TASK 5 - Pakistan National Parks

A Report on

PUBLIC PARKS - Pakistan -

December 2009

Submitted to

Jeon Yun-heeInternational Cooperation DivisionSeoul Metropolitan Government

Submitted by

Zia-ur-Rehman Gondal

(Seoul City’s Overseas Correspondent)

ISLAMABAD - PAKISTAN

STATISTICS OF PUBLIC PARKS

- PAKISTAN -

CONTENTS

Selected Park for 5th Task

I - Margalla Hills and Rawal Lake National Park

Few Representative Parks in Pakistan:

II - Hingol National Park

III - Kirthar National Park

IV - Ayubia National Park

V - Web Links

List of national parks of PakistanFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are more than 21 National Parks of Pakistan

Name District Province

Hingol National Park Makran District Balochistan

Kirthar National Park Dadu District Sindh

Khunjerab National Park Gilgit District Northern Areas

Chitral Gol National Park Chitral District North-West Frontier Province

Lal Suhanra National Park Bahawalpur District

Punjab

Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park

Quetta District Balochistan

Margalla Hills National Park Islamabad Punjab Ayubia National Park

Rawalpindi District

Punjab

- [Deosai National Park]]||Skardu District||[[Northern Areas, Pakistan

Gamot National Park

Pir Lasoora National Park

Toh Pir National Park

Central Karakoram National Park

Handrap-Shandoor National Park

Sheikh Badin National Park

Saiful Malook National Park

Lulusar-Dodipat National ParkGraiz musk deer national park AJK

De - Vatala national park AJK

Chinji National ParkMankyal national park swat

- I -

MARGALLA HILLS & RAWAL LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Data Collected by : Zia ur Rehman Gondal ; Resource Person : Deputy Director Parks, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad, Pakistan

Task 5

1) Maintenance status of representative parks in major cities

  a. Human resources of park maintenance (Total Staff : 228)

    - Regular employees (100)

    - Temporary employees (128)

  b. overview of park[area, major facilities, the cost of creation(compensation, construction, design, etc.)

(Area : 65 Hectares = 650000 square meters (m^2)

(Development Cost

= 150 Million (Pakistani Rupees) = 1.84 Million (US Dollars)

  c. annual costs of maintenance(personnel, facility

    maintenance and services outsourcing expenditure, etc.)

(Annual Maintenance Cost

= 20 Million (Pakistani Rupees) = 0.25 Million (US Dollars)

  d. facilities maintenance

    - direct management field

    - outsourcing field and method of selecting service company

(No Out-Sourcing of any Park in Capital City – Islamabad)

  e. programs to use park

    - program contents

    - operating method: direct or contracting out(volunteer, etc.)

  f. photos (Attached)

Pictures

The Margalla Hills National Park is located in Northern Pakistan at the foothills of

the Himalayas and is a National Park. It is approximately 17,386 hectares in size.

Location

Instituted in 1980, the Margalla Hills National Park comprises the Margalla Range (12605

hectares) the Rawal Lake, and Shakarparian Sports and Cultural complex. The hill range nestles

between an elevation of 685 meters at the western end and 1,604 meters on its east.

Paleontology

The rock formations are 40 million years old, and fossils of marine life abound every where

bearing eloquent testimony that the Margallah hills were at one time under the sea.

Flora and Fauna

The vegetation of the southern slopes is short stuttered, comprising deciduous and evergreen

trees with diverse shrub growth. In the north, stand Pines and groves of Oak. The fauna is mainly

Indo himalayan, with some overlapping of Palacaretic species. The birds found here are residents

as well as winter migrants from higher altitudes of the North, spring ans summer visitor for

breeding, and short day transit species arrive in spring. 

Margalla has a variety of mammals, they include the Leopard, Gray Goral, Barking Deer, Wild

Boar, Jackal, Red Fox and the Porcupine among others.

It is also home to a large number of birds such as Larks, Paradirse Flycatcher, Black

partridge, Shrikes Pheasants, Spotted Doves, Egyptian Vultures, Falcons, Hawks and the Eagle.

Reptiles such as the Russell's viper, Indian rcobra and Saw-scaled viper are found here.

Rose and Jasmine Garden

This garden is famous for annual flower and rose shows held in spring.Main features of this

garden are walks and trails, a central fountain, shelters, a snack bar, mass colour effect of roses

and groups of exotic and indigenuous trees, shrubs and plants.

Rawal Lake View

Rawal Lake in Pakistan is an artificial reservoir that provides the water needs for the

cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. This artificial lake covers an area of 8.8 km². Rawal

Lake is located within an isolated section of the Margalla Hills National Park.

Recreation

The area around the lake has been planted with flowering trees and laid out with

gardens, picnic spots, and secluded paths. The terraced garden and the lake are used for picnics,

fishing and boating. The highest point in the garden offers a panoramic view of the

lake, Margalla andMurree hills, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Boating, sailing, water skating and

diving facilities are organized by private clubs. To the west of the lake is the Islamabad Club,

which offers different sporting facilities.

Wildlife

The reservoir is of considerable importance for wintering waterfowl, especially Anas

platyrhynchos. Resident mammals include the common fox, Pangolin, Porcupine, Jungle

cat, Jackal, Wild boar and yellow-throated marten. Reptiles include indian cobra and Russell's

viper. It is a good place for birds watching, as the majority of Birds of Islamabad are found here

Conservation campaigns

Himalayan Wildlife Foundation is running a project on a sustainable Management Strategy for the

Margalla Hills National Park.

Margalla Hills Society established in 1989 is a registered non-governmental organization with its

Head Office in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is managed by an elected executive council. Its main

objective is to preserve the natural environment of Margalla Hills National Park and prevent

shrinkage of the green areas; to promote public interest in conservation, development and

management of forests, wildlife and other natural resources of Margalla hills National Park and to

disseminate information about the Marghalla hills National park including its history, geography,

flora, fauna culture and its benefits to the citizens of Islamabad.

Tourism and tracking

The National Park is the most accessible in Pakistan due to its close proximity to the national

capital, Islamabad. It is a significant hub for bird-lovers throughout the year. There are

several hiking trails, with the most famous being Trail 3.

- II -

HINGOL NATIONAL PARK

Hingol National Park or Hungol National Park (Urdu: ہنگول) is the largest of National Parks of

Pakistan. It is on the Makran coast in Baluchistan and is approximately 190 km from Karachi. The

area was declared reserved in 1988.

The park area covers parts of the three districts: Lasbela, Gwadar and Owaran of Balochistan

province. It contains a variety of topographical features and vegetation, varying from arid sub

tropical forest in the north to arid montane in the west. Large tracts of the NP are covered with

drift sand and can be classified as coastal semi desert. The National Park includes the estuary of

the Hingol river which supports a significant diversity of bird and fish species.

Currently, 20 staff members including 18 game watchers, two deputy rangers are responsible for

the management of the Park under the guidance of the park Manager who reports to the

Conservator and the Secretary Wildlife, Forest, Livestock, Environment and Tourism.

Hinglaj Shrine

The shrine of Devi Hinglaj, the holiest among the 51 Shakti Peeths of Hinduism is situated in the

park. It is located 15km from the main road. There is a dirt track that leads all the way up to the

shrine. Thousands of pilgrims visit the site each year to pay homage to the devi. There are water

ponds around the shrine that contain some fish species. There have also been some reported

sightings of the snow leopard.

The route to the mandir goes through a river bed that becomes impassable during the rainy

season. There are beautiful cone-formations along the way that are a must-see. There is also a

giant monolith that looks like a flat wall. There are some villages around the area that becomes

habitated for part of the year.

Wildlife

Detailed inventories of wildlife were undertaken in 2006 and will be completed in the first half of

2007. Hingol is known to support at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and

reptiles and 185 species of birds. Some 250 plant species were recorded in the initial surveys

including 7 yet undescribed species. Many more species are yet to be collected.

The park forms an excellent habitat to wild Sindh Ibex, Afghan Urial and Chinkara Gazelle. Ibex is

found in all steep mountain ranges and numerous in the Hinglaj and Rodani Kacho Mountain

areas. Total population is estimated over 3000. The Urial populations are small and occur in

isolated populations. The Machi and Upper Pachhri Mountains harbour the largest populations.

Total population is less than 1000. The Chinkara occurs in good numbers along the great rivers

(Nal-Hingol, Arra, Babro-Mar) in the Northern Plains and in the Harian and Maniji-Gurangatti

valley areas. Elsewhere populations have been extirpated are very low. The total populations are

preliminary estimated between 800-1200.

The Hingol River banks, estuary and mudflats forms an important habitat for migratory birds.

About 40% of the bird species is related to water habitats. Migratory birds listed to visit Hingol

include Dalmatian and Spot-billed Pelican, Sociable Plover, Spoonbills, Black Ibis, Black and

White Stork. The Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) visits the plains and valleys.

The River Hingol has been nurturing crocodiles for centuries. The Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus

palustris) occurs over large areas along the Hingol-Nal and some tributaries up to more than

100 km inland. The total population is about 50. There are several beaches along the more than

100 km coastline, however few tirtles visit the beaches nowadays. Historical records includes

Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Green Marine Turtles (Chelonia mydas). The vulnerable

Spiny Tail Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) a mainly vegetarian lizard finds its most western

distribution in Hingol.

Mammals

Mammals in the park include Leopard, Jungle Cat, Caracal and Indian Desert Cat, Indian Fox,

Bengal Fox and Sand Fox, Golden Jackal, Sindh Ibex, Afghan Urial, Chinkara Gazelle, Honey

Badger, Indian Pangolin, Hedgehog (probably more than one species), Indian Crested Porcupine,

Indian Grey Mongoose, Five striped Palm Squirrel, Wild Boar, Cape Hare and Desert Hare, Cairo

Spiny mouse, Grey Spiny Mouse, Persian Jird, Indian Desert Jird and Libyian Jird, House Mouse,

Roof Rat, and Mouse like Hamster. Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) and Striped Hyena (Hyaena

hyaena) are on the brink of extinction. The Leopard and Caracal populations are low.

The park has very few caves/ grottos, including one in the Dhrun Mountains with a bat population.

Birds

Birds in the park include Houbara Bustard, Dalmatian and Spot-billed Pelican, Bonnelli's eagle,

Imperial eagle, Tawny eagle, Golden eagle, Eurasian griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Cinereous

vulture, Lagger falcon, Red-headed merlin, Kestrel, Close-Barred sandgrouse, Grey partridge,

See See partridge, Stone Curlew, Indian sand grouse, Coronetted sand grouse, Painted sand

grouse, Eagle owl, Sind pied woodpecker, Hume's chat, Brown rock pipit, Striped buning, Finche

larks, Hoopoe, Shrikes and Wheatears.

Reptiles

The Indus Crocodile considered to be as the National reptile of the country, Olive Ridley and

Green Marine Turtles, Desert Monitor lizard, Yellow Monitor lizard, and different species of lizard

and chameleon have been found in the park.

Current events

The government is all set to slice land off the Hingol National Park, the country’s largest,

as the Pakistan Air Force and another defence-related organisation eye the prized real

estate near the estuary whose value is likely to increase phenomenally once the Gwadar

port starts functioning.

Sources in the Balochistan revenue department told Dawn that while the PAF has asked for

around 80,000 acres (320 km²), including 23,000 acres (93 km²) in the national park, Pakistan

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission’s demand is for eight mauzas.

- III-

KIRTHAR NATIONAL PARK

'Kirthar National Park is located in Kirthar Mountains range. It is second biggest of the National

Parks of Pakistan. Hingol National Park is the biggest. It is also the first National Park from

Pakistan to be included in the 1975 United Nation's list of National Parks around the world. Kirthar

is an area of outstanding beauty and cultural heritage which provides important habitat for a

variety of mammals, birds and reptiles characteristic of the arid subtropics. Approximately one

third of the park lies in the north of Karachi district and two thirds in the south-west of Dadu

District. The park is part of a 4,471.61 km² protected areas complex, being contiguous with Mahal

Kohistan Wildlife Sanctuary (705.77 km²) to the south and Hab Dam Wildlife Sanctuary (272.19

km²) to the south-west. Surjan, Sumbak, Eri and Hothiano Game Reserve (406.32 km²) lies just

to the east of the park. There are two tourist centers in the Park managed by Sind Wildlife

Management Board, namely Khar and Karchat. The centres offer cottage and dormitory

accommodation and guides are available. There are some 671km of unmetalled roads within the

park, most of which are negotiable only by four-wheel drive vehicle.

Wildlife

In 1977, 1,480 wild goats and 430 urial were counted in the park and 2,141 chinkara in the park

and adjacent Surjan, Sumbak, Eri and Hothiano Game Reserve. There are now over 5,000 wild

goat, about 1,250 urial and less than 150 chinkara in the park, and a further 400 wild goat and 70

urial in the game reserve. A helicopter survey conducted in November 2000 yielded estimates of

the total populations of the three large indigenous ungulates in the park. The Sindh ibex

population was estimated at 13,155 ± 2460, and concentrated on the Khirthar Range, with lower

concentrations on Khambu and Dumbar and small numbers elsewhere; higher elevations appear

critical to this species. The Sindh urial population was estimated at 10,425 ± 675 and

concentrated on rocky sites with characteristic vegetation mainly near Khar and at Dumbar, with

small numbers elsewhere. The chinkara population was estimated at 1060 ± 580 and

concentrated in the lowlands, sharing much of its habitat with farming. The KNP populations of all

three species are of conservation importance. In October 1984, 15 blackbuck from the USA were

brought to Khar visitor centre for captive propagation . It is planned to introduce the species to the

park. In the coming years, Kirthar National Park wants to introduce the tiger, Asian

elephant, gaur, Indian rhino and sloth bear to the lowland mountain rainforests.

Mammals

Total species: 34 Mammals in the park include Sindh leopard (T), Stripped Hyena (T), Desert

Wolf (T), Indian Fox (C), Sind Wildgoat (C), Blandford's Urial (V), Honey Badger (R), Indian

Pangolin (R), Caracal (T), Jungle cat (C), Jackal (C), Chinkara Gazelle (V), Black Buck

( Reintroduced ) (R), Hedgehog (C), Porcupine (C), Indian Grey Mongoose (C), Cairo Spiny

mouse (?) and the Rock Mouse (C).

Note: T=Threatened, V=Vulnerable, R=Rare, C=Common, ?=Unknown.

Birds:

Total species: 58 Birds in the park are Lammegier vulture ( Winter migrant ), Bonnelli's eagle,

Imperial eagle, Tawny eagle, Golden eagle, Eurasian griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Cinereous

vulture, Lagger falcon, Red-headed merlin, Kestrel, Close-Barred sandgrouse, Houbara bustard,

Grey partridge, See See partridge, Stone Curlew, Indian sand grouse, Coronetted sand grouse,

Painted sand grouse, Eagle owl , Sind pied woodpecker, Hume's chat, Brown rock pipit, Striped

buning, Finche larks, Hoopoe, Shrikes and Wheatears.

Reptiles:

The Rock python, Sind cobra, Russell's viper, Saw-scaled viper, Sind krait, Royal rat snake,

Tortoises, Desert Monitor lizard, Yellow Monitor lizard, Sind Crocodile (Possibly extinct) and

different species of lizard and chameleon.

- IV-

AYUBIA NATIONAL PARK

Ayubia National Park is located in NWFP, Pakistan. It is a small natural park located at 26 km

from the Murree hill station established in 1984. It has been developed as a resort complex from

a combination of four mini resorts of Khaira Gali,Changla Gali, Khanspur and Ghora

Dhaka in Galyat. Ayubia was named after President Ayub Khan.

History

Ayubia National Park was established in 1958 in an east corner of North-West Frontier Province,

a province of Pakistan. Since then it has been managed by the NWFP Wildlife Department. The

purpose of establishing it was to conserve the temperate forests. Originally, the park stood at an

area of 857 acres, but in 1998 it was expanded to cover an area of 1685 acres.

The total population of Ayubia and surrounding villages as per a 1996 census is 18,097 living in

2,311 households.it was establishd by Mr.Ayub Khan late President of Pakistan in 1958.

Management

The park has been managed by NWFP Wildlife Department under the 1975 NWFP Wildlife Act.

The headquarters of the park is at Dunga Gali, which is situated at a distance of 34 km

from Abbottabad and 30 km from Murree.National Park started from the behind of Ayubia Chari

left. In National Park walk track near about distance 6 KM from Ayubia Chari left to Dong Gali.

Threre are so many beautiful places. it is also sitting arrange on the way when you start from walk

Ayubia to Donga Gali in the National Park.

Tourist attractions

Standing at some 26 kilometers from the tourist hotbed of Murree Hill Station, over 100,000

tourists flock to Ayubia National Park and the places around every year. It is well known for its

picnic spots.

Facilities

Since there are 7 villages and 4 major towns around it, and since this area attracts a very large

number of tourists annually, there is a large number of hotels and restaurants around the park.

In addition to riding trails, hiking places, picnic spots and motels, there is a chairlift in the central

place of Ayubia that takes the tourists to a nearby summit for a view of the forested hills.

This chairlift was the first recreation facility of its kind in Pakistan and is still a major attraction for

domestic tourists.

The famous PTDC Motel is located here.

Climate

The climate of the park is cold in the summers, but harsh in the winters. While it remains only

placidly hot in May and June, the cold sets in when the monsoons come to lash in late July and

early August. In the winters cold increases in severity gradually until the West Winds bring rains,

which eventually turn into snow. The park remains snow-capped through the later part of winters.

Wildlife

Birds

The park harbors up to 203 species of birds. Many species of birds, including the Golden Eagle,

the Vulture, Sparrow Hawk and the Hill Pigeonamong others can be found here. It is also home to

some of the rarer Himalayan pheasant species like the Kalij Pheasant and Koklass.

Mammals

Ayubia National Park supports 31 species of mammals. Animals such as the Asiatic

Leopard ,Tiger, Asiatic Black Bear, Hill Fox and Flying Squirrel can be found here.

Plants

The park holds 104 species of plants. The main floral species are Blue Pine, Yew, Silver

Fir, Horse Chestnut, Oak.

Around 21 plants here belonging to 19 families are known for their medicinal properties. Many of

these are used in treatment of jaundice,stomach ulcers, snake bites, internal

infections, diabetes, chambal and more. Some plants are known to have anti-cancerous effect as

well. Also, some are used as biological insecticides and pesticides, mostly due to their insect-

repellant nature.

The World Wide Fund for Nature has launched an ethno-botanical initiative here "to demonstrate

the sustainable use of plant resources as a means for protecting biodiversity."

- V-

WEBSITES

Capital Development Authority (CDA) – Directorates of Parks

http://www.cda.gov.pk/cda-latest/files/directorate/file.asp?var=PARKS

Visit Islamabad

http://www.islamabad.gov.pk/islamabad/default.asp

Margalla Hills National Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margalla_Hills_National_Park

List of national parks of Pakistan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Pakistan

Ayubia National Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayubia_National_Park

Hingol National Park (Wikipedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hingol_National_Park

Hingol National Park

http://www.hingol.com/