Wild life of pakistan

Muhammad Qamar Iqbal
iqbalqamar424@gmail.com
03106780397

Wild life of Pakistan
INTRODUCTION
 PAKISTAN is bounded on the north and northwest by Afghanistan.
 On the northeast by Jammu and Kashmir.
 On east and south east by India.
 On the south by the Arabian sea .
 On west by Iran.
 The area of Pakistan 803943 square kilometer.
Climatic and geographical features
 Pakistan is mostly dry region characterized by great extremes or altitudes
and temperature.
 Topographically divided by Indus river.
 Enters the country in northeast.
 Flows south in Arabian sea.

 The Indus forms in general the line of demarcation b/w the two
main land forms of the country
1) The Indus plains (extends principally along the east side of
the river)
2) The Baluchistan high lands (lies to the west)
 Three lesser landforms of Pakistan
a) The coastal plains (is a narrow strip of land bordering the
Arabian sea)
b) The Kharan basin (is west of Baluchistan high lands )
c) The desert ( which straddles the border with India in
southeast ).
(Highest peak of highlands is tirich mir (7690 m) present in
Hindu kush in north )
 The safed Koh range is pierced by famous Khyber pass on Pak-
Afghan border.

Climate:
Climate of Pakistan varies widely from place to place .
Mountainous region has the temperature below freezing point
during winter in north and west.
Indus plain area temperature range b/w 32-49 degree celc. In
summer.
Indus plain area temperature range about 13 degree celc. In
winter.
Rainfall is scarce throughout Pakistan.
Punjab region receives the most precipitation more than 508 man
per year.
The arid region of southeast and southwest receive less than 127
mm .
Most rainfall occurs from July to September.

Vegetationin Pakistan:
Vegetation varies according to the altitude in Pakistan.
Alpine flora grows on the higher slopes.
Dense forests of spruce ,ever green oak, cheer pine and
deodar are found at lower altitude.
About 68% of land in Pakistan is waterlogged or
suffering from salinization.
Pakistan having some of the largest and most beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes,
deserts, forests, mangroves is adorned with moderately rich animal and plant life

Biogeographical location of Pakistan:
 Biogeographically , Pakistan is located in the transition zone b/w two of
the world’s six zoogeographical regions. (palaearctic and oriental ).
 Its fauna is affinitive to these two major zoogeographical regions.
 The fauna and flora lying west of the river Indus passes affinities with
palaearctic region .
 While the one lying east of east of the Indus river resemble that of
Oriental region .
 So biogeographically Pakistan does not separate entity.
 Pakistan is bounded by man made borders.
 Its flora and fauna is not very rich .

o The major groups of animals and plants represented in Pakistan are given below
Number of species of major groups of animals and plants
Mammals 174
Birds 668
Reptiles 177
Amphibians 21
Fishes (fresh water) 198
Fishes (marine) More than 1,000
Insects More than 5,00
Flowering plants 5700
Fungi More than 45,,00
Algae 775

Of the total number of vertebrate species found in Pakistan excluding fish
only 7-8 % may be regarded important as “wildlife animals”
Status of wildlife prior to the establishment of Pakistan:
At one time the land area, which is now called Pakistan, was
considered as “ hunter’s paradise”. It has been reported that
in the middle of 19th century, some spectacular animals like
tigers, lions, elephants , rhinoceroses and antilopes were
common in this area. Even few decade prior to the
establishment of Pakistan in 1947, this area had a very rich
wildlife.

Ibex:
 The Himalayan ibex abundant at altitudes of perpetual snow in the mountain
range of Baltistan, Deosai and Gilgit.
 Herds of Sind ibex were commonly seen along the mountain range of Mekran
(Baluchistan ) and Kohistan and Kirthar range.
Chinkaraand Gazelles:
 The sandy deserts of Sind and Punjab were teemed with chinkara and gazelles ,
while Chagai and Kharan with goiterd gazelles.
Hogdeer:
 Hog deer was found in abundance in all the riverine tracts of sind and Punjab .
Kashmir stag:
Kashmir stag was abundantly found in Neelam valley of Azad Kashmir.

Barking deers:
 The barks of barking deer were being heard frequently in foothills of Margalla and
Muree.
Muskdeer:
 Are used to roam in groups in the birch and alpine zone of mountains of chitral
and northern areas.
Black–buck:
 Could be easily seen leaping in the deserts of Cholistan.
WildAsses:
 Used to roam freely in the desert of tharparkar and mudflats of Baluchistan .
Nilgai:
Was commonly found in fields right from Sialkot to Bhawalnagar.

Urials (Punjabi dunba)
 Were very common in salt range and Kala Chitta of Punjab, and so urials of sind
and Baluchistan called “Guds” all along Kirthar range and Mekran coasts.
Shapu:
 Was very common on the gentle slopes of northern areas.
Markhors:
 In the lofty cliffs were prawled by flare horned Markhors in the north and staight
norned Markhors in Suleman range and the range near Quetta.
Bird fauna
This region also had a very rich bird fauna.
Pheasants:
 Pheasants which are restricted to Asia only, were represented in abundance by a
number of species in Pakistan.

Pea fowls:
 Were represented in abundance in sindh and Punjab .
Cheerpheasants:
 were represented in Murree foothills, Margala hills and range of Southern Swat.
Kaleej:
 White crested Kaleej were present in large numbers in hill forests with bush
growth b/w 600 to 2000 m.
Koklas pheasants:
were present in large numbers in hill forests with bush growth 2000 to 3000 m.
WesternhornedTragopan:
The western horned tragopan dwelled in blue pine zone and birch zone while the
normal pheasant from blue pine zone to alpine zone .

Snowpatridge and snow-cocks:
 Inhibited from altitudes of perpetual snow while chukors and
see-see patridges were common in arid hills of low altitudes.
Black andgrey patridgesand common quails:
 Repesernted the indus plain area, abundantly found and
were sold in large numbers in poultry markets for eating .
Ducks and Geese :
 Variety of duck and Geese was also abundant and available
in the markets.

Reptilianfauna :
Was abundant,
 Geckos
 Monitor lizards
 Poisonous and non poisonous snakes
 Crocodiles
 Gavials
 Tortises
Crocodiles ,gavials and pythons were ruthlessly shot in large numbers for their skins

decline in the wildlife
The decline in the wildlife of this region started with the beginning of 20th
century and the situation aggravated further during the past 30- 35 years
.the main reasons of this decline were as
1) Rapid pace of urbanization
2) Indiscriminate shooting and hunting
3) Deforestation
4) Denudation of pasture area and hillsides due to overgrazing
5) Drainage of wetland areas
6) Removal of wildlife for export
7) Pollution

Present status of wildlife in Pakistan
Table below gives the status of animals in Pakistan that are endangered, vulnerable,
critical endangered , present or absent in the region of Pakistan.

Zones of fauna and flora :
Following Is a brief of each zone and the dominant plant species and wild animals
associated with it.
a) Cold forest
b) Alpine meadows
c) Sub- Alpine forests
d) Dry Temperate coniferous forests
e) Himalayan moist temperate forests
f) Sub-tropical pine forests
g) Tropical deciduous forests
h) Dry sub-tropical Habitats
i) Monsoon influenced arid subtropical zone
j) Sand dune desertscrub
k) Coastal areas

a) Cold forests:
1. In the north of Pakistan and Baltistan distt. Highest mountain rages are
situated.
2. These mountain bear 5000 meters above at sea level , ice caps, glaciers
and permanent ice fields.
3. These constitute a special type of habitat which is cold and arid and
hence known as “cold deserts”.
4. During summer some herbaceous vegetation that is shot lived grows
around the glaciers.
5. The typical plant species includes Salix sp. ,Sedum sp., Potentilla sp.,
Primula sp. And Mertensia sp. Etc.
6. Himalayan ibex ,snow leopard, bharal, lynx, snowcock and snow patridges

Alpine meadows:
1) Alpine scrubs and pastures are developed above the
subalpine zone for 200 meters b/w 4200 and 4500 meters.
2) Located in northern Hazara district, dir, swat. Gilgit, chitral
and Azad Kashmir.
3) The vegetation consists of grasses of genus Poa and shrubs
like Lonicera sp., Rhododendron sp., Saxiferaga sp.
4) Snow leopards, Himalayan ibex, Red bear, Hodgeson’s pipit,
snow pigeon, snow patridges, monal pheasants and blue
fronted redstart etc.

Sub- alpine forests:
1) Located in northern Hazara district, dir, swat, chitral
and Azad Kashmir.
2) These forms the uppermost habitat in Himalayas
ranging b/w 3500 and 4500 meters at sea level.
3) Vegetation , Betula sp. , Rhodendron sp., Sorbus sp. ,
Abies sp. , juniperus sp., Alopecurus sp. , and so on.
4) Musk deer, Markhor, Snow leopard , Stone marten,
Hodgson’s finches, Chukor, Tragopan and Mona
pheasants etc.

Dry temperate coniferous forests
1) West of the Indus river and in small patches towards east where
monsoon rains do not reach .
2) Low rainfall is confined to winter rains.
3) Snow are found dry coniferous forests.
4) Found in upper reaches of Kaghan and Jabba valley ,Dir, Chalas, Gilgit
and Baluchistan.
5) In these forest canopy is open and trees are stunted.
6) Plants include Picea sp., Pinus sp. , Cedrus sp. , Sorbaria sp., Fraxinus sp.,
Pistacia sp., Caragana sp., etc.
7) Animals like Black bears , Gazelle, Stone marten, Common Leopard,
Markhor, white capped Buntings, Magpie, Rose finches, Black throated
jays and chakor etc.

Himalayan moist temperate forests :
1) The high level conifers belogeing to the temperate zone range in altitude
from 1650-3000 m .
2) During summer precipitation is received in the form of monsoon rains .
3) In winter mostly snow.
4) Located in lower Kaghan valley, Shogran, Neelam valley and Murree hills.
5) Vegetation like Taxus sp., Cedrus sp., pinus sp., Abies sp.,Quercus sp.,
Populus sp., Indigofera sp., Acer sp.
6) Wildlife includes Grey goral, Rhesus, Langur, Black bear, yellow throated
marten,Hill babbler, Jungle crow , Bulbuls, Grey winged black birds and
Koklas pheasant .

Sub tropical pine forests:
1) Fairly narrow zone confined b/w about 900- 1650m .
2) Located in Gora Gali, Muree- kahota hills, abbot Aabad,
Mansehra, Muzaffar Abad, Mirpur and Kotli.
3) Plant species includes Pinus sp., xylosma sp., Machilus sp.,
Smilax sp., Quercus sp., Dodonaea sp., Baberis sp., and
Zanthoxylum sp.
4) Wild animal species as Grey goral, common leopard , yellow
throated matren ,spotted doves, large cuckoo shrikes,
babblers, brown fronted woodpeckers, Kaleej pheasant, and
fantails etc.

Tropical deciduous forests:
1) Largely associated with Jhelum valley ,Rawalpindi foothills
and outer Margala hills b/w 500-100 meters elevation.
2) Early spring and summer is hot and dry.
3) There is much rain in late summer.
4) Major plant species. Acacia sp., Bauhinia sp., Cassia sp., Ficus
sp., Sterculia sp., Punica sp., Dodonea sp., Shorea sp., Salmalia
sp, etc.
5) Fauna consists of Grey Goral, Barking deer, Caracal cats,
wildboars ,yellow throated marten ,common leopard, Kaleej,
Cheer pheasant,chakor, and grey patridge etc.

Dry sub tropical habitats:
1) This habitat is characterized by rocky and hilly country b/w sea level and 900m .
2) This may again be subdivided into three zones.
a) Monsoon influenced arid subtropical zone
b) Subtropical less influenced by monsoon
c) Baluchistan desert scrub areas
a)Monsoon influenced arid subtropical zone :
 Habitats are typified by karachi, Malir, Lakhi hills ,Kohitan, kirthar,and Lasbela
region.
 Plant includes Acacia sp., Euphorbia sp., zizyphus sp., commiphora sp., Capparis
sp., Caragana sp., Haloxylonsp., and Nannorrhops sp.
 Animals, Indian fox, desert cats, Chinkara, pangolin,wild boar,hyaena, Ratel, sind
ibex,peafowl,Grey and black Patridges,sandgrouse,and common quails.

b) Subtropical zone less influenced by monsoon:
 Regular winter showers with frost and rather hot dry summer.
 Habitat is typified by salt range, Kala Chitta, Jhelum, and
mountains of Dera Ghazi Khan.
 These areas are heavy over grazed .
 Dominant plants are Acacia sp., dodonea sp., Monotheca sp.,
Withania sp.,
 Animals as hyaena ,pangolin hedgehogs, porcupines,
chakor,see-see patridge,grey patridge and sandgrouse.

c)Baluchistan desert scrub areas:
 Usually associated with high hills and stony plateaus .
 Very cold in winter
 No monsoon influenced but occassional winter showers
 Habitat comperises of northern Kalat,lower parts of Sulaman hills, most of
Baluchistan valley ,Kurram valley, and Waziristan.
 These are heavy overgrazed and felled and with vegetation degraded.
 Important plants, Olea sp., Haloxylon sp., Pistacia sp., Bromus sp., Quercus
sp., monotheca sp.
 Wild animals includes Black bears, Hyeana , common leopard, Caracal cat,
Urial, red fox, Goitered Gazelle, Chakor,see-see patridges and sandgrouse.

i)Tropical thorn forests:
 Indus plains covered with thick thorn forests has been cleared for
cultivation and urbanization.
 Last remnants of forest are heavily degraded due to overgrazing and
felling.
 Some intact habitats still remain.
 These include b/w jhang and shor kot, around kasur on border of India
and in Sind on the right bank of the Indus around Kashmore.
 Plants includes Prosopis sp., Tamarix sp., Salvadora sp., Chenopodium sp.,
Suaeda sp.
 Wild life comperises Jungle cat, wild boars, wolf , pangolin, Chinkara,
Black cuck, nilgasi,peafowl, Chukor, gery and black patridge, common
quails and sandgrouse.

j) Sand dunes desert scrub:
 Extensive area of undulating sand dunes often associated with
the absence of cultivation and extensive semi-deserts.
 These areas are typified by thal and Cholistan deserts of
Punjab and by thar desert of sindh.
 Plants species, Calligonum sp., tamarix sp., Capparis sp.,
pennisetum sp., Acacia sp., Alhagi sp., Eragrostis sp., Haloxylon
sp and leptadaenia sp.
 Animals , Desert fox, Indian civet, Caracal, wolf,hyaena ,
Chinkara, black buck,Mongoose, Hoopoe,larks, spotted doves,
Houbara bustard,Indian bustard, Grey and Black patridge and
sandgrouse.

k) Riverine plains or Indus basin inundation zone:
 These includes areas lying in the immediate vicinity of the Indus river and
the rivers of Punjab up to the foothills in the north.
 There are a number of inundated areas which are flooded during summer
and then gradually dry up.
 The permanent swampy areas include east Nara,Gauspur and Manchar;
Balloki (Punjab) and Lal suhanra ( Bhawalpur)
 Swampy areas are heavily infested with aquatic weeds.
 Plants, Saccharum sp., Erianthus sp., Typha sp., phragmites sp., Ipomoea
sp., Marsilea sp., Arundo sp., Tamarix sp., Populus sp., and Acacia sp.
 Animals, Jungle cat, Hogdeer, Otters, Fishing cat, wild Boars, nilgai, Dolphin,
crocodiles, peafowl, Grey and black patridges. Quails and Sandgrouse.

L) Coastal areas:
 The mangrove forests or coastal forests are located in shallow
water along the coastal near the mouth of the river Indus and
bays along the Mekran coast.
 Plants and vegetation is, Avicenna sp., Rhizophora sp., Ceriops
sp., Salsola sp., and Bruguiera sp.
 Animals , fishing cat, hogdeer, Otter, Herons, Stork, Flamingo,
Sandpiper,Sandplover,Pellican, Gull, make up important wild
life fauna.

Wild life of pakistan

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