Wildlife of Pakistan

Last updated

The wildlife of Pakistan comprises a diverse flora and fauna in a wide range of habitats from sea level to high elevation areas in the mountains, including 195 mammal, 668 bird species and more than 5000 species of Invertebrates. [1] This diverse composition of the country's fauna is associated with its location in the transitional zone between two major zoogeographical regions, the Palearctic, and the Oriental. [2] The northern regions of Pakistan, which include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan include portions of two biodiversity hotspot, Mountains of Central Asia and Himalayas. [3]

Contents

Habitats

Northern highlands and plains

Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan Markhor Horns (5779055412).jpg
Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan

The northern highlands include lower elevation areas of Potohar and Pakistan administered Jammu and Kashmir regions and higher elevation areas embracing the foothills of Himalayan, Karakorum and Hindukush mountain ranges. These areas provide an excellent habitat for wildlife in the form of alpine grazing lands, sub-alpine scrub and temperate forests.

Some of the wildlife species found in northern mountainous areas and Pothohar Plateau include the bharal, Eurasian lynx, Himalayan goral, Marco Polo sheep, marmot (in Deosai National Park) and yellow-throated marten and birds species of chukar partridge, Eurasian eagle-owl, Himalayan monal and Himalayan snowcock and amphibian species of Himalayan toad and Muree Hills frog.

Threatened species include the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Indian wolf, rhesus macaque, markhor, Siberian ibex and white-bellied musk deer. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Bird species present are cheer pheasant, peregrine falcon and western tragopan. [13]

Indus plains and deserts of Sindh

The Indus River and its numerous eastern tributaries of Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum, Beas are spread across most of Punjab. The plain of the Indus continues towards and occupies most of western Sindh. The plains have many fluvial landforms (including bars, flood plains, levees, meanders and oxbows) that support various natural biomes including tropical and subtropical dry and moist broadleaf forestry as well as tropical and xeric shrublands (deserts of Thal and Cholistan in Punjab, Nara and Thar in Sindh). The banks and stream beds of the river system also support riparian woodlands that exhibit the tree species of kikar, mulberry and sheesham. Such geographical landforms accompanied by an excellent system of monsoon climate provides an excellent ground for diversity of flora and fauna species. However, the plains are equally appealing to humans for agricultural goals and development of civilization.

Some of the non-threatened mammal species includes the nilgai, red fox and wild boar, bird species of Alexandrine parakeet, barn owl, black kite, myna, hoopoe, Indian peafowl, Indian leopard, red-vented bulbul, rock pigeon, shelduck and shikra, reptile species of Indian cobra, Indian star tortoise, Sindh krait and yellow monitor and amphibian species of Indus Valley bullfrog and Indus Valley toad. Some of the threatened mammal species include the, axis deer, blackbuck (in captivity; extinct in wild), hog deer, dholes, Indian pangolin, Punjab urial and Sindh ibex, bird species of white-backed vulture and reptile species of black pond turtle and gharial. Grey partridge is one of the few birds that can be found in the Cholistan desert. [14]

Mugger crocodiles inhabit the Deh Akro-II Desert Wetland Complex, Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Chotiari Reservoir and Haleji Lake. [15] [16] [17]

Western highlands, plains and deserts

The western region of Pakistan, most of which is enveloped in Balochistan province, has a complex geography. In mountainous highlands, habitat varies from conifer forests of deodar in Waziristan and juniper in Ziarat. Numerous mountain ranges surround the huge lowland plains of Balochistani Plateau, through which a rather intricate meshwork of seasonal rivers and salt pans is spread. Deserts are also present, showing xeric shrubland vegetation in the region. Date palms and ephedra are common flora varieties in the desert.[ citation needed ]

The dromedary Camel Dromadaire4478.jpg
The dromedary Camel

The Balochistan leopard has been described from this region. [18] Some of the mammal species include the caracal, Balochistan dormouse, Blanford's fox, dromedary camel, goitered gazelle, Indian crested porcupine, long-eared hedgehog, markhor, ratel, and striped hyena, bird species of bearded vulture, houbara bustard and merlin, reptile species of leopard gecko and saw-scaled viper and amphibian species of Balochistan toad.[ citation needed ]

Wetlands, coastal regions and marine life

There are a number of protected wetlands (under Ramsar Convention) in Pakistan. These include Tanda Dam and Thanedar Wala in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chashma Barrage, Taunsa Barrage and Uchhali Complex in Punjab, Haleji Lake, Hub Dam and Kinjhar Lake in Sindh, Miani Hor in Balochistan. The wetlands are a habitat for migratory birds such as Dalmatian pelicans and demoiselle crane as well as predatory species of osprey, common kingfisher, fishing cat and leopard cat near the coast line. Chashma and Taunsa Barrage Dolphin Sanctuary protects the threatened Indus river dolphins which live in freshwater.

The east half of the coast of Pakistan is located in the south of Sindh province, which features the Indus River Delta and the coast of the Great Rann of Kutch. The largest saltwater wetland in Pakistan is the Indus River Delta. Unlike many other river deltas, it consists of clay soil and is very swampy. The west coast of the Great Rann of Kutch, east to the Indus River Delta and below the Tharparkar desert, is one of the few places where greater flamingos come to breed. It is also a habitat for endangered species of lesser florican. Unlike the Indus River Delta, this part of the coast is not as swampy and exhibits shrubland vegetation of rather dry thorny shrubs as well as marsh grasses of Apluda and Cenchrus .

Indian grey mongoose Indian grey mongoose.jpg
Indian grey mongoose

The vegetation of the Indus River Delta is mainly represented by various mangrove species and bamboo species. The Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves is a focused ecoregion of WWF. Nearly 95% of the mangroves located in the Indus River Delta are of the species Avicennia marina . Very small patches of Ceriops roxburghiana and Aegicerias corniculata are found. These provide nesting grounds for common snakehead, giant snakehead, Indus baril and many species of catfish like rita. The hilsa swims up from the Arabian Sea to spawn in freshwater. Species that are important to people as food, such as the golden mahseer and large freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium species), are part of the abundant aquatic life.

The west half of the Pakistan coast is in the south of Balochistan province. It is also called the Makran coast and exhibits protected sites such as Astola Island and Hingol National Park. The three major mangrove plantations of Balochistan coast are Miani Hor, Kalmat Khor and Gwatar Bay. Miani Hor is a swampy lagoon on the coast in the Lasbela district where the climate is very arid. The sources of fresh water for Miani Hor are the seasonal river of Porali. The nearest river to the other lagoon, Kalmat Khor, is the Basol River. Gawatar, the third site, is an open bay with a mouth almost as wide as its length. Its freshwater source is the Dasht River, the largest seasonal river of Baluchistan. All three bays support mainly A. marina species of mangrove. Pakistan also plans to rehabilitate mangrove-degraded areas at Sonmiani and Jiwani in Balochistan.

Along the shores of Astola and Ormara beaches of Balochistan and Hawke's Bay and Sandspit beaches of Sindh are nesting sites for five endangered species of sea turtles: green sea, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback. Sea snakes such as yellow-bellied sea snake are also found in the pelagic zone of the sea. The wetlands of Pakistan are also a home to the mugger crocodile who prefer freshwater habitat.

Goitered gazelle Female goitered gazelle, Shirvan National Park, Azerbaijan.jpg
Goitered gazelle

Extinct

Regionally extinct species in Pakistan include:

Regional departments

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yala National Park</span> National park in Sri Lanka

Yala (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, three of which are now open to the public. There are also two adjoining parks, Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' and Lunugamvehera National Park. The blocks have individual names, such as Palatupana. It is situated in the southeastern region of the country, in the Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, designated in 1938, as the first two designated national parks in Sri Lanka. The park is best known for its variety of wildlife and is important conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mugger crocodile</span> Species of crocodile from Asia

The mugger crocodile is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. It is native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers and artificial ponds. It rarely reaches a body length of 5 m and is a powerful swimmer, but also walks on land in search of suitable waterbodies during the hot season. Both young and adult mugger crocodiles dig burrows to which they retreat when the ambient temperature drops below 5 °C (41 °F) or exceeds 38 °C (100 °F). Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season. The sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation. Both parents protect the young for up to one year. They feed on insects, and adults prey on fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sundarbans</span> Mangrove forest in the Bay of Bengal

Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. Sundarban Reserve Forest (SRF) of Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It spans the area from the Baleswar River in Bangladesh's division of Khulna to the Hooghly River in India's state of West Bengal. It comprises closed and open mangrove forests, land used for agricultural purpose, mudflats and barren land, and is intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels. Sundarbans is home to the world's largest area of mangrove forests. Four protected areas in the Sundarbans are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viz. Sundarbans West (Bangladesh), Sundarbans South (Bangladesh), Sundarbans East (Bangladesh) and Sundarbans National Park (India).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fauna of India</span> Native animals of India

India is the world's 8th most biodiverse region with a 0.46 BioD score on diversity index, 102,718 species of fauna and 23.39% of the nation's geographical area under forest and tree cover in 2020. India encompasses a wide range of biomes: desert, high mountains, highlands, tropical and temperate forests, swamplands, plains, grasslands, areas surrounding rivers, as well as island archipelago. Officially, three out of the 36 Biodiversity Hotspots in the world are present in India: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and the Indo-Burma region. To these may be added the Sundarbans and the Terrai-Duar Savannah grasslands for their unique foliage and animal species. These hotspots have numerous endemic species. Nearly 5% of India's total area is formally classified under protected areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indus River Delta</span> River delta in India and Pakistan

The Indus River Delta forms where the Indus River flows into the Arabian Sea, mostly in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan with a small portion in the Kutch Region of India. The delta covers an area of about 41,440 km2, and is approximately 210 km (130 mi) across where it meets the sea. The active part of the delta is 6,000 km2 in area (2,300 sq mi). The climate is arid, the region only receives between 25 and 50 centimetres of rainfall in a normal year. The delta is home to the largest arid mangrove forests in the world, as well as many birds, fish and the Indus dolphin.

The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest Ramsar site in Sindh, covering 566,375 ha, and is located in the Rann of Kutch in Badin District, Sindh, Pakistan. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the government of Sindh in 1980.

India is home to a large variety of wildlife. It is a biodiversity hotspot with various ecosystems ranging from the Himalayas in the north to the evergreen rainforests in the south, the sands of the west to the marshy mangroves of the east. India lies within the Indomalayan realm and is home to about 7.6% of mammal, 14.7% of amphibian, 6% of bird, 6.2% of reptilian, and 6.2% of flowering plant species. India's forests contain about 500 species of mammals and more than 1300 bird species.

The wildlife of Iran include the fauna and flora of Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Liberia</span> Wildlife inhabiting of Liberia

The wildlife of Liberia consists of the flora and fauna of the Republic of Liberia. This West African nation has a long Atlantic coastline and a range of habitat types, with a corresponding diversity of plants and animals. Liberia is considered a biodiversity hotspot and has more intact forests characteristic of the Upper Guinea Massif than do neighbouring countries. There are 2000 species of vascular plants, approximately 140 species of mammals, and over 600 species of birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Mozambique</span> Flora and fauna of Mozambique

The wildlife of Mozambique consists of the flora and fauna of this country in southeastern Africa. Mozambique has a range of different habitat types and an ecologically rich and diverse wildlife. This includes 236 species of mammal, 740 species of bird and 5,692 species of vascular plant. The Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot, with significantly high levels of biodiversity, stretches from the southern tip of Mozambique into northeastern South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fauna of Pakistan</span> Overview of fauna in Pakistan

Pakistan's native fauna reflect its varied climatic zones. The northern Pakistan, which includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan, has portions of two biodiversity hotspots, Mountains of Central Asia and Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flora of Pakistan</span> Native flora

Pakistan's native flora reflects its varied climatic zones, which range from arid and semi-arid to temperate and tropical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fauna of Sindh</span>

The fauna of Sindh live in an area with a semi arid climate. With its coastal and riverine forests, its huge fresh water lakes, mountains and deserts, Sindh supports a large and varied wildlife population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rann of Kutch</span> Large area of salt desert in India and Pakistan

The Rann of Kutch is a large area of salt marshes that span the border between India and Pakistan. It is located mostly in the Kutch district of the Indian state of Gujarat, with a minor portion extending into the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is divided into the Great Rann and Little Rann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indus River Delta–Arabian Sea mangroves</span> Large mangrove ecoregion on the Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan and India

The Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves are a large mangrove ecoregion on the Arabian Sea coast of Sindh Province, Pakistan, and the Gulfs of Kutch and Khambhat in Gujarat, India. The mangroves are the seventh largest mangrove forest in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forestry in Pakistan</span> Environmental feature of Pakistan

The forestry sector of Pakistan is a main source of lumber, paper, fuelwood, latex, medicine as well as food and provide ecotourism and wildlife conservation purposes. 4.91% of Pakistan's land is covered in forest. The Shangla district is the only district of Pakistan that composed of more than 80% of forest land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirthar National Park</span> National park in Sindh, Pakistan

The Kirthar National Park is situated in the Kirthar Mountains in Jamshoro District in Sindh, Pakistan. It was established in 1974 and encompasses over 3,087 km2 (1,192 sq mi), making it the third largest national park in Pakistan. Wildlife in the park comprises leopard, striped hyena, Indian wolves, honey badger, urial, chinkara gazelles and rare Sindh ibex. Blackbuck are kept in enclosures for a reintroduction project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hingol National Park</span> National park in Pakistan

Hingol National Park or Hungol National Park is one of the largest national parks in Pakistan, located in the Makran coastal region. The park covers an area of about 6,100 square kilometres (2,400 sq mi) and is located 190 km from Karachi in the three districts of Gwadar, Lasbela and Awaran in Balochistan. Hingol was declared a national park in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiwani Coastal Wetland</span> Wetland located in Balochistan, Pakistan, near the town of Jiwani

The Jiwani Coastal Wetland is a wetland located in Balochistan, Pakistan, near the town of Jiwani. The site is one of the 19 Ramsar sites in Pakistan and was inducted in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biogeographic classification of India</span>

Biogeographic classification of India is the division of India according to biogeographic characteristics. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species (biology), organisms, and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. India has a rich heritage of natural diversity. India ranks fourth in Asia and tenth in the world amongst the top 17 mega-diverse countries in the world. India harbours nearly 11% of the world's floral diversity comprising over 17500 documented flowering plants, 6200 endemic species, 7500 medicinal plants and 246 globally threatened species in only 2.4% of world's land area. India is also home to four biodiversity hotspots—Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Eastern Himalaya, Indo-Burma region, and the Western Ghats. Hence the importance of biogeographical study of India's natural heritage.

References

  1. "Convention on Biological Diversity – Government of Pakistan" . Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  2. Shah, M.; Baig, K.J. (1999). "Threatened Species Listing in Pakistan: status, issues and prospects". In IUCN (ed.). Using IUCN Red List Criteria at National Level: A Regional Consultative Workshop for South and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka. IUCN Regional Biodiversity Program, Asia. pp. 70–81.
  3. "Biodiversity Hot spots of Pakistan and the world - SU LMS" . Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  4. Anwar, M.B.; Jackson, R.; Nadeem, M.S.; Janečka, J.E.; Hussain, S.; Beg, M.A.; Muhammad, G.; Qayyum, M. (2011). "Food habits of the snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775) in Baltistan, Northern Pakistan". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 57 (57(5)): 1077–1083. doi:10.1007/s10344-011-0521-2.
  5. Kabir, M.; Ghoddousi, A.; Awan, M.S.; Awan, M.N. (2014). "Assessment of human–leopard conflict in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 60 (60(2)): 291–296. doi:10.1007/s10344-013-0782-z.
  6. Bellemain, E.; Nawaz, M.A.; Valentini, A.; Swenson, J.E.; Taberlet, P. (2007). "Genetic tracking of the brown bear in northern Pakistan and implications for conservation". Biological Conservation. 134 (4): 537–547. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.09.004.
  7. Qureshi, R.; Khan, W.A.; Bhatti, G.R.; Khan, B.A.B.A.R.; Iqbal, S.; Ahmad, M.S.; Abid, M.; Yaqub, A. (2011). "First report on the biodiversity of Khunjerab National Park, Pakistan". Pakistan Journal of Botany (43(2)): 849–861.
  8. Minhas, R.A.; Ahmed, K.B.; Awan, M.S.; Dar, N.I. (2010). "Social organization and reproductive biology of Himalayan grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajax) in Machiara National Park, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan)". Pakistan Journal of Zoology (42): 143–156.
  9. Goldstein, S.J.; Richard, A.F. (1989). "Ecology of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in northwest Pakistan". International Journal of Primatology. 10 (10(6)): 531–567. doi:10.1007/bf02739364.
  10. Woodford, M.H.; Frisina, M.R.; Awan, G.A. (2004). "The Torghar conservation project: management of the livestock, Suleiman markhor (Capra falconeri) and Afghan urial (Ovis orientalis) in the Torghar Hills, Pakistan". Game and Wildlife Science (21(3)): 177–187.
  11. Raza, G.; Mirza, S.N.; Anwar, M.; Hussain, I.; Khan, S.W.; Ahmad, K.; Nawaz, M.A.; Ahmad, N. (2015). "Population and Distribution of Himalayan Ibex, Capra ibex sibrica, in Hushe Valley, Central Karakoram National Park, Pakistan". Pakistan Journal of Zoology (47(4)): 1025–1030.
  12. Qamar, Q.; Anwarr, M.; Minhas, R.A. (2008). "Distribution and population status of Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in the Machiara National Park, AJ&K". Pakistan Journal of Zoology (40(3)): 159–163.
  13. Raja, N. A; P. Davidson, et al. (1999). "The birds of Palas, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan". Forktail 15: 77–85.
  14. Ali, Kalbe (21 October 2013). "Due to ban on hunting, wild boars rampant in Islamabad". dawn.com.
  15. Chang, M. S.; Gachal, G. S.; Qadri, A. H.; Shaikh, M. Y. (2012). "Bio-ecological status, management and conservation of Marsh Crocodile (Crododylus palustris) in Deh Akro 2, Sindh, Pakistan". Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series) (44 (2)): 209–214.
  16. Chang, M.S.; Gachal, G. S.; Qadri, A. H.; Jabeen, T.; Baloach, S.; Shaikh, M. Y. (2012). "Distribution and population status of Marsh Crocodiles, Crocodilus palustris in Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (NDWS) Sindh, Pakistan". Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series) (44 (3)): 453–456.
  17. Chang, M. S.; Gachal, G. S.; Qadri, A. H.; Sheikh, M. Y.; Chang, S. (2013). "Ecological impacts on the population of Marsh Crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in Chotiari Wetland Complex Sanghar, Sindh: A survey report". Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (7 (2)): 2363–2373.
  18. Pocock R. I. (1930). "The Panthers and Ounces of Asia". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 34 (1): 65–82.
  19. Talukdar, B. K.; Emslie, R.; Bist, S. S.; Choudhury, A.; Ellis, S.; Bonal, B. S.; Malakar, M. C.; Talukdar, B. N.; Barua, M. (2008). "Rhinoceros unicornis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008: e.T19496A8928657. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T19496A8928657.en . Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  20. Choudhury, A.; Lahiri Choudhury, D. K.; Desai, A.; Duckworth, J. W.; Easa, P. S.; Johnsingh, A. J. T.; Fernando, P.; Hedges, S.; Gunawardena, M.; Kurt, F.; Karanth, U.; Lister, A.; Menon, V.; Riddle, H.; Rübel, A.; Wikramanayake, E.; et al. (IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group) (2008). "Elephas maximus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008: e.T7140A12828813. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T7140A12828813.en . Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  21. Kinnear, N. B. (1920). "The past and present distribution of the lion in south eastern Asia". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 27: 34–39.
  22. Guggisberg, C. A. W. (1975). "Lion Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758)" . Wild Cats of the World. New York: Taplinger Publishing. pp. 138–179]. ISBN   978-0-8008-8324-9.
  23. Husain, T. S. (2001). Survey for the Asiatic cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, in Balochistan province, Pakistan (PDF) (Report). Cat Action Treasury, IUCN Pakistan, Balochistan Programme.
  24. Nowell, K. & Jackson, P. (1996). "Tiger Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758)" (PDF). Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. pp. 17–21. ISBN   978-2-8317-0045-8.
  25. Duckworth, J.W.; Kumar, N.S.; Pokharel, C.P.; Sagar Baral, H.; Timmins, R. (2015). "Rucervus duvaucelii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T4257A22167675. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  26. Kaczensky, P.; Lkhagvasuren, B.; Pereladova, O.; Hemami, M.; Bouskila, A. (2016). "Equus hemionus ssp. khur". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016.
  27. Brook, S.M.; Donnithorne-Tait, D.; Lorenzini, R.; Lovari, S.; Masseti, M.; Pereladova, O.; Ahmad, K. (2017). "Cervus hanglu". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T4261A120733024. Retrieved 15 January 2018.