Pakistan National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NBSAP...Pakistan – NBSAP ii Acknowledgements The stakeholders and key resource personnelwho contributed to thisrevision of

Pakistan

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Government of Pakistan

2015

Pakistan – NBSAP

i

Government of Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan

Prime Minister’s Message

Pakistan possesses a wide variety of ecosystems and habitats that extendfrom theArabian Sea in the southto the

second highest peak in the world, K-2. The diverse topography and climatic conditions manifest themselves in a wide

range of ecosystems,four of which havebeen included in global 200 significantecosystems for global biodiversity. In

fact,four ecosystems of Pakistan are even included in the Global 200.Majority of the landscape in the country has no

land use plan in place and no one agency is directly responsible for their ecological conservation.It is clear that state

agencies need to do a more effectivejob of managing the lands under their control as ecosystems continue to

degrade and biodiversity continues to be lost across the country. The same is true for agricultural lands, where a

good deal of productivity has been lost because ofunsustainable farming practices.

The worsening health of ecosystems and reductionintheirservices are significant causesforalarm, as thesepose

threatsnot only to the livelihoods of the poor and marginalized communities who depend on them,but also to

agriculture and dams for hydropower, theutility of which would be greatly compromised. It is neither feasible nor

desirable for the government to manage vast natural habitats; thus, institutions and local communities must be

strengthened and actively involved in the sustainable management of these lands.

Pakistan is among the toptencountries most vulnerable to climate change;hugedamage tolife and property as a result

ofrecent floods. Pakistan is also home to a large number of wild crops, which together with other threatened plant and

animal species are at current risk of extinction due to changes in habitat conditions. All these priority areas need to be

effectively managed. In addition to the loss of natural resources, a numberof crops and farm animals have

disappeared in Pakistanbecause ofthe introduction of high yield crop varieties.

Although high yield crop varieties have helped the country to feed its rapidly growing population,their use has come at

tremendous cost, including increased incidences of cancer and other diseases because ofthe excessive use of

agrochemicals. It is critical to preserve traditional crop varieties and breeds of farm animals in Pakistan. In addition,

we need to develop, test, and promote sustainable agricultural practices including the improved deficiency of water-

use, minimal use of agro-chemicals, and the preferential application ofenvironmentally friendly alternatives.

Pakistan has always shown strong commitment to the cause of sustainable development. Indeed, a National

Conservation Strategy was prepared in 1992 before this was required by theUnited Nation‟s Convention on Biolog ical

Diversity (UN-CBD). In addition, anumber of similar strategies wereprepared in the provinces, even in many districts

across the country. It is of note that Pakistan has been at the forefront of the global community in signing and ratifying

environment related treaties. However, financial limitations far exceed the political will of the country, leading to

unsatisfactory progress on the Biodiversity Action Plan, 2000.

The revision process for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) has taken stock of the situation,

and provided a new vision, objectives, strategies and targets to meet the conservation challenges of the 21st century,

as well as make significant contributions toward achieving the UN-CBD strategic goals and Aichi Biodiversity Targets

(ABTs). I am especially pleased with the process for the revision of NBSAP and preparation of Provincial BSAPs at

sub-national level in history of UN-CBD. Active participation of the provinces, which will be major players for its

implementation will ensure buy in of the stakeholders and all line departments and ministries. While the Ministry of

Climate Change will have a central role in coordination and providing leadership for its implementation, active

participation of all other Ministries, provincial governments, and stakeholders will be essential for meeting the

objectives of the NBSAP. While the government will try its best to increase allocations for biodiversity, affluent nations

and multilaterals will have to come forward to meet the full financial needs of the revised National Biodiversity

Strategy and Action Plan.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan – NBSAP

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Acknowledgements

The stakeholders and key resource personnelwho contributed to thisrevision of the National Biodiversity

Strategy and Action Plan are too many to mention individually. However, the team that drafted the

NBSAP gratefully acknowledges the support and cooperation of all those who spared time to participate

in consultative meetings, group discussions, individual meetings, and reviews of the draft. Our special

thanks are due to Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General of Forests for providing guidance and a

number of useful technical inputs during the process.

Special thanks are due to senior policy makers and planners in the provinces, civil society organizations,

and professionals who took a keen interest in provincial and regional consultations. The provincial offices

of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and provincial BSAP facilitators played a key

role in organizing consultations and meetings. The IUCN office in Islamabad played a pivotal role in

providing logistical support for travel and meetings.

Thisrevision of the NBSAP would not have been possible without the financial support of the Global

Environment Facility, the administrative support of the Ministry of Climate Change, and the personal

interest of the Director Biodiversity.

THE NBSAP TEAM

Mr. Javed Ahmed, Biodiversity Consultant, IUCN Pakistan

Mr. Naeem Ashraf, Director Biodiversity, MOCC

Malik Ghulam Sarwar, Coordinator NBSAP, MOCC

Ms. ParveenEjaz, Deputy Director Biodiversity, MOCC

Dr. RizwanIrshad, Deputy Director, MOCC

Mr. Rafi ulHaq, Sindh BSAP Consultant, IUCN Pakistan

Dr. Abdul Aleem, Punjab BSAP Consultant, IUCN-Pakistan

Mr. Haider Raza, GB-BSAP Consultant, IUCN Pakistan

Mr. Ali Imran, Balochistan BSAP Consultant, IUCN Pakistan

Dr. Aurangzeb Khan, AJK-BSAP Consultant,IUCN Pakistan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Prime Minister‟s message ............................................................................................................................................... i

Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................ ii

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. vi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................ viii

I.INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Context .................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2. Values of biodiversity and ecosystem services and their contribution to human well-being .................................. 1

3. Causes and consequences of biodiversity loss ..................................................................................................... 2

3. 1. Population Growth ......................................................................................................................................... 2

3. 2. Land Use - Degradation and Desertification .................................................................................................. 3

3. 3. Deforestation ................................................................................................................................................. 4

3. 4. Open Access Resources ............................................................................................................................... 5

3. 5. Grazing .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

3. 6. Unsustainable Fishing ................................................................................................................................... 5

3. 7. Promotion of High Yielding Varieties and Exotic Breeds ............................................................................... 6

3. 8. Heavy Use of Agrochemicals ........................................................................................................................ 6

3. 9. Pollution ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

3. 10. Global Climate Change ............................................................................................................................... 7

4. National constitutional, legal and institutional framework ....................................................................................... 7

4.1. Biodiversity Legal Framework ........................................................................................................................ 7

4. 2.Provincial Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Laws ............................................................................................ 8

4. 3.Biodiversity Policy Framework ........................................................................................................................ 8

4.4. International Conventions and Agreements .................................................................................................... 9

a) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ..................................................................................................... 9

b) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) ...................................................................... 9

4. 5. Poverty Reduction Strategies ........................................................................................................................ 9

4. 6. Institutional Framework ................................................................................................................................. 9

5. Lessons learned from the earlier NBSAP(s) and the process of developing the updated NBSAP....................... 10

5.1. Progress on Implementation of Biodiversity Action Plan 2000 ..................................................................... 10

5. 2.Biodiversity Scenarios .................................................................................................................................. 10

5.3. Processes for development of BAP and NBSAP. ......................................................................................... 11

II. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ................................................................................ 12

6. Vision ................................................................................................................................................................... 12

7. Goals ................................................................................................................................................................... 12

8. Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................ 12

9. Strategies and Actions ......................................................................................................................................... 13

10. Biodiversity Awareness ...................................................................................................................................... 13

10. 1 Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

10. 2. Issues and Trends ..................................................................................................................................... 13

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10. 3. Strategies and Actions ............................................................................................................................... 14

11. Gender, Poverty and Biodiversity Nexus ........................................................................................................... 15

11. 1. Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 15


12. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in National Planning and Policy Processes ............................................................ 15

12. 1. Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 15


13. Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species .................................................................................................. 16

13. 1. Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

13. 2.Issues and Trends ...................................................................................................................................... 17


14. Forest Ecosystems ............................................................................................................................................ 19

14. 1. Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 20

14. 2. Issue and Trends ....................................................................................................................................... 20


15. Inland Wetland Ecosystems............................................................................................................................... 22

15.1. Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 22

15. 2.Issue and Trends ........................................................................................................................................ 24


16.Coastal and Marine Ecosystems ........................................................................................................................ 26

16. 1.Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 26

16. 2.Issues and Trends ...................................................................................................................................... 27


17. Sustainable Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity..................................................................................................... 29

17. 1.Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 29



18. Sustainable Production and Consumption ......................................................................................................... 32

18.1. Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 32

18. 2.Trends and Issues ...................................................................................................................................... 32


19. Biosafety – Emerging Issues and Challenges .................................................................................................... 34



III. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION ...................................................................................... 38

20. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 38

21. Implementation of NBSAP ................................................................................................................................. 38

22. Communication and Outreach Strategy ............................................................................................................. 38

23. Plan for Resource Mobilization .......................................................................................................................... 39

24. National Coordination Mechanisms ................................................................................................................... 39

25. Clearing-House Mechanism ............................................................................................................................... 39

26.Monitoring and Evaluation .................................................................................................................................. 40

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IV. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................................... 41

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Terrestrial ecosystems of Pakistan included in Global 200 Eco-Regions ....................................................... 16 Table 2:The change in area of different forest types 1992-2004 .................................................................................. 20 Table 3:Wetland ecosystems of Pakistan included in Global 200 Eco-regions ............................................................ 23 Table 4.Global 200 eco-regions represented in Pakistan ............................................................................................. 27

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Map of Pakistan (Source: Survey of Pakistan) .............................................................................................. xv Figure 2:Population growth in Pakistan 1960 -2010 ....................................................................................................... 2 Figure 3: National PSDP and allocations for the Ministry of Climate Change (Source: GiZ, 2009) ................................ 3 Figure 4:Major land uses in Pakistan ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 5:Wind and Water Erosion in Pakistan 1998 and 2007 ....................................................................................... 4 Figure 6:Changes in Forest cover in Pakistan 1990 - 2010 ........................................................................................... 4 Figure 7:Numbers of goat, sheep and camels in Pakistan 1990 - 2014 ......................................................................... 5 Figure 8:Progress on implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan of 2000 ............................................................. 10 Figure 9: Level of various threats in different forest types (FCPF RFP, MoCC, 2012) ................................................. 21 Figure 10: Map of Pakistan showing major wetlands ................................................................................................... 24 Figure 11: Map showing Arabian Sea. ......................................................................................................................... 27

LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex1:Matrix showing NBSAP targets and indicators for monitoring. ........................................................................ 43 Annex 2:Mammalian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. .............................................. 61 Annex 3:Bird species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. .......................................................... 63 Annex 4:Reptile and amphibian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. ................. 65 Annex 5:Fish species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. .......................................................... 66 Annex 6: Marine species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. ..................................................... 67 Annex 7:Plant species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP. ......................................................... 68 Annex 8:List of Protected Areas (National Parks) in need of effective management plans. ......................................... 69 Annex 9:Ramsar Sites in Pakistan. .............................................................................................................................. 70 Annex 10: Ecosystems and Habitats Identified for Filling Gaps in the Protected Area System. ................................... 71

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List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

ABTs Aichi Biodiversity Targets AJK State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir BAP Biodiversity Action Plan BRC BioResource Research Centre BWG Biodiversity Working Group CAF Central Asian Flyway CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CBI City Biodiversity Index CCVI Climate Change Vulnerability Index CDR Carbon Dioxide Removal CHM Clearing House Mechanism CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CMS Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species CoP Conference of Parties CRI Climate Risk Index DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Act ENERCON National Energy Conservation Center FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas FSMP Forestry Sector Master Plan GB Gilgit-Baltistan GBO Global Biodiversity Outlook GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GIS Global Information System GMO Genetically Modified Organism GM Genetically Modified HYVs High Yield Varieties IBC Institutional Biosafety Committee ITPGRFA International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa LMO Living Modified Organism MAPs Medicinal and Aromatic Plants MDGs Millennium Development Goals Mha Million hectares MoCC Ministry of Climate Change NBC National Biosafety Committee NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan NCS National Conservation Strategy NEQS National Environmental Quality Standards NIM National Institute of Management NRM Natural Resource Management NSPP National School of Public Policy NSDS National Sustainable Development Strategy NTFPs Non-timber Forest Products NWCS National Wetland Conservation Strategy PA Protected Area PARC Pakistan Agriculture Research Council PBS Pakistan Bureau of Statistics PEPA Pakistan Environment Protection Act PIPS Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers PSCI Pakistan Sustainable Cotton Initiative REDD

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

SBP Statistical Bureau of Pakistan SCP Sustainable Consumption and Production

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SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SO2 SulferDioxide SRM Sunlight Reflection Methods STAR System for Transparent Allocation of Resources TEV Total Economic Value UN United Nations UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNFCCC The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority WCS World Conservation Strategy WRI World Resource Institute WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development WWF World Wildlife Fund

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Context

A global review beingconducted in 2010 revealed that there is a continuous decrease in biodiversity across the world;

therebyecosystems aredegrading andundermining human well-being. Pakistan, like many other countries in the

world, is losing biodiversityas result of a range of direct and indirect causes. TheCoP to theCBDin its 10thmeeting held

in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, October 2010, adopted a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with 20 targets which

came to be known as “Aichi Biodiversity Targets” (ABTs).In compliance, theprevious BAP of 2000 is revisedhere with

the stated intention of implementing ABTs in Pakistan.In order to create greater ownership of the revised NBSAP, all

the stakeholders were approached through consultative meetings in provincial and regional capitals at Karachi,

Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. In addition, meetings were held with policy makers and

planners in the provinces and regions. The provinces and other federating units were provided technical support to

prepare their own Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (PBSAPs), and thus, the revised NBSAP is a sum

total of provincial and regional biodiversity strategies and action plans plus added with some national level actions.

The draft of revised NBSAP was widely shared with all the stakeholders and finally presented at a national meeting in

Islamabad on November 5th

, 2015at which point the representatives of all the provinces, Azad Jammu and

Kashmir(AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)unconditionally endorsed the revised NBSAP.

2. The Causes and Consequences of Biodiversity Loss

The rapid growth inhuman populations and the resultant increase in use of wood for fuel, timber, forage, non-timber

forest products, and trade in wild fauna, coupled with expanding agriculture on marginal lands,have caused land

degradation, desertification, loss of habitat, and endangeredthe survival of many wild species. Majority of the land

area in Pakistan is not under direct management which is a leading cause of ecosystems degradation due mainly to

deforestation and over grazing.Consequently, these areas are proneto water and wind erosion, depletion of soil

fertility, water logging, and increased salinity.Resource degradation is further exacerbated due tothe increasing

scarcity of water, frequent droughts, and the mismanagement of land and water resources. Loss of habitats and their

fragmentation poses a serious threat to biodiversity in all biomes, and consequently many populations of species are

now confined to isolated small pockets. In addition, the over-harvesting of fishery resources and use of inappropriate

gear has resulted in lossestoaquatic biodiversity.

Crop genetic diversity in Pakistan is low because of the use of high-yield varieties (HYVs). This genetic erosion is

pronounced in wheat, rice, cotton, sorghum, sugarcane and vegetables, and at the same time, between 75% and

80% of Pakistan's domestic livestock are cross-bred leading to gradual lossin the genetic diversity. Consequently, the

ability of these livestock breeds to adapt to climate change and to tolerate diseases is being greatly reduced, while

the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers has disturbed the agro-ecosystem,affected non-target and

environment-friendly organisms (including many bird species),induced pest resistance and resurgence, and caused ill

effects to the health of the population.

Pollution is a growing problem in Pakistan and discharge of sewage and industrial effluents into aquatic and marine

ecosystems is a major threat to biodiversity. The discharge of untreated sewage into irrigation systems, streams, and

rivershas polluted land and water in downstream areas of major rivers, and led to increasesin numerous water-borne

diseases.

Pakistan ranks 16th

on the Climate Change Vulnerability Index1, and is among the most affected country as a result of

climate change in 2014. It is estimated that more than tenmillion people have been affected in Pakistan over the last

twoyears directly by climate-related disasters, and the country‟s economy has been crippled by devastating and

repetitive floods overthe last decade, especially the floods of 2010, 2011, and 2014. These events have emerged as

the biggest catastrophes in the history of thecountry, while the ongoing impacts of climate change on the natural flora

and fauna remains largely unknown.

1https://maplecroft.com/about/news/ccvi.html

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Policy, Planning, and InstitutionalIssues:The value of biodiversity and ecosystem services, their contribution to the

national economy, and their potential to alleviate poverty have not been assessedand so these factors could not be

integrated into the national and local planning and development process. Consequently, the environment sector,

including climate change, biodiversity, forestry, and wildlife receives very low priority when it comes to resource

allocation.A similar situation prevails for other natural resource sectors including, agriculture, livestock,and

fisheries.Becausethe benefits from biodiversity goods and ecosystem services would far exceed the costs of

protection, conserving them, and renderingtheirsustainable use, there is an urgent need for a national policy for the

conservationand sustainable use of biodiversity.

3. National Constitutional and Legal Frameworks

The provinces and other federated units of Pakistan have enacted provincial laws for the management of the

environment, forests, wildlife, and fisheries, and the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012

(CITES Act) extends across the whole country. A further bill facilitating access to genetic resources and their

derivatives for environmentally friendly usageas well as theequitable sharing of benefits derived from them is being

drafted and is likely to be enacted in the near future, whilethe Government of Pakistan had ratified the Nagoya

Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. This bill in particular meetslegislative requirements under the

NagoyaProtocols and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

4. National Policy Framework

The Pakistan‟s National Conservation Strategy (NCS) was formulated in 1992,the first policy framework to

encompassbiodiversity and conservation. Subsequently, in 2000, a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

was prepared, and later, in 2005, The National Environment Policy was adopted to provide an overarching framework

for addressing environmental issues likethe pollution of freshwater and coastal waters, air pollution, lack of proper

waste management, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, desertification, natural disasters, and climate change. More

recently, adraft „National Sustainable Development Strategy‟ (NSDS) was developed that envisions „to evolve a just

and harmonious society in the country through promotion of a vibrant and equitable economic growth without

overexploitation of natural resources with fair distribution of development dividends among all stakeholders; in

particular to the marginalized, poor and vulnerable part of the society and to future generations‟.

The National Climate Change Policy (2012) has theoverall goal, „to ensure that climate change is mainstreamed in

the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the economy and to steer Pakistan towards climate resilient

development‟. One of the major objectives of thispolicy is the conservation of natural resources and long-term

sustainability attainedvia a number of concrete measures encompassingforestry, biodiversity, and other vulnerable

ecosystems.

5. Institutional Framework

The Forestry Wing of the Ministry of Climate Change is the national focal point for the CBD. Within this framework,

the Directorate of Biodiversity is responsible for coordination with the CBD Secretariat, with national, provincial,

regional, and local government agencies, and with other stakeholders in Pakistan.The provincial governments as well

as those ofAJK, Gilgit-Baltistan(GB), and FATA, have departments charged with the management of forests, wildlife,

fisheries, environment, agriculture, and livestock.Provincial environmental departments provide guidelines to carry out

environmental impact assessments (EIAs for all economic development projects.

Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) hosts the national Plant Genetic Resource Center, while provincial

governments have established field research stations for the in-situ conservation of important varieties and land races

of crops, vegetables, and breeds of major indigenous livestock. Environmental and biodiversity-related research is

being conducted in academia across the country and higher degrees are offered in biological sciences. The principles

of biodiversity conservation are integrated in the curricula, while wildlife and biodiversity are offered as special

courses in many universities. However, the in-situ conservation potential of zoological and botanical gardens arenot

being fully utilized.It is clear to strengthen the inter-departmental cooperation there is need to merge wildlife, forest,

and environment department to a single Nature Conservation Department.

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Nevertheless, International and National conservation organizations like the IUCNPakistan, the WWF Pakistan and

the BRC Islamabad have played a significant roles in creating awareness, building capacity, developing policy, and in

the joint implementation of a new generation of biodiversity conservation projects.

II. PRINCIPLES, PRIORITIES AND TARGETS OF THE NBSAP

6. Biodiversity Awareness

People are often unaware of the loss of biodiversity and its consequences for their own well-being. Thus, well-

planned and targeted efforts are required to create awareness among people through mobilization of media (i.e. print,

audio, and visual), effectively introducing values of biodiversity in the curriculaand establishing co-curricular activities

and youth leadership clubs with a focus on biodiversity and environmental issues. Activities like invited lectures,

seminars, competitions, and the involvement of students and parents will also be helpful.Special short-term

coursesequipped with meaningful material to raise awareness levels can be provided for teachers as well as forjunior

and senior executives working in government and semi-government bodies, especially management groups,

judiciary, police, and even the armed forces. These measures will realize their support in the implementation

processes of environmental and biodiversity-related policies and legislations.

7.Mainstreaming Biodiversity

Biodiversity needs to be mainstreamed in national policies and plans for sustainable development.This processwill

help all sectors to recognize the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services, maximize the positives, and minimize

the negative impacts of human activities. Thisrevised NBSAP shouldbe adopted as a policy instrument by the

government after approval from cabinet.Further, a Biodiversity Round Table comprising of all relevant Ministries

shouldbe established to integrate biodiversity concerns into sectoral policies and plans. An additional support group

of„opinion leaders‟,comprising policy makers and planners, will also be organized to act as a catalystviainformal

communications. The exercise will lead to the incorporation of biodiversity concerns intoprogrammes of studies in the

National School of Public Policy, the National Institute of Management, the National Defense College, and the

Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies. To demonstrate the valueof biodiversity, studies will be undertakento

demonstrate theneed for its inclusion in national accounting and reporting systems, while steps will be taken to

mobilize financial resources for a substantial increase in theeffective implementation of the NBSAP.

8. Gender, Poverty, and Biodiversity Nexus

Common property andopen access resources are being over-exploitedby landless and small landholders who rely

heavily on resources for subsistence. For example, pastoral communities in Balochistan, transhumance

Bakarwals(nomads), and people in northern Pakistan graze livestock on natural pastures or rangelands. Loss of

biodiversity increases their poverty levels and makes them more susceptible to adverse impacts of climate change.

However, it is also the case that men, women,and children use natural resources differently and therefore their

requirements need to be factored intoconservation programmes. Women and children are mostly involved inthe

collection of firewood, forage, MAPs and NTFPs. Thus,biodiversity loss and the lack of access to natural resources

near their homes means an increase in workload and economic hardships.Becausepoverty results in the degradation

of ecosystems, there is conversely an opportunity to alleviate thisby restoring the health of ecosystems. Similarly,

because the harvesting of bio-resources is a part-time activity forunemployed or under-employed manpower,

alternative activities for the workforce such as jobs or cottage industries will help save biodiversity. In view of the

above, gender and poverty considerations cut across all thematic areas of biodiversity conservation and will be

integral component of the relevant strategies and action plans.

9.Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species

There are 17major vegetation types in Pakistan comprisingmany endemic species of flora, fauna and the wild

relatives of crops. As noted above, two terrestrial ecosystems inPakistan wereincluded in the global 200 priority

ecosystems identified underthe Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the Western Himalayan Temperate Forests and

the Tibetan Plateau Steppe.However, thesenatural ecosystems, with the exception of managed forests and national

parks, are generally not managed and consequently have become open access resources.Pakistan has createda

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large number of game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks,encompassingapproximately 14% of national

area. However, areview of PAs conducted in 2000 revealed that many of these regions do not meet globally accepted

criteria, whilea similarstudy in 2012 identified a number ofgaps in the representation of ecological zones in the PA

system of Pakistan.

The strategies that are in place toconserve the rich biological diversity of ecosystems include: (1) Strengthening

institutional and regulatory frameworks to address the challenges of the 21st century; (2) Expansion of the protected

area network for complete ecological representation, the establishment of corridors to connect fragmented habitats,

and their effective management, (3) Empowerment of local communities to act as custodians of the habitats, and;

(4)Improve knowledge, the science base, and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status, and

trends.

10. Forest Ecosystems

There is no uniform data onforest cover in Pakistan as the official statistics used for international assessmentsemploy

different evaluation criteria. However, it is clear thatthe forested area of Pakistan has decreased from 2.75 million ha

in 1990 to 2.36 million ha in 2000, an annual decline of 1.5% (FAO 2001). TheGlobal Forest Watch initiative of the

WRI has reported that Pakistan lost 10,000 ha of forest between the years 2000 and2012, and gained less than

1,000 ha overthe same period in the form of plantations.Irrespective of differences in reports, the forestedarea of

Pakistan is relatively small and cover is shrinking due to both deforestation and degradation.

Strategies proposed to conserve forest biodiversity and its sustainable use include:(1) Providing an enabling

institutional and policy environment to integrate biodiversity concerns in the forestry sector; (2) Protect and restore

forest biodiversity, including ecosystem services,by following an ecosystem approach; (3) Make plantations

biodiversity friendly by increasing indigenous floral diversity; (4) Improve knowledge base by adopting scientific

research and modern technologies relating to forest biodiversity, and (5) Reform the rights and concessions of local

people.

11. Inland Water Ecosystems

Streams, rivers, natural lakes, and man-made reservoirsare not only sources of water and fish but are also

important habitats for migratory species. Across Pakistan,over 40wetland sites enjoy protected status of some kind

including 19Ramsar Sites.A number of different government agencies manage and control wetlandactivities, including

irrigation and hydropower generation which aremanaged by WAPDA and irrigation departments, while fishing and

hunting are regulated by provincial Fisheries and Wildlife Departments. These agencies have little, or no,

coordination for managing wetlands, thus existing strategies to promoteconservation andsustainable use include: (1)

Revision of policy, laws, and regulations to ensure conservation of fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as

equitable sharing of benefits; (2) Appropriate measures to prevent the spread of invasive species and their

eradication from natural waters, and; (3) Build capacity of all stakeholders to sustainably manage wetlands ensuring

equitable sharing of benefits.

12. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

The Arabian Seacontainsrich biodiversity and is included asaGlobal 200 Priority Ecosystem. However, over-fishing

has contributed to a steep decline in catches of shrimp and many fish species, and the programmes aimed at

improving the economic status of coastal communities and increasing exportspresent some of theunderlying causes

of this resource depletion. The Indus Delta is heavily polluted by a variety of industrial effluents, sewage, solid waste,

and nutrient-enriched irrigation waters, and progressive upstream diversionsareacting to increase salinity.

Some Arabian Sea beaches providenesting grounds forglobally endangered sea turtleswhich face multiple threats,

including egg and hatchling predation as well asincidental catch byfishing craft.Climate change also threatens coastal

communities in Pakistan due to their lack of resilience to cyclones. The 2012 CRI ranked Pakistan as theeight most

affected country by climate change. However, the conservation of biodiversity and improvements to the health of

ecosystems can help local communities better adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

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Strategies proposed to sustain marine resourcesand enable adaptation to climate change include: (1) Establishment

of a network of protected areas and specific conservation measures for the recovery of species populations most in

decline; (2) Development of the capacity of coastal fishing communities to harvest marine resourcesin a sustainable

manner, and; (3) Improvementsininstitutional and regulatory frameworks to address challenges tothe conservation of

marine biodiversity, viasustainable use and the equitable sharing of benefits.

13. Sustainable Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity

Agriculture and livestock contribute 22% to the GDP of Pakistan, accounting for over 60% of exports, and employing

more than 60% of the rural labor force. About 27.6% of the area of Pakistan is cultivated, of which 75.5% is irrigated

and the remainder isused fordryland agriculture (Barani). However,irrigation practices are antiquated and the

excessive use of water had led toshortagesand contributed towater logging and salinity.Water shortages, coupled

with global warming, pose a serious threat to the food security of Pakistanas well as thelivelihoods of people

employed in this sector. Despite an impressive increase in agriculture production, Pakistan remainsa net importer of

commodities andannual imports total about US$2 billion. Conservation of pollinating insects, soil microorganisms that

add fertility and predators of crop pests has received little or no attention, and there is a heavy input of

agrochemicals, especially to irrigated areas.At the same time, the substitution of organic manure with chemical

fertilizers is adversely affecting soil textureand contaminating aquifers.

Pakistan boastsdiverse agro-climatic conditions, rich indigenous crop diversity,and around 500 of the wild relatives of

cultivated crops. Indeed, northern and western Pakistan comprise one of the globalcenters for theorigin and diversity

of cultivated plants.The introduction of high-yield varieties is leading to loss of local cultivars on farms. The Indian

subcontinent was one of the first places to domesticate cattle, buffalo, and chicken. Pakistan now has two breeds of

buffalo, eight of cattle, one of yak, 25 of goat, 28 of sheep, one of horse, four of camel, and three of indigenous

poultry. At the same time,pure-bred animals are believed to constitute only 20% to 25% of the country‟s cattle

population.

Vulnerability of this country to climate change has also impacted farming systems, particularly in arid and

mountainousareas. Thus,strategies in place to make agriculture sustainable and conserve agrobiodiversity include:(1)

Principles and practice of sustainable and biodiverse agricultural research and development incorporated into

national policies, laws, investment strategies, education, and extension programmes; (2) All stakeholders, including

farmers, consumers, and researchers, and agricultureextension specialists, will be made aware of the beneficial

effects of agrobiodiversity; (3) Models of sustainable agriculture for major crops willbe developed and promoted; (4)

Bio-diversification of agro-ecosystems will be restored in time and space through crop rotations, cover crops,

intercropping, crop and livestock mixtures, and the conservation of pollinators and soil micro fauna, and; (5) The use

of transgenic organisms willbe considered very carefully to ensure that they pose no environmental and health risks

over and above the use of current crops and practices.

14.Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

The Oslo Symposium in 1994 defined the concept of SCP, later recognized in the Johannesburg Plan of

Implementation, adopted in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Sustainable

consumption and production is also the aim of goal two of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentand

requires countries to make fundamental changes tothe way theyconsume and produce goods and services. Changes

in patterns of unsustainable consumption and production require commitment and action fromthe government, the

business sector, non-state actors, and individuals.

The production sector indirectly impacts biodiversity through air pollutionand discharge of industrial waste into the

airor into water bodies. At present, there is no large-scale use of biodiversity in theproductionsector of Pakistan,

however, coal mining and other industrial extractionand oil exploration industries, the ship breaking industry, and

hydropower projects pose direct and indirect threats to biodiversity. Poorly-regulated economic development, coupled

with rapid demographic growth, has placedacute pressure on the natural resource base of Pakistan, especially land

and water, and has significantly increased levels of local pollution. There are serious ecological, economic, and social

costs toinfrastructure and the sprawling production sector.

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Many species of animals and plants are collected for trade,includingmazri (Nannorrohpsritchiana) which is used for

mats and baskets, as well as medicinal plants, and morels and trufflesfor food. The extraction of economic non-

woody plants is highly unregulated and adversely impacts the health and condition of habitats and threatens species

with extinction. Many species,or parts thereof, are exported without regulations, and there is growing and

unsustainable use of wood for fuel, and an increased demand for fish meat. Biodiverse and green cities can play in

important role in species conservation.

To conserve and enhance the environment,a number of strategies have been proposed including: (1) Making

producers and consumers aware of the social costs and environmental consequences of unsustainable consumption

and productionin order to minimize the ecological footprint of pollution and the degradation of natural resources; (2)

Development of sustainable consumption and production patterns for the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversityfostered through business and biodiversity initiatives; and (3) The active pursuit of strategic environmental

impact assessments, economic incentives, and law enforcement to achieve the goals of sustainable consumption and

production.

15. Emerging Issues(Biosafety, Geo Engineering, and Synthetic Biology) and Challenges

Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop, or make, products and covers a wide range of

advanced genetic techniques used for changing the characteristics of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafetyrefers to theprotection of biodiversity from the potential risks posed by LMOs

resulting from the techniques of modern biotechnology.

Synthetic biology is an emerging science that featuresthe „de novo‟ synthesis of genetic material as well asan

engineering-based approach to develop components, organisms, and products. Climate engineering, also known as

geoengineering, comprisesan array of technologies and techniques for manipulating global climate in an attemptto

moderate the effects of climate change. These technologies are commonly divided into two categories: (1) Methods

to absorb and store atmospheric carbon, either by technological meansor by enhancing the ability of natural systems

(e.g. oceans), and (2)Methods that aim to reduce the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases by reflecting

sunlight back into space.

To date, knowledge of the risks, benefits, and uncertainties related to GMOs and biodiversity is fragmented and

poorlydeveloped. As a result,prudent approaches are urgently needed for application to GMOs and synthetic biology

applications could also have indirect negative impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Biosafety rules entitled „Pakistan Biosafety Rules, 2005‟ were implemented under the Pakistan Environmental

Protection Act, 1997, and National Biosafety Guidelines were also issued in 2005. The strategy to safeguard human

well-being from theadverse effects of LMOs aims tobuild national capacity and incorporateactionsforthe safe transfer,

including transboundary movements and the handling and use of LMOs.

III. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

Implementation, monitoring, and evaluation form an integral component of the NBSAP. Effective implementation will

require working with, and building the capacity of, stakeholders at national, provincial, regional, and local levels. At

the same time, it will be crucial to communicate and mainstream biodiversity values in the policy and planning

processes to ensure people conserve and use biodiversity sustainably, andto mobilize resources for implementation.

16. Awareness and Capacity Development

A clear understanding of the value of biodiversity is essential to prevent unintended negative consequences of

policies for economic development. There is a general lack of understanding of biodiversity and its values; thus, the

raising ofawareness and capacity development is crucial for achieving results. This starts with strengthening the

capacities of the Directorate of Biodiversity, Ministry of Climate Change, which will then build the capacity of

other stakeholders. Stakeholderswill be educatedand motivatedviaa series of thematic workshops to increase their

knowledge and to enable the sharing of experiences, and the use of relevant tools and mechanisms. Suitable training

modules will be developed and delivered in the training programmes for senior policy makers, planners and

parliamentarians at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), the National Institute of Management (NIM), the

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National Defense College (NDC), and the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies (PIPS). In addition to training,

mass and informal communication resources shall be necessary for raising awareness and mainstreaming

biodiversity.

17. Plan for Resource Mobilization

Many actions proposed in the NBSAP will either neatly fit, or be easily accommodated, intothe on-going development

plansforrelevant sectors at national, provincial, and regional levels. Simultaneously,additional sources of funding will

be explored via innovative mechanisms available in the Ministry of Climate Changeand other on-going donor projects,

for example, the project for REDD+

Readiness, and the STAR allocations under the Global Environmental Facility. In

addition, bi-lateral and multilateral donor support will be solicited to meet the short fall in financial resources available

for achieving ABTs in an effectively and timely manner.

18. National Coordination Mechanisms

The MoCC will have overall responsibility forcoordinating the implementation of the NBSAP viaits Directorate of

Biodiversity. The implementing partners will be the relevant ministries at the national level, provincial and regional

governments, and major international conservation organizations including theIUCN and the WWF. CBD focal points

will be designated in the provinces, AJK and GB for coordination among various stakeholders at sub-national levels

and for liaison with the MoCC. The NBSAP also proposes the establishment of steering committees at national and

sub-national levels to ensure that necessary administrative and financial support is made available for NBSAP

implementation and monitoring.

19. Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM)

The Government of Pakistan in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan and with the support of GEF and UNEP launched

the CHM website on the occasion of the International Day of Forests on March 7th

, 2013. This sitecontained useful

information on thebiodiversity ofPakistan as well as measures implemented to conserve and enablesustainable use.

However, thiswebsite remained active for just a short time because funding for its hosting expired, and it has since

been offline; opportunities for finding a suitable host for the CHM are being explored and it is hoped that it will soon

again be functional and updated.

20. Monitoring and Evaluation

Progress on the implementation of the NBSAP willbe monitored on an annual basis viaa flexible framework of

indicators (Annex 1) reflecting national circumstances and priorities.Monitoring will not only measure progress

towards the achievement of ABTs and national targets, but will also help in identification of implementation issues,

and in the adaptive management for effective implementation of the NBSAP. An independent mid-term evaluation will

alsobe commissioned, subject to the availability of funds, to review the implementation of the NBSAP and to make

recommendations for achieving national targets in an effective and timely manner. The final evaluation of the NBSAP

will be combined with preparation of 6th

National report.

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Figure 1: Map of Pakistan(Source: Survey of Pakistan)

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I.INTRODUCTION

1. Context

The World Conservation Strategy (WCS) launched by the IUCN in 1980 provided a blueprint to halt and reverse rapid

deterioration in the condition of living resources on Earth. The WCS urged the preparation of national conservation

strategies to focus attention on priority areas and raise public consciousness and provided both an intellectual

framework and practicalguidance for these conservation actions. Pakistan was among a handful ofcountries that

responded to the WCS and in 1991 drafted the NCS. Pakistan was also among 150 countries that signed the CBD at

the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and ratified it in 1994.A Biodiversity Action Plan of Pakistan was approved by the

Pakistan Environment Protection Council in 2000 as a principal instrument for implementing the convention at the

national level (CBD, Article 6).

The CoPto the CBD committed to achieve a significant reduction inthe current rate of biodiversity loss atglobal,

regional, and national levels by 2010 atits meeting in April 2002as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the

benefit all life forms on Earth. In order to achieve these 2010 targets, the CoP established seven thematic

programmes of work corresponding to some of the major biomes on the planet. Theseprogrammes included a vision,

guiding principles, potential outputs, and a suggested timetable for implementation of the 2010 targets.

The Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) commissioned by the CoP,reported that 2010 Biodiversity Targets were not

met and biodiversity continued to be eroded. The GBO reported that ecosystems were degrading with a consequent

decline in ecosystem services which threatened human well-being. Against this background, CoP-10 held in Aichi-

Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with five strategic goalsas

well as20 “Aichi Biodiversity

Targets” (ABTs). The parties

also agreed to translate this

overarching international

framework into revised and

updated national biodiversity

strategies and action plans.

The status of implementation of the 2010 targets in Pakistan was reviewed in 2009 during the preparation of Fourth

National Report, and a review of the BAP and ABTs was also carried outin 2014 during preparation of Fifth National

Report. It was noted that while some progress had been made on the CBD‟s Programmes of Work and ABTs,

ecosystems and habitats continued to degrade, ultimately leading to diminishedecosystem services for the economic

well-being, livelihood, and health of the people of Pakistan. The purpose of this revision of the NBSAP is to establish

national targets in line with ABTs, and tointegrate theminto national and local development, poverty reduction

strategies, and planning processes.

2. Values of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and their Contribution to Human Well-being

The term biodiversity, or ecosystem services, refers to a set of benefits that fall into three distinct economic

categories: (i) „Goods‟ (i.e. products obtained for direct consumption or as inputs for industry, such as resource

harvests, and genetic material that contribute to the variety of crops and animal breeding); (ii) „Services‟ (i.e.,

recreational and tourism benefits or certain ecological regulatory functions, such as water purification, climate or

pollution regulation and erosion control), and; (iii) Cultural benefits (i.e., scientific knowledge, spiritual and religious

feelings, and heritage and culture).Aside from these actual benefits, biodiversity plays a significant role as a safety

net in our changing world, especially for climate change and for the most vulnerable human populations whose

subsistence depends directly upon productive ecosystems. The Millennium Assessment(2005) report also highlighted

the links between ecosystem services and the elements that contribute to human well-being.

Economists have developed a conceptual framework, which aims at measuring the Total Economic Value (TEV) of

the environmental services for the purpose of communicating the beneficial use of ecosystems services

andincreasing public awareness and policy maker‟sinterests in biodiversity conservation. Unfortunately, the valuation

Biological diversity is about more than plants, animals, and microorganisms

and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security,

medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment

in which to live. (Convention on Biological Diversity)

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of biodiversity and ecosystem services has not received the priority it deserves in Pakistan; environmental and

biodiversity considerations donot receive priority as a pathway to socio-economic development. However, the need to

improve ecosystem services and halt natural calamities has attracted the attention of the government.In 2012, the

Government of Pakistan approved the National Policy of Climate Change and created the World‟s first fully-fledged

National Ministry of Climate Change as a clear way forward to meet these challenges as coupled with biodiversity

loss and ecosystem degradation.Indeed, Pakistan has a long history of improving ecosystem services, especially

water; the country alsobanned logging after torrential rains in northern Pakistan during September 1992 caused

devastating floods.

3. Causes and Consequences of Biodiversity Loss

Land degradation and desertification are serious issues in Pakistan and themain reasonsforlossesto agricultural

productivity and biodiversity.Causes for loss of biodiversity remain the same as described in the BAP for2000,

although anthropogenic pressures have increased due to a rapidly growing population, expansion of the area under

human habitation, and poverty. While conservation efforts have created some islands of success, vast areas of the

country remain unmanaged and consequently land degradation is resulting in loss of biodiversity.Habitat

fragmentation and loss poses a serious threat to biodiversity in all biomes, advanced to such an extent that

nocorridorsremainconnecting the network of PAs. Thus, many species are confined to isolated small populations

whilehabitat loss, coupled with the over exploitation of selected species for trade, food, and sport, have exacerbated

the situation. Lists of endangered mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants are included at the end the end of this

NBSAP as Annexes 2–7.

3.1. Population Growth

A high rate of human population growth in Pakistan and the resulting pressure on natural resources is accelerating

loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.Pakistan has one of highest population growth rates in the world,

and is the sixth most populated country on Earth. Indeed, the

population of Pakistan grew from 31 million people in 1951 to

about185 million people in 2014 (Figure 2); although this rate of

populationchange has decreased slightly over the last two

decades, increased population puts undue pressureon all

resources, especially the natural resource capital. The majority

of people living in rural areas,outside arable tracts,areheavily

dependent on natural ecosystems for fuel, forage, and small

timber for construction. In mountainous areas, rapidly increasing

population and infrastructure development is increasing the

incidence of landslides, while across the country new

households break fresh land for agriculture and housing, causing

loss of biodiversity and habitat fragmentation.

3.2. Policy, Planning, and Institutional Shortfalls

Apart from population growth, ineffective policy and planning frameworks as well asinstitutional weaknesses remain

significant causes for the loss of biological diversity. The value of biodiversity and ecosystem services, their

contribution to the national economy, and their potential to alleviate poverty have not been well-integrated into

national and local planning ordevelopment processes. Consequently, the environment sector, including climate

change, biodiversity, forestry, and wildlife are low priority. This is illustrated by thebudgetary allocations for

biodiversity sectors from 2002 to 2013 (Figure 3) (GIZ, 2013). The situation is no better for the other natural resource

management (NRM) sectors including agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

There is realization of the need for a national policy onconservation, sustainable use, and the equitable sharing of

benefits arising from the use of biodiversity. For example, upstream resource utilization and the consequent creation

ofpollution, deforestation, and degradation of ecosystems leads tomeager economic gains but a huge national cost in

terms of quality and quantity of water, diminishing the water storage capacity of dams for irrigation and hydropower

generation. A large proportion of forests, rangelands, wetlands, and coastal waters across Pakistan have become

Figure 2: Population growth in Pakistan, 1960 -2010.

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open access resources as a result ofthe breakdown of traditional common property resources andmanagement

systems. The costs of protecting species and ecosystems from exploitation can also be prohibitively expensive in the

absence of sufficient resources, and the capacity to enforce regulations or other restrictions. In many areas, the

customary community responsibilities for the use of natural resources have weakened with the development of new

economic opportunities eroding the need and concern for the sustainable use of these resources. This concern has

been further eroded by the disempowerment of local communities, for example by state intervention in the

management of community forests.

Figure 3: National PSDP and allocations from the MoCC (Source: GIZ, 2009).

3.3. Land Use -Degradation and Desertification

The percentage of land in Pakistan divided byland use is shown in Figure 4. The total land area of Pakistan is

796,100 km2, of which a large proportion is not managed and is generally degraded asopen access resources that

are highly susceptible to water and wind erosion. Agricultural lands occupy nearly 35% of totalarea whilea little over

4% of total area comprises forested lands. A recent review of

knowledge on land degradation (Khan et al., 2012), reported water

and wind erosion, depletion of soil fertility, deforestation,

unsustainable livestock grazing,and water logging to be the major

causes of land degradation, further aggravated by water scarcity,

frequent droughts, and the lack of a land use plan.It is estimated that

water logging affects 11 million ha across the country, while another

five million ha are affected by salinity and increase sodium content.

Unsustainable land use is a major cause of land degradation and the

loss of biodiversity. However, there is an increasing realization that

efforts are required for land use planning in order curtail the impact of

land degradation and desertification, and the contribution of this issue

towards the national economy needs to be documented. Overall, breaking new land and faulty agricultural practices

withinthe monsoon belt are major factors that acceleratewater erosion in the uplands. High rates of soil erosion, for

example, have reduced the useful life of the Tarbela and Manglawater reservoirswith serious consequences for

power shortages and irrigation water. Conversion of flood plains to agriculture has not only contributed to the loss of

valuable wetland habitats, but has also exacerbated damage from floods. Semi-arid lands are also subjected to

heavy soil erosion, due primarily to faulty cropping practices, overgrazing, and deforestation, while arid lands and

Pakistan – NBSAP

4

deserts have suffered from wind erosion caused by the loss of vegetation cover. Irrigated areas in Pakistan are

infested with the twin-menace of water logging and salinity, and water in geological formations on thearid Balochistan

plateau is being heavily mined for agriculture. The arid coastal lands and mangrove forests are also under increasing

environmental stress as a result ofreduced freshwater flow, sewage, and industrial pollution.

Figure 4:Wind and water erosion across Pakistan between 1998 and 2007.

While some degree of wind and water erosion is part of natural processes, accelerated erosion continues to be a

major cause of land degradation and desertification in Pakistan. Water erosion affects lands in high rainfall zones in

north eastern Pakistan, and the area affected by water erosion increased 27.3% from 11.305 million ha in 1998 to

42.307 million ha in 2007. In contrast, wind erosion is characteristic feature of areas of dry, loose, bare sands or finer

materials subject to strong winds. These includethe Cholistan, Thal, Chagai, and Kharansandydeserts, as well

ashyper-arid areas of fine silt in western Balochistan.Data show that thearea affected by wind erosion increased by

17.4% from 4.759 million ha in 1998 to 13.028 million ha by 2009 (GoP, 2009), and the areas affected by slight,

moderate, and severe wind and water erosion areshown in Figure 5. Areas eroded by major streams along their

courses, by waves and tides onthe coastal plain, and by snow over glaciated areas are also noteworthy in Pakistan; it

has been estimated that by 2007, 2.282 million ha hadbeen erodedvia bank erosion by streams, tides, and glaciers

(GoP, 2009).

3.4. Deforestation

The official estimate of forest cover in Pakistan is

5.4% (GoP, 2009), while forest cover according to

assessmentby the FAO varies between 2.2% and

2.4% withother wooded areas occupying another

1.8%. These estimates are based on various

techniques and classifications used for forestry

resource inventory; it is thought thatPakistan has lost

an average of 41,100 ha of forest per year, which

amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of

1.63% (FAO in mongabay.com). In total, between

1990 and 2010, the country lost 41.3% of its forest

cover, or around 946,000 hectares (Figure 6), while

plantation area increased by 18.6% or around 106,000

ha overthe same period. The total rate of habitat

conversion2 for the periodbetween 1990 and 2010 indicates that Pakistan has lost 33.2%,or about 840,000 ha, of its

forest and woodland habitats. The main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are illegal cutting of trees for

fuel by local people, and illegal logging operations bytheso-called timber mafia.

2Change in area covered by forests minus areas reforested

Figure 5: Changes in forest cover across Pakistan between 1990 and 2010.

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3.5. Open Access Resources

More than 50% of the total area of Pakistan is characterized as open access resources, either unmanaged by useror

under weak communal control. Tenure and landuse rights over these lands vary greatly and include state lands, vast

areas of land ofundefined tenure, village shamlats(communallands), and proprietary lands. The major usesof these

lands includegrazing, forage collection, and cutting of trees and bushes for fuelwood, while users generally include

transhumance pastoralsand local communities. Open access resources have been steadily affected byincreasing

human and livestock populations as well asincreased demand for fuel wood in nearby townships. These natural

resources serve to meet the needs of marginalized communities, though little attention is paid to the health and

condition of ecosystems and habitats.

3.6. Grazing

Majorityof arid and semiarid land inPakistan

cannot be cultivated or plantedbecause of natural

and anthropogenic factors. Indeed, with the

exception ofalpine pastures in the northern

mountainous region, most rangelandsare arid,

receiving less than 300 ml of precipitation per

year. Proprietary rights over these lands are often

undecided and generally local tribes and

communities exercise usufruct rights over these

lands and resources are used by local and

transhumance pastoral communities.

The increase in the population of range livestock

between 1990 and 2014 on the basis of the

economic survey of Pakistan 2013-20143is shown

in Figure 7. These data show that numbers of goatsand sheep have increased by 80% and 10.6%,respectively, while

the population of camelshas remained steady.Although increase in forage production on irrigated lands have been a

factor in increases in livestock numbers, persistent overgrazing has seriously depleted the carrying capacity of

rangelands. There are no recent estimates of this loss of rangeland productivity; however, anecdotal evidence

suggests that most have lost as much as 50% of theirpotential grazing capacity (personal communication).

Keeping in mindthe importance of livestock tothe national economy and in the sustainable managementofgrazing

lands, North American style range management was introduced to Pakistan in the late 1950‟s. Large areas of lands

were fenced in different ecozones to study their productive potential, and to introduce rotational grazing.These

demonstrations were highly successful under controlled conditions, but repeated efforts to extend the model beyond

demonstration areas havenot proved successful. As a result, pastoral management requires a different set of skills

and approaches, as well as organizational setup to deal with people rather than the land.

3.7. Unsustainable Fishing

Pakistan‟s marine fisheries encompass a1,126km long coastline between Sir Creek in the east and Jiwani in the west

and include the territorial waters of two provinces, Balochistan and Sindh.However, therehas been a steady increase

in fishing vessels of all kinds, the fish catch has declined and the size of fish caught is also smaller than normal. In

addition, some fish species such as galloand kalaki in Pasni, Balochistan Province, zardum,paplet, and kalgun in

other areas of Balochistan, and palla in Sindh Province have been wiped out entirely. Unsustainable harvesting and

the use of new fishing gear are the leading causes of fisheries resource degradation; destructive fishing gear and

prolonged activity destroys coral reef systems, as well as non-target fishand turtles.

Mangroves in the Indus delta sustain fisheries through their role as breeding grounds, but thisecosystem is also

degradeddue to the combination of salt-water intrusion up to 30 km inland and reduced silt and nutrient flows due to

upstream dam construction. This is one of the main causesfor reduction in fish stock in the area. Municipal and 3http://finance.gov.pk/survey_1314.html)

Figure 6: Numbers of goat, sheep, and camels in Pakistan between 1990 and 2014.

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industrial waste, effluent and agricultural run-off, and oil spills at ports are all major causes of water pollution and the

degradation of marine ecosystems. For example, studies have revealed that an estimated 70% of Karachi‟s

wastewater flows into the sea disturbing the marine environment.

3.8. Promotion of High Yield Varieties and Exotic Breeds

Crop genetic diversity in Pakistan is low and owing to the development and use of HYVs, responding better to water

and fertilizer. Conversely, there is tremendous threat to indigenous varieties and land races that had been selected

and maintained by farmers for generations. In many cases, hybrid and GM varieties are not adapted to local

ecosystem conditions;therefore require higher inputs of fertilizers and the use of pesticides to get higher yields.This

genetic erosion is more pronounced in wheat, rice, cotton, sorghum, sugarcane, and vegetables. Consequently,

theability of these crops to adapt to local environments and climates and to tolerate diseases remains uncertain.

Though cross-breeding can lead to relatively rapid gains in productivity, it costs in terms of genetic loss and pure

varieties, as often the parent stock is not maintained. Similarly, domestic livestock in Pakistanis largely cross-

bredrequiring continual monitoring via scientific surveys.

3.9. Heavy Use of Agrochemicals

The use of pesticides and fertilizers has increased rapidly in recent years.For example, the consumption of pesticides

increased two-foldin the period between2000 and2004,but has gradually fallen to 73,632 tons in 2010 (GoP,

2011).Unfortunately, the widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides has disturbed the agro-ecosystem and

killed non-target and environment-friendly organisms, increased pest resistance and the chances of pest resurgence,

which in turn has led to the use of higher doses. Heavy use of pesticides has reduced the populations of natural pest

enemies by 90% in cotton growing areas, and the use of fertilizershas also increased, doubling over the last three

decades.

Direct mortality of wildlife, especially birds, following the use of organophosphates has frequently been reported.

Pesticides destroy the natural biotic balance in agricultural soils and reduce the diversity and abundance of

invertebrate fauna, rodents, and reptiles with cascading effects at higher trophic levels. The increasing presence of

pesticides in agricultural runoff has both acute and chronic effects on aquatic fauna and on fish-eating birds. It is

estimated that 25% of all pesticides used in Pakistan end up in the sea; the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers

leads to eutrophication of water channels and wetlands, the spread of aquatic vegetation, and reduced aquatic

diversity.

3.10. Pollution

Pollution is a growing problem in Pakistan and the discharge of sewage and industrial effluent into aquatic and

marine ecosystems is a major threat to marine biodiversity.Petrochemicals, paper and pulp, food processing,

tanneries, oil refineries, textile and sugar industries are all major industrial contributors to wastewater pollution

(UNIDO, 2000).Ten major cities produce 60% of all urban waste water, mostly untreated and discharged directly into

natural streams and rivers.According to a World Bank Report (2005), the total waste water produced by these cities in

2002 was 2,301 million m3 per year with Karachi at the top of the list (604 million), followed by Lahore (287 million).

Indiscriminate and unplanned disposal of effluents (including agricultural drainage water, municipal and industrial

wastewater) into rivers, canals and drains is causing deterioration of water quality in the downstream sections, while

polluted water is also being used for drinking in downstream areas, causing numerous water-borne diseases. The

resultant losses of fish and contamination of potential drinking water has considerable economic and health impacts.

The useof pesticides and nitrogenous fertilizers is seriously affecting shallow groundwater, the entry of effluents into

rivers and canals, and is deteriorating the quality of freshwater.Almost all shallow freshwater is now polluted with

agricultural pollutants and sewage (Ahmad, 2008ab) and industrial pollution is particularly severe in the industrial

center of Karachi that hasa population of over 12 million people.Certainly, about80% of total wastewater remains

untreated and is discharged into the sea through sewers and rivers, mainly the Lyari and Malir, and many creeks and

coastal waters inthe Karachi area areprone to eutrophication due to high levels of organic pollution. The characteristic

smell of hydrogen sulfide in parts of the city is a sign of the intense bacterial activity from the presence of organic

wastes.

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Majority of coastal pollution is also concentrated in Karachi harbor where an estimated 90,000 tons of oil products

from vessels and port terminals are dumped every year (Shahzadet al., 2009). Extremely high levels of toxic heavy

metals, such as mercury, have been reportedin the coastal waters and sea near Karachi; these are likely to have both

acute and chronic toxic effects on human beings, marine biodiversity, and fish-eating birds. The impacts of these

pollutants on commercial fin-fish and shrimp fisheries are unknown, but are likely to be significant.

3.11. Global Climate Change

Maple Croft4ranked Pakistan 16

th on Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) which is an increase of13positions in

just one year.German Watch also rankedPakistan as the country „most affected‟by climate change in2014 and placed

it in the top ten for the period between 1995 and 2014. It is clear that climate change costs the economy of Pakistan

$14 billion a year, almost 5% of GDP; according to the Asian Development Bank, more than tenmillion people have

been displaced in Pakistan over the last twoyears due to climate-related disasters, whiletheeconomy has been

heavily crippled by devastating and repetitive floods overthe last decade. Definitely, in the last ten years, Pakistan

has been hit by floods almost every year, with those of 2010, 2011, and 2014 thebiggest catastrophes in the history

of Pakistan.

The floods of 20105 remain as one of the biggest tragedies with 20 million people affected. The floods resulted in

approximately 1,781 deaths, injured 2,966 people and destroyed more than 1.89 million homes. The country was still

in the recovery phase of 2010 floods, when the 2011 floods struck. Although nowhere near the 2010 floods, the 2011

floods also wreaked havoc, and affected 9.6 million people, with 520 deaths,1.2 million homes damaged in Sindh, as

well as inundation of 688,000 ha of arable land. In the 2014 floods, 312 people died, with 2,275,000 affected and

nearly 687,965 ha of crops lost.

4. National Constitutional, Legal and Institutional Framework

4.1. Biodiversity Legal Framework

Constitution of Pakistan (1973):The Constitution ofIslamic Republic of Pakistan predates global emphasis on the

conservation of biodiversity, and thus does not include any reference to it; however, the superior courts of Pakistan

have interpreted the phrase „right to life‟ used in Article 9 of the Constitution and have held that the word „life‟ used in

this context encompasses the environment in all its dimensions. Thus, „environmental pollution and ecology‟ was a

subject on which both federal and provincial government could legislate, but under the 18thConstitutional Amendment

of 2012, this was made the exclusive domain of provincial assemblies. However, the parliament of Pakistan is still

empowered to legislate on „international treaties, conventions and agreements, international arbitration, national

planning and national economic coordination including planning and coordination of scientific and technological

research.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997:The PEPA of 1997 provided the key environmental legislation

instrument for the entire country until the 18th

Constitutional Amendment transferred the responsibility of

environmental legislation and management to the provinces. The PEPA was more focused on environmental

protection in general, primarily through controlling pollution, rather than ecosystem-based measures for conservation

of biodiversity. Responding to thischange, by December 2014, all provinces enacted EPAs, sothe PEPA is now in

forceonly for the Islamabad Capital Territory, and FATAs.National Environmental Quality Standards prepared by

PEPA were adopted,and updated where necessary,by the provinces.

Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012 (CITES Act):Pakistan has beensignatory to CITES

since 1976, an intergovernmental treaty to ensure that wild fauna and flora in international trade are not exploited

unsustainably. CITES establishes an international legal framework together with common procedural mechanisms for

the strictest control of international commercial trade in species threatened by extinction. Species covered by CITES

are listed in three appendices, according to the degree of protection required, and theimport and export of wildlife in

accordance with the provisions of CITES is controlled by theMoCC, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with

4http://www.unhabitat.org.pk/home/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/03-Climate-Change-Initiative-in-Pakistan.pdf

5www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_12/SplSection.pdf

http://www.unhabitat.org.pk/home/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/03-Climate-Change-Initiative-in-Pakistan.pdf

http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_12/SplSection.pdf

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provincial wildlife authorities. For effective implementation of CITESprovisions in Pakistan, an exclusive law entitled

„The Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012‟ was enacted.

This legislationprohibits the export, re-export, and import of any specimen included in any Appendix of CITES and

fixes punishment for contravention6. The law alsoprovides for the establishment of a management authority,

represented by all provinces, to enable concessions on scientific and legal grounds. This law has significant

implications for the sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products, especially medicinal and aromatic plants as

it not only helps to check unsustainable harvesting practices but also encourages beneficiary communities to make

sure that species are conserved and protected with a sustainable-use regime in place.

Access Benefit Sharing Bill, 2012 (Draft):This legislation, drafted in 2012, was intended to facilitate access to

genetic resources and their derivatives for environmentally-sound uses, protecting associated traditional knowledge,

equitably sharing benefits derived from them, and promoting technology transfer and building associated scientific

knowledge and technological capacity. The bill is a legislative requirement under the ITPGRFAto which Pakistan is a

party, and is intended to protect community rights in respect to genetic resources, including: (1) The inalienable right

use traditional knowledge in customary ways; (2) The right to regulate access to traditional knowledge, and; (3) The

right to share the benefits arising fromthe utilization of traditional knowledge.7

4.2, Provincial Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Laws

All the provincial governments and governments of AJK and GB have provincial laws for the management of forests,

fisheries, and wildlife resources in areas under their jurisdiction. Marine fisheries are regulated by the federal

government under the Exclusive Fishing Zone (Regulation of Fishing) Act, 1975, as amended in 1993. This extends

to the whole of Pakistan and to waters within the exclusive fishery zone beyond territorial waters.It regulates the

management of fishing in exclusive economic zone of the country.

4.3, Biodiversity Policy Framework

NCS (1992): The Pakistan NCS (1992) was the first policy framework for biodiversity and conservation and as such

hadthree objectives: (1) Conservation of natural resources; (2) Sustainable development; (c) Improved efficiency in

the use and management of resources. Of these, „biodiversity conservation‟ was one of the fourteen programme

areas forpriority work action, and the NCS had a central influence in mainstreaming environmental and sustainability

dimensions in other policies, plans, and strategies, including Pakistan‟s Eighth Five-Year Plan, which borrowed

heavily from the NCS in terms of greening its development objectives.The success of NCS prompted interest in

developing provincial and local level conservation strategies and since then, all provinceshave developed their

conservation or sustainable development strategies.

BAP(2000): Although biodiversity considerations started receiving attention in national planning processes after the

NCS, it was not until 2000 that a comprehensive BAP was prepared for implementation as part ofthe CBD. The

2000BAP was approved by the PEPA and thus adopted as the first comprehensive strategic action plan for the

countrywideconservation of biodiversity. It has 13 components, corresponding to specific articles of the CBD, 25

objectives and proposed 182 actions of which 31 were to be immediatelyundertaken within a year, 81 within five

years, and 25 within ten years.

National Environment Policy (2005):The National Environment Policy provides an overarching framework for

addressing the environmental issues facing Pakistan, particularly pollution of freshand coastal waters, air pollution,

and lack of proper waste management, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, desertification, natural disasters and

climate change. It also provideddirections for addressing cross-sectoral issues as well as the underlying causes of

environmental degradation and conformation withinternational obligations. The National Environment Policy, while

recognizing the goals and objectives of the NCS, National Environmental Action Plan, and other existing environment

related national policies, strategies and action plans, provides broad guidelines for addressing environmental

6Government of Pakistan, 2012.Pakistan: Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012.

7Government of Pakistan, 2012. Pakistan: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing Act (Draft). Islamabad: Climate

Change Division, GoP.

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concerns and ensuring effective management of their environmental resources at national, provincial, regional, and

local levels.

National Sustainable Development Strategy, 2012 (NSDS): The NSDS envisions the evolution of a just and

harmonious society via the promotion of vibrant and equitable economic growth without the overexploitation of natural

resources and the fair distribution of development dividends to all, in particular marginalized, poor, and vulnerable in

society and to future generations. The strategy is aligned with the emerging concept of „green economy‟ as an

alternate to the Framework for Economic Growth (2011), prepared by the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

National Climate Change Policy (2012):The National Climate Change Policy, approved by the Government in 2012

has theoverall goal „to ensure that climate change is mainstreamed in the economically and socially vulnerable

sectors of the economy and to steer Pakistan towards climate resilient development‟.One of the major objectives of

thispolicy is conservation of natural resources and long term sustainability further elaborated through specific

measures under forestry, biodiversity, and other vulnerable ecosystems. Biodiversity-related policy measures

included setting national biodiversity indicators and to provide the requisite financial resources for implementation of

the BAP.

4.4. International Conventions and Agreements

Pakistan is signatory to a number of international conventions and agreements on biodiversity conservation,

environmental protection, and sustainable development. The major conventions and agreements that deal with

conservation of biodiversity include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) b) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) c) Conventional on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

d) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

e) Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing

f) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)

g) Sustainable Development Goals

4. 5. Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS)

Pakistan's national economic strategy cites macroeconomic stability, financial discipline and sound policy as key to

broad-based growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Pakistan adopted the process of developing the PRSP in

2000, with the first implemented between2004 and2006.The latest strategy paper - PRSP-II8, was implemented

between2008 and2010, and other key policy documents outlining Pakistan's national PRS are: Vision 20309(GoP,

2007) replaced by Pakistan Vision 2025 (GoP, 2013), and the Medium-Term Development Framework 2011-2014.

With the change in Government in 2013, Pakistan enacteda new strategic framework entitled Pakistan 202510

„One

Nation – One Vision‟. All these documents underscore the importance of agriculture and rural non-farm sectors to the

country's overall poverty reduction strategy recognizing that they represent valuable sources of employment. Within

the agriculture sector, the government has outlined a number of strategic development objectives, including a focus

on increasing yields, diversifying cropping patterns, producing high-value crops, and investing in livestock and dairy

development.

4. 6. Institutional Framework

The Forestry Wing of the MoCC is the national focal point for the CBD. Within the framework, the Directorate of

Biodiversity in the office of the Inspector General of Forests is responsible for coordination with the CBD secretariat,

the national, provincial, regional, local government agencies, and other stakeholders responsible for CBD

implementation. However,downstream linkages of Directorate of Biodiversity remained very weak until recently; only

during the process of drafting of 5th

National Report wheremeetings were held for the first time with the provincial and

8www.finance.gov.pk/poverty/PRSP-II.pdf

9http://www.pc.gov.pk/vision2030/Pak21stcentury/vision%202030-Full.pdf

10http://pakistan2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pakistan-Vision-2025.pdf

http://www.finance.gov.pk/poverty/PRSP-II.pdf

http://www.pc.gov.pk/vision2030/Pak21stcentury/vision%202030-Full.pdf

http://pakistan2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pakistan-Vision-2025.pdf

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regional governments who were requested to designate focal points for CBD and create a coordination mechanism

for engaging the stakeholders in its implementation.

In the four provinces, AJK, theGB region, and FATA, the departments of Forestry, Wildlife, Fisheries, Environment,

and Agriculture and Livestock are responsible for management of these sectors and all other matters related to

biodiversity. Unfortunately biodiversity considerations have not been mainstreamed in the policy and plans of these

sectors and even many professionals are unaware of national obligations under CBD. Provincial environment

departments review EIAsand all economic development projects, and enforce laws to regulate industrial and

municipal pollution. The PARC has, in recent years, started work on agro-biodiversity and hosts the only Plant

Genetic Center in the country, while provincial governments have also established field research stations for the in-

situ conservation of important varieties and land races of crops and major indigenous breeds. Environment and

biodiversity related research is conducted in almost all universities and institutions of higher educationinPakistan

offering degrees in biological sciences, while the ecological principles of biodiversity conservation are also part

ofcompulsory course in biological sciences, andwildlife and biodiversity are offered as special courses at many

universities offering degrees in biological or allied fields. Degree-oriented programmes are also offered in a range of

different institutions;however, although work is being done in many universities and other educational institutions,

these efforts are uncoordinated and there is a need to bridge the gap between scientists and conservationists. In

addition, the in-situ conservation potential of zoological and botanical gardens is not being fully utilized.

In addition to the Government, international conservation organizations like the IUCN, the WWF and BRC play

significant role in creating awareness, building capacity, policy development, and jointly implementing the new

generation of biodiversity conservation projects.

5. Lessons Learned from the Earlier NBSAP(s) and the Process of Developing the Updated NBSAP

5.1. Progress on Implementation of BAP(2000): ThisBAP comprised 13 components, corresponding to articles of

the CBD, specifically planning and policies, legislation, identification and monitoring, in-situ conservation, ex-situ

conservation, sustainable use, incentive measures, research and training, public education and awareness, EIA,

access issues, exchange of information, and financial resources. The plan included182 targets, 31 to be undertaken

within a year, 81 within five years, and 25 within ten years. Although 14 years have passed since the BAP (2000) was

approved, its implementation has been less thatsatisfactory. Review during the preparation of the 5th

National Report

revealed that no action was initiated on 71 (52%) of actions, while 61 (44.5%)of actions were partially or fully

completed, and five (5) actions were still under implementation (Figure 8). A major reason for the lack of proper

implementation of the BAP is that the targets were too ambitious, prepared without taking into consideration financial

constraints, and a lack of human resources and institutional capacity. A summary of the implementation is given in

the pie chartsin Figure 8.

Figure 7: Progress on Implementation of the BAP (2000).

5.2. Biodiversity Scenarios

In a business as usual scenario, cessationor slowdown of the current high rate of human population growth is not in

sight in Pakistan in the near future. Therefore, anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity will continue to increase,

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deforestation and degradation of ecosystems will continue unabated, habitats will be further fragmented resulting in

loweringof ecological connectivity, fisheries resources will continued to be depleted, and agro-biodiversity will

continue to be lost.However, the recent successful recovery ofsome of threatened species of wildlife and vulnerable

habitatsare highlights that create hope thatpopulations of more threatened species will be recovered and maintained

in the wild in coming years, and that there will be an increase in the number of PAs being managed

effectively.Similarly, floods and other extreme events due to impending climate changewill draw the attention of policy

makers and planners to recommendincreased investment inthe conservation of biodiversity. A brief overview of

scenarios covering different biomes and resource management regimes are presented in this section.

Terrestrial Ecosystems: There is no serious threat of deforestation to forests and natural habitats managed by the

government; however, the peripheral areas will continue to degrade under heavy pressure of grazing and

thecollection of wood for fuel. Deforestation and degradation of natural habitats where tenure rights are not well-

defined will continue, and the afforestation of private lands using indigenous species will continue with the support of

the government. Representation and management of protected areas will improve, and extent of areas with high

potential for sport hunting and bird shooting is likely toincrease.

Aquatic Ecosystems: The fishcatch in both inland waters and marine areas will continue to increase to meet both

increasing demands in the country and the booming export market. However, enforcement of laws and regulations to

curb the use of harmful fishing methods will improve over time. A number of hydropower projectsare currently under

construction on rivers in mountainous region and more are planned for the future.These projects are likely to

fragment aquatic habitats and have serious impacts on cold water aquatic biodiversity.

Climate Change: The natural habits in the northern mountainous region of Pakistan will shrink and shift under global

warming, putting the survival of species like snow leopards, brown bears, othersthat live within a narrow niche at risk

of extinction inthe wild. Increases in snow and glacier melt, coupled with extreme climatic events, will adversely

impact habitats through increase in intensity and frequency of floods in some areas, and drought in others. Pakistan

has already suffered heavy damage and loss of life and property from the unprecedented floods of 2010, 2011, and

2014, and the farmers in some areas are already experiencing changes on sowing and maturity of some agricultural

crops due to climate, especiallyin thedrylands and uplands.

5.3. Processes for development of BAP and NBSAP

A transparent and consultative process ensuring the wide participation of a broad range of stakeholders from

government, academia and civil society was adopted for the preparation of both the BAP 2000 and the NBSAP. In

addition, national and regional level workshops were organized for consultation with a broad range of interest

groups.In case of NBSAP, voluntary guidelines to parties proposed by CBD for review of national biodiversity

strategies and action plans were followed for the revision process. The following is a brief overview of the processes

that were applied forthe development of the BAP and the NBSAP.

5.3.1. BAP(2000)

The preparation of BAP 2000 started with the formulation of a Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) to guide the

process. The BWG comprised of government and civil society representatives, and key resource persons with

specialization in different fields of biodiversity. The process started with a national level inception workshop at which

time different thematic groups were constituted to hold consultations with stakeholders and formulate strategies and

actions to achieve the objectives of the CBD. Additionally, a number of background papers were prepared on sector

and cross-cutting issues. A drafting team prepared the first draft of the BAP using the background information, and

thematic reports.The initial draft was first reviewed by the BWG, and then circulated widely for peer review. The final

draft was again reviewed by the BWG and then submitted to the government for approval. The BAP was considered

in a meeting of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council in 2000 and approved.

5.3.2. Revision of the NBSAP

An initial road map for revision of the NBSAP wasshared with the BWG for review and suggestions. A meeting of the

core group of the BWG was then held in Islamabad to review the road map and the working papers. The road map

and working papers were then revised in light of the suggestions made by the BWG, and consultative meetings were

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held with smaller groups comprised of key resource persons, professionals and representatives of other stakeholders

spanning across thematic areas including habitats and species, forest ecosystems, agro-ecosystems, inland waters,

coastal areas, marine ecosystems, as well ascross cutting issues such as ecosystem services and livelihoods, policy

and planning.

Because theprovincial governments and other federating units will be implementing the NBSAP in the field, their buy-

in tothe strategies and actions isof prime importance in the process. Therefore, in order to create greater ownership

of the NBSAP at provincial and regional levels, consultative meetings with stakeholders were organized in Karachi,

Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. In addition, meetings were held with policy makers and

planners in the provinces and regions, while keeping in view the need of sub-national strategies and action plans for

decentralized implementation, the provinces and other regional governments were provided technical and support to

make their own strategies for achieving the CBD strategic objectives and taking actions to implement the ABTs. The

NBSAP is thus the sum total of regional plans. The draft NBSAP was widely circulated to all stakeholders, key

resource persons and members of the BWG for peer review.

II. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

6. Vision

The guiding vision of the NBSAP is to make available the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services to all segments of society, in particular the marginalized, poor, and vulnerable and future generations by restoring and conserving the rich natural biodiversity heritage of Pakistan, and renderingits use sustainable based on the principles

of equitable sharing of benefits.

7. Goals

1. To conserve biodiversity atpriority sites, including species and genetic diversity. In pursuing this goal, the

focus will be on in-situsite-specific conservation work, high priority ex-situ conservation, wildlife trafficking,

and illegal timber trade.

2. To mainstream biodiversity as an essential element of human development. This goal aimsto increase

awareness of how biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services contribute to human wellbeing, sustain

development outcomes, and promote integration with key sectors such as agriculture, poverty alleviation,

climate change, health, democracy and governance, economic growth, and trade.

8. Objectives

The objectives of NBSAP are based on the five strategic goals of the ABTs, as follows:

1. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming an understanding of biodiversity across

government and society;

2. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use;

3. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity;

4. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services, and;

5. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management, and capacity building.

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns

it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural

processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life of which we are an integral

part and upon which we so fully depend (CBD).

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9. Strategies and Actions

The strategies and actions to achieve the objectives of the NBSAP are organized around cross-cutting issues, in

particular biodiversity awareness, mainstreaming, poverty alleviation environment and the CBD major thematic

program areas which are terrestrial ecosystems, forest biodiversity, inland and coastal wetlands, coastal lands and

marine ecosystems, and agrobiodiversity. The implementation, monitoring, and evaluation arrangements of the

NBSAP are discussed in Part-III.

10. Biodiversity Awareness

10.1.Context

People who cause lossesinbiodiversityare generallyunaware of theneed for its conservation and sustainable

use.Similarly the importance of biodiversity for human wellbeing generally contrasts with the commonly held

worldview of social and economic development. Thus, generating awareness about biodiversity loss and its

consequences for personalwell-beingare paramount before people can beasked to be a part of the solution. Effective

communication with people is important to inform them of the problem and how they can take remedial measures.

Change takes time, and simply getting the wordout is not going to have an impact on biodiversity conservation.

Therefore, well planned and targeted efforts will be required to obtain commitment and cooperation from end-

usersand those who are responsible for determiningnational policies and plans. It is worth bearing in mind that

biodiversity is a relatively new concept and acceptance of new ideas is always a long process. In fact, it could take

until the retirement of older holdouts and aninflux of younger and more open minds for new ideas to become

accepted. Therefore, it is important to equip younger generations with the knowledge, the science base and

technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss.

Although theBAP recognized aneed for a comprehensive strategy for communication and outreach to raise

biodiversity awareness, no strategic measures were actually taken. National level knowledge management, outreach,

and communication strategies should involve key stakeholders and other important groups as appropriate toprovide

targeted and comprehensive inputsforholistic implementation of the NBSAP at large scales.It is clear that

communication alone may not be sufficient to achieve desired results and may need to be linked with economic

incentives and legal frameworks as a means of achieving change, especially when there are economic or structural

barriers to overcome.

10.2. Issues and Trends

Even though reports, memoranda, and other publications are regularly distributed, these are not effective tools

forcommunication as there areno guarantees that they will be read, understood, or agreed with. Biodiversity experts

also tend to believe that the way forward is to educate politicians and decision makers by organizing workshops.

From a communication perspective it is necessary to ask: Do decision makers have time for this? Do they feel the

need and desire to be educated? Do they see the relevance of such workshops? Will such workshops even be

counter-productive? Experience has shown that trying to make all politicians and decision makers biodiversity experts

can be futile, and that it is more effective to accept their level of knowledge and interests and concentrate on how

best to put biodiversity on their agendas. To gain this cooperation with stakeholders and to place biodiversity on the

agenda of other Ministries, other levels of government or other sectors in society, a range of communication,

education and awareness interventions are needed.

The two main modalities for this are formal and informal communication. In general, informal communication is the

exchange of information on a personal level, not bound by the rules and standards that apply to formal relations

between organizations, or between organizations and individuals. Informal communication is very effective to

“New scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the

light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that

is familiar with it.(Max Planck)

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establish and maintain relationships, to discuss sensitive issues and to gain better and more detailed personal

feedback. Informal communication takes place at face-to-face meetings, often in informal settings such as in the

corridors of the workplace, the office canteen, andat social functions. In contrast,formal communication involves

networking, establishing working relationships, defining common goals, updating knowledge, and influencing decision

making processes.

Not all members of a stakeholder group are the same; it is therefore important to identify the opinion leader/s in each

group, and to involve them in planning interventions to engage the entire group so as to minimize the risk of non-

cooperation. Opinion leaders are people, whohave followers, are trusted for the value of their information, are

involved in many different networks, and have skills and interest to connect with people.The opinion leaders may not

be experts in biodiversity, but their views and beliefs should be treated with the utmost respect.

10.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies will be adopted as part of the NBSAP and actions will be taken to make people and policy

makers aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

Strategies:

1. Mobilize mass media, especially print, audio-visual, and digital social media to create public

awareness of the values of biodiversity and consequences of its loss.

2. Introduce knowledge, values, and consequences of the loss of biodiversity in education at all levels,

especially schools, colleges, and universities.

3. Educatepolicy makers, planners, and administrators in development and business sectors through

opinion leaders and introducing biodiversity concerns in relevant training academies.

Action:

1. Awareness days will be organized to commemorate the following major environmental themes of

national and international importance: biodiversity, desertification and drought, forests, tourism,

wetlands and wildlife, etc. (ABT 1)

2. A focus group comprising of „opinion leaders‟ representing print, audio-visual, and social media

will be constituted by 2017 to mobilize the media for raising awareness.(ABT 1)

3. A cadre of environmental journalists will be created by 2017 to act as „biodiversity champions‟ for

commercial media and make contributions to print media, produce audio messages for radio, and

video clips for TV. (ABT 1)

4. The electronic media like a high quality website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram

will be used to create awareness as well as to market our rich biodiversity as a heritage that

could help attracts tourists and engage young people as stewards for biodiversity conservation.

(ABT 1)

5. A task forces comprising of Ministries of Climate Change, Education, Science and Technology,

and Food Security, and Higher Education Commission will be constituted by 2017 to take steps

for inclusion of biodiversity module in curriculum of universities, colleges and schools. (ABT 1)

6. A support group comprising of „opinion leaders‟ from among the policy makers and planners will

be constituted by 2017, to guide the process for increasing the biodiversity knowledge of decision

makers and act as a change agent through informal communications. (ABT 2)

7. The capacity of NSPP, NIM, National Defense College, and PIPS will be built by 2017, to

incorporate biodiversity consideration in training courses for decision makers of mid-career and

senior managerial levels. (ABT 19)

8. The targets for creating biodiversity awareness will be integrated in the annual and medium term

development plans. (ABT 20)

9. Additional financial resources if needed for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2017 (ABT

20)

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11. Gender, Poverty, and Biodiversity Nexus

11.1. Context

A vast majority of the poor live in rural areas; many of them are landless or small landholders and rely on goods and

services derived from biodiversity and ecosystems for their subsistence. The rural poor gather firewood, forage, and

non-timber forest products for their livelihood and arethus greatly impacted by the loss of biodiversity. The livelihood

and sustenance needs of pastoral communities in Balochistan and northern Pakistan on natural resources, for

example, are heavy and the loss of biodiversity not only increases their poverty levels but also increases their

vulnerability to climate changeand other catastrophes.

Furthermore, women, men, and children use natural resources differently and therefore conservation programmes

built on gender differences will be more socially acceptable and sustainable over longer time‟s scales.In many parts

of Pakistan, women and children are responsible for collecting firewood, forage, and NTFPS. Loss of biodiversity or

lack of access to natural resources near their homes means increases in their workloads or economic hardships.

There are two recent examples of how lack of consideration for the rural poor in planning for natural resource

management projects affected their livelihoods. While the Malakand Social Forestry Project and various watershed

management projects benefited landowners due to increase in value of their land through project interventions, they

adversely impacted rural poor who used those lands for grazing their livestock, collection of forage and

fuelwood.Conservation programmes that would limit the access of the poor to resources for sustenance and

livelihoods will be unsustainable in the long term and will contribute to increased poverty, inequality, and resource

degradation.


More than 60% of the area of Pakistan is either open access or comprised of common property resources. Of these,

the latter are usually governed by traditional rules that determine who and when each resource can be used.

However, many common property resources have depleted over time due to over exploitation of resources. The poor

health and condition of ecosystems has distinct impacts on the environment, including increased livelihood burdens,

increased poverty and decreased health. In particular, women are affected since they must travel farther to collect

fuelwood, forage, and NTFPS. In addition, carrying head loads of fuelwood and forage over long distance isknown to

cause spinal damage, pregnancy complications, and maternal mortality.Fuelwood scarcity may also translate into

preparation of less food and/or the use of less nutritious food. For example, in Bangladesh, there has been a shift

from daily cooking of two meals to only one because of fuelwood shortages(Bechtel, 2010).

Dependence on natural resources is central to the livelihoods of many rural communities and degradation of

ecosystems because of the failure to manage resources has contributed to increased poverty. Conversely there is an

opportunity to alleviate poverty by restoring and maintaining the health of ecosystems on which these communities

depend. Examples of common property, or open access resources that are threatened with over-exploitation and loss

of biodiversity include, among others, habitats such as mountain ecosystems, range lands, wetlands, coastal areas,

and forests. Thus, gender and poverty considerations cut across all thematic areas of biodiversity conservation and

will be integral component of the relevant strategies and action plans.

12. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in National Planning and Policy Processes

12.1. Context

The fate of natural ecosystems depends to a large extent on a wide range of national policies and programmesfor

economic development or the lack of polices and plans to advance environmental objectives. This is particularly true

for the development of roads, urbanization, and industrial development in coastal areas and near inland waters, the

diversion of river water for agriculture and the development of water storage dams. Therefore, incorporation of

biodiversity values into national accounting and reporting systems is necessary to limit unintended negative

consequences of policy decisions on biodiversity. Landless and small landholders rely for their subsistence on goods

derived from ecosystems including firewood, forage, and non-timber forest products. Loss of biodiversity also

increases the workload of women and children and contributes to poverty. Mainstreaming of biodiversity values in

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national policies and plans across different sectors therefore depends on the identification, demonstration and use of

values in their various forms.


Biodiversity values are not included in national reporting and accounting systemscurrently in use inPakistan. This is

primarily due to the absence ofappropriate valuation of biodiversity, impact of its loss on livelihoods of the poor, and

how restoration of ecosystem goods and services can contribute to poverty alleviation. Therefore,demonstration of

the benefitsof investing in conservation and restoration as well as the potential contributionsrequired tomeeta wide

range of economic and policy objectives will be required before values of biodiversity can be integrated into planning

processes, national accounting, and reporting systems. Furthermore, mainstreaming requires a sustained effort, over

several years and on several fronts, and must occur irregularly within, and across, sectors.


The following strategies will be adopted and actions taken in order tomainstream biodiversity considerations in

national policies, plans, and poverty alleviation programmes:

1. Technical and administrative capacity will be developed for the valuation of biodiversity using low cost tools

and methods that, in addition to economic values, recognize social and cultural values;

2. Biodiversity valuation studies shall be undertaken and demonstration projects initiated in ecosystems where

people rely heavily on biodiversity for subsistence, and;

3. The NBSAP shall be adopted as a policy document and a stakeholder Biodiversity Round Table established

for mainstreaming biodiversity in policies, plans, reporting and accounting systems.

13. Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species

13.1. Context

Pakistan is bestowed with a rich natural heritage of biodiversity due to diverse physiography, soil types, and climate.

Terrestrial biomes of Pakistan range fromdeserts in the south to the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Karakorum,

and Hindu Kush in the north and west. Of the total national land area, 62.7%constitutes wilderness, regions that are

neither suitable for agriculture or for commercial forestry. These areas comprise of deserts, aridlands and mountains;

while a small percentage of these lands are privately owned, the majority is either communally-owned or state lands

with undefined tenure and usufruct rights. There is no management authority for these lands and the predominant

land use in these areas isgrazing and fuel wood collection. A small percentage of these lands have been declared as

game reserves and with the exception of the enforcement of hunting laws, there is no habitat management. Similarly,

approximately 5.9 million ha (GoP, 2005) of these lands are designated as rangelands, but there is no management.

The ecological health of these ecosystems has not been assessed, but it cansafely be said that these ecosystems

are heavily degraded due to ever increasing anthropogenic pressures. These ecosystems make significant

contribution to the livelihoods of the landless and poor, making significant contributions to the national economy with

a potential for economic development and growth. A 2006 World Bank report estimates a loss of seven billion rupees

as a consequence of degradation and deforestation of natural ecosystems. Despite the economic significance of

these assets, there are no valuation studies of biodiversity to influence investments for restoration of biodiversity and

alleviation of poverty.

Two terrestrial ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the list of global 200 priority ecosystems of the Millennium

Ecosystem Assessment. These ecosystems and their conservation status are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Terrestrial ecosystems of Pakistan classifiedasGlobal 200 Eco-Regions.

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Status Representation in PA

System

Western Himalayan Temperate Critical or endangered Adequate

Pakistan – NBSAP

17

Forests

Tibetan Plateau Steppe Vulnerable Adequate

A large number of species of flora and

fauna with a restricted range are found in

Pakistan. Out of theplant species, five

monotypic genera (Douepia, Sulaimania,

Kurramiana, Wendelboa, andSpiroseris)

and 400 species belonging to 169 genera

and 45 families occur in Pakistan (Ali,

2008), restricted, however, to the northern

and western mountains. Thisfauna includes

some endemic mammals such asthe Indus

River Dolphin (EDGE11

), the Balochistan

Forest Dormouse, and the Pale Gray

Shrew (IUCN Red List). In addition, the

Balochistan Pygmy Jerboa (Rodent-

Info.net) isan example of anendemic

genus, while the Woolly Flying

Squirrel,Eupetauruscinereus, (WWF

Pakistan), the sole member of its genus,

may existjustin Pakistan. The Punjab Urial

(WWF Pakistan) has recently been

elevated to a full species, while the Chiltan

Wild Goat,Capra aegagruschialtanensis

(Wildlife of Pakistan), is a further example

of an endemic subspecies. The Bio-Resource Research Centre is a non-profit conservation organization in Pakistan

that has a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and has worked over the last two decades in ex-

situ Black and Brown Bear conservation by curbing illegal bear baiting. Indeed, with the exception of a few species

(Snow Leopard, Black and Brown Bear, Woolly Flying Squirrel, Indus Dolphin, Markhor, Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep,

Urial, Black Buck, and Chinkara) no other critically endangered species of flora and have received this level of

attention with the aim ofrecovering their populations.

Pakistan is also a signatory to the CMS or Bonn Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that aims to conserve

migratory animal species over the whole of their range. The Siberian Crane, for example, is a critically endangered

migratory species of bird; for its conservation, the CMS Secretariat developed a Memorandum of Understanding

(Siberian Crane MoU) in early 1993 proposing a number ofconservation measures which was signed byPakistan in

1998. The population of Siberian Crane (Central Asian flocks) that used to visit Pakistan in the winter is now thought

to be extinct, but aMoU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptor MoU) was

concluded under the auspices of CMS in 2008. This is an inter-governmental agreement to conserve migratory birds

of prey in the African and Eurasian regions, signed by Pakistan in 2008.

The sprawling urban landscape can be an important component of biodiversity conservation. However,

managementrequires setting aside blocks of protected habitat, creating ecologically responsible development in

adjacent areas, as well asa careful balance of the needs of nature with the needs of human populations. Urban

biodiversity can improve human well-being by providing ecosystems services, connect people with nature, provide

environmental education, and create corridors for natural populations. However, the rapid pace of change combined

with thehigh cost of land in urban environments can pose severe challenges to long-term protection of a network of

habitat patches. Often, cities do not contain large enough habitat blocks to sustain viable natural populations of most

plants and animals, and so smallblocks must belinked with surrounding habitat.


11

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/about/default.php

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/about/default.php

Pakistan – NBSAP

18

To date, no systematic mapping and description of the ecosystems of Pakistan has been carried out. In an early

study, Roberts (1991) dividedthe habitats of Pakistan into 17 vegetation types based on physiognomyusing

secondary informationsources while Ahmed and Ahmad (2000) later recognized 17 ecosystems based on NOAA

satellite imagery. Pakistan is endowed with many endemic species of flora and fauna and a large proportionof the

relatives of crops found in the wild, yet there has never been a comprehensive national assessment of biodiversity, its

status and trends acrossPakistan, and no efforts have been made to conserve the species that are threatened with

extinction.

Work toestablish anetwork of game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks started in 1974 and since this

timethe numbers of such areas have steadily increased. However, initial selection of sites for designationas game

reserves and wildlife sanctuaries was not based on any ecological considerations butrather included sites well-known

for game hunting. Even today, with the exception ofthe stricter enforcement of wildlife laws to control hunting, none of

these sites, except a few national parks,are managed under a plan. A few habitats of endangered but high value

trophy species are being successful managed by local people and communities.

Pastoral Management:A large number of research and development projects aimed at theapplication of North

American style range management have so far been unsuccessful. This is because the concept of range

management has not been successful outside of North America and Australia because of wide social, cultural, and

land tenure differences.Across Pakistan,pastoral systems in different parts of the country differ widely and thus would

require different management approaches; certainly, other than agricultural and forest lands which comprise less than

40% of the total area of the country, vast areas of land that are considered „wasteland‟ need to be managed to control

land degradation and desertification, and to improve ecosystem services and livelihoodsviabiodiversity conservation.

In country, existing forestry, agriculture, and livestock departments are not set up to deal with integrated natural

resource management, and therefore require the establishment of an independent government agency to manage

these lands and valuable biodiversity resource of the country.

Protected Areas:Protected areas have beenestablished in Pakistan to achieve the long-term conservation of nature

with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Thus, the list ofprotected areasin Pakistan comprises all

game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks spread over approximately 12% of the total area of the

country. The protected area system review (Grigoriev and Ahmed, 2000)reported that many protected areas of

Pakistan do not meet the globally accepted criteria, and a study on Protected Areas Gap Analysis (Ahmed, 2012)

undertaken found many representation, ecological and management gaps in the protected area system of Pakistan.

Furthermore, all habitats in-country are fragmented and there are no ecological corridorsor connections between

them.


Pakistan – NBSAP

19

The following strategies will be adopted and actions will be taken to fill gaps in protected areas and recovery of

population of threatened species, implement the CBD programmes of work on protected areas, as well asABTs.

Strategies:

1. Institutional and regulatory frameworks will be improved and implemented to address 21stCenturychallenges

to the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and the equitable sharing of benefits.

2. Natural habitats will be conserved through the expansion, including establishment of corridors, and the

effective management of the network of protected areas integrated with landscapes.

3. Local communities willbe empowered and their capacity developed so they canact as custodians of

protected areas and landscapes.

4. Knowledge, science base, and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends

will be improved as the conservation status of known threatened species will be improved.

14. Forest Ecosystems

Actions:

1. Institutional effectiveness and efficiency will be enhanced by 2017 to ensure effective management and

monitoring of the biodiversity resources (ABT 17);

2. A GIS laboratory will be established to assess the health (deforestation) and condition (degradation) of

ecosystems and habitats, and maps prepared compatible with remote sensing technologiesto identify

conservation priorities and opportunities (ABT 19);

3. Anecosystem classification system using agreed international standards, including broad indicators of

biodiversity, will be developed. (ABT 19);

4. At least 20% of degraded ecosystems of ecological significance will be restored to combat desertification and

demonstrate economic, social, and cultural benefits (ABT 15);

5. A study will be conducted by 2017 to identify negative incentives and propose positive incentives that will

reduce and ultimately halt the degradation and fragmentation of ecosystems(ABT 3);

6. The lists of protected areas will be refined to include only those sites that meet the internationally recognized

definitions (ABT 11);

7. Management plans will be prepared by 2017 and implemented for effective and equitablemanagement of

protected area (annex 3) integrated into the wider landscapes(ABT 11);

8. Local communities will be empowered and their capacity built to both collaborate in the management of PAs

as well as establish community conservations areas on common property lands(ABT 11);

9. The protected areas network will be expanded by 2020 to cover at least 17% of terrestrial area to fill in the

gaps in the protected area system (annex 4) and to establish corridors between fragmented habitats of

threatened species(ABT 11);

10. Mechanisms will be developed and put in place to ensure the financial sustainability of protected areas (ABT

11);

11. The gap between scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve knowledge and practice of

biodiversity conservation(ABT 19);

12. Recovery plans will be prepared and implemented to improve the conservation status of major threatened

species of flora and fauna (Annex 2) in different ecosystems (ABT 12);

13. The directorate of biodiversity, MOCC, via collaboration of Bio-Resource Research Centre, will eradicate

bear-baiting from Pakistan till 2020.

14. The directorate of biodiversity, MOCC, via collaboration of Bio-Resource Research Centre, will rehabilitate

Asiatic black and brown bears in their habitat by 2018 through ex-situ conservation by 2018;

15. Targets for the conservation of ecosystems, habitats, and species will be integrated in the annual and

medium term development plans (ABT 20), and;

16. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2017 to meet (ABT

20).

Pakistan – NBSAP

20

14.1. Context

The forests of Pakistan are grouped into five physiognomic classes, conifers, scrub, riverine, mangroves,and

plantations. Natural forests comprise a number ofdiverse ecosystems, including the Western Himalayan Temperate

Forests, one of the global 200 priority ecosystems. In addition, Balochistan boasts theworld‟s second largest compact

forest of Juniper (UNESCO 2013; Man and Biosphere Reserve), considered a living fossil. While all forest

ecosystems in Pakistan are threatened, edible pine nut (Pinusgerardiana)forests, found primarily in community-

controlled areas, are under serious threat of disappearance due to logging by local people as a means of supporting

their livelihoods. A wide variety of medicinal plants grow in abundance in the temperate forests of the western

Himalayan and Hindukush mountain ranges; a survey by the Pakistan Forest Institute (1989), reported that 500 tons

of medicinal plants are produced in Hazara and Malakand, 16 tons in the Murree Hills, 38 tons in Azad Kashmir, and

about 24 tons in Gilgit-Baltistan (Gilaniet al., 2013). These plants are collected from the wild, dried, processed and

sold in local markets or exported to other countries.

The area of different forest types and percent annual change in their cover over five and tenyear periods is given in

Table2 (PFI, 2004).

Table 2:Change in area of different forest types, 1992 to 2004

Forest Type ForestCover(000 ha) Rate of change %

1992 1997 2001 Five Yr Ten Yr

Conifer 1,913 1,479 1,512 4.54(-) 2.09(-)

Scrub 1,191 1,652 1,323 7.74(+) 1.11(+)

Riverine 173 144 150 3.35(-) 1.33(-)

Mangrove 207 159 158 4.64(-) 2.37(-)

Plantation 103 165 174 12.04(+) 6.89(+)

Total Forest 3,587 3,599 3,317 0.06(+) 0.75(-)

Rangeland 28,505 22,645 23,546 4.11(-) 1.74(-)

Total Types 32,092 26,244 26,863 3.64(-) 1.63(-)

Although the stated objectives of forest management includes multiple uses, encompassing ecosystem services like

water, clean air, non-timber forest products, and recreation, as well asmeeting the needs of local people, in reality the

focus has always been on logging or sustained yield principles. Degraded forests are set aside for protection and

sometimes natural regeneration is assisted by seeding and planting saplings, while the harvesting of medicinal plants

and mushrooms is ether regulated through permits for a fee or royalty, andrights for collection are auctioned.

However, theseecosystem approaches and biodiversity considerations have not been mainstreamed in forestry

throughout Pakistan.


There is no credible data of forest cover in Pakistan; official statistics of forest area represent physical area and not

forest cover. The Forestry Sector Master Plan (FSMP) Project, 1993, reported forest cover at 4.2 million ha, 4.8% of

total land area. The Economic Survey of Pakistan (2001 to 2002) showed that forest area increased over time, from

3.46 million ha in 1990 to 3.79 million ha in 2002. In contrast, the FAO in State of Forests (2001), reported that the

total forest area of Pakistan (sum of natural forests plus forest plantation) decreased from 2.75 million ha in 1990 to

2.36 million ha in 2000, a 1.5% annual rate of deforestation over a ten year period. On the other hand, the Asian

Development Bank claims that forest cover dropped from 3.6% of total land in 1990 to 3.2% in 1999. The Global

Forest Watch initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI) reported that Pakistan lost 10,000 ha of forest from

2000 to 2012 and gained less than 1000 ha in the same period in the form of plantations. Irrespective of the

differences in reports on forest area or forest cover, one thing is obvious:The forestry capital of Pakistan is relatively

small and forest cover is shrinking due to deforestation and degradation.

Pakistan – NBSAP

21

Forests are small islands in a vast ocean of rapidly growing human population and consequently face a number of

threats. In addition, in many forests, local communities are entitled to a percentage of shares from the sale of timber

and thus they pressurize the government for access to logging. Due to the short supply and growing demand

forconstruction, however, timber prices are high and themafias in collusion with the rights holders indulge in all sorts

of tactics, including illegal logging practices. People living near forests also depend on fuelwood for cooking and

heating their homes in the winter; thus, having run out of fuelwood on their own or communal lands, the pressure is

now on the forests. A recent study concluded that 80% of deforestation in KP was due to cutting of trees for fuel (Inter

Cooperation, 2010). Local people also let their animals loose to graze in forest areas, which hampers natural

regeneration because oftrampling and browsing of seedlings. The magnitude of various threats estimated on a scale

of 1 to 10 in different forest types is shown in Figure 9.

Many forests have been classifiedas protected areas under the wildlife laws administered by the Provincial Wildlife

Departments of Pakistan. This has created conflict of interest between the two agencies, and so far there is no

mechanism for joint management for such protected areas.Under UNMDGs, Pakistan hadmade significant

contribution to its commitment to increase its forest cover from 4.8% to 6.0% by 2015and is obliged to report the

status of forests in a transparent manner to various international conventions and UN agencies. With this in mind,the

government has engaged the services of WWF Pakistan to estimate the district wise forest cover usingsatellite

imagery.

Irrigated plantations and the strips of land along highways and canals are important components of the forestry

resources of the country. These plantations have traditionally been made up of pure stands of one, or a mix of two,

species of commercial importance and can play a significant role in providing promoting conservation of biodiversity

especially the pollinators and avifauna by increasing the floral diversity of plantations.


The following strategies and actions are proposed to address the issues discussed above, to implement the CBD

Programme of Work on Forest Biological Diversity, and to contribute to the implementation of the ABTs 2011 to 2020.

Strategies:

1. An enabling institutional and policy environment will be created to mainstream biodiversity conservation and

sustainable use considerations in the forestry sector;

2. Forest biological diversity, including ecosystem services,willbe protected and restored through adoption of

an ecosystem approach for the management of all forest types;

Figure 8: Level of various threats in different forest types (FCPF RFP, MoCC, 2012)

Pakistan – NBSAP

22

3. Plantations shall be made biodiversity friendly by increasing floral diversity, and;

4. Knowledge, the science base, and technologies relating to forest biodiversity, its values, functions, status

and trends will be improved to prevent loss of forest biodiversity, and mitigation measures adopted including

reforms of the rights and concessions of local people.

15. Inland Wetland Ecosystems

15.1. Context

The inland wetlandecosystems of Pakistan comprise streams, rivers, numerous natural lakes, man-made reservoirs,

the Indus River delta, and the wetland complexes of the Indus basin. Lakes also include high altitude alpine and

glacial freshwater lakes and saltwater lakes in coastal areas.The inland water resources of Pakistan are dominated

by the Indus River System, comprising the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers which all originate in the

western Himalayas, flow from northeast-to-south, and drain into Arabian Sea through the Indus Delta. The Kabul

River, originating in Afghanistan, drains into the Indus, near Attock, and in addition to the Indus River system, there

are also a number of other small rivers in Balochistan including the Hub, Gudri, and the NalRivers, which alldrain into

the Arabian Sea on the Makran coast. Pakistan also has one of the world's largest man-made canal irrigation

systems, comprising a number of large dams, barrages, and a network of irrigation canals and waterways.The

following wetland ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the list of global 200 priority ecosystems of the Millennium

Ecosystem Assessment (Table 3).

Actions:

1. A GIS laboratory will be established for the assessment of the health (deforestation) and condition

(degradation) of forest ecosystems and maps prepared compatible with remote sensing technologiesto

identify conservation priorities and opportunities (ABT 19);

2. A forest classification system using agreed international standards including broad indicators of biodiversity

will be developed (ABT 19);

3. Representative forest landscapes of special importance for biodiversity will be designated as Forest

Biodiversity Reserves by 2017 and effectively managed(ABT 11);

4. Canal and roadside plantations will be made biodiversity friendly to play a significant role for conservation of

the pollinators, avifauna and serving as corridors between fragmented habitats (ABT 11);

5. Suitable ecosystem approaches will be developedby 2017and piloted in different forest ecosystems; and

training workshops held for managers for their application(ABT 7);

6. A GIS will be established by 2017 to prepare a baseline and monitor health (deforestation) and condition

(degradation) of forests using remote sensing techniques and impact on biodiversity and ecosystem

services (ABT 5);

7. At least 25% of all degraded forest ecosystems will be restored by 2020 to improve their resilience and

contribution to carbon stocks (ABT 15);

8. Collaborative,or joint, forest management approaches will be piloted in different forest ecosystems to reduce

the anthropogenic impacts by improving livelihoods of local people based on sustainable use of components

of biodiversity (ABT 7);

9. Forest and forestrelated policies, laws, and regulations will be reviewed by 2018 to provide a sound basis

for conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity(ABT 7);

10. The code for the preparation of management plans will be revised by 2018 to incorporate the ecosystem

approaches for sustainable management of forests and biodiversity (ABT 7);

11. Landscapes that provide essential services related to water for major dams, and contribute to health,

livelihoods, and well-being of local communities will be restored by 2020 and safeguarded (ABT 14);

12. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge and practice

of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);

13. Measures to achieve the targets for conservation of forest biodiversity will be integrated inthe annual and

medium term development plans(ABT 20), and;

14. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2016 to meet (ABT

20).

Pakistan – NBSAP

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Table 3:The Wetland Ecosystems of Pakistan Included in Global 200 Eco-regions

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Status Representation in

PA System

Rann of Kutch Flooded Grasslands Critical or endangered Adequate

Indus River Delta Critical or endangered Inadequate

Wetlandscomprisea continuum of braided and meandering river channels, oxbow lakes, and seasonally flooded

depressions in the Indus basin. There is no accurate assessment of the total area of all the wetlands, but the complex

between the town of Chashma in the north and the city of Sukkur in the south is estimated to encompass9,70012

km2.

Streams and rivers are not only the lifeline of agriculture and hydropower generation, but also provides livelihoods to

thousands of people through artisan fisheries, and serves as a refuge for large numbers of wintering migratory birds.

Around 225 siteshave been identified, and listed, as significant wetland sites, distributed all over Pakistan from the

sea coasts in the south to high mountains in the north. The major wetlands of Pakistanare shown in Figure 10.

Pakistan has more than 670 species of birdsof which one third are waterbirds, and most of these aremigratory

species, including geese, ducks, swans, waders, and other waterbirds. Species that require urgent conservation

attentioninclude the Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), the Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone), the Dalmatian

Pelican,(Pelicanuscrispus), the Sociable Plover (Vanellusgregarious), the Lesser White-fronted Goose

(Ansererythropus), Pallas‟s Fish Eagle (Heliaeetusleucoryphus), and vultures. Pakistan has beena signatory to the

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands since 1971 and ratified this agreementin 1976. This conventionis an

intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sensibleuse of wetlands. Inorder to fulfill the obligations of this

convention, Pakistan initially designated nine Ramsar sites and,at present, there are 19 wetlands on the Ramsar list

(Annex 5). Although, there is no specific legislation for the protection and sensible use of wetlands, Provincial Wildlife

Lawsprovide legal protection to most of these sites. In addition, to enable the conservation and sensibleuse of

wetlands and their resources, a National Wetland Policy has also been developed.

The freshwater fish fauna of Pakistan comprises 198 species, including 12 introduced taxa. The fish fauna is

predominantly south Asian, with some west Asian and high Asian elements. The fish fauna of the northern areas of

Pakistan comprises 20 species and is completely high Asian in makeuprestricted only to GB province. A major

component of the fish fauna, especially warm water fish, is restricted to the Indus plain,which comprises about 140

species. Of these, the genus Schistura is restricted to sub-mountain areas while the genus Triplophysaisis mainly

confined to high altitude regions. Snow trout are found in the Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakoram mountain

ranges and are not represented in the Indus plain. Other than sport fishing, fishing rights in inland waters are

auctioned every year for the duration of the fishing season, and rainbow and brown trout representpotential threatsto

the highly specialized local cold water fish fauna. In addition,introduction of Tilapia fish is a real threat to the local fish

fauna inwarmer waters.

Aquaculture is a rather recent activity in Pakistan and is still in its infancy; the potentialfish fauna to be farmed is rich

but only seven warm water species and two cold water species are cultivated so far on a commercial scale. Trials

experimenting with shrimp in culture have been carried out in the Indus delta region but did not succeed due to the

non-availability of hatchery-produced seed. With the exception of trout culture in KP and GB, virtually all aquaculture

currently carried out in Pakistan is pond-based and utilizes various carp species. In the past, most fish farmers

stocked their ponds with only indigenous species such as catla(Catlacatla), rohu (Labeorohita), mrigal

(Cirrhinusmrigala), and common carp (Cyprinuscarpio). More recently, two fast growing invasive species, the grass

carp (Ctenopharyngodonidellus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthysmolitrix), have been introduced toculture to

increase the fish yield per unit area. These two species have good economic value, have gained a reputation, and

have become popular amongst producers as well as consumers. Two species of trout namely brown trout (Salmo

trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchusmykiss) are also cultured in KP, AJK, and GB.

12

http://www.wwfpak.org/ecoregions/CentralIndusWetlandsComplex.php

Di

sp

ut

http://www.wwfpak.org/ecoregions/CentralIndusWetlandsComplex.php

Pakistan – NBSAP

24

Figure 9: The Major Wetlands ofPakistan.

While many lakes in the highlands are unmanaged, rivers, man-made reservoirs, and canals are primarily managed

for irrigation and hydropower generation.Fishing is regulated by the Fisheries Department and hunting is controlled by

the various Wildlife Departments. However, there is no coordination among these agencies, and they all act

independently without any consultation. Apart from overfishing and hunting, the threats to wetland biodiversity include

discharge of industrial effluent and municipal waste.In addition, diversion of water for agriculture and construction of

hydropower stations have resulted in shrinkage of many wetlands and fragmented habitats. The

occasionalincidences of useof illegal nets, dynamite, and poison fishing are other serious threats to aquatic

biodiversity.

15.2. Issue and Trends

Pakistan is a range stateof the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). Thus, there is an urgent need for science-based,

internationally coordinated conservation measures, ensuring the survival of species and their habitats, as well as

sustainable benefits to people. 46wetlands have protected status in the form of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries

and game reserves.Of these, 15wetlands of international importance have been designated as Ramsar Sites.

Pakistan prepared an action plan for conservation of wetlands in 2000 but this wasnot implemented. The CMS Action

Plan (2008) for the CAF provides the basis for the 30 range states to take individual and coordinated region-wide

activities to conserve waterbirds and their habitats. This agreementcovers 175 species of divers, grebes, pelicans,

cormorants, herons, storks, ibises, flamingos, geese, cranes, rails, sungrebes, jacanas, crabplovers, oystercatchers,

stilts, avocets, pratincoles, plovers, scolopacids, gulls, and terns. Of these 13species are listed inAppendix I of the

CMS.

The golden mahseer, a popular game fish species, is critically endangered because of overfishing and loss of

breeding grounds, while another freshwater species, Glyptothoraxkashmirensis, found only in the Jhelum River is in

Pakistan – NBSAP

25

imminent danger of extinction. The Indus River dolphin, endemic to Pakistan, is under extreme pressure from loss of

habitat and overfishing.The gharial, also found only in the Indus River and its tributaries, is nearly extinct in Pakistan,

while the narrow-headed softshell turtle is also endangered in the country‟srivers.

This documentcontains provisions for species and habitat conservation, single species action plans,as well

asemergency measures. Priority issues for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitatsinclude

mitigating the absence of information on population status and trends, information on the precise migration routes of

populations, limited capacity of local agencies and communities to monitor and manage wetlands, and the need to

balance the requirementsof conservation against the expectationsof local people. A draft policy for the conservation

and sustainable useof wetland biodiversity in Pakistan was prepared in 2010, but so far has not been approved.

The conservation and sustainable use of wetlands first received comprehensive attention viatheGEF project,

the„Pakistan Wetland Programme‟, which wasimplemented in 2005 with a focus on creating an enabling environment

through establishment of sustainable institutions, enhancing planning and land-use decision-making, development,

the adoption and implementation of theNational Wetlands Policy, enhancing the technical competence of government

agencies and communities, raising nationwide wetlands awareness, and securing the long-term financial

sustainability of wetlands conservation initiatives. In response to the need to generate practical, replicable examples

of viable wetlands conservation practice in Pakistan, four demonstration sites were established by the GEF projectin

different developmentecoregions, namelythe Makran Coastal Wetlands Complex, the Central Indus Wetlands

Complex, the Salt Range Wetlands Complex, and the Northern Alpine Wetlands Complex.The Indus Wetland

Complex in Sindh also received attention through the WWFprogramme „Indus for All‟ which was launched in 2007.

The programme addressed the issues of natural resource management, pollution, sea erosion,loss of species,

deforestation, hunting of birds and animals, and poverty.


While a basic foundation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands biodiversity has been laid, efforts

mustbe continued if we areachieve fruitful results. The following strategies and actions are designed to implement the

CBD programme of Work “Inland Waters Biodiversity” and ABTs.

Strategies:

1. Biodiversity considerations shall be included in the policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks to ensure

conservation of fish and other aquatic organisms, and equitable sharing of benefits;

2. Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent the introduction of freshwater invasive species and control

their spread to other areas, and where feasible, invasive alien species will be eradicated in habitats of

significant biological diversity, and;

3. The capacity of all stakeholders shall be developed to sustainably manage fisheries and aquaculture, and

ensuring equitable sharing of benefits.

Pakistan – NBSAP

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16. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

16.1. Context

Pakistan‟s sea-coast, between Sir Creek in Sindh and Jiwani in Balochistan, measures 1,098 km, with 768km in

Balochistan and 330 km in Sindh. Three coastal and marine ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the Global 200

Priority Ecosystems (Table 4). These ecosystems are comprised of the Arabian Sea (Figure 1113

), sandy and rocky

beach ecosystems, estuaries, coastal lagoons, backwaters, and recently discovered corals in Astola Island. The

mangrove vegetation covering86,727 ha (IUCN, 2005) is mainly restricted to river estuaries with scattered patches

along the coast; however, although mangroves play a useful ecological role, their economic value is not well

documented. The flora of Pakistan includeseight species of mangroves, with Avicennia marina the predominant

species in Pakistan.

13

:http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/arabiansea.htm

Actions

1. An effective coordination mechanism will be established for integrated management of water,

fish, and wildlife resources of wetlands(ABT 6);

2. Institutional capacity will be strengthened by 2017 for effective enforcement of laws, and

sustainable management of the wetlands( ABT 17);

3. Biodiversity considerations will be incorporated in fisheries policies, laws and regulations by

2017 to ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits(ABT 6);

4. A procedure for sustainable harvest of fish stock will be developed by 2017 and implemented

to minimize impact on threatened species and vulnerable habitats(ABT 6);

5. A baseline survey will be undertaken by 2017 to assess the biodiversity of key inland wetlands

and establish a system to monitor at regular intervals the status of species most in

decline(ABT 6);

6. Wetlands protected areas will be established by 2019 covering at least 15% area of wetlands

of biodiversity significance and effectively managed together with the surrounding landscapes

(ABT 11);

7. Management plans will be prepared by 2017 and implemented for integrated management of

RAMSAR sites (Annex 5) including the surrounding landscapes (ABT 11);

8. The spread of alien species will be prevented by 2017 through appropriate measures to

prevent their escape into natural habitats from hatcheries and aquaculture (ABT 9);

9. The impact of alien species in wetlands of biodiversity significance will be assessed and

measures taken to control and ultimately eradicate invasive alien species by 2020(ABT 9);

10. Important wetland habitats of national biodiversity significance together with surrounding

landscapes will be co-managed with custodial communities by 2017 through their

empowerment and building capacity for conservation and sustainable use(ABT 6);

11. Plans will be prepared by 2017 and implemented for recovery of depleted freshwater fish

species (Annex 2)(ABT 12);

12. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge

and practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);

13. The targets for conservation of inland water ecosystems will be integrated in the annual and


14. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2016

(ABT 20).

Pakistan – NBSAP

27

Table 4.Global 200 Eco-regions represented in Pakistan.

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Status Representation in

PA System

Rann of Kutch Flooded Grasslands Critical or endangered Adequate

Indus River Delta Critical or endangered In adequate

Arabian Sea Critical or endangered No representation

A 20 km stretch of beach onHawkes Bay and Sandspit are nesting

grounds of the green turtle (Cheloniamydas) and the olive ridley turtle

(Lepidochelysolivacea). In Balochistan, there are three major green turtle

nesting sites: Ormara, Astola (Haft Talar) Island (a small, uninhabited

island about 6 km in length) and Jiwani. In addition, a small population

also nests on the beaches of Hingol National Park to the east of Ormara.

Nesting and hatching of green turtles takes place all year round, with

peak nesting in November and peak hatching in October. AnMoU on the

Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of

the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia also known as IOSEA Marine

Turtle MoU was concluded in 2001 under the auspices of CMS. Thisis an

intergovernmental agreement that aims to protect, conserve, replenish

and recover marine turtles and their habitats of the Indian Ocean and in

the southeast Asian region. It was by signed by Pakistan in 2004.

Climate change is a global issuethat can adverselyimpact the lives of

poor and marginalized communities, especially in developing andleast-developed countries, including Pakistan. The

average annual temperature has increased by 0.120C, and the annual rise in sea level is estimated at 1.1 mm,

causing more rainfall, sea intrusion, extreme flooding, and impacts on agricultural output in the country.


Coastal and marine biodiversity faces numerous threats, some of which require action at national level while others

require global action. Marine fisheries are a direct livelihood source for over a million people and encompassmore

than 125,000 households. There are approximately 15,000 fishing vessels of various sizes ranging from small to

medium-sized boats, large launches, and trawlers engaged in fishing across Pakistan. These boats are used for

fishing in creeks and within the 12-mile territorial limit which falls under provincial jurisdiction, while larger launches go

into deeper waters on extended fishing excursions. Most of the fish catch is exported with little value addition; the

species exported are mainly shrimp (65%), Indian mackerel, ribbon-fish, tuna, sole and crab. Over-fishing, including

during the breeding season (June to August), has led to a steep decline in shrimp catches, while sardines are caught

as trash fish and converted into chicken feed.

Two species of sawfish, the knife-tooth and narrow-snout, as well as Pondicherry and Ganges sharks are critically

endangered in Pakistan, and several other saltwater species are endangered in the area of coastal Pakistan.

Scalloped hammerhead, squat-headed hammerhead, and broad-fin sharks have been overfished for use in the

shark-fin trade, while the blue whale, the largest creature on Earth, is an endangered marine mammal in Pakistan.

The green sea turtle, which nests on sandy beaches of Pakistan,is a globally endangered species, and the

longheaded eagle ray is also endangered because of fishing. The loss of nesting sites and eggs eaten by predators

and poached by human for illegal sale are serious threats to green turtles along withinfrastructure developmentalong

the nesting sites.14

.

Anthropogenic influences include excess nutrient input resulting in eutrophication, anoxic conditions and fish kill

events. The Indus Delta is heavily polluted by a variety of industrial effluents, sewage, and solid waste and nutrient-

14

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/endangered-animals-pakistan-62942.html

Figure 10: Map showing Arabian Sea.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/endangered-animals-pakistan-62942.html

Pakistan – NBSAP

28

enriched irrigation water. The mounting pressure of the rapidly increasing population has also led to the clearing of

mangrove areas for industrial and agricultural purposes as well as for urban expansion.Marine turtles in Pakistan face

multiple threats, of which the main ones are egg predation and incidental catch in fishing craft. Turtles also often die

due to oil pollution from vessels. Other threats include the predation ofgreen turtle hatchlings by sea gulls, crows,

foxes, jackals and stray dogs take an additional toll. The development of Gwadar as a port city and the operation of

the Gwadar port is likely to take away many of the small beaches that serve as nesting habitats for the turtles in the

locality.

These socio-economic problems cannot be dealt with laws alone and experience has shown that a ban on fishing to

promote conservation is not a feasible option. The communities who depend on fishing for their livelihoods

traditionally had open access rights to the fisheries. Therefore policy measures to address the problem of biodiversity

loss must integrate access rights and community based management inthe fishery management and conservation

plans. The fisher folk usually have the knowledge of the resources and their use and can take measures to perform

the necessary management functions such as limiting entry, fishing gear regulation, collection of resource rent, and

benefit distribution. Marine protected areas that are off limits to fishing and limit local pollution may help raise the

resilience of local ecosystems to climate change and ocean acidification. Protected areas can benefit both fisheries

and tourism by preserving important spots of marine biodiversity and fish spawning grounds.

According to Oceana (2012) Pakistan is among the top five countries least adaptable and 8th

most vulnerable nations

to food security threats from climate change and ocean acidification. For adaptation to changing ocean conditions,

marine fisheries need to be healthier by reducing overfishing and bycatch. This would require sustainable fisheries

based on the status of fish stocks, setting catch limits on target species and creating long-term bycatch reduction

plans and stopping destructive fishing techniques such as bottom trawling. Climate change threatens the coastal

communities in Pakistan due to lack of coastal resilience to cyclones. The Climate Risk Index (CRI) for 2012 ranked

Pakistan at number eight as the most affected country by climate change, and its impact could drive the already

economically unstable country further into poverty. The oceans absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions

each day resulting in decline in their pH and change in ocean chemistry, called ocean acidification, is already

threatening habitats like coral reefs, and the future of shellfish.

In addition to climate change, progressive upstream diversion of Indus waters and the gradual depletion of freshwater

discharges and accompanying reduction in silt load is increasing salinity in Indus delta. The Development Review by

Government of Sindh (2009) reported that fresh water discharge from Indus declined from 49 trillion gallons over a

period of 60 yearsto 0.24 trillion gallons in 2006. In the absence of a considerable volume of such flows there is no

decelerating factor to check sea intrusion. IUCN (2003) estimated that the sea had intruded 54 km upstream along

the main course of the River Indus, Sindh.


The various turtle conservation initiatives, reforestation of mangroves, the GEF funded wetlands project. Indus for All

programme of WWF and Mangroves for Future of IUCN laid the foundation for conservation and sustainable use of

wetlands biodiversity. However, the efforts need to be scale up to prevent loss of biodiversity and make adaptations

for impending impacts of climate change, especially to protect the poor and marginalized. The following strategies

and actions are designed to implement the CBD programme of Work “Inland Waters Biodiversity” and Aichi

Biodiversity Targets.

Strategies

1. A network of protected areas shall be established and specific conservation measures taken for recovery of

populations of species most in decline to enhance the resilience of marine biodiversity to climate change;

2. The capacity of coastal fishing communities will be developed to harvest marine organisms in a sustainable

manner, and;

3. The institutional and regulatory frameworks will be improved to address the challenges of the 21stcentury for

conservation of marine biodiversity, through sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits;

Pakistan – NBSAP

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17. Sustainable Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity

17.1. Context

The agricultural sector is a vital source of economic growth for Pakistan contributing approximately 22% to the

country‟s GDP, accounting for over 60% of exports, and employing more than 60% of the rural labor force. Crops,

including fruit, vegetables,and livestock,contribute in almost equal proportions to the economy.Out of the 79.61 mha

total area of Pakistan, about 22 mha is cultivated, of which 75.5% is under irrigation, and the remainder is dryland

agriculture. Dryland agriculture is synonymous with rain fed (barani) conditions, where land holdings are small and

often fragmented. Dryland rainfall (125–1000 mm) is bimodal, mainly (~60%) monsoonal and highly erratic. Rainfed

areas are sub-humid (>500 mm), semi-arid (300–500 mm), and arid (<300 mm).

The main crops of irrigated agriculture are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to milk,

beef, mutton, and eggs. Dryland crops include wheat, chickpea, sorghum, millet, barley, maize, lentil, peanut,

rapeseed-mustard, and guar seed. Almost all of the irrigated areas are cultivated with high yielding varieties with a

heavy input of agro-chemicals. The irrigation practices are antiquated and excessive use of water is not only causing

shortage of canal water, causing water logging and salinity, and in arid regions depleting of aquifers through pumping

of ground water. Despite an impressive increase in agriculture production in last three decades, it has not resulted in

improving the living standards of the rural population to the extent desired (GOP Vision, 2030). The dilemma is that

being an agricultural country, Pakistan is a net importer of agricultural commodities like wheat, edible oils, and

consumer worth about US$2 billion. About 68% of the farmers hold less than two ha of land, which constitutes 22%of

cultivated area (PBS Agriculture Census, 2010).

Actions:

1. Laws, regulations, and policies shall be updated or drafted by 2017 incorporating biodiversity concerns

and effective management of marine biodiversity on sound ecological principles and to prevent threat of

extinction of utilized species(ABT 6);

2. The capacity of fisheries departments will be strengthened by 2017 to ensure compliance with laws and

regulations for harvesting fish and invertebrates within sustainable harvest limits (ABT 19);

3. An assessment of stocks and limits of sustainable harvest levels of major species will be determined by

2017 and strictly enforced (ABT 6);

4. The population of known threatened marine species particularly of those in most decline (annex 2) shall be

monitored regularly starting 2017 and remedial measures taken to improve and sustain their population

(ABT 12);

5. Pilot projects will be launched by 2017 to develop and test approaches for organizing, empowering, and

building capacity of coastal communities to sustainably harvest fish and invertebrate stocks (ABT 6);

6. Protected areas covering at least 10% of the marine area of biodiversity significance will be established by

2017 and managed effectively as seascapes for conservation and sustainable use(ABT 11);

7. Management plans for mangrove forests will be prepared based on ecosystem approach and implemented

by 2018(ABT 5);

8. A pilot project will be launched by 2017 for the restoration of at least 7,000 ha of degraded mangrove

ecosystems jointly with the custodial communities on sustainable use principles and equitable sharing of

benefits (ABT 5);

9. Climate Change Adaptation Plans will be prepared by 2018 for the coastal areas and capacity of coastal

communities developed to cope with the impacts of climate change(ABT 10);

10. The number of operating fleets will be capped at 7,000 by 2020 to prevent over exploitation of marine fish

and invertebrate resources(ABT 6);

11. The fishing boats will be modified by 2020 to improve the outdated fishing methods (ABT 6);

12. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge and

practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);

13. The targets for conservation of coastal areas and marine ecosystems will be integrated in the annual and


14. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2017 (ABT 20).

Pakistan – NBSAP

30

Pakistan has diverse agro climatic conditions and a good natural resource base for agriculture Pakistan is rich in

indigenous crop diversity with an estimated 3,000 different cultivated plants and around 500 wild relatives of

cultivated crops. The northern and western Pakistan comprises one of the world centers on the origin and diversity of

cultivated plants (BAP, 2000). Many wild and local cultivars survived in Pakistan up to the era of the Green

Revolution. After the introduction of high-yield varieties, local cultivars are now rare to find on farms. Recognizing the

importance of preserving crop genetic diversity, the government started collecting indigenous plant germplasm in the

early 1970s and today there are over 15,600 germplasm accessions.

Livestock sector is the mainstay of small farmingcommunities and has an exclusive position in the national agenda of

the economic development. Livestockis a source of livelihood at rural level,helping to reduce disparity in income, and

providessecurity in case of any untoward eventuality of cropfailure. It plays an important role in povertyalleviation and

can uplift the socio-economicconditions of our rural masses.Livestock contribution to agriculture value addedstood at

55.9% while it contributed 11.8% to the national GDP during 2013-14.

Pakistan livestock includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camels, horses, asses and mules. The Indian subcontinent

was one of the first places to domesticate cattle, buffalo and chicken. Pakistan now has two breeds of buffalo, eight of

cattle, one of yak, 25 of goat, 28 of sheep, one of horse, four of camel, and three of indigenous poultry. The buffalo

breeds Nili-Ravi, Azakheli, and Kundi are dairy breeds. Among the cattle, there are three dairy breeds (Sahiwal, Red

Sindhi, and Cholistani), five draught breeds (Bhagnari, Dhanni, Dajal, Acahi, Gibrali, Lohani, and Rojhan) and one

dual-purpose breed (Tharparkar or Thari). The pure-bred animals are believed to constitute only 20-25% of the cattle

population. Of the sheep breeds, 14 are thick-tailed and 14 thin-tailed. Almost 75-80% of Pakistan‟s domestic

livestock breeds are derivatives of established breeds and the proportion of „non-descript‟livestock to pure stock is on

the increase (BAP 2000).

17. 2. Issues and Trends

The focus of agricultural policies in Pakistan has been on maximizing yields of crops and the production of dairy and

meat. Introduction of high yielding varieties and genetically modified crops, the heavy use of agrochemicals, and

introduction of exotic breeds of livestock and poultry, hasbeen a big factor in eroding the natural heritage of agro

biodiversity.Agricultural technologies that ensured a „green revolution‟ in the middle of the 20th Century, have a high

ecological cost, contribute pollution, and result in loss of biodiversity.To improve the environmental health and make

agriculture sustainable, attention is being paid to the development of high productivities of plants and animals using

their natural adaptive potentials, with a minimal disturbance of the environment.

The green revolution shifted the focus of agriculture from an agro ecosystems approach to a crop culture.

Consequently important components of agro ecosystems like pollinators, soils microorganisms and predators of crop

pests receive little or no attention. Pollinators are critical to the country‟s economy, food security, and environmental

health, however, indiscriminate spray of insecticides and loss of floral diversity has adversely affected the population

of pollinating insects. Consequently the yields of crops, vegetables and fruits dependent on pollination have declined

in many parts in Pakistan (Irshad and Stephen, 2014). While bee-keeping is well developed in some parts of country,

no serious effort has been made to restore natural pollinating fauna.

Fresh water resources had shrunk from about 5,000 m3 per capita in the early 1950s to less than 1,500 m

3 per capita

by early 2000. Pakistan is expected to become water scarce by 2035 with water availability below1, 000 m3 per capita

(Kugleman and Robert, 2009). More than 90% of the water is used for agriculture to support one of the lowest

productivities in the world per unit of water.Water shortages coupled with global warming pose serious threat to the

food security of the country and livelihoods of people employed in this sector. The best water management practices

and use of agro-chemicals must be developed and promoted for major crops to make agriculture sustainable and

environment friendly. The PSCI has successfully demonstrated best water management practice and significantly

reduced applications of pesticides and fertilizers in cotton production without significantly affecting yields15

.

As discussed, Pakistan is the eighthmost vulnerable country to climate change, which is likely to impact farming

systems. Climate change will likely impact agricultural practices through more frequent water shortages, extreme

15

http://www.wwf.org.uk/where_we_work/asia/pakistan___sustainable_cotton_production.cfm

http://www.wwf.org.uk/where_we_work/asia/pakistan___sustainable_cotton_production.cfm

Pakistan – NBSAP

31

weather events, flooding, and shifts in growing seasons. Siddiquiet al.,(2012) have shown short and long term

negative impact of climate change on production of rice, cotton and sugarcane. The impact of climate change is likely

to have more impact in mountains and arid regions where rainfedagriculture is practiced. Farmers and pastoralists

have always had to cope with variability in the weather, but climate change will likely produce more permanent shifts

in temperature and precipitation and we should be ready to adapt to new conditions.


In order to address these issues, contribute to the CBD programme of work on agrobiodiversity, and implement the

ABTs 2010-2020, the following strategies are proposed.

Strategies:

1. The principles and practices of sustainable and biodiverse agriculture research and development will be

incorporated into national policies, laws, investment strategies, education, and extension programmes;

2. Awareness of the beneficial effects of agrobiodiversity conservation of all stakeholders, including farmers,

the consumers, researchers, and extension specialists will be raised;

3. The models of sustainable agriculture for major crops shall be developed and promoted particularly by

managing organic matter, enhancing soil biotic activity, minimizing water losses and use of agro-chemicals;

4. The bio diversification of agro ecosystems will be restored in time and space through crop rotations, cover

crops, intercropping, crop/livestock mixtures, conservation of pollinators, and soil biodiversity, and;

5. The use of transgenic organisms would be considered very carefully to ensure that they pose no

environmental and health risks or at least no more than the use of current crops and practices.

Actions:

1. The considerations of sustainable agriculture, bio diversification of agro ecosystems, conservation of

pollinators and soil biodiversity, wise use of transgenic organisms, and climate change will be

incorporated in agriculture policies and plans by 2017 (ABT 13);

2. Sustainable agriculture and bio diversification of agro ecosystems shall be integrated in the

educational and extension programmes of agriculture and animal sciences(ABT 7);

3. The gaps in the in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the agro biodiversity will be assessed by 2017 and

measures taken to fill the gaps (ABT13);

4. Models of sustainable production of major crops with minimum external inputs and wise use of water

shall be developed, tested, and demonstrated on farms by 2020(ABT 7);

5. The diversity of local varieties and land races of crops, fruits, and breeds of livestock and poultry and

local knowledge of their management will be documented by 2017 and incentive measures tested for

on-farm conservation by 2018(ABT 18);

6. Important local varieties, land races and breeds will be improved by 2020 through selection for

resistance to disease, drought tolerance, and for increased production(ABT 13);

7. Pilot on-farm models of biodiverse agro-ecosystems will be established in major agro-ecological

zones(ABT 7);

8. Models of bio diversification of agro-ecosystems will be developed, tested, and demonstrated in major

agro-ecological zones by 2020(ABT 7);

9. Appropriate legislative and regulatory measures will be adopted by 2018 for the prevention, early

detection, rapid response and control of invasive species(ABT 9);

10. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge and

practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);

11. The targets for conservation of agrobiodiversity will be integrated in the annual and medium term

development plans(ABT 20), and;

12. Additional financial resources will be mobilized by 2017 to meet any shortfall for fully achieving the

targets (ABT 20).

Pakistan – NBSAP

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18. Sustainable Production and Consumption

18.1. Context

The Oslo Symposium in 1994 defined SCP as „the use of services and related products, which respond to basic

needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the

emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of

further generations.The concept of SCP was later recognized in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, adopted

in 2002 at the WSSD. To ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns is also aim of goal 2 of the 2030

Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agreementrequires countries to make fundamental changes in the way

that our societies produce and consume goods and services and encourages implementation of the 10-Year

Framework of Programmes on SCP. The change inpatterns of unsustainable consumption and production requires

commitment and action of the government, the business sector, non-state actors and individuals.

18.2. Trends and Issues

Productive Sector: The productive sector of Pakistan is dominated by the textile industry, the cooking oil industry,

the sugar industry, the fertilizer industry, the cement industry, the chemical industry, and leather tanneries. These

industries indirectly impact the biodiversity through air pollution, and discharge of industrial waste in the open or in the

water bodies.Except for agricultural commodities, there is no large scale use of biodiversity products in the productive

sector of Pakistan. Coal mining and other industrial mining and oil exploration industries, the ship-breaking industry,

and hydropower projects pose direct and indirect threats to biodiversity. Growing cement industries in the habitat of

Punjab Urial in Salt Range posesevere threats to thesurvival of this endemic ungulate species.

Pakistan has experienced poorly regulated economic development, which, coupled with rapid demographic growth,

has put acute pressure on the country‟s natural resource base, especially land and water, and significantly increased

levels of local pollution. Thus, the country is faced with serious environmental challenges, especially rapid

urbanization and industrial growth. Lack of waste management treatment and disposal of untreated sewage and

industrial effluent in natural water bodies is not only a serious health hazard but also deteriorate quality of fresh water

adversely impacting inland and marine biodiversity. There are serious ecological, economic, and social costs of

infrastructure and sprawling production sector.

Timber and Trade in Species: Pakistan has a very small percentage of natural forests and consequently prices of

construction timber are very high which fuels illegal logging. Forest assessment surveys by FAO report, Pakistan has

lost more than half of its original 4.4% forest cover in last 50 years. Fortunately plantations and increasing trend to

plant trees on farm boundaries has taken a lot of pressure off the natural forests. Many species of flora and fauna are

collected for trade such as mazri (Nannorrohpsritchiana) for mats and baskets, medicinal plants, morels and turtles

for food, etc. Extraction of economic non woody plants is highly unregulated and adversely impacts the health and

condition of habitats and threatens species with extinction. Some of these species included in CITES Appendix 1 are

smuggled out of the country. Some of the species Appendix 1are abundant in Pakistan, and can be sustainably

harvested and marketed CITES permits.

There is a growing and unsustainable extraction of some natural resources from the ecosystems both to meet the

subsistence needs and meet the market demand. This includes heavy dependence on firewood for fuel, fresh and

salt water fisheries, and range livestock for meat. Sustainable extraction of these natural resources would require

educating consumers, local communities, and planning and policy makers on the ecological cost and environmental

consequences of over exploitation.

Urban Biodiversity: CoP9 in Bonn, Germany, recognized the role of cities and local authorities and the fact that the

implementation of NBSAPs requires the close collaboration with city governments.A City Biodiversity Index (CBI) has

been designed as a tool for self-assessment and monitoring urban biodiversity which is comprised of three

components, that is: (i) native biodiversity in the city, (ii) ecosystem services provided by native biodiversity in the city,

and (iii) governance and management of native biodiversity in the city. Singapore and Hyderabad, India, are among

the centersthat have developed CBIs. In Pakistan, Islamabad, with its green blocks, should take thelead in

developing a CBI.

Pakistan – NBSAP

33

Actions:

1. The professional capacity will be strengthened to plan sustainable development and enforce

environmental laws and regulations to safeguard critical biodiversity habitats and well-being of

the people(ABT 19);

2. A work plan for sustainable production and consumption of biodiversity will be prepared by 2017

and implemented within the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption

and Production(ABT 4);

3. Independent third party reviews of strategic environmental impact assessment studies will be

mandatory for all public and private sector economic development projects(ABT 8);

4. Dialogue will be initiated with businesses and government agencies to develop plans by 2017 for

controlling pollution and provide incentives for implementing the plans(ABT 8);

5. Rules under the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act will be made and policy

guidelines issued for trade in species of flora and fauna to prevent extinction of the threatened

species(ABT4);

6. A demonstration project to develop and test a Biodiversity Index will be launched in Islamabad by

2017 to assess and monitor urban biodiversity(ABT 4);

7. A 5-year work plan will be prepared and implemented to bring water pollution of the ecologically

significant wetland ecosystems within safe limits by 2020(ABT 8);

8. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge

and practice of biodiversity conservation(ABT 19);

9. Measures to achieve the targets for sustainable production and consumption will be integrated in

the annual and medium term development plans(ABT 20), and;

10. Additional financial resources if needed for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by 2016 to

meet any shortfall for fully achieving the NBSAP targets(ABT 20).

The ENERCONhas been mandated to implement the 10 year framework. The work plan of ENERCON focuses on

public sector buildings, guidelines for urban planning and certification and labelling. The ENERCON work plan does

not include land use policy and conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.The Pakistan EPA is responsible for

enforcement of PEPA (1997), approving EIA, IEE, and establishment of environment laboratories. Pak-EPA was

mandated to prepare or revise, and establish the NEQS with approval of the PEPC, and take measures forthe

prevention of pollution, protection of the environment, and sustainable development.PEPA contained provisions for

conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and considerations were integrated in the EIA and IEE

guidelines.However, after the 18th

amendment in the constitution, the functions of Pak-EPA were delegated to the

provinces.


To conserve and enhance the environment and protecting biodiversity, the following strategies and actions will

betaken.

Strategies:

1. The awareness of producers and consumers of the social cost and environmental consequences of

unsustainable production and consumption will be raised to minimize the ecological foot print of pollution

and degradation of natural resources;

2. Sustainable consumption and production patterns for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,

both in the public and the private sector, will be fostered through business and biodiversity initiatives, and

promoting procurement policies that are in line with the objectives of the CBD;

3. Strategic environmental impact assessment, economic incentives and enforcement of the laws and

regulations shall be actively pursued to achieve the goals of sustainable production and consumption, and;

4. The urban parks and green corridors along highways and canals shall be made biodiversity friendly.

Pakistan – NBSAP

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19.

Biosafety – Emerging Issues and Challenges

Biotechnologyis the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or „any technological

application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or

processes for specific use‟ (UN CBD, Art. 2). The term biotechnology covers a wide range of advanced genetic

techniques used for changing the characteristics of plants, animals and microorganisms. It includes genetic

modification, in which DNA of one or more unrelated organisms is transferred into another organism referred to as

GMOs. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a component of the CBD, biosafety refers to „the protection of

biodiversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology‟. GMO

applications include agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and medicine; however, agricultural biotechnology is the most

advanced sector with GM crops being widely grown.

Synthetic Biology:While there is no internationally agreed definition of „synthetic biology‟, key features of synthetic

biology include the “de novo” synthesis of genetic material and an engineering-based approach to develop

components, organisms and products. Synthetic biology builds on modern biotechnology methodologies and

techniques such as high throughput DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis technologies. Organisms developed

through synthetic biology currently fall within the scope of biotechnology-based LMOs and GMOs as defined in the

CBD.

Climate Engineering, also known as geoengineering, is array of technologies and techniques for manipulating the

global climate to moderate effects of climate change. These technologies are commonly divided into two types:

i. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods attempt to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere;

either by technological means, or by enhancing the ability of natural systems (e.g. oceans) to do so. For

example; Boost the growth of planktons by adding nutrients such as iron to ocean waters. If the dead

plankton sink to the ocean floor and get buried, the organic carbon in their bodies will be safely locked

away;

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ii. There is a new technology presently used by a few countries including Australia to capture CO2 from

industrial emission sources.The captured CO2 is then pumped deep in suitable underground water that

meets the required criteria. It is expected that this carbon shall remain underground for good.

iii. Solar Radiation Management or SRM aims to reduce the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases

by reflecting sunlight back into space, either by increasing the reflectivity of the earth‟s surfaces, or by

deploying a layer of reflective particles in the atmosphere. Examples include: pumping SO2 into

atmosphere to reflect sunlight back into the space; spraying sea water into the atmosphere to increase

reflectivity of the clouds; and spraying bismuth iodide high in the sky to seed large to reduce the cirrus

clouds that trap heat.


The development and release of GMOs is a particularly controversial issue with arguments both for and against

them.GMOs have the potential to contribute positively to human livelihoods and wellbeing through increasing the

productivity, adaptation to climate change and environmental sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. GM

crops could contribute significantly to the need for food security, reducing costs and increasing the productivity of a

range of crops and farmed animals. Conversely, they could harm the environment. GMOs released into open fields

may cross breed with wild native species and the foreign genes they carry can transfer into native populations

through horizontal gene transfer. Such transfer of genetic material is generally hard to control, raising concerns about

their potential environmental impacts. If such foreign genetic elements get transferred in to wild relatives of modified

organisms, it could have adverse impact on different ecosystems and habitats including lethal effects on non-target

species and loss of cultivar biodiversity due to widespread adoption of genetically modified crops. Similarly,

development of GM crops capable of growing on marginal lands would spread intensive agriculture into natural

habitats that are currently not in human use resulting in loss of landscapes and biodiversity. To date, knowledge on

the risks, benefits and uncertainties related to GMOs and biodiversity is fragmented and not well-developed, largely

because of the complexity of the relationship between natural and human-modified systems. Prudent approaches are

needed in applying GMOs and taking political decisions in relation to their use and extension. Therefore more

research and case by case assessment of applications is needed before deliberately releasing GMOs into the

environment.

Many of the applications of synthetic biology aim at developing more efficient and effective ways to respond to

challenges associated with bioenergy, environment, wildlife, agriculture, health and chemical production thus

contributing directly to different sectors of the global economy. From a biodiversity perspective, synthetic biology also

has the potential to preserve different biological traits as components and save natural sources of industrially

important compounds by using synthetic biology-based organisms as sources. Some synthetic biology experts are

also promoting the field as a new tool for de-extinction of otherwise extinct like the wooly mammoth. All of these

powerful applications may have some positive impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversity.However, synthetic biology applications could also have indirect negative impacts on the conservation

and sustainable use of biodiversity.Much of the synthetic biology research is focused on designing organisms that will

use biomass as feedstock to produce fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Some applications, e.g. fuel production,

would require high amounts of biomass, which could lead to a rapid decline in soil fertility and structure, and

contribute to biodiversity loss and climate change through direct and indirect land-use change. The level of exposure

of the environment to organisms and products of synthetic biology will determine the level of biosafety-related

concerns. In order to mitigate some of the potential negative impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversity posed by organisms developed through synthetic biology, containment strategies can be used during

their handling. Most of the current and near-term applications of synthetic biology involve living organisms that are

intended for contained use in research laboratories and industrial settings.

Current and near-term commercial and industrial applications of synthetic biology aim at creating micro-organisms

that synthesize products for fuels, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, flavorings and fragrances. The majority of these

applications of synthetic biology engineer microbes, such as the frequently-used E. coli, baker‟s yeast

(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and microalgae, to produce alternatives to naturally-occurring or petroleum-based

molecules. One such example is the production of artemisinic acid in engineered yeast, with the aim of manufacturing

an alternative to the naturally occurring anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which is derived from Artemisia plants. Another

Pakistan – NBSAP

36

example is the production of fuels such as biodiesel and isobutanol using synthetic biology techniques. Synthetic

biology techniques are also being explored and used for the production of pharmaceutical drugs (e.g. to lower blood

sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes) and flavorings/fragrances (e.g. vanillin). Although many of the anticipated

results of synthetic biology are highly speculative, synthetic biology, is already delivering tangible commercial

products of direct use in different industries.

Applications where organisms have been produced using synthetic biology techniques and are intended for

environmental release will likely raise different biosafety concerns than those of organisms intended for contained

use. Like modern biotechnologies, synthetic biology also raises ethical questions around the level of predictability of

its positive and negative impacts, and how to weigh anticipated impacts and the possibility of unexpected

impacts.Intellectual property right regimes are still developing around synthetic biology, and could raise the much

feared question of the ownership of diverse biological traits and the biodiversity in general, especially from a

perspective of a developing country.

In recent years discussions of climate engineering have grown considerably amongst scientists, policy-makers, and

civic environmental groups engaged in addressing climate change. These consist of desk and laboratory studies and

small-scale field research. No technologies have been deployed at a scale that impacts the global climate. Yet, the

intent behind climate engineering, its geographically large or even global impact, and the complexity and uncertainty

of its potential effects upon climate governanceand human society raise profound questions. These technologies may

have diverse environmental and societal impacts on varying scales, posing their own sets of risks, challenges, and

unknowns.

On a basic level, there are technical questions about the costs and feasibility of development and deployment of

various technologies, as well as the geophysical processes that they aim to manipulate. Given our imperfect

knowledge of both the technologies and the climatic system, there are worries about unintended environmental and

ecosystem side effects. Even if the technologies function as intended, they will not “turn back the clock” from a

climate influenced by rising GHG emissions to a previous climate – an engineered climate will be a new and different

one.The wisdom of climate engineering at a moral and ethical level is likely to be highly contentious as discussions of

the topic increasingly reach beyond the scientific realm.

In Pakistan, biosafety rules titled „Pakistan Biosafety Rules, 2005‟ were made under the Pakistan Environmental

Protection Act, 1997, and National Biosafety Guidelines were also issued in 2005. The Biosafety Rules and

Guidelines recommended setting up (a) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), (b) Technical Advisory Committee

(TAC), and National Biosafety Committee (NBC). All institutions, both public and private involved in research and

development in Biotechnology, are required to establish IBC, which is responsible for giving clearance for initiating

research according to the Biosafety Guidelines. Up till now, nearly 40 IBCs belonging to both private and public

sector have been registered with the NBC. A National Biosafety Center was established at the federal government

level.


The following strategy and action are proposed toadequately protect any adverse effects of living modified organisms

on biodiversity and human health.

Strategy:

1. National capacity and action will be improved for ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the

safe transfer including transboundary movement, handling and use of living modified organisms that may

have adverse effects on biological diversity and also taking into account risks to human health, and;

2. Feasibility of capture carbon and safe storage will be examined taking into account its possible impacts on

biodiversity.

Pakistan – NBSAP

37

Actions:

1. The government institutions, academia, business sector and other non-state actors will act

individually and collectively to strictly adhere to precautionary principle for protecting biological

diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms resulting from modern

biotechnology (ABT4);

2. An efficient regulatory, administrative and monitoring framework will be established for the

implementation of the Cartagena Protocol(ABT 17);

3. A 10 year national biosafety frameworks will be established for the implementation, coordination,

and monitoring of the Protocol, including mechanisms to make science-based risk assessments and

ensuring transparency in the development and use of LMOs(ABT 17);

4. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to build a more balanced and

unbiased discourse around the topic(ABT 19);

5. Pilot projects on capture of industrial, its safe storage, and extraction of pure atmospheric CO2 for

use in beverages and carbon fibers for industrial uses(ABT 4).

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38

III. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

20. Introduction

A strategic plan, no matter how good it is, will not achieve the desired results if it sits on the shelf, andfailing to

implement is not only a waste of time in planning, but also hurts the organization, the team, and individuals.

Implementation of the CBD is not only our international obligation but also a national need of preserving natural

heritage and ecological integrity of the environment we live in, and well-being of our people. Therefore the NBSAP

must be considered as part of the whole process of results, and all the efforts made in its preparation will go to waste

if it is not implemented. Effective implementation will require working with, and building capacity of, the stakeholders

at national, provincial, regional and local levels,communicating and reaching out to mainstream biodiversity values in

the policy and planning processes, and for people to conserve and use it sustainably,as well asmobilizing resources

for its implementation.

21. Implementation of NBSAP

A matrix of ABTs showing proposed national actions, timelines, and funds required and agency responsible for

implementation and monitoring indicators is given in Annex 1. While many actions will be taken at the provincial or

regional levels, there will be some cross cutting themes that will be best addressed at the national

level.Implementation of ABTs at provincial and regional level will be through their own Biodiversity Strategies and

Action Plans prepared as part of the NBSAP revision process.

A Coordination Committee will be set up at the national level for coordination among Ministries, and to facilitate

implementation of NBSAP in different federating units, monitor progress, assist in removal of bottlenecks if any, and

provide guidance for resource mobilization, etc. Similarly, Steering Committees will be established in every federating

unit for coordination among different sectors, facilitate cross-sectoral integration, monitor progress on implementation,

and help in resource mobilization.

During the process of consultation with the stakeholders, it was realized that most stakeholders lacked an

understanding of the biodiversity and its values.Therefore,building their capacity for implementation of the NBSAP will

be crucial for the achievements of the results. This will first require strengthening the capacity of the Biodiversity

Directorate in the MoCC, which will in turn build capacity of other stakeholders. This will be done through aseries of

thematic workshops to increase their knowledge of biodiversity, exchange experience, enhance their understanding

of the NBSAP, and train them in the use of relevant tools and mechanisms. The workshops will provide an

opportunity for the stakeholders to identify ways and means of overcoming challenges in the implementation of

NBSAP.

22. Communication and Outreach Strategy

Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, faced with the challenge of meeting the basic socioeconomic

needs of its people and building basic physical infrastructure for coping with the needs of a growing

population.Considering the limitations of financial resources and pressing needs for investments in socio economic

sectors, the investments in biodiversity are likely to remain a low priority. However, in order to minimize the

unintended negative consequences of policy decisions on biodiversity, it is important that there must be a clear

understanding of the values of nature and presenting planners with evidence of these values and their beneficial role

will provide enabling conditions for mainstreaming. Suitable training modules will be developed and introduced in the

training programmesfor senior policy makers, planners and parliamentarians at theNSPP, the NIM, and the PIPS.

In addition to the above, mass and informal communication resources shall be mobilized for raising awareness to

mainstream biodiversity. This will include formation of a cadre of environmental journalists who act as „biodiversity

champions‟ for print media and provide articles to print media, produce audio messages for radio, and video clips for

TV. The informal communications will focus on organizing a focus group comprising of „opinion leaders‟ selected from

amongst the policy makers, planners and politicians, who will spread the message in informal settings such as in the

corridors of the workplace, or at social functions.

Pakistan – NBSAP

39

23. Plan for Resource Mobilization

Many actions of the NBSAP to achieve Aichi Biodiversity Targets will either neatly fit or will be accommodated in the

existing development budget of various biodiversity related sectors at the national, provincial and regional levels.

Simultaneously, additional sources of funding shall be explored through innovative mechanisms available in the

MoCC, and other on-going donor projects, for example, project for REDD+

Readiness, and the STAR allocation under

the GEF. In addition, bi-lateral and multilateral donor support shall be solicited to meet the short fall in the financial

resources for achieving the ABTs in an effective and timely manner.

24. National Coordination Mechanisms

The MoCC shall have the overall responsibility of coordinating the implementation of the NBSAP through its

Directorate of Biodiversity. The implementing partners will be the relevant ministries at the national level, the

provincial and regional governments and major international conservation organizations like IUCN, BRC, SLF and

WWF.Because of the diversity of sub-sectors at provincial and regional level, the Planning and Development or its

designated Department shall be a focal point for the CBD, coordinate among various stakeholders and act as a

liaison with the MoCC.For the purpose of coordination with the implementing partners a Steering Committee shall be

established as follows:

Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change Chair

Inspector General of Forests Deputy Chair

Secretary, MinistryFood Security Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, Punjab Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, Sindh Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, KPK Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, Balochistan Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, AJK Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, GB Member

Secretary, Planning and Development, FATA Member

Secretary, Planning Commission Member

Provincial Secretary, Wildlife, Forest, Environment, Agriculture Member

Chief Environment and Energy, UNDP Member

IUCN Pakistan Member

WWF Member

BRC Member

Director, Biodiversity, MoCC Secretary

The Steering Committee shall meet at least once every year and its functions shall include but not be limited to the

following:

Suggest ways and means to ensure that biodiversity considerations are integrated in the policy and planning

processes and poverty alleviation programmes.

Ensure that the financial needs implementation of NBSAP receive due consideration during the process of

allocation of funds;

Provide guidance to the stakeholders for effective implementation of the NBSAP;

Review the plans and progress of stakeholders for implementation of the BSAP;

Provide guidance and assistance in securing additional sources of funds from bilateral and multilateral

donors for implementation of the BSAP, and;

Deliberate on all emerging issues related to conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable

sharing of benefits and provide appropriate advice to the government for policy decisions.

25. Clearing-House Mechanism

The Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan and with the support of GEF and UNEP launched

the CHMwebsite on the occasion of International day of Forest on March 7th

, 2013. It contained useful information of

Pakistan – NBSAP

40

biodiversity in Pakistan, and measures implemented to conserve and make sustainable use of biodiversity. However,

the website remained active only for a short time because funding for its hosting expired; since then it is has been off

line. The opportunities for finding a suitable host for the CHM are being explored and it is hoped it will be functional

and updated soon.

26.Monitoring and Evaluation

The progress on the implementation of the NBSAP shall be monitored on an annual basis through a flexible

framework of indicators keeping in view the national circumstances and priorities. A framework based on an indicative

list of indicators contained in the annex to the CBD decision XI/3 is given in annex1. The monitoring will not only

measure progress towards the achievement of NBSAPs and national targets, but also help in identification of

implementation issues, and in adaptive management for its effective implementation. An independent mid-term

evaluation shall be commissioned, subject to availability of funds, to review the implementation of NBSAP and make

recommendations for achieving national targets in an effective and timely manner. Final evaluation of NBSAP will be

combined with the preparation of the6th National report. The monitoring and evaluation reports will be presented to

the National Steering Committee and Provincial Coordination Committees for their help in overcoming the obstacles

in successful achievement of the targets. It will also form a basis for national and international reporting obligations as

well as guide the national planning process. The monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be established within the

first year of the adoption of the NBSAP.

Pakistan – NBSAP

41

IV. REFERENCES

Aftab,Z., Ali, L., Khan, A., Robinson, A., Irshad, I. 2000. Industrial Policy and the Environment in Pakistan. United Nations

Industrial Development Organization, Islamabad. 138 pp.

Ahmed, J. 2012. Ecological and Financial Gap Analysis of The Protected Areas - A Step towards Establishing a National

System of Protected Areas. Report prepared for Government of Pakistan, IUCN – The World Conservation Union,

Pakistan. (Unpublished)

Ahmed, J., andAhmad, S. 2000. Vegetation Zones of Pakistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Punjab, and

Sind.IUCN, Pakistan. (un-published).

Ahmad, S. 2008a. Keynote Address, paper presented to national conference on ‟Water shortage and future

agriculture in Pakistan - Challenges and opportunities‟. Proceedings of the National Conference organized by the

Agriculture Foundation of Pakistan.August 26-27, 2008, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ahmad. S. 2008b.Scenarios of Surface and Groundwater Availability in the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) and

Planning for Future Agriculture. Paper contributed to the Report of the Sub-Committee on Water and Climate Change

Taskforce on food security 2009, Planning Commission of Pakistan.

Ali, S. I. 2008. 2008. Significance of Flora with Special Reference To Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot., 40(3): 967-971,

Amjad, S. 1996. Coastal Zones and Marine Fisheries.Background Paper for Biodiversity Action Plan.International

Union for Conservation of Nature – IUCN, Islamabad, Pakistan.29 pp.

Bechtel, J. D. 2010. Gender, Poverty and the Conservation of Biodiversity A Review of Issues and Opportunities

MacArthur Foundation Conservation White Paper Series.52 pp.

Gilani, S. A., S. K. Sherwani, R. A. Qureshi, A. M. Khan, and S. Sahreen.2013. Medicinal Plant Diversity and

theirIndigenous use in Pakistan – Review Article.International Journal of Advanced Research, Vol. 1, Issue 5, 603-

608.

GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammena. 2003. Sectoral Study of Capacities of Frameworks, Key Stakeholders and

Institutions for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Biodiversity and Agro-biodiversity in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Prepared by dev consultfor GiZ -Deutsche GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammena,

Islamabad, Pakistan

Government of Pakistan, 2002. Pakistan Water Sector Strategy - National water sector profile, volume 5, October

2002, Office of the Chief Engineering Advisor, Ministry of Water and Power, Government of Pakistan,

Islamabad.http://waterinfo.net.pk/cms/pdf/vol5.pdf

Government of Pakistan, 2005. Forests & Biodiversity Information/Data Report. Ministry of Environment, Government

of Pakistan, Islamabad.60 pp + 5 appendices.

Government of Pakistan, 2009. Land use Atlas of Pakistan. National Land use Project, Ministry of Environment,

Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Government of Pakistan, 2011. Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan 2010-2011. Statistical Bureau of Pakistan,

Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. 272 pp.

Government of Pakistan, 2012.National Sustainable Development Strategy – Pakistan‟s Pathway to a Sustainable &

Resilient Future.Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. 66 pp.

Government of Pakistan, and IUCN. 1992. The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy. Pakistan: Government of

Pakistan, Urban Affairs Division and IUCN Pakistan.

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Grigoriev, P., and Ahmed, J. 2000.Protected Areas System Review of Pakistan. Prepared under Pakistan

Environment Project, IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Pakistan, (Unpublished)

Hasnain, T. 1999. Pesticide Use and Its Impact on Crop Ecologies: Issues and Options. SDPI Working Paper Series,

Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad.

Inter Cooperation. 2010. Study on Harvesting Ban in NWFP. Pak. Swiss Integrated Resource Management Project,

Peshawar, Pakistan. 235pp.

Irshad, M., & Stephen, E. 2014. Review: Pollination, Pollinated and Pollinators Interaction in Pakistan. J. Bioresource

Manage. 1(1) 19-25.

Khan, M. A., Munir, A., and Hassnain, S. H. 2012.Review of Available Knowledge on Land Degradation in

Pakistan.ICARDA.22 pp.

Kugelman, M. and Robert M. H. (eds). 2009. Running on Empty - Pakistan‟s Water Crisis. Woodrow Wilson

International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C. 181 pp.

Malik, K. A.2014. Biotechnology in Pakistan – Status and Prospects. Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad,

Pakistan.60 pages.

PFI. 2004. National Forest and Rangeland Resource Assessment Study.Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar. 143 pp.

Scott, D., Abdelhakim, D., Miranda, M., Höft, R. and Cooper, H.D. (2015). Potential positive and negative impacts of

components, organisms and products resulting from synthetic biology techniques on the conservation and

sustainable use of biodiversity, and associated social, economic and cultural considerations. Part I of: Synthetic

biology.Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.Montreal, Technical Series No. 82, 60 pages.

Shahzad, A; M. A. Khan, S. S.Shaukat, and W. Ahmed. 2009. Chemical Pollution Profile of Rehri Creek Area, Karachi (Sindh). J.Chem. Soc. Pak., Vol. 31, No. 4, 592-600 pp. World Bank 2005.Pakistan Country Water Resources Assistance Strategy Water Economy:Running Dry. The World

Bank, Washington, D. C.

World Bank 2006. Pakistan; Strategic Country Environmental Assessment Report: Vol. I Main report.The World

Bank.Report No. 36946-PK. 66 pp.

Peter, B. (ed). 1994. Pakistan: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress.

Siddiqui, R., G. Samad, M. Nasir, and Hanzla H. Jalil (2012) The Impact of Climate Change on Major Agricultural

Crops: Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan. The Pakistan Development Review 51:4

UNIDO. 2000. Industrial Policy and the Environment in Pakistan. United Nations Industrial Development Organization

(UNIDO), Vienna, Austria.

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Annex1:Matrix showing NBSAP targets and Indicators for Monitoring.

Thematic Area

Actions Target date & Cost $

Target Responsible Agency Indicators for Monitoring

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society

Target 1: By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably

Aw

are

ne

ss

1.1. Awareness days will be organized to commemorate following major environmental themes of national and international importance: biodiversity, desertification and drought, forests, tourism, wetlands, wildlife, etc.

2016 – 2020

$3.5 Six awareness days

MoCC in collaboration with provinces

Trends in awareness and attitudes.

Trends in public engagement with biodiversity

Aw

are

ne

ss 1.2. A focus group comprising of

„opinion leaders‟ representing print, audio-visual, and social media will be constituted to mobilize the media for raising awareness.

2017 0.5 Quarterly meetings

MoCC Trends in communication programmes and actions

Aw

are

ne

ss 1.3. A cadre of environmental

journalists will be created to act as „biodiversity champions‟ for commercial media and make contributions to print media, produce audio messages for radio, and video clips for TV.

2017 2.0

12 articles in print media

MoCC Trends in communication programmes and actions

12 radio messages

6 video clips for TV

Pakistan – NBSAP

44

Aw

are

ne

ss

1.4. Electronic media like a high quality website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram will be used to create awareness as well as to market our rich biodiversity as a heritage that could help attracts tourists and engage young people as stewards for biodiversity conservation.

2017 0.1 Regular contributions of news and views

MoCC Trends in use of social media for conservation of biodiversity

Aw

are

ns

s

1.5. A task forces comprising of Ministries of Climate Change, Education, Science and Technology, and Food Security, and Higher Education Commission will be constituted to take steps for inclusion of biodiversity module in curriculum of universities, colleges and schools.

2017 1.0 Quarterly meetings

MoCC Trends in inclusion of biodiversity modules in curriculum.

Target 2: By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems

Ma

ins

tre

am

ing

Bio

div

ers

ity

2.1. A support group comprising of „opinion leaders‟ from among the policy makers and planners will be constituted to guide the process for increasing the biodiversity knowledge of decision makers and act as a change agent through informal communications.

2017 $0.25 Two retreats per year for five years

MoCC

Trends in incorporating natural resource, biodiversity, and ecosystem service values into national policy and planning processes.

Ma

ins

tre

am

ing

Bio

div

ers

ity 2. 2. Low cost tools and methods

for valuation of biodiversity will be developed by 2016 that in addition to economic value recognize the social and cultural values.

2017 $0.1 Seven ecosystems

MoCC Trends in guidelines and applications of economic appraisal tools.

Pakistan – NBSAP

45

Ma

ins

tre

am

ing

Bio

div

ers

ity 2.3. Valuation studies will be

undertaken in major ecosystems to influence policy makers and planners for mainstreaming biodiversity in national planning and development processes.

2018 $0.5 At least six studies

All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in integration of biodiversity and ecosystem service values into sectoral and development policies.

Ma

ins

tre

am

ing

Bio

div

ers

ity

2.4. Biodiversity will be incorporated in national accounting and reporting systems.

2020 $0.12

Biodiversity incorporated in the national accounting and reporting systems.

MoCCand SBP

Trends in incorporating natural resource, biodiversity, and ecosystem service values into national accounting systems.

Ma

ins

tre

am

ing

Bio

div

ers

ity 2.5. A Biodiversity Round Table

will be constituted for integration of biodiversity considerations in national policies and plans.

2017 $0.05

Biodiversity integrated in national policies and planning process.

Planning Commission and Ministries of Climate Change, Food Security, Science and Technology, Culture and Tourism.

Trends in policies considering biodiversity and ecosystem services in environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment

Target 3: By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into account national socioeconomic conditions

Natu

ral

Ec

os

ys

tem

s

A study will be conducted to identify negative incentives and propose positive incentives that will reduce and ultimately halt the degradation and fragmentation of ecosystems.

2017 $0.25 Ten studies All provinces; AJK and Gb

Trends in identification, assessment and establishment and strengthening of incentives that reward positive contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem services and penalize adverse impacts.

Target 4: By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits

Pakistan – NBSAP

46

Su

sta

inab

le

Pro

du

cti

on

an

d

Co

ns

um

pti

on

4.1. A work plan for sustainable production and consumption of biodiversity will be prepared by 2016 and implemented within the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production.

2017 $0.125 Work Plan MoCC, ENERCON and EPA Trends in extent to which biodiversity and ecosystem service values are incorporated Ten-Year framework.

Urb

an

Bio

div

ers

ity

4.2. A demonstration project to develop and test a Biodiversity Index will be launched in major cities to assess and monitor urban biodiversity.

2017 $0.1

Islamabad, Peshawar Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad

Municipal Authorities Trends in biodiversity of cities

Tra

de

in

Sp

ec

ies

4.3. Rules under the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act will be made and policy guidelines issued for trade in species of flora and fauna to prevent extinction of the threatened species.

2017 $0.065 MoCC Trends in population and extinction risk of utilized species, including species in trade

Su

sta

inab

le P

rod

uc

tio

n

an

d C

on

su

mp

tio

n

4.4. The government institutions, academia, business sector and other non-state actors will act individually and severally to strictly adhere to precautionary principle for protecting biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.

2020 $0.125

Government agencies; Academia,; NGOs

All provinces, AJK and GB

Trends in coordination among stakeholders; Trends in information sharing

Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use

Target 5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.

Pakistan – NBSAP

47

Ma

ng

rove

Ec

os

ys

tem

s 5.1. Management plans for

mangrove forests will be prepared based on ecosystem approach and implemented.

2018 $0.25 Management Plans

All provinces; AJK, and GB

Trends in condition and vulnerability of ecosystems

Ma

ng

rove

Ec

os

ys

tem

s

5.2. A pilot project will be launched for restoration of at least 7,000 ha of degraded mangrove ecosystems jointly with the custodial communities on sustainable use principles and equitable sharing of benefits.

2017 $1.5 7,000 ha Balochistan and Sindh Trends in condition and vulnerability of mangroves.

Target 6: By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecological limits.

Inla

nd

Fis

he

ries 6.1. An effective coordination

mechanism will be established for integrated management of water, fish, and wildlife resources of wetlands.

2017 $0.15

Coordination Committees comprising of all stakeholders


Trends in coordination and cooperation among various agencies

Inla

nd

Fis

he

ries 6. 2. Biodiversity considerations

will be incorporated in fisheries policies, laws and regulations to ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits.

2017 $0.1

Updated fisheries policies, laws and regulations


Trends in up-take of biodiversity considerations in policies, laws, and regulations;

Pakistan – NBSAP

48

Inla

nd

Fis

he

ries 6.3. A baseline survey will be

undertaken to assess the biodiversity of key inland wetlands and establish a system to monitor at regular intervals .the status of species most in decline.

2017 $0.5 All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in extinction risk of target and bycatch aquatic species

Inla

nd

Fis

he

ries 6.4 A procedure for sustainable

harvest of fish stock will be developed and implemented to minimize impact on threatened species and vulnerable habitats.

2017 0.06 Standard operating procedure


Trends in proportion of utilized stocks outside safe biological limits

Inla

nd

Fis

he

ries

6.5. Important wetland habitats of national biodiversity significance together with surrounding landscapes will be co-managed with custodial communities through their empowerment and building capacity for conservation and sustainable use.

2017 $1.5 Six wetland sites


Trends in capacity and empowerment of fishing communities.

Ma

rin

e

Fis

he

ries

6.6. Laws, regulations, and policies shall be updated or drafted by 2016 incorporating biodiversity concerns and effective management of marine biodiversity on sound ecological principles and to prevent threat of extinction of utilized species.

2017 $0.02 Updated policies, laws and regulations

Balochistan and Sindh Trends in up-take of biodiversity considerations in policies, laws, and regulations.

Ma

rin

e

Fis

he

ries

6. 7. Pilot projects will be launched to develop and test approaches for organizing, empowering, and building capacity of coastal communities to sustainably harvest all fish and invertebrate stocks.

2017 $0.6 At least 6 pilot test sites

Balochistan and Sindh Trends in capacity and empowerment of fishing communities.

Pakistan – NBSAP

49

Co

as

tal a

nd

Ma

rin

eF

ish

er

ies

6.8. The number of operating fleets will be capped to prevent over exploitation of marine fish and invertebrate resources.

2020 $0.0 7,000 fleets Balochistan 3,000 fleets; Sindh 4,000 fleets

Trends in fishing effort capacity.

Co

as

tala

nd

Ma

rin

eF

ish

eri

es

6.9. The fishing boats will be modified to improve the outdated fishing methods.

2020 1.0 At least 2000 boats

Balochistan 1,000 boats; Sindh 1,000 boats

Trends in proportion of depleted target and bycatch species with recovery plans.

Ma

rin

e

Fis

he

ries

6.10. An assessment of stocks and limits of sustainable harvest levels of major species will be determined and strictly enforced.

2017 0.05 Two sites Balochistan and Sindh Trends in proportion of utilized stocks outside safe biological limits.

Target 7: By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity

Fo

res

try

7.1. Suitable ecosystem approaches will be developed by 2016 and piloted in different forest ecosystems; and training workshops held for managers for their application.

2017 $0.3 At least six pilot sites


Trends in forests under ecosystem management.

Fo

res

try

7. 2. Collaborative or joint forest management approaches will be piloted in different forest ecosystems to reduce the anthropogenic impacts by improving livelihoods of local people based on sustainable use of components of biodiversity.

2017 $1.0 At least 6 pilot sites


Trends in anthropogenic impacts on forest ecosystems;

Trends in forest based livelihoods;

Trends in proportion of products derived from sustainable sources

Pakistan – NBSAP

50

Fo

res

try

7.3. Forest and forest related policies, laws and regulations will be drafted by 2018 to provide a sound basis for conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity.

2017 $0.1 Policies and laws


Trends in uptake of biodiversity considerations in forest and forest related policies, laws, and regulations.

Fo

res

try

7.4. The Code for the preparation of management plans will be revised by 2018 to incorporate the ecosystem approaches for sustainable management of forests and biodiversity.

2018 $0.3 Revised working plan code


Trends in use of revised code for preparation of working Plan.

Ag

ro

bio

div

ers

ity

7.5. Models of sustainable production of major crops with minimum external inputs and wise use of water shall be developed, tested, and demonstrated on farms by 2020.

2018 $0.5 Cotton, sugarcane, rice, and wheat.


Trends in area of aquaculture ecosystems under sustainable management.

Ag

ric

ult

ure

7.6. Sustainable agriculture and biodiversification of agro ecosystems will be integrated in the extension programmes of agriculture.

2018 0.3 Brochures on sustainable agriculture


Trends in uptake of sustainable agriculture in agriculture extension.

Ag

ric

ult

ure

7. 7. Pilot on-farm models of bio diverseagro ecosystems will be established in major agro-ecological zones.

2020 $0.5

At least 15 biodiverse farms in operation

All provinces (12 sites); AJK and GB (3 sites)

Trends in number of farms practicing biodiverse agriculture.

Pakistan – NBSAP

51

Target 8: By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity S

us

tain

ab

le

Dev

elo

pm

en

t 8.1. A five-year work plan will be prepared and implemented to bring water pollution of the ecologically significant wetland ecosystems within safe.

2020 $1.5 Reduction in water pollution to safe limits

Capital territory; All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in proportion of wastewater discharged after treatment.

Su

sta

inab

le

de

ve

lop

me

nt

8.2. Independent third party reviews of strategic environmental impact assessment studies will be mandatory for all public and private sector economic development projects.

2016-2020

0.0 All EIAs Federal EPA; All provincial EPAs; EPAs of AJK and GB

Trends in appraisal of EIA reports.

Su

sta

inab

le

de

ve

lop

me

nt

8.3. Dialogue will be initiated with businesses and government agencies to develop plans for controlling pollution and provide incentives for implementing the plans.

2017 $1.5

Business groups; NGOs

All provinces Trends in pollution deposition rate.

Target 9: By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment

Fis

he

ries 9. 1. The spread of alien species

will be controlled through appropriate measures to prevent escape into natural habitats from hatcheries and aquaculture.

2017 0.2 Prevention All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in number of invasive alien species .

Pakistan – NBSAP

52

Fis

he

ries 9.2. The impact of alien species in

wetlands of biodiversity significance will be assessed and measures taken to control and ultimately eradicate invasive alien species.

2020 0.2 Control All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in the impact of invasive alien species on extinction risk trends.

Ag

ric

ult

ure

9.3. Appropriate legislative and regulatory measures will be drafted to prevention early detection, rapid response and control of invasive species.

2018 0.1 Law and readiness


Trends in policy responses, legislation and management plans to control and prevent spread of invasive alien species.

Target 10:By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning

Clim

ate

Ch

an

ge

Climate Change Adaptation Plans will be prepared by 2018 for the coastal areas and capacity of coastal communities developed to cope with the impacts of climate change.

2018 0.1 Planning and readiness

Balochistan and Sindh Trends in pressures, pollution, climate change, and over exploitation.

Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity

Target 11.By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.

Pakistan – NBSAP

53

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.1. The lists of protected areas will be refined to include only those sites that meet the internationally recognized definition.

2017 $0.1

Redefined provincial and National Lists of PAs

MoCC; All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in representative coverage of protected areas of terrestrial, marine and inland water systems.

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.2. Management plans will be prepared and implemented for effective and equitable management of protected area (Annex 3) integrated into the wider landscapes

2017 – 2020

2.0

Management plans prepared and Implemented


Trends in effective and equitable management of the PAs

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.3. The protected areas network will be expanded to cover at least 17% of terrestrial area to fill in the gaps in the protected area system (Annex 4) and to establish corridors between fragmented habitats of threatened species.

2020 $2.0 New PAs All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in ecosystem and habitats condition and management effectiveness

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.4. Mechanisms will be developed and put in place to ensure the financial sustainability of the protected areas.

2018 $1.0 Private-Public partnerships


Trends in representative coverage of protected areas of terrestrial ecosystems and habitats.

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11. 5. Representative forest landscapes of special importance for biodiversity will be designated as Forest Biodiversity Reserves and effectively managed.

2017 $0.30

At least 15 Forest Biodiversity Reserves


Trends in protected area condition and/or management effectiveness including more equitable management.

Pakistan – NBSAP

54

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.6. Wetlands protected areas will be established covering at least 15% area of wetlands of biodiversity significance and effectively managed together with the surrounding landscapes.

2019 $0.15

At least 12 wetland area added to the Protected Areas network

All provinces (12); AJK and GB (3)

Trends in representative coverage of protected areas of forest ecosystems.

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.7.RAMSAR sites (Annex 5) and surrounding landscapes will be effectively managed under plans through local community organizations.

2017 $0.45 At least 15 sites managed

All provinces Trends in increase in pollinators and avifauna diversity.

Pro

tec

ted

Are

as

11.8. Protected areas covering at least 10% of the marine area of biodiversity significance will be established and managed effectively as seascapes for conservation and sustainable use.

2017 $0.5 3 Marine PAs All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in representative coverage of protected areas of inland water systems

Target 12:By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained

Sp

ec

ies

Co

ns

erv

ati

on

(Fa

un

a)

12.1 Recovery plans will be prepared and implementation to improve the conservation status of major threatened species of fauna (annex 2) in different ecosystems.

2018 $1.2 Species of fauna in Annex 2


Trends in population of selected species.

Sp

ec

ies

Co

ns

erv

ati

on

(Flo

ra)

12. 2. Recovery plans will be prepared and implementation to improve the conservation status of major threatened species of flora (annex 2) in different ecosystems.

2018 $0.5 Species of flora in Annex 2


Trends in population of selected species.

Pakistan – NBSAP

55

Sp

ec

ies

Co

ns

erv

ati

on

(Fre

sh

Wa

ter)

12.3. Plans will be prepared and implemented for recovery of depleted freshwater fish species (annex 2)

2017 $0.6 Species of fresh water fish in Annex 2


Trends in extinction risk of target and bycatch aquatic species.

Sp

ec

ies

Co

ns

erv

ati

on

(Ma

rin

e)

12.4. The population of known threatened marine species particularly of those in most decline state (annex 2) shall be monitored regularly and remedial measures taken to improve and sustain their population.

2016 – 2020

$0.5 Species of marine fauna in Annex 2

Balochistan and Sindh Trends in trade of species.

Target 13: By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.

•Trends in genetic diversity of cultivated plants, and farmed and domesticated animals and their wild relatives • Trends in genetic diversity of selected species • Trends in number of effective policy mechanisms implemented to reduce genetic erosion and safeguard genetic diversity related to plant and animal genetic resources

Ag

ro

bio

div

ers

ity

13.1. The considerations of sustainable agriculture, bio diversification of agro ecosystems, conservation of pollinators and soil biodiversity, wise use of transgenic organisms, and climate change will be incorporated in agriculture policies and plans

2017 $0.15 Revision of policies and plans

Ministry of Food Security; All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in number of effective policy mechanisms implemented to reduce genetic erosion and safeguard genetic diversity related to plant and animal genetic resources.

Ag

ro

bio

div

ers

ity 13. 2. The gaps in the in-situ and

ex-situ conservation of the agro biodiversity will be assessed and measures taken to fill the gaps.

2017 $0.75

At least 6 field stations and 6 farms established for in situ conservation.

Pakistan Agriculture Research Council; All provinces; AJK and GB.

Trends in genetic diversity of cultivated plants, and farmed and domesticated animals and their wild.

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56

Ag

ro

bio

div

ers

ity

13.3. Important local varieties, land races and breeds will be improved by 2020 through selection for resistance to disease, drought tolerance, and for increased production.

2020 $0.4

Local varieties of cotton, rice, sugarcane, and wheat.

PARC Trends in genetic diversity of selected species

Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services

Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable.

Ec

os

ys

tem

s

Se

rvic

es Landscapes that provide essential

services related to water for major dams, and contribute to health; livelihoods and well-being of local communities will be restored and safeguarded

2020 6.0 At least six ecosystems

AJK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan.

Trends in benefits that humans derive from selected ecosystem services

Target 15:By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification

Des

ert

ific

ati

on

15.1. At least 20% of the degraded ecosystems of ecological significance will be restored to combat desertification and to demonstrate economic, social and cultural benefits.

2017 $2.5

At least four pastoral management projects

Balochistan Trends in area of degraded ecosystems restored or being restored

Clim

ate

Ch

an

ge

15. 2. At least 25 percent of all degraded forest ecosystems will be restored to improve their resilience and contribution to carbon stocks.

2020 $3.0 At least 60,000 ha restored


Status and trends in extent and condition of habitats that provide carbon storage.

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57

Target 16. By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in force and operational, consistent with national legislation

Bio

div

ers

ity

16.1. The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization will be ratified by 2016.

2016 0.10 MoCC

Trends in legislative, administrative or policy measures and institutional structures in place for implementing the Nagoya Protocol.

16.2. The draft ABS Act of Pakistan will be revised after thorough consultation with provinces and regions by 2017.

2017 0.5 MoCC

Trends in legislative, administrative or policy measures and institutional structures in place for implementing the Nagoya Protocol.

Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building

Target 17: By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action plan.

• Trends in implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, including development, comprehensiveness, adoption and implementation

Po

lic

y

Fra

me

wo

rk 17.1. The revised BSAP will be

approved as a policy document and implementation and monitoring mechanisms in place.

2017 $0.10 Approval, printing an dissemination


Trends in implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

Ins

titu

tio

na

l

Fra

me

wo

rk

17. 2. A national biodiversity conservation policy will be drafted and approved.

2017 $.10 Biodiversity Policy Ministry of Climate Change

Trends in implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

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58

Po

lic

y

Fra

me

wo

rk 17.3. Institutional effectiveness

and efficiency will be enhanced to ensure effective management and monitoring of the biodiversity resources.

2017 $3.0 Implementation of NBSAP


Trends in integration of biodiversity policy in sectoral planning processes.

Bio

sa

fety

17.4. An efficient regulatory, administrative and monitoring framework will be established for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol.

2020 $0.15 Capacity for regulation of biosafety

MoCC Trends in implementation of Cartagena protocol

Bio

sa

fety

17.5 A tenyear national biosafety frameworks will be established for the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the Protocol, including mechanisms to make science-based risk assessments and ensuring transparency in the development and use of LMOs

2020 $0.10 Ten year National Biosafety framework

Ministries of Climate Change,Science and Technology, and Education

Trends in implementation of the 10-year framework.

Target 18: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.

Ag

ro

Bio

div

ers

ity

The diversity of local varieties and land races of crops, fruits, and breeds of livestock and poultry and local knowledge of their management will be documented by 2017 and incentive measures tested for on-farm conservation.

2018 1.0 Documentation of Agro-biodiversity

PARC; All provinces; AJK and GB

Trends in farming with traditional knowledge and use of local varieties and breeds.

Target 19:By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied

Pakistan – NBSAP

59

Kn

ow

led

ge

19.1. A GIS will be established for assessing health (deforestation) and condition (degradation) of forests, ecosystems and habitats and maps prepare compatible with remote sensing technologies to identify conservation priorities and opportunities.

2017 $1.0 GIS System; Mapping


Mapping and assessment of ecosystems report Number of habitat and species inventories

Kn

ow

led

ge

19.2. A forest and ecosystem classification system using agreed international standards including broad indicators of biodiversity will be developed.

2017 $0.25

Classification of forests, ecosystems and habitats classification


Forest, ecosystem and habitat classification and mapping report Number of forests, habitat and species inventories.

Kn

ow

led

ge

19.3. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation

2020 $025 Knowledge sharing

Ministries of Climate Change, Science and Technology, and Education

Trends in interaction between scientists and conservationists.

Kn

ow

led

ge

19. 4.The capacity of National School of Public Policy (NSPP), National Institute of Management (NIM), National Defense College, and Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies (PIPS) will be built to incorporate biodiversity consideration in training courses for decision makers of mid-career and senior managerial level.

2017 0.05

Biodiversity lessons incorporated in training courses of 3 institutes

Ministry of Climate Change Trends in incorporating natural resource, biodiversity, and ecosystem service values into training courses.

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60

Target 20: By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in accordance with the consolidated and agreed process in the Strategy for Resource Mobilization should increase substantially from the current levels. This target will be subject to changes contingent to resource needs assessments to be developed and reported by Parties

Fin

an

cia

l

me

ch

an

ism

20.1. The targets for creating biodiversity awareness will be integrated in the annual and medium term development plans.

2020 $0.0 Annual Plans Planning Commission, All Provinces, AJK, GB

Fin

an

cia

l

Me

ch

an

ism

20. 2. Additional financial resources if needed for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized to meet.

2017 $0.25 Project Portfolio Office of Inspector General of Forests, All relevant sectors in the provinces, AJK, GB.

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Annex 2:Mammalian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

1. Snow Leopard Pantheraauncia AJK, KP, GB

2. Common Leopard Pantherapardus AJK, KP, Balochistan, Punjab

3. Brown Bear Ursusarctosisabellinus AJK, KP, GB

4. Himalayan Black Bear Ursusthibetanusthibetanus AJK, KP,

5. Balochistan Black Bear Ursusthibetenusgedrosianus Balochistan

6. Grey langur Semnopithecus ajax AJK

7. Striped Hyaena Hyaenahyaena Balochistan

8. Himalayan Lynx Felis lynx GB

9. Tibetan Wolf Canis lupus Chanco Balochistan, GB, AJK, KP

10. Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes AJK, Baluchistan, Punjab, KP

11. Indian Wild Ass Equushemionuskhur Sindh, Punjab

12. Wild ass / Kiang Equushemionus kiang GB

13. Red / Desert Lynx Caracal caracal Balochistan

14. Sand Cat Felis margarita Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab

15. Blanford‟s Fox or King Fox Vulpescana Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KP

16. Indian Wild Dog or Dhole Cuonalpinus GB, AJK

17. Wooly Flying Squirrel Eupetauruscinereus AJK, GB

18. Kasmir Flying Squirrel Eoglaucomysfimbriatus AJK, GB

19. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petauristapetaurista KP, AJK, Punjab

20. Eurassian Otter Lutralutra AJK, KP< GB

21. Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogaleperspicillata Punjab, Sindh

22. Indus Dolphin Platanistagangetica minor Punjab, Sindh

23. Fishing Cat Prionailurusviverrinus KP, Sindh

24. Pallas‟ Cat or Steppe Cat Otocolobusmanul KP, GB, Balochistan

25. Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Punjab, Sindh

26. Asiatic Pygmy / Tibetan Shrew Sorexthibetanus AJK, GB

27. Gilgit Tube-nosed Bat Murinatubinaris GB, KP, AJK

28. Long-fingered Bat (extra-limital) Myotislongipes AJK, KP

29. Leisler‟s Noctule or Hairy-armed Bat Nyctalusleisleri KP, Punjab, AJK

30. Mountain Noctule Nyctalusmontanus KP, AJK

31. Blasius‟ or Peters‟ Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophusblasii AJK, Punjab, KP

32. Blyth‟s Horseshoe Bat RhinolophusLepidus AJK, Punjab, KP

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62

33. Big-eared Horseshoe bat Rhinolophusmacrotis AJK, Punjab, KP

34. Least Mouse-tailed Bat Rhinopomamuscatellum Balochistan

35. Yellow Desert Bat Scotoecus pallidus Punjab, Sindh, AJK

36. Rhesus Macque Macacamulattamulatta Punjab, KP, AJK, Balochistan, GB, Sindh

37. Ratel or Honey Badger Mellivoracapensis Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan

38. Cape Hare Lepus capensis KP, GB, AJK, Balochistan, Punajb

39. Himalayan Wood Mouse or Field Mouse

Apodemusrusiges(syn: sylvaticus)

GB, KP, AJK, Balochistan

40. Quetta or Afghan Mole Vole Ellobiusfuscocapillus KP, Balochistan

41. Cheesman‟s Gerbil Gerbilluscheesmani Balochistan

42. Indian Hairy-footed Gerbil Gerbillusgleadowi Sindh, Punjab

43. Balochistan Gerbil Gerbillusnanus Balochistan

44. Himalayan Marmot Marmota himalayana GB (Deosai)

45. Great Gerbil or Giant Day Jird Rhombomysopimus Balochistan

Game Animals

46. Afghan Urial Ovisvigneicycloceros Balochistan

47. Straight horned Markhor Capra falconerimegaceros Balochistan

48. SulemainMarkhor Capra falconerifalconeri Balochistan, KP

49. ChiltanMarkhor / Chiltan Goat Capra aegagruschialtanensis Balochistan

50. Marco Polo‟s Sheep Ovisammonpolii GB

51. LadakhUrial Ovisvigneivignei GB

52. Blue sheep Pseudoisnayaur GB

53. Sindh Ibex Capra aegagrus Balochistan

54. GoiteredGazelle Gazellasubgutturosa Balochistan

55. Chinkara Gazellabennettii Balochistan, KP, Punjab, Sindh

56. Blackbuck Antilopecervicapra Punjab, Sindh

57. Blue Bull / Nilgai Boselaphustragocamelus AJK, Punjab

58. Punjab Urial Ovisvigneipunjabiensis Punjab

59. Hog deer Axis porcinus Punjab, Sindh

60. Flare-horned Markhor Capra falconeri AJK, KP

61. Himalayan Musk Deer Moschuschrysogastor AJK, KP, Gb

62. Barking deer / Muntjak Muntiacusmuntjac AJK, Punjab

63. Himalayan Goral Nemoredus goral AJK, KP

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63

Annex 3:Bird species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.


1. Chir Pheasant Catreuswallichii AJK

2. Western Tragopan Pheasant Tragopanmelanocephalus AJK, KP

3. Snow Partridge Lerwalerwa GB

4. Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus AJK

5. Great Indian Bustard Ardeotisnigriceps Punjab

6. Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulate macqueenii Balochistan Punjab, Sindh, KP

7.

8. Demoiselle Crane Anthropoidesvirgo Balochistan

9. Common Crane

Grus grus Balochistan

10. Sarus Crane Sindh

11. White-headed Duck Oxyuraleucocephala Punjab, Sindh

12. Kalij pheasant Lophuraleucomelana Punjab

13. White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis Punjab, Sindh

14. Longbilled Vulture Gyps indicus Sindh

15. Indian Black Vulture Sarcogypscalvus Sindh, Punjab

16. Egyptian Vulture Neophronpercnopterus Sindh, Punjab

17. Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris. Sindh, Punjab

18. Himalayan snowcock, Tetraogallushimalayensis GB, AJK

19. Chukar Alectorischukar Balochistan, KP, Punjab

20. See-see Partridge Ammoperdixgriseogularis Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan

21. Black Francolin Francolinusfrancolinus Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan

22. Grey Francolin Francolinuspondicerianus Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan

23. Common Quail Coturnixcoturnix Native

24. Rain Quail Coturnixcoromandelica Native

25. Jungle Bush-quail Perdiculaasiatica Native

26. KoklassPheasant Pucrasiamacrolopha GB, KP,AJK

27. Himalayan Monal Lophophorusimpejanus GB, KP,AJK

28. Indian Peafowl Pavocristatus AJK, Punjab, Sindh

29. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliacal Native (Non-breeding)

30. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetusalbicilla Native (Non-breeding)

31. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Native resident

32. Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides Native

33. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Native resident

34. Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus Winter visitor

35. Siberian Crane Leucogeranusleucogeranus Possibly extinct

36. Cinereous Vulture Aegypiusmonachus Native

37. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Native non-breeding

38. Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastate Native resident

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64

39. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Native non-breeding

40. Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus Native resident

41. Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetusleucoryphus Native resident

42. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Native non-breeding

43. Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Native non-breeding

44. Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Native breeding

45. Little Bustard Tetraxtetrax Native non-breeding

46. Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Native

47. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittaculaeupatria Native resident

48. Green Avadavat Amandava Formosa Extinct Possibly

49. Falcated Duck Anas falcate Native non-breeding

50. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Native resident

51. Lesser White-fronted Goose Ansererythropus Native

52. Baer's Pochard Aythyabaeri Possibly extinct

53. Ferruginous Duck Aythyanyroca Native

54. Long-billed Bush Warbler Bradypterus major Native resident

55. Jouanin's Petrel Bulweriafallax Native resident

56. Great Knot Calidristenuirostris Native non-breeding

57. Bristled Grass Warbler Chaetornisstriata Native breeding

58. Pale-backed Pigeon Columba eversmanni Native non-breeding

59. European Roller Coracias garrulous Native breeding

60. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberizaaureola Native non-breeding

61. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchusasiaticus Native resident

62. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Native resident

63. Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedulasubrubra Native breeding

64. Wood Snipe Gallinagonemoricola Possibly extinct

65. Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus Native resident

66. Greater Adjutant Leptoptilosdubius Extinct

67. Black-tailed Godwit Limosalimosa Native non-breeding

68. Marbled Teal Marmaronettaangustirostris Native resident

69. Velvet Scoter Melanittafusca Native

70. Painted Stork Mycterialeucocephala Native non-breeding

71. Eurasian Curlew Numeniusarquata Native non-breeding

72. Tytler‟s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopustytleri Native breeding

73. Long-tailed Prinia Priniaburnesii Native resident

74. Grey-capped Prinia Priniacinereocapilla Native

75. Indian Skimmer Rynchopsalbicollis Native breeding

76. Stoliczka‟sWhin-chat Saxicolamacrorhynchus Possible Extinct

77. Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda Native resident

78. River Tern Sterna aurantia Native resident

79. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornismelanocephalus Native resident

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Annex 4:Reptile and amphibian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.

The conservation status of the majority of the reptilian and amphibian fauna of the country has not been evaluated in

particular with regard to25 endemic reptile and three amphibian species.


1. Indian Python Python molurus AJK, Punjab

2. Marsh Crocodile Crocodyluspalustrispalustris Balochistan, Sindh

3. Gavial / Gharial Gavialisgangeticus Punjab, Sindh

4. Narrow-headed Softshell Chitraindica Punjab, Sindh, KP,

5. Spotted Mud Turtle Geoclemyshamiltonii Punjab, Sindh

6. Crowned River Turtle Hardellathurjii Punjab, Sindh

7. Afghan Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii KP, Balochistan

8. Sindh Star Tortoise Geocheloneelegans Sindh

9. Brown River turtle Kachugasmithii Punjab, Sindh

10. Sawback Turtle Kachuga tecta tecta Punjab, Sindh

11. Indian Softshell Aspideretesgangeticus Punjab, Sindh, KP

12. Peacock Softshell Aspidereteshurum Punjab, Sindh, KP

13. Indian Flapshell Lissemyspunctataandersoni Punjab, Sindh, KP

14. Tibetan Frog Nanoranapleskei

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Annex5:Fish species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.


1. Golden Mahasheer Tor putitora AJK, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

2. Snow Carp Group of species AJK, KP, Gb

3. Kashmir Catfish Glyptothoraxkashmirensis AJK

4. Butter Catfish Ompokbimaculatus

KP, Punjab, Sindh

5. PabdahCatfish Ompokpabda

AJK, KP, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh

6. Freshwater Shark Wallago attu

AJK, Balochistan, KP, Sindh, Punjab

7. Gangetic Ailia Ailiacoila Punjab, Sindh

8. Humped Featherback

Chitalachitala Punjab, Sindh

9. Gangetic Goonch Bagariusbagarius Punjab, Sindh

10. Himalayan SnowTrout Schizothoraxplagiostomus AJK, GB, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

11. Common Carp Cyprinuscarpio AJK, GB, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

12. Zebrafish Danio rerio KP, Punjab, Sindh

13. BengalaBarb Megarasboraelonga KP, Punjab, Sindh

14. LadakhSnowtrout Schizopygopsisstoliczkai GB, KP

15. StoliczkaTriplophysaloach Triplophysastoliczkai GB (Deosai plateau)

16. Whiptail Catfish Sisorrabdophorus Punjab, Sindh

17. Gangetic Leaf fish Nandusnandus Punjab, Sindh

18. Chameleon Fish Badisbadis Punjab, Sindh

19. Gangetic Mud Eel Monopteruscuchia Punjab, Sindh

20. One-stripe SpinyEel Macrognathusaral Punjab, Sindh

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Annex 6:Marine species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.


1. Green Sea Turtle Cheloniamydas japonica Balochistan, Sindh

2. Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricate bissa Balochistan, Sindh

3. Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelysolivaceaolivacea Balochistan, Sindh

4. Loggerhead Turtle Carettacarettagigas Balochistan, Sindh

5. Leatherback Dermochelyscoriascea Balochistan, Sindh

6. Yellowfin Tuna Thunnusalbacares Balochistan, Sindh

7. Corals All species Balochistan, Sindh

8. Knife tooth Sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidate Balochistan, Sindh

9. NarrowsnoutSawfish Pristiszijsron Balochistan, Sindh

10. PondicheryShark Carcharhinushemiodon Balochistan, Sindh

11. Ganges Shark Glyphisgangeticus Balochistan, Sindh

12. Scalloped hammerheadShark Sphyrna lewini Balochistan, Sindh

13. Squat-headed Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna mokarran Balochistan, Sindh

14. BroadfinShark Lamiopsistemminckii Balochistan, Sindh

15. Longheaded Eagle Ray Aetobatus flagellum Balochistan, Sindh

16. Great Blue Whale

Balaenopteramusculus Balochistan, Sindh

17. Little Indian Porpoise or Black Finless Porpoise

Neophocaenaphocaenoides Balochistan, Sindh

18. Indian Humpback Dolphin Sousa chinensis Balochistan, Sindh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristis_zijsron

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Annex 7: Plant species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.


1. Indian Maple Acer caesium AJK, KP,

2. Nepalese Alder Alnusnepalensis AJK, KP

3. Alder, Sharol Alnusnitida AJK, KP

4. Himalayan Yew Taxuswallichiana AJK, KP, GB,

5. Juniper Juniperusexcelsia Balochistan

6. Chilghoza Pinusgerardiana Balochistan, GB

7. Indian snakeroot Rauvolfia serpentine AJK, KP

8. Costus,Kuth Saussureacostus AJK, KP, GB

9. Kutki Picrorhizakurroa AJK, KP, GB

10. Nag Chhatri Trillium govanianum AJK, Gb

11. Marsh orchid or Spotted Orchid Dactylorhizagraggeriana AJK, GB

12. Marsh orchid or Spotted Orchid Dactylorhizahatagirea AJK, GB

13. Aconite, Atees Aconitum heterophyllum AJK, KP, GB

14. Primrose Primula sp AJK, KP, GB

15. Himalayan Mayapple Podophyllumhexandrum AJK, KP, GB

16. Gugul Commiphorawightii Sindh

17. Mazri Nannorrhopsritchiana Balochistan, KP, Punjab

18. Bakau Rhizophoramucronata Sindh

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Annex8: List of PAs (National Parks) in need of effective management plans.

Sr. PA Location Status

1. Margalla Hills NP Islamabad Not implemented

2. Machiara NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Under implementation

3. Ghamot NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

4. PirLasorha NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

5. ToliPir NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

6. Gurez Musk Deer NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

7. Deva Vatala NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

8. Poonch River Mahsheer NP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Lacks management plan

9. Chiltan-Hazargangi NP Balochistan Not implemented

10. Hingol NP Balochistan Under implementation

11. Khunjerab NP Gilgit-Baltistan Under implementation

12. Deosai NP Gilgit-Baltistan Not implemented

13. Central Karakorum NP Gilgit-Baltistan Under finalization

14. Hunderab-Shandoor NP Gilgit-Baltistan Lacks management plan

15. Karmbhar NP Gilgit-Baltistan Lacks management plan

16. Ayubia NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under implementation

17. ChitralGol NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under implementation

18. Sheikh Buddin NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management plan

19. SaifulMaluk NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management plan

20. Lulusar-Dodhipath NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management plan

21. Broghil NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management plan

22. Lal Sunhara NP Punjab Lacks management plan

23. Kala Chitta NP Punjab Lacks management plan

24. Chinji NP Punjab Lacks management plan

25. Murree-Kahuta-KotliSattianNP Punjab Lacks management plan

26. Khirthar NP Sindh Under implementation

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Annex 9:List of Ramsar Sites in Pakistan.

Sr. Ramsar Site Location Remarks

1. Astola (Haft Talar) Island Balochistan Needs attention

2. Chashma Barrage Punjab Received attention

3. DehAkro-II Desert Wetland Complex Sindh Needs attention

4. Drigh Lake Sindh Needs attention

5. Haleji Lake Sindh Received attention

6. Hub Dam Sindh, Balochistan Needs attention

7. Indus Delta Sindh Received attention

8. Indus Dolphin Reserve Sindh Received attention

9. Jiwani Coastal Wetland Balochistan Needs attention

10. Jubho Lagoon Sindh Needs attention

11. Kinjhar (Kalri) Lake Sindh Received attention

12. MianiHor Balochistan Needs attention

13. Nurri Lagoon Sindh Needs attention

14. Ormara Turtle Beaches Balochistan Received attention

15. Runn of Kutch Sindh Needs attention

16. Tanda Dam Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Needs attention

17. Taunsa Barrage Punjab Received attention

18. Thanedar Wala Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Needs attention

19. Uchhali Complex Punjab Received attention

http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Astola_Island

http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Balochistan_(Pakistan)

http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Punjab_(Pakistan)

http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Sindh


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Haleji_Lake


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Hub_Dam



http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Indus_River_Delta





http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Kinjhar_Lake


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Miani_Hor_(Ramsar_Site)



http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Ormara_Turtle_Beaches_(Ramsar_Site)


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Great_Rann_of_Kutch


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Taunsa_Barrage_(Ramsar_Site)


http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Thanedar_Wala_(Ramsar_Site)

http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/Uchhali_Complex_(Ramsar_Site)


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Annex 10: Ecosystems and Habitats Identified for Filling Gaps in the PASystem.

Vegetation Type

Ecosystem Proposed Sites Location Representation Priority

Marine and Island

Astola Island, Arabian Sea Arabian Sea including Astola

Balochistan Gap High

Indus Delta Arabian sea including Indus Delta

Sindh Gap High

Littoral and Mangrove

Avicenna – Ceriops Ganjabad,Cheer Koh, Sonmiani, Gwathar Bay, Jiwani, Kalmat

Balochistan Inadequate Medium

Jubho Lagoon, Nurri Lagoon, Hawks Bay

Sindh Inadequate High

Riverine Dalbergiasissoo – Populuseuphratica

Indus River, D. G. Khan

Punjab Gap High

Acacia nilotica– Populuseuphratica

Indus River, Hyderabad

Sindh Inadequate High

Wetlands, Swamps and Seasonal Inundations

Tamarixdioica-Typhaangustata,

Northern Kashmir wetland complex

AJK Adequate High

Wasta Lake, and ZarriDaggarZhob,

Balochistan High

Sand Dune Desert

Prosopis cineraria – Salvadoraoleoides

Thal Desert Punjab Gap High

D. I. Khan KP

Prosopis cineraria – Tamarixaphylla

Thar Sindh Gap Medium

Capparis decidua – Suedafruticose

Sibi Balochistan Gap Medium

Dry Sub Tropical Semi-evergreen Scrub Forest

Olea ferruginea - Acacia modesta – Justiciaadhatoda

KotKandhari and PirGali area

AJK Adequate Medium

Dry Temperate Semi-evergreen Scrub Forest

Olea ferruginea – Acacia modesta – Artemesiamaritima

Fort Munro) Punjab Inadequate High

Olea ferruginea – Acacia modesta – Monothecabuxifolia

Indus Kohistan Gilgit-Baltistan

Inadequate Medium

Sub-Tropical Chir Pine Forest

Pinusroxburghii – Quercusincana

Massar RF KP Inadequate High

Sub-Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest

Acacia modesta – Bauhinia variegata

Thumb PattniMaloni Areas, Chamairi

AJK Inadequate High

Garamthum KP

Acacia modesta – Butea monosperma – Acaicanilotica var. cuppressiformis

Salt Range Punjab Gap High

Balochistan Dry Coniferous Forest

Juniperusexcelsa – Fraxinusxanthoxyloides

Khalifat, Zargoon, and Ziarat

Balochistan Inadequate High

Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest

Pinuswallichiana – Abiespindrow

PirChinassi AJK Inadequate High

Kamal Ban, Manshi, and Kund Forest

KP High

Himalayan Dry Coniferous Forest

C.deodara– P.wallichiana Kumrat Valley KP Gap High

Piceasmithiana – Pinuswallichiana

Nanga Parbat, Astore Gilgit-Baltistan

Inadequate High

Pinusgerardiana – Pinuswallichiana-

Shishi Valley KP Gap High

Takhat –i-Suleiman Balochistan High

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Quercusbaloot Tangir GB

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Pakistan National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NBSAP...Pakistan – NBSAP ii Acknowledgements The stakeholders and key resource personnelwho contributed to thisrevision of

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