for donors to finance its partially funded Gilgit Conservation
Centre. Once established, this centre would indicate a permanence
in the area to the communities and provide a base for WWF's work
to help initiate new economic incentives in the Bar Valley and
adjoining areas. This in turn will help reduce pressures on the
natural resources and serve to improve the quality of life. An
initial participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach will look
into the feasibility of replicating the Bar Valley model. The
equipment costs and professional fees required for this will be
provided by the project funding.
Project Objectives:
1. To promote sustainable use of natural resources as a means
of achieving social and environmental benefits.
2. To broaden the range of community needs addressed.
3. To link isolated project initiatives and widen the geographical
coverage of sustainable development projects.
4. To replicate or spread promising cross-sectoral initiatives.
5. To promote a supporting framework of laws and policies to
enable rapid adoption of community-led initiatives.
PK0032.1: Sustainable Resource Use in Bar Valley and Adjoining
Areas (Jul. 91 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
1. To protect and conserve a minimum of four sites of biodiversity
importance in northern Pakistan, with the major focus on floral
and faunal species of special biological and economic importance.
2. To facilitate the introduction of new economic incentives
in the Bar Valley and to improve present economic activities with
respect to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources,
sensitivity, and preservation of cultural heritage and other cross-sectoral
needs. The overall effect would be to improve the quality of human
life and build capacity.
3. To create environmental and conservation awareness.
4. To provide training opportunities for local as well foreign
students, so as to document and analyse the biodiversity of the
new replication sites.
5. To facilitate development of the Bar valley as a potential
site for ecotourism.
6. To document the Bar Valley experience in terms of its impact
and design to serve as a model for future replication.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems; Temperate Woodland.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Ecotourism Development;
Institutional Support and Development; Research and Monitoring;
Species Management; Training.
Activity Species:
Himalayan ibex.
PK0032.2: Partnership for Sustainable Development Programme
(Jul. 91 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Research and Monitoring;
Species Management.
Activity Species:
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia); Himalayan ibex.
PK0040 Pakistan: Support Strategy for Protected Area Network
in Pakistan
Project Summary:
This project provides support to selected protected areas in Pakistan
to prevent and/or mitigate pre and postestablishment
problems and disputes with local communities.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 30 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 100 |
Non-Priority Biomes 70 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Over nine per cent of Pakistan's land surface falls under protected
area (PA) systems, in the form of 11 National Parks, 83 Wildlife
Sanctuaries, and 86 Game Reserves. However, due to various known
or obscure cirmcumstances, few PAs are even near to achieving
the conservation of nature and natural resources. In several cases,
serious disputes and conflicts have developed between local communities
and government, sometimes regarding the establishment of PAs themselves.
In many cases these conflicts have resulted in even more rapid
destruction of habitat and threatened species by local people,
in attempts to eliminate the very reasons for the establishment
of the PAs. Since there has been no effort in the past to identify
the root cause of these problems, there has been no progress to
resolve them. This project attempts to determine the pre
and postestablishment problems and complications of individual
PAs, and to identify ways and means to help strengthen their management
and maintain them as representative examples of their ecosystems.
Through a comprehensive document on individual PAs in Pakistan,
including conservation and management strategies, WWFPakistan
will be in a better position to follow up with concerned wildlife
departments, so that the objectives of establishing PAs can be
achieved without the problems experienced to date. Since the document
will also identify the nature and kind of support that is required
to maintain the ecological character of the various PAs, research
organizations, individual researchers, receivers of WWF grants,
and donor agencies will all be encouraged to provide the support
needed in relevant areas.
Project Objectives:
1. To evolve conservation and management strategies for Pakistan's
protected areas.
2. To produce a consolidated document on Pakistan's protected
areas, after ascertaining the following information:
a) the major objective in establishing the PA;
b) the procedure adopted;
c) previous and current local uses and rights;
d) pre and postestablishment complications, if any;
e) the management system and its impacts on the state of the natural
resources;
f) major bottlenecks, in cases of nonachievement;
g) recommendations to strengthen conservation and management in
individual PAs.
3. To train a minimum of 50 people by involving them in various
project activities for varying lengths of time.
PK0040.1: Support Strategy for Protected Area Network in
Pakistan (Jul. 94 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
The main thrust of the project's activity is to create and manage
PAs in accordance with the needs of their ecological and biological
characteristics, and for the social and economic benefits of the
people living around them.
Activity Objectives:
1. To review the current management status and problems of PAs.
2. To identify steps to maintain their ecological character.
3. To develop criteria for the establishment of future PAs.
Activity Biomes:
Open Oceans and Seas; Tropical Moist Forest; Temperate Dry Deciduous
Forest.
Activity Methods:
Research and Monitoring; Protected Area Management.
Activity Species:
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia); Wild cat (Felis silvestris).
PK0042 Pakistan: Development of a Management Plan for Lal Sohanra
National Park
Project Summary:
Under this project a team of experts in park management, forestry,
wildlife, ecology, wetland management, and socioeconomics
will survey the Lal Sohanra National Park and develop a management
plan on the basis of their findings. After discussion in a workshop,
the management plan will be sent to the government for approval.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 100 |
Non-Priority Biomes 100 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
The Lal Sohanra National Park (NP), also a Biosphere Reserve,
is located about 32km east of Bahawalpur City in Southern Punjab,
Pakistan. It was declared a NP in 1972 by the government and covers
a total area of 51,368ha. Within this area are 1,935ha of wetlands,
8,500ha of manmade Indian rosewood plantations, 3,240ha
of recently planted eucalyptus, and 38,600ha consisting of arid
vegetation. The park has 25 bird species, 25 mammal species, 16
waterfowl species, 15 species of reptiles, and 23 fish species.
The climate is arid, subtropical, and continental with very hot
summers and mild winters. Annual rainfall is 150200mm and
the relative humidity ranges from 2575%. The average minimum
temperature in January is 15°C
and the main maximum in June is 37°C,
with extremes of between 1°C
and 49°C
recorded. The natural plant communities in the park include thorn
and tamarisk forests, and suaeda ("Salsola scrib").
Introduced plant communities of "Dalbergia sissoo" and
"Eucalyptus camaldulensis" also exist. The NP's significant
fauna consists of chinkara, nilgai, wild boar, hyaena, caracal,
wolf, common fox, and jackal. Black buck have almost been exterminated
but the species is now being bred in captivity and reintroduced
into the park. Birds include black partridge, gray partridge,
peafowl, Houbara bustard, common quail, and a large number of
Anatidae. Numerous reptiles, amphibians, and fish species have
also been recorded.
Current management practices are replacing original
unique plant communities with exotic plants, which is leading
to the loss of rare species such as caracal, and fencing the entire
park area to keep out local people and their livestock. Since
1982, 3,240ha of indigenous desert flora have been replaced by
eucalyptus, causing great damage to the natural plant communities.
Punjab Forest Department is responsible for the park's management.
Under the Punjab Wildlife Protection Act 1974, hunting, shooting,
trapping, and killing of wild animals is prohibited. In early
1970 the wetland areas held 10,000-30,000 waterfowl. In 1990 only
3,770 birds were counted, and in 1992 this had fallen to 1,800.
Marbled teal, formerly a regular visitor to the park's wetlands,
has not been seen in recent times. A new management plan is urgently
needed to replace the present damaging activities with well-considered
conservation action.
Project Objectives:
1. To develop and implement a management plan for
Lal Sohanra National Park for the conservation of the park's biological
diversity.
PK0042.1: Development of a Management Plan
for Lal Sohanra National Park (Jul. 94 - Jun. 95)
Activity Background:
Under this activity, an expert team will generate
a management plan for Lal Sohandra National Park. The project
team will collect field data, review all relevant literature,
consult the local communities, and prepare the draft plan. On-site
project staff will assist these activities.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Desert; Lake Systems.
Activity Methods:
Protected Area Management; Research and Monitoring;
Species Management.
PK0047 Pakistan: Surveys, Management Planning and Proposals
for Azad Kashmir
Project Summary:
The high altitudinal range and the variety of edaphic
(soil) and climatic conditions in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, have
produced a rich species diversity, both of flora and fauna. Uncontrolled
cutting of forests and removal of vegetation are resulting in
fast declining populations of many species. To save representative
examples of flora and fauna from extinction, the government of
Azad Kashmir has declared nine protected areas (PAs). However,
certain flaws in the legislation and administrative setup
mean that forest logging is still going on in the protected areas
and is damaging their ecological character. Moreover, there a
number of sites outside the PAs which could be included in the
PA network. This project aims to carry out an inventory of individual
PAs, identify key problems, and suggest ways and means to preserve
their natural characters.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 90 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 100 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 10 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
The state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is spread over an area of
13,297 sq km and lies within the lower Himalayan ranges. The different
ecological zones, geographical conditions, and latitudinal variations
have led to a great variety of vegetation occurring in Azad Kashmir.
This includes high alpine pastures and scrub, subalpine forests,
moist temperate forests, subtropical pine forests, and dry subtropical
broadleaved forests in the lower hills and plains. All these major
forest types are associated with a large number of shrubs and
ground vegetation. Because of this variety of flora, Azad Kashmir
harbours a variety of animal fauna, especially mammals and birds.
Important among them are snow leopard, common leopard, leopard
cat, grey langur, brown bear, black bear, grey goral, musk deer,
Himalayan ibex, and markhor. Among the important birds species
are the snow partridge, grey partridge, common quail, western
horned tragopan, Himalayan monal pheasant, Kaleej pheasant, Koklass
pheasant, and Chir pheasant.
In order to ensure the scientific management of this forest wealth,
Azad Kashmir has a Forest Department, while the protection of
wildlife is the responsibility of a Wildlife Division. The management
and conservation of wildlife has been approached through the creation
of protected areas (PAs), which include nine game reserves covering
49,700ha in district Muzaffar Abad, 1,000ha in Poonch, and 450ha
in Mirpur. The administrative authority for the PAs is the Forest
Department, which means that forests within the PAs are exploited
according to forest working plans. Since such plans focus entirely
on the exploitation of timber and do not take into account the
habitats or conservation needs of the associated wildlife species,
their implementation is a major cause of disturbance and habitat
loss. So far the potential negative impacts have not been quantified
for the main reason that protected areas were declared without
any baseline surveys or data. It is therefore difficult to judge
any differences in wildlife populations before and after establishment
of the protected areas.
The government of Azad Jammu Kashmir has realized that the state's
floral and faunal wealth is declining and that they must take
action to prevent further declines and local extinctions of species.
Lacking the necessary expertise in Kashmir, the government approached
WWFPakistan for assistance. As a result, this project will
begin with comprehensive surveys to determine the current status
of all the protected areas. Simultaneously, existing legislation
will be reviewed to see if wildlife (in particularly within PAs)
has been provided with sufficient legal protection and whether
there is an effective organization which can manage protected
areas and their species on a scientific basis. The project will
therefore propose improvements to existing structures. A project
coordinator and hired consultants will work with government officials
and other knowledgeable people to formulate a realistic strategy
to improve upon the present situation. The project also aims to
identify other potential sites for inclusion in the PA network.
One such possible site is Mangla reservoir, which supports a large
number of migratory water fowl during the autumn and spring migration
periods. With the reduction of several natural wetlands in some
parts of Pakistan, the importance of manmade reservoirs
is increasing. However, without legal protection status and lacking
scientifically sound management, such reservoirs can play no significant
role in the overall protection of migratory species. In addition
to appointing qualified and experienced people to undertake surveys
and collect other necessary information, young graduates will
be associated with the teams to train them in survey and field
research techniques.
Project Objectives:
1. To evaluate the current status of floral and faunal resources
of the existing protected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
2. To assess the validity and effectiveness of the existing legislation
and organizational set-up to improve and maintain the natural
biodiversity of protected areas.
3. To identify new sites and assess their feasibility for inclusion
in the protected areas network of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
PK0047.1: Surveys, Management Planning and Proposals for
Azad Kashmir (Jul. 95 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
1. To survey all the Game Reserves of Azad Kashmir to find out:
a) the current status of key animals and bird species;
b) existing and potential problems for their sustained existence
and safe propagation in the natural environment;
c) the adequacy of existing legislation to provide protection
for the biodiversity resources of protected areas;
d) the amendments required in the legislation to cover the legal
deficiencies and management constraints in relation to the conservation
of the biodiversity in the protected areas.
Activity Biomes:
Tropical Moist Forest.
Activity Methods:
Research and Monitoring.
Activity Species:
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia); Common leopard (Panthera pardus);
Leopard cat (Felis bengalensis); Grey langur (Presbytis entellus);
Brown bear (Ursus arctos); Black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus);
Grey goral (Naemorhedus goral); Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus);
Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex); Markhor (Capra falconeri); Snow partridge;
Grey partridge; Common quail; western horned tragopan; Himalayan
monal pheasant; Kaleej pheasant; Koklass pheasant; Chir pheasant.
(Concept) PK0048 Pakistan: Wetland Education Centre, Sandspit
Project Summary:
The Sandspit Wetland Education Centre will provide opportunities
to bring people and wetlands and their wildlife close together,
to educate on wetland ecology, and raise public awareness about
the issues arising from the many human uses of wetlands. Pakistan's
mangroves are the sixth-largest mangrove system in the world.
Due to overexploitation mainly for fuel and fodder, they are disappearing
very fast. Increasing pollution by urban growth and industrial
expansion are also leading to the loss and degradation of mangroves.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 100 |
| EE & Capacity Building 75 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 25 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Mangroves play an important role in building up and extending
coastal soil through the accumulation of coastal sediments and
in protecting shores from excessive erosion. However, ongoing
reclamation, drainage, urbanization, industrial expansion, and
pollution continue to take a toll on mangroves and much needs
to be done to prevent further loss. Establishment of a Wetland
Education Centre can play a vital role in the generation of awareness
about the values of mangroves. Sandspit is the selected site for
the centre. It is a famous coastal resort and also a breeding
habitat of the endangered green turtle. The area supports a wide
variety of birds. But the unchecked flow of industrial and municipal
waste in the area is posing a serious threat to the habitat. About
150,000 people from Karachi and all over the country visit the
coastal area each month to picnic and bathe.
WWF-Pakistan intend to furnish the centre with firsthand information
on the importance of wetlands, mangroves, and waterfowl and their
ecological and socioeconomic role. Large numbers of students
are expected to visit and use the centre's training and research
facilities. It will also provide an opportunity to work with the
local community for the conservation and management of mangroves.
Two education officers - one man and one woman - will be appointed
and will receive initial training from WWF-Pakistan's wetland
and education officers. The Wetland Education Centre will bring
people close to wetlands and their wildlife and enable them to
learn about wetland ecology and the issues arising from the many
human uses of wetlands. Moreover, such a centre will be uniquely
placed to address land and species research and management where
these relate to the human use of wetlands, and particularly to
the interface between wetland habitats and their human visitors,
as well as the concept of wise use.
Project Objectives:
1. To develop an area as a model to maintain and increase the
diversity of wildlife and habitat.
2. To promote the use of mangrove forest for educational purposes
by students and the general public.
3. To liaise with the local community and encourage them in mangrove
conservation.
4. To provide training and research facilities in wetland management
techniques.
5. To promote scientific research into mangroves.
6. To develop special education and awareness programmes for
local communities.
PK0048.1: Wetland Education Centre, Sandspit (Jul. 95 -
Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
Stretching south-east from Karachi to the Indian border and covering
some 300,000ha, of which 200,000ha are mangroves, the Sandspit
area is a vast complex of river channels, creeks, mangrove swamps
and intertidal mudflats stretching 150km to the outer edge of
the delta. The Sandspit zone's wetland communities include sandy
coastal areas and mangrove forests associated with the main channels,
saltmarshes and brackish swamps. The mangroves have fish and shrimp
nurseries, and are ideal for educational studies and research.
The Sandspit Wetland Education Centre is an education, research,
and recreation facility based on wetlands, focusing particularly
on the valuable wetlands of Sandspit. The centre is well situated
to serve the whole wetland complex. It will be owned and operated
by WWFPakistan, in particular the Karachi Regional Office
and experts of the conservation/wetlands department. It is intended
that the centre will be open every day throughout the year, with
no entry fees at the outset.
With the assistance of the education department of WWF, the centre
will promote the aims of environmental education by: accepting
educational groups for fieldwork activities within the centre
and its environs; assisting in planning environmental programmes
and field trips; inservice training; assisting students
to gain firsthand experience of a natural environment; assisting
children/visitors to acquire an understanding and an awareness
of the functioning of natural systems; assisting people to gain
insight into the effects of modifying natural systems; assisting
people to appreciate the need for and methods involved with managing
environmental resources.
Visitor facilities: The education centre will have a display
area; a 50-seat lecture hall with audiovisual facilities;
a laboratory equipped with a full range of educational materialas
for indoor and outdoor activities; a library, which will also
serve as a sales outlet for posters, greeting cards, souvenirs,
etc.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Marshes/Swamps.
Activity Methods:
Education.
(Concept) PK0049 Pakistan: Creation of Protected Areas in the
Coastal Areas of Thatta and Badin
Project Summary:
The Indus Delta and its surrounding estuarine area in Sindh province,
Pakistan, is one of the most important coastal wetlands in the
country. These water bodies support countless migratory waterfowl
and a variety of resident fauna, however the actual potential
is still unknown. The proposed investigation aims to preserve
the wetland ecosystem and to declare it as a protected area. An
international workshop, to be held at Thatta/Karachi, will assess
the area's natural resources and formulate recommendations for
the creation of a protected area.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 100 | |
Protected Areas 50 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 25 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 25 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
The Indus Delta and its surrounding estuarine area in Sindh province,
Pakistan, is one of the most important coastal wetlands in the
region. Rising population and growing demand for food self-sufficiency
is increasing pressure upon these resources. There is a stretch
of marshy coast and mudflats which has been identified by the
Sindh Wildlife Department as a potential site for a protected
area (PA) and they have approached WWFPakistan's for assistance.
The area is known to be a breeding ground for flamingos and a
staging ground for pelicans, cranes, storks, and many other species
of waterfowl. The area is also notable as a migratory route for
waterfowl - the Indus "Flyway". Providing protection
to this area will ensure its retention as an outstanding ecosystem
in which the sustainable use of its natural resources, as well
as future research, can be pursued.
Project Objectives:
1. To conduct a general survey of the marshland and mudflat areas
along the coast.
2. To propose the boundaries for the creation of a protected
area.
3. To identify specific problems in the proposed area and to
propose possible solutions to these problems, taking into consideration
the needs of local people.
4. To propose appropriate measures to control the transport of
pollutants through drainage canals.
PK0049.1: Creation of Protected Areas in the Coastal Areas
of Thatta and Badin (Jun. 96 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Littoral Zones; Marshes/Swamps; Mudflats; River Systems.
Activity Methods:
Protected Area Establishment; Protected Area Management; Research
and Monitoring.
(Concept) PK0050 Pakistan: CommunityBased Management
and Conservation Models
- Snow Leopards
Project Summary:
The snow leopard is endangered throughout its 12 range states
in Asia. The main reasons for this are grazier activities, trade
in its fur, and fragmentation of its habitat. Although legal protection
is afforded to snow leopards in several countries, its populations
are in decline. Pakistan is one of the most important range countries
for snow leopard where legal protection exists. However, the leopard's
precarious position is no different to other countries, which
indicates that more practical and target-oriented actions are
required. Experience has shown that the snow leopard can be protected
provided graziers are motivated to cooperate. This project proposes
to identify various mountain ranges with snow leopards and establish
conservation models for replication within and outside Pakistan.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 20 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 30 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 10 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 40 |
Non-Biome Specific 80 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 20 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a charismatic species of
mountain ecosystems. Because of its beautiful fur and predatory
nature, it is hunted in large numbers by both fur traders and
graziers. This fact, combined with fragmentation in its natural
range, has reduced snow leopard populations to the point of approaching
extinction throughout its range states, including Pakistan. Although
there have been many proposals and plans to protect snow leopards,
in particular from graziers, there is as yet no working model
and the conflict continues. WWFPakistan has been working
with grazier communities for the conservation of various wildlife
species for some time. This association has revealed that graziers
can be motivated to help protect snow leopard, provided they are
helped to overcome the current incidences of disease and mortality
in their livestock. Future cooperation may also exist by providing
assistance in their pasture development. This project proposes
to develop conservation models in the Karakoram mountain range,
the Hindukush mountain range, and the Himalayas, involving local
grazier communities for the beneficial coexistence of livestock
and snow leopard. Since snow leopard habitat in the different
mountain ranges covers a variety of human cultures, the experience
gained will be of help to other range states in protecting leopards.
Moreover, the project will also help the rural poor to enhance
and sustain their income sources from their traditional practices.
Other beneficiaries will be several prey species of snow leopards,
some of which are also endangered.
Project Objectives:
1. To identify and test various ways and means for the coexistence
of livestock and snow leopard.
2. To develop conservation models that will help snow leopards
to survive the current threats from grazier communities and fur
traders.
3. To help grazier communities in remote rural areas to enhance
and sustain their income from their traditional practices.
4. To help government agencies to implement CITES.
PK0050.1: Development of CommunityBased Management
and Conservation (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Research and Monitoring; Species Management.
Activity Species:
Snow leopard (Pantera uncia).
(Concept) PK0051 Pakistan: Conservation of Communal Scrub Forest
and Biodiversity in Representative Areas
Project Summary:
Scrub forests, in addition to being a major source of fuelwood
for thousands of villages in all four provinces of Pakistan, in
particular Punjab, provide a natural habitat to an important ungulate,
the urial - a wild sheep - and many species of birds. More than
30 medicinal plants are associated with these forests. These communal
forests are being cut at a high rate and there is now a large
area devoid of any forest cover. With positive results obtained
over a 12-month pilot project on community involvement with scrub
forest, WWF-Pakistan proposes to extend and replicate it in at
least six other sites. The project will contain a Participatory
Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach to conservation, with specific
components relating to women and the environment; establishment
of protected areas and nurseries for reforestation purposes; use
of educational resource material for local communities; introduction
of alternate technologies; and general surveys of biodiversity
in the remaining forest cover, e.g. of indigenous plant species,
as well as mapping the distribution and abundance of the urial.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 100 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 15 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 10 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 15 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 60 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Scrub forests are the second-largest forest ecosystem type in
Pakistan, covering some 648,000ha. They occur in foothills and
low mountains in almost all provinces. These forests, comprising
mostly "Olea cuspidata" and "Acacia" spp.,
are the major source of fuelwood throughout Pakistan and also
support thousands of livestock. From a biodiversity point of view,
scrub forest are home to various ungulates, in particular the
urial (Ovis orientalis) and a variety of birds, especially partridges.
More than 30 medicinal plants have also been reported from scrubs
which are being used by local communities for the treatment of
various diseases. Since these forests have tremendous importance
for watershed protection, their commercial exploitation is not
allowed in government-owned forests. However, communal forests
are subjected to heavy cutting and grazing pressure and almost
40% of the old range is now totally degraded and devoid of natural
flora and fauna. The remaining forests are also losing their ecological
character quite rapidly and may vanish altogether if corrective
measure are not adopted.
One way to approach their protection is the establishment of demonstration
projects in representative areas, in which communities are trained
to manage their communal forests in a sustainable way. The EcoResource
Survey, completed in 1993 by WWFPakistan, highlighted the
conservation needs of scrub forests. WWFPakistan has already
implemented a oneyear pilot project in the scrub zone, involving
people from five villages. Within 12 months, these communities
had agreed not only to give full protection against felling to
about 15% of their forests, but had also initiated efforts to
replenish depleted sites. Based on the success and results of
this pilot project, it is proposed to develop the project as a
model and extend it to a minimum of six other sites, representing
different local cultures and traditions, in various parts of the
country. The project will help not only to protect biodiversity
resources in selected areas, but will also motivate communities
in surrounding areas, through a comprehensive education programme,
to conserve their forests as an integral part of their local environment
and economy.
Project Objectives:
1. To test various approaches of community involvement/PRA for
the protection and sustainable use of communal scrub forest, e.g.
through the introduction of alternate technologies and educational
resource material, establishment of nurseries and protected areas,
and an awareness programme focused on women.
2. To protect the biodiversity of scrub forest in general, and
in specific sites.
PK0051.1: Conservation of Communal Scrub Forest and Biodiversity
in Representative Areas (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems; Temperate Woodland.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Education; Forest Management; Protected
Area Establishment; Research and Monitoring; Species Management;
Wildlife Trade Monitoring.
Activity Species:
Urial (Ovis orientalis).
(Concept) PK0052 Pakistan: Conservation and Management of Himalayan
Moist Temperate Forest Ecosystem
Project Summary:
Moist temperate forests, chiefly characterized by extensive growth
of conifers, are one of the nine major types of forest in Pakistan.
The major threats to these forests are: large-scale cutting for
timber and fuelwood, livestock grazing, and clearance of land
for agriculture, ultimately leading to erosion. This project will
address these issues by establishing fuelwood plantations, restocking
deforested lands through a Participatory Rural Appraisal approach,
environmental education, and the introduction of alternative income-generation
activities.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 100 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 30 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 20 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 30 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 20 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Pakistan has nine different types of forest ecosystems, including
moist temperate forests. These forests are chiefly characterized
by extensive growth of conifers. Such formations extend along
the entire length of the outer ranges of the Himalayas, between
subtropical pine and subalpine forests, at an elevation of 1,350-3,050m;
they vary markedly in different parts of the country. In Punjab,
coniferous forests are administered by the Forest Department (29,000ha)
and by the Murree Kahuta Development Authority (43,000ha). The
main species of these forests are kail (Pinus wallichiana), deodar
(Cedrus deodara), spruce (Picea smithiana), and fir (Abies pindrow).
Among broadleaved trees, oak species (e.g. Quercus incanna, Q.
dilatata, Q. semicarpifolia) occur as the commonest associate.
Numerous temperate forest deciduous tree and shrub species are
also to be found. A large number of important medicinal plants
occur in this zone, sizeable quantities of which are commercially
harvested. These valuable forests constitute the only source of
softwood in Punjab province, and timber from them is used for
furniture and construction. Ever increasing population pressure
is causing immense harm to these forests. Local people have rights
of free grazing and free acquisition of trees for construction,
repairs and burial purposes. This has taken a heavy toll of trees
because the forest area has remained unchanged while the population
of rights holders has increased manifold. Under this project an
attempt will be made to conserve the existing forests in some
areas, and initiate tree plantation campaigns with the participation
of the Forest Department and the local community, to restock deforested
patches .
Project Objectives:
1. To reduce the use of natural resources by establishing fuelwood
plantations on the periphery of existing agricultural lands, with
local community participation.
2. To identify sites for the establishment of protected areas.
3. To initiate tree plantation campaigns with the participation
of the Forest Department and the local community.
4. To create awareness among local people about the importance
of their natural resources.
PK0052.1: Conservation and Management of Himalayan Moist
Temperate Forest (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems; Temperate Rainforest.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Education; Forest Management;
Protected Area Establishment; Research and Monitoring.
(Concept) PK0053 Pakistan: Luton and Peshawar Initiative for
Sustainability (LAPIS)
Project Summary:
LAPIS is an international educational project arising from a partnership
between WWFUK, WWF-Pakistan and Bedfordshire County Council
in UK. Its essential theme is learning for sustainability and
it aims to link communities, schools, local authorities and universities
in Luton (UK) and Peshawar (Pakistan) through the local "Agenda
21" process. The focus of the work in Luton has been on areas
of the town with a high Asian population. Funding for the start
of the project was provided by WWFUK and Bedfordshire County
council. This has enabled links to be established between Luton
and Peshawar; training of teachers and community workers to understand
sustainable development; development and trial of teaching resources
on transport, food and health; and establishment of three working
groups to cover issues of particular relevance to women, youth,
and communities. Other working groups have begun developing neighbourhood
plans to improve the environment and quality of life of communities
in inner Luton. At the same time, work is beginning in Peshawar
to develop a similar process of support to teachers and community-led
planning.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 20
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 70 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 100 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 10 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
"Agenda 21" - the global agenda for the 21st century
- emphasizes the need to learn more about the ways in which environmental
and social problems can be resolved through cooperation and consensus.
Working at a local level, this involves encouraging cooperation
between educationalists, community workers, and policy-makers
to help develop understanding and practical responses to these
problems. An initiative based on this theme has been undertaken
in Luton (UK) and Peshawar (Pakistan). The Luton chapter of the
project began in September 1995 and aims to be completed by February
1997. It is a partnership between WWFUK, Luton Borough Council,
Bedfordshire County Council, and WWFPakistan. Funds are
being sought in Pakistan for the Peshawar activity. The parallel
work began in 1995 and will lead to the exchange of information,
experiences, and people during 1996. This will enable participants
in Luton and Peshawar to develop better understanding of the similarities
and differences between the two countries in addressing sustainable
development. Central to this coordination will be the management
of the linking process between the two localities. This entails
building on contacts made during the feasibility study by establishing
regular and effective communication between the initiative in
Peshawar and that in Luton. The project will also encourage different
sectors in both locations to start building their own links and
ensure the long-term sustainability and continuation of the projects
and their eventual ownership by those participating in it.
Project Objectives:
1. To build capacity through a network of key workers and individuals
to encourage crosssectoral working towards sustainability.
2. To support research and project development within these networks.
3. To build partnerships and links locally and internationally.
4. To disseminate information and materials relating to the project.
5. To enable community, schools, and key institutions in Luton
and Peshawar to participate in actions leading to sustainable
development in the light of both local and international perspectives.
6. To develop a transferable model of education for sustainability
that encompasses local and international consideration, featuring
key elements of community participation, formal education, and
local authority planning for "Agenda 21".
7. To support the production of educational material that can
inform, record, and disseminate the understanding gained through
the project, and that will catalyse and contribute to similar
initiatives elsewhere in the world.
PK0053.1: Luton and Peshawar Initiative for Sustainability
(LAPIS) (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Methods:
Communications; Education; Ethics; Information Systems; Institutional
Support and Development; Policy Development; Training.
(Concept) PK0054 Pakistan: Scientific Research for Implementation
of Khunjerab NP Management Plan
Project Summary:
WWFPakistan has developed a management plan for Khunjerab
National Park after a long process of negotiation between the
government administration and local communities to resolve a long-standing
conflict over the grazing rights in park. The plan includes scientific
studies to obtain crucial information for the management of the
park's resources. This project proposes to undertake such studies,
to identify conflicts between the traditional use of selected
park areas and critical park resources, and to recommend solutions
to determine the current status of endangered species within the
park; to identify and develop the education needs and materials
for various audience groups; to test various plant species to
replenish depleted park sites; to determine the impacts of grazing
and identify remedial measures on selected pastures; to determine
the current use of the park by groups of people other than graziers,
for recreational and other purposes, and their present and potential
impacts on the overall park resources.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 0 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 100 |
Non-Priority Biomes 100 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
Khunjerab National Park was established in 1975 to protect Marcopolo
sheep in their historical habitat on the borders between Pakistan
and China. Other species (e.g. snow leopard, Tibetan wild ass,
and brown bear) have since also became priority candidates for
protection. However, owing to conflicts over the traditional use
of range lands and pastures within the park, and lack of appropriate
institutions and funding facilities to manage the park on a scientific
basis, the original objectives of the park's creation have not
be achieved. Surveys of endangered species have revealed that
the park's resources are under tremendous pressure from various
sources and may vanish altogether if corrective measures are not
adopted in time. Although the answer lies in the development and
the implementation of a management plan for the whole park, existing
conflicts between grazier communities and park and civil administration
has precluded such action.
In view of the seriousness of the situation and the increasing
destruction of park resources, WWFPakistan volunteered to
resolve the conflicts. As an outcome of WWF's efforts an agreement
was reached between the parties concerned which allowed people
to continue to use less critical range areas but also held them
responsible for the protection of wildlife in the park. Accordingly,
WWFPakistan drew up a management plan which was formally
presented to government agencies in June 1994 and received approval
in principle. Although the management plan has yet to be circulated
to concerned agencies by the federal government, several research
elements of the plan need immediate implementation. This project
proposes to undertake some of the selected, management-oriented
studies, to be carried out by local and foreign scientist and
students.
Project Objectives:
1. To obtain, as part of the implementation of the management
plan, social and ecological information for use in the management
of Khunjerab National Park.
2. To train young scientists/students in the art and methodologies
of collecting field data.
3. To develop linkages between students of various universities,
both within and outside Pakistan, for undertaking joint research
and field projects.
4. To encourage representatives of local communities to participate
in scientific studies of the park, and to provide opportunities
for them to learn about some of the critical problems and requirements
of the park.
PK0054.1: Scientific Research for Implementation of Khunjerab
NP Management Plan (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Mixed Mountain Systems.
Activity Methods:
Agriculture Management; Community Conservation; Information Systems;
Institutional Support and Development; Protected Area Management;
Policy Development; Research and Monitoring; Species Management;
Training.
(Concept) PK0055 Pakistan: Integrated Pest Management and Transfer
of Technology
- Farm Level
Project Summary:
The project will provide practical and environmentally sound Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) and improved crop production technology
through onsite training to 1,200 farmers and 60 field extension
workers, using field oriented methods. The training presents an
opportunity to introduce new methodologies into the farmer training
system, while illustrating the potential of farmers to implement
better crop production with efficient fertilizer application and
IPM methods. Seven areas representing the dominant agroecosystems,
mainly with irrigated cottonwheat, irrigated ricewheat,
irrigated fruitsvegetables, and irrigated mixed cropping
systems, will be covered within the framework of the project.
Universities, NGOs, and agriculture research and extension organizations
will be involved to develop curriculum and provide technical advice.
Opportunities will be exploited through exchange study tours with
IPM trainers and policy-makers in the region. Health and environmental
impact studies will be carried out to monitor effects on human
health, wildlife including birds, natural enemies of crop pests,
and soil microbes.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 33
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 34 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 100 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 33 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Agriculture in Pakistan, as the backbone of the country's economy,
is the single largest sector contributing onethird to national
income and employing 52% of the labour force. A wide range of
pests (insects, diseases, and weeds) are the major constraints
to achieving higher yields of crops. Pakistan is blessed with
diverse agroecology, capable of successfully growing almost
all types of crops. However, these conditions are also subjected
to various types of pest ravages. The Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO) has estimated 33 million tons of food-grain losses due to
pests in storage. In Pakistan, on the basis of 50% loss (insect
20%, weeds 15%, diseases 5%, and rodents 10%), the economic loss
to crops value is around 120 billion rupees; unforseen pest losses
are estimated at twice this figure.
Increasing population demands in Pakistan commensurate to increases
in food production. The use of agrochemicals is predominant
and an inevitable component of pest management. However, the side-effects
attributed to the use of these chemicals are the destruction of
natural biotic balance, suppression of biocontrol agents,
insect resurgence, pesticide resistance, and danger to pollinators,
soil, and aquatic wildlife. The toxicity of pesticides is affecting
the whole food-chain, air, water, and plants. Their indiscriminate
use is also producing signs of serious human ailments, the most
common being cancer, liver diseases, and hypertension, along with
respiratory problems. With the latest knowledge and technology,
it is possible to minimize these losses by applying pesticides
systematically as a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
The National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) has successfully
experimented with IPM techniques at the ground level. Based on
these successes, WWFPakistan feels that a large-scale IPM
project is now needed. Furthermore, "Agenda 21" specifically
states (Chapter 14, Section I) that Integrated Pest Management
training should be made available to farmers.
To sustain growth in Pakistan's agricultural sector and to obviate
the risk of highly toxic/persistent pesticides, it is essential
that the use of these pesticides should be minimized by developing
and transferring Integrated Pest Management technology, including
use of natural enemies (predators and parasites) of pests, crop
resistant varieties, crop rotations, modifying cultural practices,
adopting practical quarantine measures, and exercising mechanical
methods for pest management. This will also include judicial and
specific uses of pesticides which, as well as being necessary
to an effective pest management programme, will save billions
of rupees spent on their indiscriminate use.
Project Objectives:
Main objective:
1. To build Pakistan's human resource capacity to set crop production
and pest management on a new path of sustainable agriculture,
while ensuring the profitability of farmers and the integration
of international and national agricultural movements.
Specific objectives:
2. To provide IPM field training to approximately 1,200 farmers
in their own communities by working through community organizations
where they exist.
3. To strengthen institutional infrastructure and provide linkages
to ongoing IPM-related programmes, research institutions, and
universities, and to carry out IPM field training through curriculum
development.
4. To provide long-term national and provincial support for IPM
and farmer training. To promote university policies related to
graduate and postgraduate education for IPM-related activities.
5. To implement occupational health and environmental impact
analyses of IPM training. Findings and recommendations of these
studies will be incorporated in training and policy development
activities during the initial and second phases.
6. To disseminate IPM information through electronic media and
press.
PK0055.1: Integrated Pest Management and Transfer of Technology
- Farm Level (Jun. 96 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Agricultural Land.
Activity Methods:
Agriculture Management; Communications; Education; Institutional
Support and Development; Training.
(Concept) PK0056 Pakistan: Geographical Information System
(GIS), EDRC
Project Summary:
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is an important tool for
environmental planners and natural resource managers and others,
used to store, retrieve, interpret, and represent biological and
socioeconomic data in graphic forms. It allows the manipulation
of information, e.g. on population, vegetation changes, livestock
and different market surveys, which can be integrated with existing
topographic, climate, soil, geologic, and hydrologic information
systems.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 60 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 20 |
| EE & Capacity Building 40 |
Oceans and Coasts 20 | |
Protected Areas 20 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 20 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 20 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
A biogeographically representative and effectively managed network
of protected areas (PAs) is an important means of ensuring biodiversity
conservation. Until now in Pakistan there has not been sufficient
data available on biodiversity and the environment. By utilizing
remote sensing data and GIS techniques it will be possible to
evaluate issues of biodiversity in Pakistan and to help ecodevelopment
plans for ecologically important areas. Such diagnostic studies
support measures which can be taken to improve environment-related
developmental activities. WWFPakistan therefore intends
to develop geographical information databases for forest resources
and PAs, so that the requisite spatial information becomes available
to resource managers and planners for natural resource management
and environment protection.
Project Objectives:
1. To provide information about the status of particular biodiversity
regions.
2. To monitor and predict changes in the habitats.
3. To provide spatial and ecological profiles relating to biodiversity
"hotspots".
4. To provide baseline data on species and genetic diversity.
5. To provide graphics and answers to complex questions in conservation
planning.
PK0056.1: Geographical Information System (GIS), EDRC (Jun.
96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Methods:
Information Systems; Institutional Support and Development; Research
and Monitoring.
(Concept) PK0057 Pakistan: Conservation and Management of Crane
Species and their Crucial Staging Areas
Project Summary:
Hunting of cranes is a popular sport in certain parts of Pakistan.
Although cranes are generally trapped alive, they are also shot
and eaten. Live trapping of cranes accounts for some 7,000-8,000
birds each year. Because of the high hunting pressures, the Siberian
crane is now extinct in Pakistan. The population sizes of other
crane species, such as Eurasian and Demoiselle cranes, are also
in steady decline. To counter this trend, WWFPakistan organized
a crane conservation workshop in October 1995, the outcome of
which, based on the recommendation of experienced and knowledgeable
hunters and professionals, is a proposed project for the conservation
and management of crane species and their crucial staging areas.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 50 |
| EE & Capacity Building 20 |
Oceans and Coasts 10 | |
Protected Areas 20 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 60 |
Non-Biome Specific 40 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
View Map
Four crane species occur in Pakistan. One, the Siberian crane,
declined from about 1,000 in 1965 to zero in 1994, while there
are reportedly a dozen remaining sarus cranes. According to various
reports, the populations of Eurasian and demoiselle cranes are
also declining steadily. The major reasons for this sad situation
are: uncontrolled and excessive hunting on major flyways in the
North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan provinces;
lack of information, and inappropriate management and protection
of known staging areas and wetland ecosystems; lack of proper
training on breeding and caring techniques of captive cranes;
lack of conservation-oriented rules and regulations; and lack
of cooperation on the part of hunters to protect cranes from excessive
hunting. A conservative 7,000-8,000 cranes are trapped alive each
year in just one province, while about 12,000 cranes are held
in captivity.
Realizing that common and demoiselle cranes may also disappear
from the central flyway, which passes through Afghanistan and
Pakistan, WWFPakistan organized a workshop in collaboration
with the National Avian Research Centre, Abu Dhabi and the NWFP
Wildlife Department, with the financial assistance of the US Fish
and Wildlife Service. Representatives and key hunters from important
hunting areas attended and the problems of crane conservation
were discussed. The results and recommendations of the workshop
revealed that hunting of cranes could be minimized to a rational
level provided hunters are educated on the need for conservation
and involved in major decisions regarding management and conservation
of cranes. It was further suggested that since the protected area
network is insufficient to meet the conservation needs of cranes,
this should be developed, improved, and maintained on a scientific
basis. In order to implement the recommendations (to protect cranes
from possible extinction and secure the central flyway for several
other migratory species), this project proposes to adopt a multisectoral
approach: e.g. hunters will specify the limits of currently unlimited
bags, will initiate studies to identify important flyways, corridors,
and staging areas for various species, and will suggest measures
to protect them. The project will also develop appropriate education
materials to address crane issues (wild as well as captive animals)
and arrange a training programme, especially for women, on the
breeding and caring techniques of cranes.
Project Objectives:
1. To organize hunters of NWFP to reduce crane hunting pressure
and protect crane staging areas.
2. To identify and map major flyways and important staging areas
of cranes in Pakistan and suggest measures for their protection.
3. To develop appropriate education materials for various audiences,
including schoolchildren, hunters and their families, and the
general public.
4. To arrange training programme for hunters, especially women,
on caring methods and techniques that would help captive cranes
to breed successfully, and chicks to survive common diseases.
5. To collaborate with wildlife departments to amend existing
hunting rules and to make them conservation-oriented rather than
revenue-oriented.
PK0057.1: Conservation and Management of Crane Species (Jun.
96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Lake Systems; Marshes/Swamps; River Systems.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Education; Lobbying; Protected
Area Establishment; Policy Development; Research and Monitoring;
Species Management; Training.
(Concept) PK0059 Pakistan: Environmental Education Programme
for Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Project Summary:
This project will initiate an environmental awareness programme
in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Activity based initiatives will be
undertaken as a result of consultative workshops involving a spectrum
of representation from the local community to high level government
decision-makers. This areaspecific focused approach will
be complemented by a more general awareness and publicity programme
involving schools, religious institutes, and the general public.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 100 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
|
Species 0Non-Biome Specific 100 |
| Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir possess rich natural resources ranging
from wetlands to pristine moist temperate forests. Its people
still have a tradition of respecting their natural resources and
thus are likely to be responsive to well-intentioned conservation
initiatives from a reputable organization like WWF. Relevant government
officials have also shown interest in collaborating with WWF.
The purpose of this project is to take advantage of these positive
circumstances and to improve awareness about conservation in general
and about local issues in particular. In the long term, such an
initiative will contribute towards achieving a balance between
issues such as development, conservation of natural resources,
and local traditions.
The project will start by holding a series of workshops in six
areas selected for the value of ecosystem they represent. Participants
will be representative of current societal issues, ranging from
local community traditional elders to senior government officials.
The outcome of these workshops will be activity-based programmes
for selected communities, to help them learn more about their
natural resources, as well as small improvement projects on the
ground to give people a sense of achievement by making the results
visible; e.g. the involvement of schools in establishing nurseries,
building irrigation channels through selfhelp, or carrying
out basic scientific research for the purpose of information dissemination
through pamphlets and publications. General awareness drives involving
distribution of stickers, calendars, and posters will also be
undertaken to provide a complementary umbrella to the specific
activities. The latter will be made possible through access to
a mobile van with complete publicity accessories. These activities
will be followed by a review phase to analyse the pros and cons
of this approach, and provide guidance to future, more specific
education conservation projects with direct focus on specific
natural resources.
Project Objectives:
1. To launch an Environmental Education Programme among the rural
and urban population of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
2. To involve local communities in the Environmental Education
Programme.
3. To create awareness among the local community for conservation
of their natural resources by conservation education programme.
PK0059.1: Environmental Education Programme for Azad Jammu
and Kashmir (Jul. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Lake Systems; River Systems; Temperate Rainforest.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Education; Institutional
Support and Development; Policy Development Research and Monitoring;
Training.
(Concept) PK0060 Pakistan: Conservation of the Tropical Thorn
Forests of Punjab
Project Summary:
Tropical thorn forests are one of the most remarkable forest types
of the Punjab. Extensive use of these forests, including land
reclamation for agricultural purposes, urbanization, grazing,
and fuelwood collection, is now threatening them. This project
provides for measures to be taken to conserve thorn forests in
the Punjab. Such measures include awareness programmes and identification
of sites for the establishment of protected areas through the
involvement of local populations.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 100 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 20 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 20 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 60 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | |
Treaties & Legislation 0 |
| Non-Priority Strategies 0 |
Project Background:
View Map
Natural tropical thorn forests once formed one of the most remarkable
landscapes of the Punjab plains in Pakistan. It is the natural
vegetation cover of the whole Indus plain, known as Rakh forests,
and comprises jand (Prosopis cineraria), wan (Salvadora oleoides),
frash (Tamarix aphylla), ber (Zizyphus mauritiana), malla (Zizyphus
nummularia), kikri (Acacia jacquemontii), low shrubs such as phog
(Calligonum polygonoides), khip (Leptadenia spartium), aak (Calotropis
procera), lana (Sueda fruiticosa), panir (Withania coagulans),
and buin (Kochia indica), and grasses such as garam (Pennisetum
antidotal), Katran (Lasiurus hirsutus), Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris),
and Khawi (Cymbopogan jwarancusa). Before land reclamation, these
forests were the main source of firewood supplies for urban and
rural populations. Today they are a source of medicine, fibre,
fodder and fuel for local people, as well as contributing to the
stability of these fragile areas and supporting wildlife.
In Punjab, patches of tropical thorn forest are located in Sargodha,
Faislabad, Lahore, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. By the beginning
of this century, the forests had decreased considerably. Major
factors contributing to their decline include land reclamation
for agricultural purposes and urbanization. A study in 1991 showed
these areas to be neglected and degraded and approaching the status
of a threatened ecosystem. The main reasons for degradation include
extensive grazing, cutting for fuelwood and for other commercial
uses. In the absence of any commercially important tree species,
the complexity of ownership, and harsh climate, these forests
are of least interest to the Forest Department and as a consequence
are lacking a management programme. This project therefore proposes
the conservation of tropical thorn forests of the Punjab with
the participation of the Forest Department and local communities.
Several potential sites for the conservation of these forests
are Rakh Khairewala, Rakh Shergarh, Khanpur, Lal Sohanra, Kotla
Issan, Miran Pur, PeerowalKhanewalChichawatni rail
verges, Namal, Registan Shumali, and Harrappa. Three sites will
be selected initially for this project.
Project Objectives:
1. To conserve biodiversity in the remnant natural tropical thorn
forests in the Punjab.
2. To identify areas for establishment as protected areas.
3. To create awareness among local communities for conservation
of natural resources through various media.
PK0060.1: Conservation of the Tropical Thorn Forests of
Punjab (Jun. 96 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Tropical Dry Forest.
Activity Methods:
Community Conservation; Communications; Forest Management; Institutional
Support and Development; Protected Area Establishment; Research
and Monitoring.
(Concept) PK0061 Pakistan: National Environmental Education
Programme for Teachers Education
Project Summary:
This project focuses on the training and capacity building of
Master trainers, teacher educators, and trainee teachers in environmental
education. From previous experience, WWFPakistan has realized
that to reach a large number of target groups within the formal
education system, the involvement of government agencies is essential.
The project would utilize the Ministry of Education's curriculum
wing to spread its training activities through provincial education
departments. The intention is to create a lasting effect on the
delivery of the school curriculum by enhancing current teacher
training practices and by effecting conducive changes at other
levels in the formal school system.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 100 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 100 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | |
Treaties & Legislation 0 |
| Non-Priority Strategies 0 |
Project Background:
Education, the raising of public awareness, and training are linked
to virtually all areas in "Agenda 21". Chapter 36, "Promoting
Education, public awareness and training", recognizes the
following activities, amongst others, which would reorient education
towards sustainable development:
(a) Governments should strive to update or prepare strategies
aimed at integrating environment and development as a cross-cutting
issue into education at all levels. This should be done in cooperation
with all sectors of society. The strategies should set policies
and activities and identify needs, costs, means and schedules
for their implementation, evaluation and review. A thorough review
of curricula should be undertaken to ensure a multidisciplinary
approach, with environment and development topics, their sociocultural
and demographic aspects and linkages. Due respect should be given
to community-defined needs and diverse knowledge systems, including
science, cultural, and social sensitivities.
(b) Educational authorities, with appropriate assistance from
community groups or non-governmental organizations, are recommended
to assist or set up preservice and inservice training
programmes for teachers, administrators, and educational planners,
as well as for non-formal educators in all sectors. These should
address the nature and methods of environmental and developmental
education and make use of relevant NGO experience.
The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy recommends investment
in specialized programmes to develop training expertise in key
areas capable of incorporating sustainable development. The measures
to achieve this for educators include adding major components
of environmental awareness to the curricula of teacher training
institutes and to bachelor and masters education courses at various
universities. According to the 1991 statistics published by the
Central Bureau of Education, Ministry of Education, there are
328 teacher training schools/colleges/units (below degree level)
in Pakistan. There are 3,309 teachers in these institutions which
each year cater for 36, 295 student teachers. The Ministry has
a new mandate to introduce environmental studies at undergraduate
level through development of a course entitled "Interdisciplinary
course on EPD". An EE Unit has already been introduced at
the preservice level entitled "Teacher, Schools Society.
The Federal Ministry of Education, Curriculum Wing is responsible
for the following important segments within the national education
system: development and approval of national curriculum 112;
preservice and inservice teacher training at elementary
levels; approval of textbooks for the level 112 and the
corresponding teacher training programme. WWFPakistan's
teacher training activities and material development has been
a feature of its education programme since 1991. Its education
activities are spread throughout the provinces, with education
officers in all the major cities. The Curriculum Wing and WWFPakistan
have been collaborating in the field of environmental education
over the past two years, the upshot of which will be a more coordinated,
focused, and systematic approach to environmental education. Under
this project, WWF-Pakistan's Education Division will build capacity
in training and develop relevant resource material. Project activities
will include: training of a number of Master trainers; identification
of a writing team to develop resource material; training of about
1,000 teacher educators; initiation of EE units at federal and
provincial level; and training of key resource persons in provincial
departments.
Project Objectives:
Main objective:
1. To incorporate environmental education (EE) into teacher training
at all levels within the government education system in Pakistan,
e.g. teacher training colleges and provincial bureaus of curriculum.
Specific objectives:
2. To incorporate EE in the inservice teacher training
programme at federal and provincial levels.
3. To develop and produce teacher training material in appropriate
languages.
4. To implement a training programme for teacher educators at
the national level.
PK0061.1: National Environmental Education Programme for
Teacher Education (Jun. 96 - Jun. 97)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Activity Biomes:
Urban Zones.
Activity Methods:
Education; Institutional Support and Development; Training.
|