Volume—4
Balochistan Forest & Wildlife Department Monthly Magazine
June 2015
Volume 4
Assalam o Alekum,
Dear fellows, as you can see with the each new edition of BFWD Monthly Magazine new information about the Forests and Wildlife of Balochistan is being received. It is not limited to a particular area rather it outspreads to whole area of the province. Yet, there is dire need of partaking from each district of the province. The BFWD Monthly Magazine team is hopeful and determined that each and everyone of you will participate fully in making this magazine the voice of the Forest and Wildlife Department of Balochistan. The fellows from the rest of the provinces are also welcome who can share their knowledge about the Forests and Wildlife. With Best Regards Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani Chief Editor
June 2015
BFWD Monthly Magazine June 2015
Table of Contents Welcome Note Prophet Mohammed A Pioneer of the Environment Coasts of Balochistan A short report of District Musa Khail Cape Hare Killa Saifulla Part—II Olea ferrugenia Climatic Issues of Pakistan Green Activities around Awaran Your Photos
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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) A Pioneer of the Environment BFWD Monthly Magazine
Volume 4
Ecological Sunnah
O
ne of the most threatening problems of the present day doubtlessly concerns the environment. The world up to this day has never experienced an environmental problem at such a comprehensive level. At its center resides the human element that owns the potential to protect it. It is a religious and national duty to try to leave a better environment for the next generations. In this context, Islam has prioritized and preached the protection of the
environment. Through the course of his
life, Prophet Muhammad
June 2015
(pbuh) has also been concerned with the environment and its protection, and he has left behind, if you will, “ecological sunnah (practices of the Prophet).” This phrase refers to the love the Prophet had for the living beings and nature, his verbal teachings concerning their protection as well as his acts in line with this motivation. The hadith (sayings of the Prophet) sources examined in this context reveal many direct and indirect hadiths related to the field.
Admonitions These hadiths contain many warnings against the pollution of rivers and seas. There are distinctive provisions admonishing urination in waterlines, under fruit trees, on roads and in places that people rested and keeping animals at a distance from the
wells. It is even stated that these acts are actually forbidden in Islam. The hadiths point to the need to keep the masjids clean, not to urinate by the water sources, river sides and stagnant water; “Any of you shall not urinate in dead water because they
may do ablution with that water later” (Bukhara, “Vudu” B.68; Muslim, “Taharat” H.No: 95-96).
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Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) A Pioneer of the Environment
Greening and Afforestation The Prophet had been closely involved with the environment and nature ever since he was a child. He explains that he used to be a shepherd like other prophets: “When the Prophet said ‘Allah did not send a prophet who did not herd cattle,’ the Companions said: “The Messenger of Allah,
have you also herded cattle?” He replied: “Yes, indeed I
for a little money “((Bukhara, "Ijara" B.2; Ibn Maja, "Tijârât" B.5). Moreover, the Prophet owned many animals (horse, sheep, goat, etc.), orchards and gardens in later parts of his life. Therefore, the Prophet displayed some exemplary behavior in the greening and afforesting of the environment.
have herded sheep of Meccans
First Protected Area
Saying of Prophet (PBUH) “Whoever cuts a tree here should plant a new tree instead.”
One of his greatest efforts in this context was to afforest an area called “Zuraybu’t Taweel,” where he announced: “Whoever cuts a tree here should plant a new tree instead.” Together with this regulation the area shortly turned into a forest. The Prophet also declared an area of 12 mile distance from the center of Medina as haram (forbidden by religion) and also prohibited the cutting of trees and the killing of animals within its borders.
Rewards of Planting The existence of many hadiths that encourage the greening and afforesting of the environment clearly reflects the Prophet’s concern thereof. “If a Muslim plants a tree or grow grains and a bird, a person or an animal eats from it will be counted as a charity for him.” (Bukhara, "al-Khars ve'lMuzara", Muslim, "Musakaat", H. No: 12).
“If any of you have a date sapling on the doomsday he should plant it -if possible.” (Bukhara, Edebu'l-mufred, (thk., Halid Abdurrahman), p. 138, Daru'l-Ma'rife, Beirut, 1966). The aim here is to make people understand the importance of planting trees. “Whoever plants a tree is rewarded by Allah as much as the produce grown in that tree.”
(Ahmad b.Hanbal, Musnad, V, 415.) “Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded,” (Ahmad b.Hanbal, Musnad, IV, 61, 374) “Whoever plants a tree and it matures, Allah plants a tree in paradise for that person.” (Ahmad b.Hanbal, Musnad, IV, 61).
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Love for all Livings The Prophet also emphasized the role of love in treating the environment with care and affection. He has expressed his love for Mountain Uhud as: “This is a mount which likes us; we also love it.” (Bukhara, “Meghazi”, B. 27). (Ahmad b.Hanbal, Musnad, IV, 61).
rights, it is crucial to observe the rights of the animals. A person has the obligation to show compassion and mercy to other living beings. “Allah the Merciful mercy the merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth so that those in the heavens mercy you.” (Tirmizi, “Birr”: B.16).
Without making any differentiation Islam has preached the equal responsibility of human beings to all living creatures. Just as important as the human
“...Those who are not merciful will not be get mercy...” ...” (Bukhara, “Edeb” B. 18; Muslim, “Fedail” H.No: 65).
we should be merciful not only to humans but also to other
These two hadiths show that
Rights of Animals The Prophet has prohibited practices against animals such as hitting them, practicing shooting by targeting them, inciting them to fight, hunting for fun, and using a slingshot to hunt them. It is mentioned in hadiths that the humans will be accounted for their bad treatment of animals. By saying, “Allah will ask
those who kill a sparrow unfairly on the day of judgment.” (Muslim, “Sayd” H.No:57) the Prophet asked people not to torture animals. He forbade cauterizing and cursing animals, ruining bird nests, and removing chicks from their nest. He also wanted people to keep domestic animals and their sheds clean
Greatest Environmentalist Treating animals in a humane manner and abandoning traditions that harm them is an irrefutable precondition of being civilized. As the greatest environmentalist, Prophet Muhammad had affirmative practices in relation to the environment throughout his life. At the root of the hadiths
which are related to the environment lie sensitivity for nature and a consciousness to protect it.
and to treat their cubs with compassion. Considering even a cat as a family member, he stated that every good deed concerning an animal would be rewarded.
The Prophet (SAWW) has prohibited hunting for fun.
Coasts of Balochistan June 2015
By
BFWD Monthly Magazine
W
Sadia Khan Tunio
henever someone say ‘Baluchistan’, an image that comes in a mind is basically a desert, camels, and nothing else. But once you would see these beaches of Balochistan, you would visualize this province a very different way next time. These naturally preserved beaches, look so beautiful and mesmerizing. Next time, when you would visit deserts of Balochistan, do visit these beaches. Some of these beaches are just near deserts and it gives an amazing extravaganza when you see desert and ocean side by side.
Gwadar Beach
Coasts of Balochistan
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Jiwani Beach, Gwadar
Pishukan Beach, Gwadar
Pasni Gwadar
Tahsil Beach, Gwadar
Coasts of Balochistan
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Ormara, Gwadar
Astola Island or Jazeera Haft Talaar (Pic courtesy: Sir Aziz Ahmad Jamali)
Paddi Zirr (West Bay) Beach Gwadar
Beach on Astola Island
Pic Courtesy: Sir Aziz Ahmad Jamali
Coasts of Balochistan
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Sunset at West Bay Gwadar
Golden Beach, Hingol National Park
Kundmalir Beach, Hingol National Park
Kundmalir Beach, Hingol National Park
Coasts of Balochistan
Page 12
Sonmiani, Lasbela District
Lasbela Beach
Gaddani Beach, Lasbela
Pic Courtesy: Ovais Akbar Divisional Forest Officer
Daaran beach – Green Turtles Nesting Ground
BFWD Monthly Magazine
Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381 Email: tulaib_javid@yahoo.com
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife.
Golden Beach Hingol National Park Pic By: Naeem Javid M. Hassani
BFWD Monthly Magazine
June 2015 Volume 4
Saeed Ahmed Dummar
Introduction
M
usakhel is located from 30 -17 to 31 -28 north latitudes and from 69 -
Divisional Forest Officer
District Musa Khail is only second to District Ziarat in the province with highest Forest cover of wonderful Forests with highly valua-
The areas of Droog, Anderpur, Girgoji, Nath, Kiwan, Takki Essot, Zimri Plasins, Karkana, Toisar, Tangisar, Laishah, Kingri, Sirti Tak and Laof are the
Do you know? 
Musa Khail is highly renowned for its block plantation of Eucalyptus.
28 to 70 -15 east longitudes. It is bounded on the North by the Dera Ismail Khan District, on the East by the Dera Ghazi Khan district, on the South by the Barkhan District, and on the West by the narrow strips of Loralai and Zhob Districts. Total area of the District is 5,727 square Kilometers.
ble species e.g. Zaytoon ( Olea ferruginea), Phulai (Acacia modesta) and Ber (Zizyphus nummularia).
places with some wonderful dense Forests.
En route to Tehsil Droog District MusaKhail
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A SHORT REPORT OF DISTRICT MUSA KHAIL
The Forests have reserve species with very important and rich Wildlife. The District is place of high interest for the foreign and hunters from the others Provinces.
A patch of Olea (Zaytoon) Forest
Problems and recommendations
Four permanent check post may be established in the area of Kingri, Toisar, Dakian point and area of Laki to control illegal movement of wood and wildlife.
In the recent years massive cutting and hunting is reported in the said area if the status quo remained continue for some more years there is a fear and we are at a risk of being deprived of some very valuable Forests and ecosystems. It is very humbly suggested at least Four permanent check post may be established in the area of Kingri, Toisar, Dakian point and area of Laki to
control illegal movement of wood and wildlife. It is also imperative to mention the number of staff is too very less i.e. only 12 Forest Guards and Six Game
Watchers in the district which has let to increase in the cutting of precious trees and wild fauna.
A view of Acacia modesta
Block Plantations Musa Khail is highly renowned for its block plantation of Eucalyptus and some highly successful
plantations may be seen in various areas of the district. During the last decade many block plantations have been raised especially in the tenure of M. Zulfiqar and Nasrullah Khan Mandokhel in their respect stint as DFO at Musa Khail. Still there is a huge demand among the people of the district for Eucalyptus for the same
type of plantation done on the land of various Farmers. Irrespective of the propaganda- Eucalyptus being damaging to agricultural land, the people of Musa Khail prefer the plantation of Eucalyptus and Popular than any other species.
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Volume 4
Rehabilitation of Nursery at Dargai, Musa Khail Forest Department in 1996 purchased 16 acres land from a local farmer for the purpose of Forest offices, colony and Nursery. Initially a two rooms quarter was built and the land was fenced by barbed wires by the than Divisional Forest Officer Haji Sahib Jan but very soon the wires along with the submersible of the tube well were theft by the unknown men and the Department suspended its activities for long time due to shortage of staff and
some other issues. In the recent days under the Development Scheme Establishment of nurseries of Chilghoza, Walnut, Olive, Pistachio and Shina project the rehabilitation of the Nursery is in final stages. 08 acres of land is prepared for trial plot for the said species and similarly a plot for 30,000 plants cutting is also in the final stages. These efforts have regained the land and reduced great chances of encroachment.
Rehabilitation of Forest Nursery
BFWD Monthly Magazine
Hare Volume 4
June 2015
By Mehmood Khan Sub Divisional Officer, Wildlife
Introduction
T
he Cape hare (Lepus capensis), also called brown hare and desert hare is a hare native to Africa and Arabia into India and Pakistan. It is a nocturnal herbivore. Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares are classified into the same family as rabbits and are of similar size, form, and diet as rabbits. They are generally herbivorous, long-eared, and fast runners, and typically live solitarily or in pairs. A hare less than one year old is called a leveret. The col-
lective noun for a group of hares is a "drove".
Biology Do you know that? 
A hare less than one year old is called a leveret.

The collective noun for a group of hares is a "drove".

After a 42-day-long pregnancy, the female gives birth to from one to three young, termed leverets, per litter and may have as many as 4 litters per year.
Hares can run up to 56 km/h (35 mph). The five species of jackrabbit found in central and western North America are able to run at 64 km/h (40 mph), and can leap up to 3m (ten feet) at a time. Hare changes its behavior in spring, when hares can be seen in daytime chasing one another; this appears to be competi-
tion between males to attain dominance (and hence more
access to breeding females). During this spring frenzy,
hares can be seen "boxing"; one hare striking another with its paws (probably the origin of the term "mad as a March hare"). For a long time, this had been thought to be inter-male competition, but closer observation has revealed it is usually a female hitting a male to prevent copulation.
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Hare
Appearance The Cape Hare is a typical hare, with well-developed legs for leaping and running, and large eyes and ears to look out for threats from its environment. There is usually a white ring around the eye. It has a fine, soft coat which varies in colour from light brown to reddish to sandy grey. Unusually among mammals, the female is larger than the male; this phenomenon is called sexual dimorphism.
Do you know? A characteristic of hares which differentiates them from rabbits is that the young are born precocial; that is, the young are born with eyes open and are able to move about shortly after birth.
Ecology The Cape Hare is a herbivore, typically eating grass and shrubs of various types. Coprophagy, the consumption of an organism's own fecal material to double the amount of time food spends in the digestive tract, is a common behavior amongst rabbits and hares. This habit allows the animal to extract the maximum nourishment from its diet, and microbes present in the pellets also provide nutrients. Like other hares, they are fast. The only predator which is ca-
pable of outrunning them is the cheetah. All other predators are ambush and/or opportunistic hunters; examples of these are leopards, caracals, and blackbacked jackals.
with eyes open and are able to move about shortly after birth. The Cape Hare is no exception in this regard.
After a 42-day-long pregnancy, the female gives birth to from one to three young, termed leverets, per litter and may have as many as 4 litters per year. A characteristic of hares which differentiates them from rabbits is that the young are born precocial; that is, the young are born
Conservation status Because of its large range, the Cape Hare is evaluated by IUCN as "Least Concern", although the population trend is decreasing.
Geographic Range
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Volume 4
Foot Print of Wild Rabbit Pic taken by Mehmood Khan (SDO Wildlife) Harnai, at Ziarat
Habitat It may be found in macchia-type vegetation, grassland, bushveld, and semi-desert areas.
Do you know? Coprophagy, the consumption of an organism's own fecal material to double the amount of time food spends in the digestive tract, is a common behavior amongst rabbits and hares.
Foot Print of Wild Rabbit: Pic taken by Mehmood Khan (SDO Wildlife) Harnai, at Ziarat
BFWD Monthly Magazine Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381 Email: tulaib_javid@yahoo.com
Mehmood Khan (SDO Wildlife) has already written in previous editions of this magazine. His services at a glance: In March edition his contribution was about the ‘Black Bear’ of Balochistan.
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife.
In April edition his contribution was about Cannis lupus
The BFWD Monthly Magazine Team is thankful to him for his continuous support and contributions.
Killa SAifullah—Part II Volume 4
June 2015
BFWD Monthly Magazine
Wildlife Wildlife Habitat type is Dry Steppe. There are no historical bench marks to determine the status of wildlife in the area. However, the community informs that the
S.No.
number of wildlife species has declined; which could aptly be attributed to casual attitude for hunting and habitat degradation. Among key species:
Muhammad Anwar Kakar Range Forest Officer
Type
Common Species
Mammals
Straight-horned Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), Afghan Urial (Ovis orientalis cycloceros), Wolf (Canis lupus), Hill fox (Vulpes vulpes grifithii), Asiatic Jackal (Canis aureus), Cape hare (Lepus capensis), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Afghan Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus megalotis), Afghan Pica (Ochotona rufescens) and Stone Marten (martes foina) etc. Chukar (Alectoris chukar), See see partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Magpie (Pica pica), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea), a number of Finches, buntings, seasonal/migratory waterfowls, hawks, bustards and sand grouse etc.
2.
Birds
3.
Reptiles
Afghan Tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii), Afghan Agama (Trapelus megalonyx), Indian Cobra (Naja naja naja), Saw-scale viper (Echis carinatus), Dwarf Dark-headed racer (Eirenis persica walteri) Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina), etc.
Notified Protected Area (PAs) There are no notified state protected areas in the district; however, the “Torghar Conservancy” is a role model of Community Managed Conservation Area in Pakistan, its brief introduction is as under: Torghar Conservancy is located in the northern most part of Toba Kakar Range in Killa Saifullah District. The conservancy contains the last remnant population of internationally threatened Straighthorned Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros) and Afghan Urial (Ovis orientalis cycloceros). Straight Horned Markhor is an endangered species and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Afghan Urial is on Appendix II of CITES.
In 1985, the local people of Torghar Mountains started a modest conservation program with the help of a local NGO called “Society for Torghar Environmental Protection” (STEP). A survey carried out in 1994 by Dr. Kurt Johnson on behalf of US Fish and Wildlife Service estimated a population of only about 400 animals (Markhor and Urial). With its own modest resources and the help of a GEF Small Grant (UNDP) Project, STEP was able to continue this small-scale community based conservation programme with unprecedented results. Another survey sponsored by US Fish and Wildlife Service and carried out in 1999 by Michael Frisina revealed that popu-
lations of both the Markhor and Urial were showing a steady increase and Markhor population was estimated to be 1648 animals and that of Urial to be 1742 animals. Later on, A GEF (UNDP) Medium Grant project “Conservation of Habitat & Species of Global Significance in Arid & Semi Arid Ecosystem in Balochistan” with the counterpart funds from Forest & Wildlife Department, Government of Balochistan supported this initiative from 2003-04 till to date. This conservation effort demonstrated the success of a community-based management approach, by providing incentives for compliance, and promoting sustainable resource use opportunities.
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Killa SAifullah—Part II
Wildlife Statistics In a recent survey, in Torghar Conservancy, the Markhor population was estimated to be 1648 animals and that of Urial to be 1742 animals.
Wetlands Qamardin Karez is an important winter visiting site of migratory birds in Balochistan.
Forest Production
Do you know? In a recent survey, in Torghar Conservancy, the Markhor population was estimated to be 1648 animals and that of Urial to be 1742 animals.
Timber is not produced on commercial basis. Wood from Juniper and its associated trees is utilized for fuel wood, construction of hut-
ment and hedges around Agricultural lands in areas near to the forests.
Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Resident communities also make use of some of the Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), mostly medicinal plants, for household consumption and sometimes also for sale in the local market. The important species are:
Juniper (Juniperus excelsa polycarpos) Artemisia (Artemisia meritima) Ephedra (Ephedra nebrodensis), the species explained above, under Forest Production. Ephedra (Ephedra intermedia), the species explained above, under Forest Production. Morae /Ajwain (Thymus surphyllum) Zralg (Berberis lycium) Surai (Rosa beggeriana) Shinshobae (Perowskia abrotanoides) Sursanda (Hymenocrater sessilifolius)
Kala Zira (Carum bulbocastanum) Spandae (Paganum hermala) Valanae (Mentha sylvestris) Walaghunai (Dephne oleoides) Gung (Vitex agnus-castus)
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Volume 4
Cutting / Marketing / Processing In the district wood obtained from the forests is mainly used for fuel purposes, because other sources of fuel are either not available or, if available, are too expensive. There is no data available about the quantity of exploited wood. Historically, nomads have been involved in the exploitation of wood. In the recent past, refugees from Afghanistan have exploited this resource mercilessly.
Structure and Functions of the Forest and Wild Life Department Functions of the Balochistan Forests and Wildlife Department in the district are listed as under:
Forest Conservation and management
Rangeland development
Wildlife Conservation and protected areas
It is surprising that, though Killa Saifullah district is one of the most important horticultural areas of Balochistan, beekeeping is not considered an economic activity.
management
Watershed Management.
Soil Conservation and Desertification control.
Conclusion and Major Development Issues The forestry sector conclusion is:
Area under forest reserves in district Killa Saifullah is very low. The proportion of the planted forest vis a vis natural forest is even lower. Judging from the international standard, forest reserves are rare.
Female involvement in the forest activities is rare and limited to some jobs like collecting herbs, bushes and shrubs. Sometimes they also collect fuel wood. Forest reserve has depleted due to nonavailability of cheap sources of fuel energy other then wood.
The environmental and ecological balance is impaired due to soil erosion, depletion of range land and population pressure.
The institutional capacity of Forestry Department needs restructuring. Management needs vigor, so that effective control on the degradation of overall environments will be possible.
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife.
BFWD Monthly Magazine
The part—I of this article was published in April 2015. The main points discussed in Part—I were:
Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381
Introduction of Killa Saifulla District.
Major vegetation.
Notified Forests
Community Plantations
Range Lands
Major Development Issues The major development issues are:
process of deforestation not only reduced the vegetative cover but it also exposed the soil to erosive processes culminating into less recharge and ultimately affecting supply of ground and perennial water in the downstream valleys. In this context, reforestation and improvement of Shina Forests is must to improve the productive potential of downstream valley and supporting sustenance of the resident communities.
Lack of awareness and aptitude towards conservation of forests and rangelands. Historically the catchment areas of the valleys were covered by Shina Forests (Pistacia khinjjak), which played an important role in sustenance of communities living in proximity. But due to relentless grazing and fuel wood pressure, in absence of fodder and energy alternatives, the once good forest cover reduced to an open canopy with isolated stands /trees. The
Climate change.
For immediate financial gains unplanned agriculture
activities have subsided the natural vegetation.
Lack of alternate energy source.
Irrational land use and its management.
No community system in place for management of wastelands.
Deficiency of alternate source of forage for livestock feeding.
Wildlife being hunted for fun and food; some out of necessity for status and prestige.
Olea ferruginea Royle
Volume 4
(Oleaceae)
June 2015
Introduction COMMON NAMES: Kahu, Indian Olive. DESCRIPTION: A small, evergreen tree 9 to 12 in tall with diameters of 0.3 to 0.6 m. The leaves are simple, 3 to 10 cm long. The whitish, flowers are arranged in bunches. They bloom between March and September. The fruit is a drupe 8 mm long, that mature between May and December. DISTRIBUTION: The tree is native to the subcontinent including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. In Pakistan it is found on the lower hills of Azad Kashmir, Punjab, NWIF'P, Balochistan and in the hills on the west side of the Indus in the Sindh.
SILVICAL CHARACTERISTICS: HABITAT AND ECOLOGY: A tolerant tree that grows on a variety of calcareous, loamy, to gravel sandy soils. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 250 to 1000 mm/yr. it prefers an arid to semiarid, coolcold temperate, sub-humid semi -arid, cool warm subtropical climate with a temperature range of -10 to 40 0C at elevations from 500 to 2: 0 m. It coppices easily, and is frost and drought resistant. It has no known insect or disease problems.
REPRODUCTION: It is reproduced both from seed and by vegetative mean. The seeds should be planted immediately after collection, as stored seed loses its ability rapidly. One year old poly bag plants are suitable for field planting. PRODUCTIVITY: It grows very slow. MAI of 0.25 cm is common. One year old coppice shoots are 0.25 to 0. 30 in tall. Trees with heights of 3.5 m and diameters of 3 cm in a year period have been report-
ed. MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS: This is a good tree for reforestation projects in arid areas. It also has potential as an oil and fruit tree. Attempts to graft better varieties could increase both oil and fruit production. The wood is of value, and can be used for fuel, while the foliage makes good fodder.
BFWD Monthly Magazine
In previous Editions of BFWD We have Discussed: Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381 Email: tulaib_javid@yahoo.com
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife.
Quetta Pine (Pinus halepensis)
Ghaz (Tamarix Aphylla)
Tut (Morus alba)
The BFWD Team welcomes your advices and appreciates your sharings in this regard. You can write about any particular species of your area.
WOOD PROPERTIES GRAIN: Close, even. COLOR: Sapwood is white, heartwood varies from light brown to nearly black. DENSITY: Specific gravity of 1.125. STRENGTH: Hard, heavy and resilient. USES: Construction, fuel, tool handles, fodder, watershed protection, and fruit and oil. References & Courtesy: 1. Sheikh,.M.I. (1993) Trees of Pakistan 2. http://www.wikipedia.com 3. http://www.google.com
Volume 4
BFWD Monthly Magazine
June 2015
Climatic issues of Pakistan By
Badar-Un-Nissa Khan
Introduction
P
Do you know? 
In 2012, Ministry of Environment was dissolved and Ministry of Climate Change was created.
akistan is basically an agricultural country, the landscape is predominantly arid. Water, already a scarce commodity in most parts of the country, is now facing further shortages. Because of the poverty and population growth, there has been an overexploitation of natural resources. An unplanned increase in industrialization and urbanization has led to pollution in water, air, and land. Along
with water shortages, land degradation has been an issue.
nomic development and environmental protection not much serious attention was paid to environmental issues in Pakistan. Related concerns, such as renewable resources for power productions, sanitation and potable water, received earlier scrutiny.
Environmental issues in Pakistan threaten the population’s health and have been disturbing the balance between eco-
A view in Past If we talk about, consider 2012 in Pakistan, it was really difficult for environment and climatic conditions. First shock given by Government was the dissolution of the Ministry of Environment and the creation of a new Ministry
of Climate Change. The breakdown and reconstruction of institute took much time so many serious issues were neglected badly. Almost at the end of year, in September Ministry decide to develop programs to meet the water,
food and energy security issues posed by unpredictable Issues as well as prepare the country for increased incidences of natural disasters, spread of disease.
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Volume 4
Agriculture Pollution Over 90 percent of Pakistan’s water resource is used in agriculture. The agricultural sector employs nearly half of the workforce and generates a quarter of GDP. Soil used for cropping is badly affected by uncontrolled utilization of Pesticides causing soil pollution and resulted in contaminated food
According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 25 million agricultural workers in our country suffer from pesticide poisoning each year that include a significant number of women.
production. According to
World Health Organization (WHO), about 25 million agricultural workers in our
country suffer from pesticide poisoning each year that include a significant number of women. Women become victim of pesticides while performing different agronomic practices in fields. Pesticides poisoning was also well common In Pakistan, about 30 per cent women had been fulltime farm workers while about 70 per cent were indirectly or directly engaged in farming.
Climatic Variations The climate in Pakistan varies with altitude, which in turn affects the type of vegetation. It has some of the world’s highest cold areas that occur above 5,175 m in the Himalayas and the hottest low areas in the Indus Plains with many intermediate ecological zones . Flooding after effects further causing salinity in many areas leading to short-
age of food. Salinity affects some 60 percent of Pakistan’s coastal farming lands, the United Nations estimates. Due to such geographical situations Pakistan faces climate extremes from very hot and arid temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius, to severe monsoon rains and below zero degrees in winter. Pakistan in 2010 was hit by the worst
floods in its history, with 84 out of 121 districts affected.
Per-Capita Water Avalibility A report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), per capita availability of water in the Indus basin, which lies below the Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalayan mountains and is shared by Afghanistan, China, India, and Pakistan, is nearly 1,329 cubic metres per year. But water availability per
capital in Pakistan is much
less – below 1,100 cubic meters a year, down from 5,500 meters a year in 1950, accord-
ing to government reports in 2012. Floods and glacial melt, and the silt they carry, have reduced the storage capacity of our water reservoirs and have also reduced hydro power production. An unusually long winter and delayed melting of glaciers were blamed for power shortages in June.
Climatic issues of Pakistan
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Change in Monsoon Pattern In recent years the Monsoon patterns have mainly disturb severely .The precipitation was 50% below normal all over Pakistan. Normally as much as 80 percent of South Asia‘s rain falls during the June-to-September monsoon. But in the period until the end of July dry weather has been observed all over Pakistan. This shortage of rain is causing further negative impact on food commodities and the shortage of food results in
inflation of food prices.
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Destructions caused by floods in Pakistan
Air Pollution Air pollution as usual was major problem in most cities, and cause of many health hazards but no special attention was given to forest or tree plantations. Carbon monoxide emission levels in Karachi and Lahore have considerably
exceeded WHO’s recommended levels. It however happens only during crowded hours not 24 hours a day. To tackle the situation we need to develop a ‘Clean Air Program’. In Pakistan it is estimated that 24% of the global
Air pollution at Quetta Pic Courtesy: Naeem Javid M. Hassani
disease burden and 23% of all deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. About 36% of this burden affects children from 0 to 14 years of age.
BFWD Monthly Magazine
Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381 Email: tulaib_javid@yahoo.com
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife.
Badar-un-Nissa Khan has already contributed in previous editions of this magazine. The BFWD Team is thankful to her for her continuous support and contributions. In previous editions she has contributed: 1.
Is CO2 main culprit of global warming or not? (March 2015)
2.
A non edible bio fuel in peril (April 2015)
Still there is HOPE!! Be Positive for coming days and must try to enforce the law of land and for that we have to start a voluntary selfmonitoring program because it is not possible to send inspectors to every industry in the
country. Government planners and policy makers, in collaboration with non-government organisations, will need to develop their knowledge and skills and those of water users to understand and prepare for
the new challenges posed by climate change.
BFWD Monthly Magazine
Volume 4
Green Activities around Awaran District
June 2015
Pictorial Introduction to Clean & Green Activities in Awaran District.
Courtesy: Sir Aziz Ahmad Jamali
Orchard in the making: backyard of DC House
Proposed design for the Monument in Public Park
Awaran Nursery
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Green Activities around Awaran District
More Planting
Housing Reconstruction Awaran (HRA) Project promotes clean & green activities
Forest & Wildlife Goko Check Post is being improved and strengthened
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__ Views of Divisional Forest Officer Awaran Abid Ali
Endeavor to protect Forests and Wildlife. Phone: +923337830960 Fax: 0838-710381 Email: tulaib_javid@yahoo.com
A SILENT MESSAGE