Wetlands of Pakistan, their Conservation & Management

1. Wetlands of Pakistan
By: Group 21

2. Group Members
 Adil Fayyaz
 Kainat Safdar
 Syeda Maheen Ali
 Sana Bakht
 Hunain Munir
 Saira Adnan
• 15051561-035
• 15051561-002
• 15051561-023
• 15051561-034
• 15051561-028
• 15051561-026

3. Wetlands
 A wetland is a place where the land is covered by water,
either salt, fresh or somewhere in between.
 Marshes and ponds, the edge of a lake or ocean, mouth of a
river, all of these are wetlands.
 According to National Wetland Policy of Nepal (2003) those
water bodies which are perennial and created by under-
ground sources of water and or rainfalls are classified as
wetlands.
3

4.  They may be natural or man made.
 Natural wetlands include rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, bogs
and swamps etc.
 Man-made wetlands include canals, ponds, paddy fields, fish
farms etc.
 They cover approximately six percent of surface area of the
globe and occur almost in every country right from tundra
region to tropical areas.
Wetlands
4

5. Natural
Wetland
Man-made
Wetland
5

6.  Wetlands are important source of food supply and they are
biological supermarkets as they are reservoirs of plant and
animal species .
 They preserve bio-diversity and also are ascribed as kidneys
of the landscape.
 They store nutrients and are regarded as most productive
ecosystems.
Valuable Functions
6

7.  They work as reservoirs for water storage and provide
attractive tourist place.
 Coastal wetlands provide protection against storms Located
at the fringe of water and land, wetlands are rich and
complex ecosystems which support biodiversity, provide
worthwhile ecological services, and have great potential for
tourism.
Valuable Functions
7

8. “Wetlands contribute in no small way to our quality of
life - indeed, to our very survival.”
The values and benefits of wetlands are:
1. Flood control
 The most significant social and economic benefit that
wetlands provide is flood control.
 Peatlands and wet grasslands alongside river basins can act
like sponges, absorbing rainfall and controlling its flow
into streams and rivers.
Theoretical Framework
8

9. 2. Clean water
 Wetlands act as the Earth's filters, cleaning up water in a
number of ways.
3. Food supply
 Rice is the staple diet of nearly 3 billion people - half the
world's population.
 It is grown in wetlands across Asia and west Africa, and in
the United States.
Theoretical Framework
9

10. 4. Shoreline And Storm Protection
 Coastal wetlands – such as reefs, mangroves and
saltmarshes – act as frontline defences against potential
devastation.
 5. Materials and Medicines
 Wetlands yield fuelwood for cooking, thatch for roofing,
fibres for textiles and paper making, and timber for
building.
 Medicines are extracted from their bark, leaves, and fruits
etc.
Theoretical Framework
10

11. 6. Recreation areas
 Wetlands everywhere provide important leisure facilities -
fishing, shell collecting and bird watching, swimming etc.
7. Vital habitat
 It has been estimated that freshwater wetlands hold more
than 40% of all the world’s species and 12% of all animal
species
8. A Refuge For Migrating Birds
 The world's wetlands offer a welcome pitstop, offering
protection and food before the birds continue on to their
final destination.
Theoretical Framework
11

12. 12

13.  International treaty.
 Held on 2nd Feb.1971,in Iran, Ramsar.
Purpose:-
1. Conservation & sustainable use of wetlands.
2. Stop the encroachment and loss of wetlands.
3. And wise use of wetlands and its resources for the benefit
of mankind.
 Provide framework for National and International
cooperation.
Ramsar Convention (Rc)
13

14.  Wetlands help reduce the impacts from storm damage
and flooding.
 Maintain good water quality in rivers.
 Recharge groundwater.
 Store carbon, help stabilise climatic conditions and
control pests.
 Important sites for biodiversity
Importance Of Wetlands
14

15.  The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands.
 This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers,
swamps and marshes.
 Also include wet grasslands, peat-lands, oases, estuaries,
deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas.
 Also include coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as
fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
CONTI…
15

16. Inland wetlands Marshes
Classification Of Wetlands
16

17. Swamps Rivers, Oasis
CONTI…
17

18. Mangroves Bogs
CONTI…
18

19. Coastal Wetlands
CONTI…
19

20. Human-made Wetlands
Rice Paddy Fish Ponds
20

21.  USA’s fish and wildlife service (USFWS) has developed a
scheme of classification of the national wetlands inventory.
 According to this 225 wetlands are present in Pakistan… i.e.
1. Seasonally flooded agricultural land
2. Ponds—farm ponds, stock ponds, small tanks
3. Permanent water of estuaries and deltas
Wetland Inventories Of
Pakistan
21

22.  Significant and globally wetlands in 1976, only 9.
 Afterwards 2001, no. raised from 9-16
 According to Ramcar site, currently 19
 From these 19 wetlands 7 are situated in Sindh province. i.e.
 Badin and Kadhan Lagoons, Beroon Kirthar Canal, Charwo
Lake, Clifton Beach, Drigh Lake, & Sindhi Dhoro Lake, Hab
Dam, Haleji Lake.
CONTI…
22

23. 23
Wetland
Complexes of
Pakistan

24. The four major wetland complexes have been
demarcated in Pakistan.
1. the North Western Alpine wetland complex.
2. the wetland complex of Salt Range.
3. the wetland complex of Central Indus Plain.
4. the wetland complex of Makran Coast.
Wetland Complexes of
Pakistan

25. Wetland Complexes of
Pakistan

26. Comprising an area of about 1760 sq km, 70 km
long and 23 km wide.
This important complex is situated in the upper
Yarkhun River Valley at elevations ranging from
3,000 to 4,200 meters.
It consists of a few of the highest wetlands on the
globe that are biologically active.
The North Western Alpine
Wetland Complex

27.  Amongst these six are located at an elevation of over 6,000
meters from sea level.
 The typical plant species found in the valley bottoms of this
complex are;
Myricaria elegans
Poplus ciliate
Salix viminalis
Hippophae rhamnoides.
 Major problem of the region is availability of fuel for space
heating and cooking.
CONTI…

28.  Peat from the marshes, stream beds and surroundings of the
lakes which is dried, stored and burned when required.
 Additional livestock are shifted down the valleys where the
climate is relatively milder.
 Seasonal migration leads to over-crowding of domesticated
animals along the permanent water resources.
 Remote water bodies, like kettle lakes on perched plains,
become bare of emergent flora by the closing stages of
summers.
CONTI…

29. Wetland
Complexes of
Pakistan

30. The entire complex is 175 km long and runs from
Jehlum in the east to Kalabagh in the west.
Uchali wetland complex comprising Khabeki and
Jahlar is of international importance recognized by
RC Bureau.
The Wetland Complex Of
Salt Range

31. Sr Name Location
Province
Location
District
Status
1 Kallar Kahar Punjab Chakwal Wild life
sanctuary
2 Khabheki Punjab Khushab Wild life
sanctuary
3 Ucchali Punjab Khushab Ramsor site
4 Jahlar Punjab Khushab Not
protected
5 Namal lake Punjab Khushab Wild life
sanctuary
The Wetland Complex Of
Salt Range

32.  Extending among the Chashma in the North and Sukkur city
in the south, this complex lies along the main stem of Indus
River.
 It includes various braided streams and oxbow lakes and
seasonally inundated depressions in the flood plain.
 It is 708 km long and 9-23 km wide and occupies an area of
9,700 km.
 Being home of Pakistan’s famous Indus Dolphin, the region
depicts a picture of exhaustive use of resource to meet up
survival oriented requirements of the people.
The Wetland Complex Of
Central Indus Plain:

33. Sr Name Location
Province
Location
District
Status
1 Akara Dam Balochistan Makran Not Protected
2 Astola Island Balochistan Makran Wild life
sanctuary
3 Astola sea
mount
Balochistan Makran Not Protected
4 Jiwany
Eustary
Balochistan Makran Not Protected
5 Kalmat Khor Balochistan Makran Not Protected
The Wetland Complex Of
Central Indus Plain:

34.  Astola island and Jiwani coastal wetlands are recognized as
wetlands of international value.
 Astola island also known as Haft Talar is situated about 25
km in south of the desert coast of Balochistan, and spreads
over 5,000 hectors and 6 km in length.
 It is the most significant island in the north of Arabian Sea,
and important for endemic reptiles as green turtles and
hawksbill turtle which are the most endangered species of
the island.
The Wetland Complex Of
Makran Coast

35.  Jiwani coastal wetland complex is located around the Delta
of Dasht river in Balochistan which spreads over an area of
4,600 hectors.
 This wetland is important due to the presence of mangrove
forest where especially the species Avicennia Marina is
present.
 Endangered species of green turtles and Olive Ridley are
found.
 Thousands of migratory water birds visit the complex.
Jiwani Coastal Wetland
Complex

36. 36
Wetland
Degradation
And Loss

37.  Wetland degradation is the damage of the functions caused
by human activities and wetland loss is the loss of their area
due to human actions (Moser et al, 1996)
 Wetland loss is the loss due
 To the conversion of wetland
 To non-wetland habitats
 A result of human activities
37
Wetland Degradation And
Loss

38.  Biological alteration
 Removal of wetland or riparian vegetation
 Introduction of non-native/exotic species
Causes of wetland loss and
degradation

39. Continued….

40.  Release of pollutants and toxic substances
 Change in nutrient level
Chemical Alterations

42.  Filling
 Draining
 Dredging &stream channelization
 Peat mining
 Flooding &changes in sediment depostion patterns due to
dam construction
 ATV/Recreational uses
Physical Degradation

46.  56% to 65% of existing wetland has been converted to
intensive agricultural use in Europe and North America,
 27% in Asia,
 6% in South America
 2% in Africa,
 pointing to a total loss of 26% to agriculture globally
(OECD, 1996).
 The rivers of Pakistan, has been regulated to a great extent
by constructing headwork, barrages and dams.
Rate And Extent Of Wetland
Loss

47.  Expansion of settlements, urbanization, drainage for
agriculture, hunting and pollution appeared to be the top
five major threats in the region.
 It has also been brought into the notice that aquatic weed
invasions influence about 182,118 hectors of wetlands in
Pakistan and badly affect the fish output (Gopal & Wetzel,
1995).
47
Rate And Extent Of Wetland
Loss

49. 49
Sustainable
Development And
Management Of
Wetlands In Pakistan

50.  RC was held in 1971, in acknowledgment of the importance
and worth of wetlands.
 Pakistan’s wetland program is working to protect and
promote globally significant biodiversity and has two main
objectives;
 To create and maintain enabling environment for
sustainable and effective conservation of natural wetlands
at local level.
 To implement sustainable wetland conservation strategy at
four representative sites that will serve as model for
subsequent wetland conservation.
50
Sustainable Development And Management
Of Wetlands In Pakistan

51.  The program is actively working in four representative areas
namely:
 Lakes of the alpine region
 Lakes of the Salt Range
 Coastal wetlands
 Riverine wetlands
 The program is working on two main dimensions:
1) Promote sustained yield management models that maintain
these survival oriented activities
2) Protect and conserve the biodiversity of concerned regions.
CONTI…

52.  WWF Pakistan has established a wetland centre at Sandspit, located in west
of Karach, are aimed to
 Conserve the wetlands of Pakistan,
 Identify the wetland complexes,enhance biodiversity
 Create awareness among the people
 Prepare and implement national wetland conservation strategies
CONTI…

53.  The chief driving forces at the back of wetlands working are their
hydrology and hydrodynamics.
 The main factors that are causing changes and can potentially
alter the natural hydrology of wetlands of Pakistan are
 Disruption of natural drainage systems
 Diversion of water flow
 Construction of infrastructure and dams in drainage basins,
overgrazing
 Deforestation
Conclusion

54. Wetlands Of Pakistan

55.  Increasing awareness among the people about the conservation
and ‘Wise Use Concept’ of wetland resources.
 At the outset a national wetland inventory based on modern
scientific techniques should be prepared.
 Quantitative studies of wetland depletion and services losses
should be conducted.
 Wetland protection and sustainable use legislation should be
made practical and effective according to the instructions of
RC.
Suggestions

56.  Information about wetland inventory should be utilized to
point out priority areas for protection and management and
action should be taken in the light of their evaluation.
 About wetland inventories should be made available
electronically, as in this way accessibility and regular
updating of information can be made easy.
 Devising a standardized, flexible and effective approach and
preparation of generic wetland inventory database.
Suggestions