Wildlife Information AJK (1) 6/2012

A brief of Protected areas and biodiversity of Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) Naeem Iftikhar Dar
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife AJK

1.

Introduction

Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) covers an area of 1.330 million ha. This land size is put to different uses. The cultivated area is 0.173 million ha (13%). Share of wastelands is 0.590 million ha (44%) and the forest cover 0.567 million ha, which is about 43% of the total land area of AJ&K. The forest/rangeland ecosystem in AJ&K is of great biological and economic significance for harboring a variety of plant and animal life, diversity of habitats and providing livelihood to millions of people. This forest and rangeland ecosystem mostly occupies hill slopes in the temperate regions of Himalayan Mountains. Since the use and misuse of this ecosystem is, directly or indirectly, linked with human activity, therefore, it is appropriate to give a brief overview of demographic data of AJ&K. The area has a human population of 3.050 million (2000), growing at a rate of 2.3%/annum. About 12% of the population lives in urban areas and 88% is rural. Population density is 229 presons/km2. Average literacy is 55%. Male and female ratio is nearly equal. Total Human Population 3.400 million Growth rate 2.3% per annum Population Structure: - Urban 12% - Rural 88% - Male/female ratio 1:1 Population Density 258 persons/km2 Literacy Rate 60% Source: Termizi, S.S.H (2001). Forestry Statistics of Azad Kashmir. In view of low socio-economic conditions and rural living, the people keep a good number of livestock as a part of household economy to meet domestic needs of milk, meet, agriculture and surplus heads for sale. The total number of livestock in AJ&K is 2.414 million heads. Breakup of this livestock with respect to major categories is given as under: Major Categories Cattle and Buffaloes Sheep and Goats Camels, horses, mules & donkeys Total No. of Heads (Million) 1.018 1.327 (84% Goats) 0.069 (83% Donkeys) 2.414

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The number of cattle and buffaloes is 1.018 million (42%), sheep and goats are 1.327 (55%) and camel, horses, mules and donkey are 0.069 million (3%). Goats are 84% of the total of sheep and goats, while donkeys are 83% of total of camels, horses, mules and donkeys. Goats are primarily kept for milk and meat, while donkeys are solely used as beasts of burden. Large number of goats and donkeys is in view of difficult terrain and lack of communication infrastructures to run mechanical transport.

Biodiversity in AJ&K
2.1 Forest Vegetation

The forests cover 43% of total land a reas, and are found on high mountains and foothills of Himalayas. Conifers dominate the tree growth, while some broad-leaved species also form a part of forest canopy. Under growth comprises of a rich layer of shrubs, grasses and herbs. Some important tree, shrub and medicinal plant species are given as under: Important conifers: Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) Deodar (Cedrus deodara) Spruce (Picea smithiana) Fir (Abies pindrow) Barmi (Taxus wallichiana)

Barmi is an endangered conifer of global significance, because of its recently discovered anticancer properties. Important Broad leave associates: Tarkana (Acer caesium) Bankhor (Aesculus indica) Phulai (Acacia modesta) Sum (Fraxinus excelsior) Akhrot (Juglans regia) Kao (Olea ferruginea) Kangar (Pistacia integrrima) Kala Kat (Prunus padus) Batangi (Pyrus pashia) Bagnoo/Palach (Populus ciliata) Oaks (Quercus spp.)

Important shrubs: Sumblu Kainthi Phut Pashair Peemar Guchh Timber (Berberis lycium) (Indigofera gerardiana) (Lonicera quinquilocularis) (Parrotia jacquemontiana) (Plectranthes rugosis) (Vibernum nervosum) (Zanthoxylum armatum)

Important Medicinal Herbs: A large quantity of medicinal herbs are collected from the forest areas of AJ&K, which are used as home remedies for various human and livestock ailments or are traded through formal and informal channels. Many of these medicinal herbs are of national and international importance. Some important drug species of plants are given as under: Aconite Jhalla Lubbar Jhaoo Safaid Soranjan Talkah Kanees Ratan Jot Ajwain Khorasani Ban Kakri Rewand Cheeni Kuth Behman Surkh Neer Pattar Mushk Bala Banafsha (Aconitum spp.) (Atropa acuminata) (Artemisia spp.) (Colchicum leutum) (Dioscorea deltoidea) (Geranium wallichianum) (Hyoscyamus niger) (Podophyllum emodi) (Rheum emodi) (Saussurea lappa) (Saxifraga ligulata) (Skimmia laureola) (Valeriana jatamansi) (Viola spp.)

Important Wildlife Species The wilderness areas in AJ&K, because of diversity of climate, physiography and vegetation provide habitats for a variety of important wildlife species. The best known of these animal species are: Leopard (Snow and Common) Himalayan ibex Grey goral Musk deer Rhesus monkey Grey langur Black bear

4 Yellow-throated Martin Palm civet Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Partridges (Black and Grey) Peacock etc.

3.

Wetlands in AJ&K

The Wetland of AJK comprise of storage dam, rivers, lakes, streams, brooks and springs. The important and main rivers are Neelum, Jhelum and Poonch along with their tributaries. Although these rivers originate from the areas beyond LoC, but whole of AJK is drained through these rivers in to Mangla Reservoir. The water levels in these rivers fluctuate with the season. In addition, small lakes like Rati Gali Sar, Dharian Sar and Patlian Sar also add to the number of wetlands. The Mangla reservoir is the biggest wetland in AJ&K with a size of 25,500 ha (Iftikhar, 1998). These water bodies and rivers are important wetlands, providing habitat for thousands of migratory birds and water fowls. About 67 fish species are also found in these rivers and lakes. Among these fish, Brown and Rainbow trout are exotics species and are introduced in cold and fresh water in the upper reaches of rives and stream. The main threat to these wetlands and associated waterfowl and fish population is the pollution from chemicals and solid waste. The economically important of these fish are Brown and Rainbow trout and Chinese carps (exotics), Mahasheer, Cat fish and Major carps (indigenous). For the propagation of the most valuable fish of trout, three cold water fish hatcheries at Salkhala, Kuttan and Dowarian are established. For warm water fisheries, one seed production and distribution center is established in Chikar, Muzaffarabad. There are 230 fish ponds in private sector throughout AJK. The fish from these water bodies is a source of protein for the local people, as well as, income for the private entrepreneurs and Govt. of AJK. Only from Mangla Water Reservoir, fishing is leased out to the contractors, earning revenue of Rs.938 million per annum (Anonymous, 2004).

4.

Threats to Biodiversity in AJ&K

Biodiversity is defined as the sum of all different species of animals, plants, fungi and microbial organisms living on earth and the variety of habitats in which they live. In these, it comprises of species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Because of high variation in altitude and climate, the territory of AJ&K has a rich diversity of species and ecosystems. Conservation of biodiversity is very essential to maintain the ecological balance and to sustain the production, protection and social benefits for the life and prosperity of mankind. The forest ecosystems and biodiversity in AJ&K are under very heavy use by the human being and their livestock, living in and around these areas. If the present pace of direct and indirect human uses continued, the forest ecosystems and associated biodiversity in AJ&K are doomed to become completely extinct, in near future. Over population of human beings and their livestock, poverty and rural living are one of the main reasons for the decline of forests and associated biodiversity in these areas. Therefore, at least some biologically critical areas are to be protected by limiting the human uses of fauna and flora and to sustain their ecological, protection and production functions. Some major threats to the biodiversity and ecosystems in these areas are given as under:

4.1

Rights and Concessions

A vast majority of population (88%) in AJ&K live in villages, practice subsistence agriculture and keep a good number of livestock, therefore have recorded rights and concessions on nearby forests and wilderness areas to derive their daily needs of timber, fuelwood, forage and fodder. Besides these uses by the local people, the commercial and illicit exploitation of forest is also a main reason for the forests decline both in their size and potential. The rights and concession of these people are given as under: Free grazing and grass cutting except those areas closed, for regeneration under closure rules. Trees at concession and Zamindara rates to the local residents and free of cost for the construction of mosques, except deodar. Removal of dead and fallen trees free of cost, except deodar. Removal of torchwood, dead, dry and fallen trees not fit for building purposes. Lopping of some broad leave trees for fodder and branch cutting for agricultural implements. Removal of minor forest produce, except those for which contracts has been granted by the forest department, is allowed free to Zamindars.

The above rights and concessions are already too many for the forests to sustain and also provide ample latitude for misuse. Moreover, with the increase in human and livestock population, over the past decades, the extent of exercise of above rights and concessions has also increased manifolds and much beyond the sustainability of resource, thereby very seriously and negatively impacting the forest size and potential. The most serious threat is the fuelwood use of the forest, which is very high in view of the large population, free collection, long and cold winter season, wasteful methods of fuelwood use and lack of alternate means of household energy. Results of a study conducted in an adjacent valley in Hazara, NWFP, showed that at the average, a household consumes 32 tons of fuelwood per year. 4.2 Commercial Uses

Besides meeting the needs of local communities, these forests are also commercially exploited to generate revenue for the Forest Department through the sale of timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Quantity of timber cut from the forest of AJ&K (2003-04) Yield Commercial TD quota Total m3 (million) 0.151 0.038 0.189 79.9 20.1 100 %age

Quantity of non-timber forest products (NTFP) extracted from the forests of AJ&K (2000-01) Kind of NTFP - Resin - Kuth - Guchhi * 1999-2000 Through the sale of timber and NTFPs, the Forest Department of AJ&K earned revenue of about Rs.184 million in the year 2000-2001. NTFPs, including resin, contributed about 6.4% of this revenue. However, much of the NTFPs (guchhi and medicinal herbs) are being traded without entering the formal marketing channels therefore, their exact quantity cannot be projected to calculate the actual outturn of NTFPs and business so generated. 4.3 Grazing Quantity (Tonnes) 458* 16.3 3.5

Most of the livestock are let to graze in the forest areas, or are fed on the grass cut and forage collected from the forests. Goats form 46% of the total livestock population. Since goat is a browse species, nibbling at the young shoots and growing tips of trees and shrubs, therefore is a major factor in the loss of tree and shrubs cover. Because of their agility and sure-footedness goats reach each and every corner of the forests and are therefore, a major factor in the loss of vegetation cover. Due to grazing pressure and the disturbance caused by livestock, the wildlife habitat is seriously degraded. The wild animals have been pushed to remote areas without ample food and shelter. This reduces the chances of breeding and survival of wildlife. 4.4 Hunting and poaching

Hunting was once a sport of nobles. It was very difficult and challenging to hunt a very fast moving animal or bird with spears, bows and arrows. But the advent of firearms was a turning point about the fate of wildlife. Firearms made it easy, for every man, to shoot any number of animals and birds at his will and resulted in systematic killing of some commercially important species of animals and birds. Lack of protection staff and slackness of law enforcing agencies, besides hunting also encouraged the practice of poaching of wild animals. There were once the herds of big game roaming around in the wild, but now a wild animal is a very unexpected and rare sight. 4.5 Guchhi or black-mushroom collection

Guchhi or Black mushroom (Morchella esculenta), is a product of very high value and a delicacy in some foreign countries. Therefore, all collection from different moist temperate forests in

7 Pakistan including AJ&K is for export purpose. Guchhi comes up on the forest floor with the receding of snow in the months of March and April. Men, women and children go and search each and every corner of the forest for this product. Although this practice directly is not that harmful to the biodiversity, but indirectly is a serious threat to the bird fauna. The practice of Guchhi collection almost coincides with the egg laying and brooding time of ground nesting birds especially, the pheasants. The Guchhi collectors either disturb nesting of these birds or take along their eggs due the reason yet to be known. This could be just for fun or to be hatched under a brooding hen, at home. This damage is one of the main reasons for the decline of pheasant population. 4.6 Forest Injuries

There are a lot of physical and biological injuries to the forests. But main risk is the damage caused by forest fires resulting in complete destruction of ecology, biodiversity and the habitat. Forest fires mostly occur in warmer areas in dry and hot summer months. Deliberate or accidental human activity is the main reason behind breaking out of forest fires. Another reason of forest fire in AJ&K is the firing by the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC).

5.

Pakistans International Obligations for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Habitats

The government of Pakistan is a signatory to the International Conventions for the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and habit of fauna and flora. The important ones are the International Conventions on Biodiversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). In extension to these obligations, the Government of Azad Kashmir is committed to undertake project for the establishment Protected Areas, protection of Wetlands and Migratory Species and their conservation and sustainable use by the local communities. 6. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in AJ&K under CBD Convention.

The problems in the sustained management of forest resources and biodiversity in AJ&K are all manoriented. About 88% of the total population live in rural areas, so in or around the forests. Peoples of these areas are poor, mostly practice subsistence agriculture and keep large number of livestock therefore, their dependence on the natural vegetation resources and biodiversity is very high. Forest land is shrinking due to steady conversion into agriculture fields for the production of food and also used to meet their direct needs of timber, fuelwood, forage and fodder for domestic livestock. Disappearing vegetation deprives the wild animals and birds of their food and shelter and coupled with pressure of hunting results into their fast decline. Damage to vegetation also uncovers the soil and makes it vulnerable to water and wind erosion with the loss in fertility. The natural forest resources and biological diversity are under very heavy use which is feared to result into their fast degradation over a couple of decades. This situation is taken with great concern by the environmentalists and conservationists throughout the country. The strategy for the conservation and sustained management of ecological resources and biological diversity in Pakistan is the identification of a system of areas with biological diversity in different

8 ecological zones for the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and recovery of threatened species, protection of natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of degraded ecosystems. The role of local peoples in conserving biological diversity and the importance of maintaining their knowledge and practices of relevance to the conservation and sustainable use of ecological resources is fully recognized. Sustained management of biological diversity of different areas could best be justified and most likely to sustain if it provide benefits to the people who live in and around them. The objective of sustained management of ecological resources and preservation of biological diversity is not to draw a line and separate the people and the resource but to device such a compromise between the resource use and resource potential and to satisfy their traditional rights to gather products or graze livestock. This can best be achieved by the measures to increase the productive potential of the natural resource as well as alternate means of the forage and fuel for the local communities.

6.1

Protected Areas System in AJ&K

For in-situ conservation of wildlife in AJ&K, the department of Wildlife and Fisheries constituted a system of protected areas throughout the country. These protected areas are 16 in number (game reserves 11 & National Parks 6). The total area of these protected sites is 57,547 ha, which is about 8.5% of the total land area. Although these protected areas were established with the aim of giving protection and regulation of population status of wildlife species, but due to many reasons, this objective could not be achieved and the situation remained not much different than the free areas around. The details of these Protected Areas and key wildlife species are given in the table below.

Wildlife Information AJK (1) 6/2012 Table Protected Areas Categories in AJ&K
Sl. No. 1. Name of Protected Area National Parks 1.1. Machiara Area (Ha) District Location of Key Wildlife Species Leopards (Snow & Common), Himalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). -DoHimalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Himalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Nilgai, Barking deer, Partridges (Black & Grey), Quail, Indian peacock, Wild boar, Jackals, Hare, Porcupine. -Do-Do-Do Nilgai, Barking deer, Partridges (Black & Grey), Quail, Indian peacock, Wild boar, Jackals, Hare, Porcupine. Himalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Leopards (Snow & Common), Himalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Himalayan ibex, Grey goral, Musk deer, Rhesus monkey, Grey langur, Black bear, Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet and Pheasants (Western Horned Tragopan, Koklas, Monal & Kaleej). Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet, Kaleej, Various bird species Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet, Kaleej, Various bird species Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet, Kaleej, Various bird species Yellow-throated martin, Palm civet, Kaleej, Various bird species

13,532

Muzaffarabad

1.2. Gamot 1.3. Toli Pir

27,271 1,000

Muzaffarabad Poonchh

1.4. Pir Lasura 2. Game Reserves 2.1. Qazi Nag 2.2. Moji 2.3. Salkhala 2.4. Vatala 2.5. Banjosa 2.6. Mori Said Ali 2.7. Phalla

1,580 4,830 3,859 859 500 558 273 472

Kotli Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad Bhimber Poonchh Bagh Bagh

2.8. Hillan

384

Bagh

2.9. Naar 2.10. Kalla 2.11. Gali 2.12. Hills Total Doom Sudhan Janjaal

558 715 525 631 57,547

Bagh Bagh Bagh Sadnoti

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Wildlife Information AJK (1) 6/2012 6.2 Protected Areas Management Project

Although a protected area system (PAs), including Machiara National Park, has been established in AJ&K, but these PAs are managed without a Management Plan. The management whatsoever is on day-to-day basis. As a result the protection measures could not be successfully imposed and PA resources are progressively declining in their size and potential. This on one hand is due to failure of law enforcing agencies with a policeman like role and on the other, lack of a mechanism of involving local communities in the protection and management of these natural resources, as these are the main stakeholder in the use and protection of these resources. Not only for Machiara National Park in AJ&K but also in other biodiversity hot spots like Hingol National Park in the provinces of Balochistan and Chitral-gol National Park in NWFP, the Govt. of Pakistan with the assistance of GEF/World Bank has started Protected Areas Management Project (PAMP). 6.3 Protected Areas Management Project (PAMP)

Under the consideration of community participation for biodiversity conservation, the Govt. of Pakistan approved Protected Areas Management Project (PAMP) as an umbrella programme. The main objective of PAMP is the conservation of globally important habitats and biodiversity in three important protected areas in different eco-zones in Pakistan. These are Hingol National Park in Balochistan; Chitral-Gol National Park in NWFP and Machiara National Park (MNP) in AJ&K. MNP is also an abode of important endemic species of wild animals and plants. The richness and the very existence of these species is under threat due to unsustainable use by the local population. The PAMP-MNP Project is for five years and is jointly funded by GEF/World Bank and GoAJ&K. Its execution rests with the Wildlife & Fisheries Department, GoAJ&K, while WWFPakistan is providing technical support in the implementation of the project.

7.

Machiara National Park (MNP)

After having passed through many channels and formal procedures, the Machiara National Park (MNP) Project started in March 2003, for a period of five years. The Machiara National Park covers an area of 13,532 ha and is situated at a distance of about 35 km in the north of city of Muzaffarabad. The biodiversity and ecosystem in Machiara National Park is a representative of Himalayan mixed-forest-rangeland-alpine scrub ecosystem.

7.1

Biodiversity of MNP

The biodiversity of the park comprises of about 457 species of flowering plants (trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, sedges and rushes) and 41 species of pertidophytes and fungi. The number of animals is 118 which include mammals, reptiles, amphibians, snakes, fish and butterflies, while the number of birds (residents and migratory) recorded from the park is 115. It is important that MNP abodes 3 species of global significance and are also endangered under CITES listing. Among the plants is barmi (Taxus wallichiana), among the birds Western Horned Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) and among the mammals is Musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster). Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex siberica) is a summer visitor of the Park.

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Western Horned Tragopan

Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex)

The status of all these species in MNP is threatened because of pressure of hunting and poaching and destruction of habitat through tree cutting, fuel wood collection, grazing and collection of minor forest products. Since the communities around MNP are poor and have very meager alternatives for livelihood, therefore the main objective of MNP Project is to afford protection and conservation of the important wildlife species of fauna and flora through community participation, by providing petty incentives of social and infrastructural development in the area.

7.2

Communities around MNP

The Machiara National Park is surrounded by about 28 village communities, in 3 Union Councils of Serli Sacha, Machiara, and Bheri, with a human population of 31,745 persons, living in 4,960 households with an average of 6.4 persons per household. Among these villages and based upon the forest use, 13 are highly dependent, 7 are medium dependent and 8 are low dependent on the forest resources of MNP. The whole population around MNP derives their multiple ethnicities and belongs to the ethnic groups of Mir, Syed, Khwaja, Abbasi, Malak, Chaudhry, Shiekh and Mughal etc. These people are generally poor and based upon the annual household income, 7% are rated as rich, 16% as middle class, and 48% poor. The literacy rate in males is 25% and in females is 10%. The low literacy is because of more engagement of the people in agriculture and herding, as well as, inadequate education facilities in the area.

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Communities around MNP

Social Mobilization

Besides subsistence agriculture, the people keep large number of livestock as a requirement of rural living and to supplement their income and meet the domestic needs of dairy products. The total number of livestock is 37,232. Among these the buffaloes are 6%, cows 34%, bulls 9%, goats 31%, sheep 18% and equine 2%. The high percentage of cows and goats show that milk is the major need, while the surplus heads are sold for money. Since goats are browse species and therefore are a direct threat to the forest vegetation. For about 5 summer months from April to August, the people move to the alpine and sub-alpine pastures in Machiara National Park, along with their livestock. Their stay in the forest and livestock grazing pose in serious threats to the biodiversity of the Park. This is in view of the larger number of livestock than the carrying capacity of these rangelands without any grazing management and also the herders indulge in hunting and poaching of wild animals and provide cheaper labour to the timber thieves. The whole of MNP of the size of 13,532 ha, serves as a rangeland for the local people however; a study revealed that there are about 42 open grazing grounds (large and small) in the Park as well as in Alpine and Sub-alpine areas of the size of 430 ha and a livestock population of 13,710. These livestock graze freely and non-productive animals are driven into the forest, while the productive animals are allowed to graze near in these open areas, for better feeding and milk production.

7.3

Use of MNP Resources

The communities around MNP make use of forest resources to make their timber and fuel wood needs under accorded rights. The annual timber demand of the local community is estimated as 1,870 cubic meters, while the fuel wood need is round 146,730 tons/year. This use is very high and not sustainable in consideration to the growing stock and the annual yield. High timber need for construction is because that mostly the houses have earthen roofs and need heavy use of timber to support the load. Moreover, timber is used in contact with ground and therefore does not stand long and need frequent replacement. Similarly fuel wood use is also high because of the cold climate, free collection and wasteful methods of energy use.

7.4

MNP Objectives

13 The present management plan identifies the activity that concerns with proposal for future with the evaluation of alternatives and methods and means by which the objectives and aims of the proposal may be achieved. This management plan has five main objectives: 1. Protect and improve the key wildlife species of Park. 2. Protect and improve the floral diversity of the Park 3. Explore and develop alternate source of income for the Park users. 4. Create awareness among the general public to protect, maintain and improve the biodiversity of the Park 5. Initiate field oriented research and incorporate its findings in the management plan. Therefore, the plan prescribes various interventions to achieve the above objectives of the project, which are given as under, against each objective. Objective 1: Protect and improve the key wildlife species of Park Under this objective the activities envisaged are to provide and improve Park Administration, introduce effective watch and ward of forest and wildlife resources, implementation of Park rules, establishment of check post, restriction on fire arms, publicity of Park rules, ensure community participation, protect predators, regulate and eliminate grazing and disturbances from critical habitat, protect flagship species and establishment of watcher huts etc. Objective 2: Protect and improve the floral diversity of the Park The activities envisaged under this objective are to minimize grazing on degraded sites, protect representative vegetation units of the Park, protect trees and shrubs of the Park, rehabilitate the degraded sites, identify and improve alternate grazing grounds, control on timber, mineral and mushroom collection. Objective 3: Explore and develop alternate sources of income for Park users The activities envisaged to achieve above objective are to promote, explore and develop alternate sources of income for Park users, promote tourism and public education through the establishment of visitors information centre, reliable transport, and establishment of tent complexes, nature trials, tourist guide and porters, trekking facilities, establishment of wildlife view-points, impacts of tourism on local culture, compensation for affected glaziers, improve, publicize and market local handicrafts, promotion of on-farm and off-farm activities. Objective 4: Create love and awareness among general public to maintain and improve the biodiversity of the Park. The activities envisaged under this objective are the establishment of resource/education centers; develop publicity and education material (park videos, park brochures, pamphlets, charts, posters, stickers, souvenirs etc), to raise awareness and education among the Park users and general public to promote tourism and eco-tourism in the area.

14 Objective 5: Initiate field oriented research and incorporate its finding in the Management plan for MNNP The activities envisaged under this objective are to conduct 4 biological baseline studies each on vegetation and plant ecology, zoology and wildlife, ornithology, and rangeland ecology of the Park. In addition a socio-economic baseline was also to be developed on the communities around MNP. The final reports on these studies have been received and results of these studies have been incorporated in the Management Plan. A detailed research programme on biodiversity of the park and socio-economic condition of the communities, have also been prepared.

7.5

Integration of Communities in Biodiversity Management

Since the MNP project is to be implemented with the participation of the communities for the conservation and sustainable use of the Park resources, a strategy for the integration of these communities in to park management have also been prepared. This strategy starts with the process of social mobilization, participation, integration, benefits of community participation, process of participation from initial dialogue, formation of Village Conservation Committees (VCCs), conduction of PRAs for need assessment and prioritization and preparation of village action plans. Implementation of social and conservation intervention identified in these micro plans to improve the socio-economic condition of the local population and to reduce their dependence of MNP resources. An implementation mechanism for MNP has also been proposed in which the Wildlife and Fisheries Department Govt. of AJ&K (client) will provide necessary funding, facilities and staff, while the WWF-Pakistan (Consultant) will provide technical support in the implementation of MNP Project through the services of its Technical Assistance Team. These two organizations will very closely liaise in day to day matters for the implementation of the Management Plan for the conservation of the biodiversity of the Park through participation of the communities. Mechanism of establishment of endowment fund has also been suggested in the Plan for the sustainability of the Park management after the expiry of the Project period. However, this mechanism is still under scrutiny by the consultants hired by the PAMP Management at the level of Govt. of Pakistan. The total approved cost of the Project is Rs. 211.499 million. Out of which Rs.195.590 million is the grant share of GEF/World Bank while the contribution of Govt. of AJ&K is Rs. 15.900 million.

8.

Sustainable Forest and Habitat Management in Northern AJK

Recently another nature conservation and management project Sustainable Forest and Habitat Management in Northern AJK has been started in Upper Neelum Valley, on the analogy of Machiara National Park propjet with the collaboration of Himalayan Wildlife Foundation. The Inception Workshop of this project was held in Neelum View Hotel, Muzaffarabad on 09.08.2005. The project team has been put in place and the preliminary works of organization, and social mobilization, formation conservation committees and creation of funds, is in progress.

15 9.

Cross Boarder Issues in the Conservation and Management of Biodiversity

The State of Jammu and Kashmir because of its topography, climate and vegetation is an ideal habitat of important wildlife and globally threatened species of mammals and birds. This wildlife habitat got fragment due to division of Kashmir and restricted movement of wildlife because of deployment of forces on either side of Line of Control (LoC). In recent years, the Indian Government has installed fence along the LoC, not only dividing the Kashmiri People on the both sides, but also the wildlife, its habitat and migration corridors. As a result, the wildlife of large mammals (ungulates and predators) cannot cross the LoC as a need of their natural movement and also to escape when being chased by hunters and poachers. Therefore, the wildlife species stranded along the fence, on both sides of LoC, are lost because of being an easy prey for the hunters and poachers. As a result, the important species are declining in their number steadily, mainly because of this reason, and a time may come when these are totally eliminated. By using the international forums, this serious issue coming in the way of the protection and conservation of wildlife in Kashmir may be resolved and the Indian Government may be persuaded to remove this fence to facilitate the wildlife to freely move across the LoC. Moreover, in the absence of fence, more mixing of wildlife will occur, providing better chances of cross breeding and genetic vigor.