Biosphere reserves of Pakistan

Overview of biosphere reserves in Pakistan

Biosphere reserves are established according to the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) to promote sustainable development for the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. As of 2023[update], there are four biosphere reserves in Pakistan which include the Lal Suhanra Biosphere Reserve, Ziarat Juniper Forest, Bashkar Chitral Garmchashma and the Gallies Biosphere Reserve. In July 2012, Pakistan Museum of Natural History and Beijing Museum of Natural History signed an MoU to work on trans-boundary biodiversity and to improve MAB related activities in the Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindukush mountain regions.[1] Until 2023, the Lal Suhanra Biosphere Reserve and Ziarat Juniper Forest were the only two biosphere reserves in the country, which were approved by UNESCO in 1977 and 2013 respectively.[2] A number of initiatives and projects have been undertaken to promote and develop other biosphere reserves in Pakistan but due to weak implementation this could not be materialized until 2023.[1] In 2023, two more sites, Bashkar Chitral Garmchashma[3] in the Hindukush range and the Gallies[4] (Galyat) in the Western Himalayan ecoregion, were designated with this status making a total of four biosphere reserves in the country.[5][6]

## Lal Suhanra

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Lal Suhanra National Park

IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)

Location in Punjab, Pakistan

Location| Cholistan Desert, Punjab, Pakistan
Nearest city| Bhawalpur
Coordinates| 29°12′0″N 71°48′0″E﻿ / ﻿29.20000°N 71.80000°E﻿ / 29.20000; 71.80000
Area| 162,573 acres (657.91 km2)
Established| 1972
Governing body| Lal Suhanra National Park Administration
www.unesco.org/en/mab/lal-suhanra

Lal Suhanra is a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO in 1977 and IUCN Category V protected area.[7] The site is also participating in the Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands project of MAB's Drylands and Desertification programme.[8]

### Location and ecosystem

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The reserve is located in the Cholistan Desert, 36 km east of Bhawalpur in Punjab, Pakistan.[9] The area is flat and arid with sand dunes reaching up to 4 m in height and 2,470 acres (10.0 km2) in area.[10] The total area of the reserve is 162,573 acres (657.91 km2) of which 44,318 acres (179.35 km2) is the core area including 4,781 acres (19.35 km2) of wetland and the rest is buffer zone.[10] The region has a warm desert to semi-desert ecosystem[10] and the climate of the area is hyper-arid. Average annual rainfall ranges from 100 to 250 mm and the groundwater is highly saline.[11]

### Wildlife and attractions

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The wetland, Patisar Lake, was initially built as a water reservoir and was an important habitat for waterfowl in winter but is now largely covered with reed beds and aquatic vegetation.[10] The park has around 160 species of birds including houbara bustard, marsh harrier, laggar falcon, peregrine falcon, kestrel, and Egyptian vulture, some of which are endangered species.[9] Mammals in the region include blackbuck and Indian rhino which were both critically endangered and almost became extirpated but were re-introduced.[9] A number of snake species are also found in the park including Russell's viper, Indian cobra, saw scaled viper, wolf snake, and sand boa.[9]

Some archaeological remains of an ancient civilization are discovered along the dry Hakra River bed which crosses the park.[10] According to 1997 statistics, around 1 million national and 50,000 foreign tourist visited the park each year.[10] The Punjab government has plans to convert the Lal Sohanra National Park into a wildlife safari park. One of the prominent attractions is the lion safari which allows guests to see lions in their natural habitat at close range.

## Ziarat Juniper Forest

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Ziarat Juniper Biosphere Reserve

Location in Balochistan, Pakistan

Location| Ziarat, Balochistan, Pakistan
Nearest city| Ziarat
Coordinates| 30°23′54″N 67°44′00″E﻿ / ﻿30.39833°N 67.73333°E﻿ / 30.39833; 67.73333
Area| 247,000 acres (1,000 km2)
Established| 2013
Governing body| Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department
www.unesco.org/en/mab/ziarat-juniper-forests

Ziarat Juniper Forest is a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO in 2013.[12] It is the largest contiguous natural Juniper forest in Pakistan. It is also the second oldest, trailing behind the one in California.[13] The forest ecosystem is considered to be the second largest in the world and is home to some of the oldest species of Juniperus excelsa. The forest has a global significance because it is considered vital for carbon sequestration.[14]

### Location

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The total area of the reserve is 111,852 ha (1,118.52 km2) of which 11,243 ha (112.43 km2) is the core area including 40,090 ha (400.9 km2) of transition area and the rest 60,519 ha (605.19 km2) is buffer zone.

### Wildlife

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There are many important species found in this ecosystem including animal and birds, The Suleiman markhor, urial, black bear, and wolf, as well as more common species such as Afghan pika, fox, jackal, and several species of birds like chukar partridge are found. The forest also contains a rich diversity of plant species of medicinal significance with over 50 percent of the 54 cataloged species known to have medicinal or ethno-botanic value, which local people use as indigenous treatments for a variety of diseases. In Ziarat a herb called Ephedrasinica is found in abundance from which a chemical called ephedrine is extracted.[15]

## Bashkar Chitral Garmchashma

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This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2025)

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## Gallies Biosphere Reserve

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This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2025)

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## Palas Valley

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A plant species in Palas Valley

Palas Valley is a potential biosphere reserve located in Kohistan District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The valley is home to rare and endemic wildlife and flora. The largest population of the endangered western tragopan can be found in the valley. Palas also supports population of 7 other rare species of birds including Tytler's leaf warbler. In 2003, a field mission conducted detailed studies of the region to determine its potential for World Heritage Site or MAB Biosphere Reserve. Their study concluded that the region has the attributes for a biosphere reserve however certain issues persist such continued preservation of the valley and involvement of the local population.[16]

## See also

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Media related to Biosphere reserves in Pakistan at Wikimedia Commons

* National Parks of Pakistan
* Protected areas of Pakistan

## References

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1. ^ a b "Trans-boundary actions are needed to protect biodiversity". Technology Times. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
2. ^ "Ecological Sciences for Sustainable Development". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
3. ^ "Chitral Bashkar Garmchashma". www.unesco.org. UNESCO.
4. ^ "Gallies". unesco.org. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
5. ^ "UNESCO designates 11 new biosphere reserves". unesco.org. 15 June 2023.
6. ^ Ahmed, Amin (22 June 2023). "Unesco designates two more biosphere reserves". Dawn. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
7. ^ "Protected Areas". WWF Pakistan. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
8. ^ "Drylands and Desertification". Flanders-UNESCO Trust Fund for Science. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
9. ^ a b c d "Lal Suhanra National Park". Wildlife of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
10. ^ a b c d e f "Lal Suhanra". Biosphere Reserve Information. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
11. ^ Muhammad Akram; Zameer Ahmed Soomro. "Rehabilitation of degraded dryland rangelands through scientific management of land, water and vegetation resources and grazing systems in Lal Sohanra Biosphere Reserve" (PDF). Lal Sohanra Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
12. ^ Bhagwandas (1 June 2013). "Ziarat juniper forest added to Unesco list". Dawn. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
13. ^ "Pakistan's Juniper Forest makes it to the Global Network of Biosphere Reserves". IUCN. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
14. ^ "Man and Biosphere initiative for Juniper forests of Balochistan". UNESCO Pakistan. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
15. ^ "Juniper Forests, Ziarat". WWF. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
16. ^ "Prospects and implications of promoting Palas Valley, Kohistan as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve" (PDF). Palas Conservation and Development Project. WWF Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2012.

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Subdivisions|

* Administrative units
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Environment|

* Environmental issues
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Protected Areas|

* Biosphere Reserves
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By province|

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Protected areas of Pakistan

National parks|

* Ayub
* Ayubia
* Broghil Valley
* Central Karakoram
* Chinji
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* Deosai
* Deva Vatala
* Fairy Meadows
* Gumot
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* Hingol
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* Kamal Ban
* Khunjerab
* Kirthar
* Lal Suhanra
* Lulusar-Dodipat
* Machiara
* Malakandi
* Margalla Hills
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* Panjal Mastan
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Wildlife sanctuaries|

* Astore
* Bajwat
* Baltistan
* Chashma Lake
* Cholistan
* Chumbi Surla
* Deh Akro
* Hub Dam
* Lehri Nature Park
* Naltar
* Nara Desert
* Rann of Kutch
* Ras Koh
* Taunsa Barrage
* Ziarat Juniper

Wetlands of Pakistan|

* Astola Island
* Chashma Barrage
* Chinna Creek
* Deh Akro
* Drigh Lake
* Rann of Kutch
* Haleji Lake
* Hawke's Bay Beach
* Hingol River
* Hub Dam
* Indus River Delta
* Jiwani Coastal Wetland
* Jubho Lagoon
* Keti Bandar
* Khanpur Dam
* Keenjhar Lake
* Miani Hor
* Ormara Turtle Beaches
* Rasul Barrage
* Rawal lake
* Sandspit Beach
* Tanda Dam
* Taunsa Barrage
* Thanedar Wala
* Uchhali Complex

Natural monuments|

* Bazar Caves
* Chandragup
* Chitarwata Formation
* Hingol Mud Volcano
* Kashmir Smast
* Paradise Point

Forests|

* Ziarat Juniper Forest
* Changa Manga Forest
* Chichawatni Plantation
* Lashari wala Forest

Biosphere reserves|

* Lal Suhanra
* Ziarat Juniper Forest

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