1

Wetlands of Pakistan

By: Group 2

Group Members Adil Fayyaz

Kainat Safdar

Syeda Maheen Ali

Sana Bakht

Hunain Munir

Saira Adnan

• 15051561-035

• 15051561-002

• 15051561-023

• 15051561-034

• 15051561-028

• 15051561-026

Wetlands A wetland is a place where the land is covered by water,

either salt, fresh or somewhere in between.

Marshes and ponds, the edge of a lake or ocean, mouth of a river, all of these are wetlands.

According to National Wetland Policy of Nepal (2003) those water bodies which are perennial and created by under-ground sources of water and or rainfalls are classified as wetlands.

3

They may be natural or man made.

Natural wetlands include rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, bogs and swamps etc.

Man-made wetlands include canals, ponds, paddy fields, fish farms etc.

They cover approximately six percent of surface area of the globe and occur almost in every country right from tundra region to tropical areas.

Wetlands4

Natural Wetland

Man-made Wetland

5

6

Wetlands are important source of food supply and they are biological supermarkets as they are reservoirs of plant and animal species .

They preserve bio-diversity and also are ascribed as kidneys of the landscape.

They store nutrients and are regarded as most productive ecosystems.

Valuable Functions

7

They work as reservoirs for water storage and provide attractive tourist place.

Coastal wetlands provide protection against storms Located at the fringe of water and land, wetlands are rich and complex ecosystems which support biodiversity, provide worthwhile ecological services, and have great potential for tourism.

Valuable Functions

8

“Wetlands contribute in no small way to our quality of life - indeed, to our very survival.”

The values and benefits of wetlands are:1. Flood control

The most significant social and economic benefit that wetlands provide is flood control.

Peatlands and wet grasslands alongside river basins can act like sponges, absorbing rainfall and controlling its flow into streams and rivers.

Theoretical Framework

9

2. Clean water Wetlands act as the Earth's filters, cleaning up water in a

number of ways.

3. Food supply

Rice is the staple diet of nearly 3 billion people - half the world's population.

It is grown in wetlands across Asia and west Africa, and in the United States. 

Theoretical Framework

10

4. Shoreline And Storm Protection Coastal wetlands – such as reefs, mangroves and

saltmarshes – act as frontline defences against potential devastation.

5. Materials and Medicines Wetlands yield fuelwood for cooking, thatch for roofing,

fibres for textiles and paper making, and timber for building.

Medicines are extracted from their bark, leaves, and fruits etc.

Theoretical Framework

11

6. Recreation areas Wetlands everywhere provide important leisure facilities -

fishing, shell collecting and bird watching, swimming etc.

7. Vital habitat It has been estimated that freshwater wetlands hold more than

40% of all the world’s species and 12% of all animal species

8. A Refuge For Migrating Birds The world's wetlands offer a welcome pitstop, offering

protection and food before the birds continue on to their final destination.

Theoretical Framework

12

13

International treaty. Held on 2nd Feb.1971,in Iran, Ramsar.

Purpose:-1. Conservation & sustainable use of wetlands.

2. Stop the encroachment and loss of wetlands.

3. And wise use of wetlands and its resources for the benefit of mankind.

Provide framework for National and International cooperation.

Ramsar Convention (Rc)

14

Wetlands  help reduce the impacts from storm damage and flooding.

Maintain good water quality in rivers.

Recharge groundwater.

Store carbon, help stabilise climatic conditions and control pests.

 Important sites for biodiversity

Importance Of Wetlands

15

The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands.

This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes.

Also include wet grasslands, peat-lands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas.

Also include coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

CONTI…

16

Inland wetlands Marshes

Classification Of Wetlands

17

Swamps Rivers, Oasis

CONTI…

18

Mangroves Bogs

CONTI…

19

Coastal Wetlands

CONTI…

20

Human-made WetlandsRice Paddy Fish Ponds

21

USA’s fish and wildlife service (USFWS) has developed a scheme of classification of the national wetlands inventory.

According to this 225 wetlands are present in Pakistan… i.e.

1. Seasonally flooded agricultural land

2. Ponds—farm ponds, stock ponds, small tanks

3. Permanent water of estuaries and deltas

Wetland Inventories Of Pakistan

22

Significant and globally wetlands in 1976, only 9.

Afterwards 2001, no. raised from 9-16

According to Ramcar site, currently 19

From these 19 wetlands 7 are situated in Sindh province. i.e.

Badin and Kadhan Lagoons, Beroon Kirthar Canal, Charwo Lake, Clifton Beach, Drigh Lake, & Sindhi Dhoro Lake, Hab Dam, Haleji Lake.

CONTI…

23

Wetland Complexes of

Pakistan

The four major wetland complexes have been demarcated in Pakistan.

1. the North Western Alpine wetland complex.

2. the wetland complex of Salt Range.

3. the wetland complex of Central Indus Plain.

4. the wetland complex of Makran Coast.

Wetland Complexes of Pakistan

Wetland Complexes of Pakistan

Comprising an area of about 1760 sq km, 70 km long and 23 km wide.

This important complex is situated in the upper Yarkhun River Valley at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,200 meters.

It consists of a few of the highest wetlands on the globe that are biologically active.

The North Western Alpine Wetland Complex

Amongst these six are located at an elevation of over 6,000 meters from sea level.

The typical plant species found in the valley bottoms of this complex are;

Myricaria elegansPoplus ciliateSalix viminalisHippophae rhamnoides.

Major problem of the region is availability of fuel for space heating and cooking.

CONTI…

Peat from the marshes, stream beds and surroundings of the lakes which is dried, stored and burned when required.

Additional livestock are shifted down the valleys where the climate is relatively milder.

Seasonal migration leads to over-crowding of domesticated animals along the permanent water resources.

Remote water bodies, like kettle lakes on perched plains, become bare of emergent flora by the closing stages of summers.

CONTI…

\\

Wetland Complexes of

Pakistan

The entire complex is 175 km long and runs from Jehlum in the east to Kalabagh in the west.

Uchali wetland complex comprising Khabeki and Jahlar is of international importance recognized by RC Bureau.

The Wetland Complex Of Salt Range

Sr Name Location Province

Location District

Status

1 Kallar Kahar Punjab Chakwal Wild life sanctuary

2 Khabheki Punjab Khushab Wild life sanctuary

3 Ucchali Punjab Khushab Ramsor site

4 Jahlar Punjab Khushab Not protected

5 Namal lake Punjab Khushab Wild life sanctuary

The Wetland Complex Of Salt Range

Extending among the Chashma in the North and Sukkur city in the south, this complex lies along the main stem of Indus River.

It includes various braided streams and oxbow lakes and seasonally inundated depressions in the flood plain.

It is 708 km long and 9-23 km wide and occupies an area of

9,700 km.

Being home of Pakistan’s famous Indus Dolphin, the region depicts a picture of exhaustive use of resource to meet up survival oriented requirements of the people.

The Wetland Complex Of Central Indus Plain:

Sr Name Location Province

Location District

Status

1 Akara Dam Balochistan Makran Not Protected

2 Astola Island Balochistan Makran Wild life sanctuary

3 Astola sea mount

Balochistan Makran Not Protected

4 Jiwany Eustary

Balochistan Makran Not Protected

5 Kalmat Khor Balochistan Makran Not Protected

The Wetland Complex Of Central Indus Plain:

Astola island and Jiwani coastal wetlands are recognized as wetlands of international value.

Astola island also known as Haft Talar is situated about 25 km in south of the desert coast of Balochistan, and spreads over 5,000 hectors and 6 km in length.

It is the most significant island in the north of Arabian Sea, and important for endemic reptiles as green turtles and hawksbill turtle which are the most endangered species of the island.

The Wetland Complex Of Makran Coast

Jiwani coastal wetland complex is located around the Delta of Dasht river in Balochistan which spreads over an area of 4,600 hectors.

This wetland is important due to the presence of mangrove forest where especially the species Avicennia Marina is present.

Endangered species of green turtles and Olive Ridley are found.

Thousands of migratory water birds visit the complex.

Jiwani Coastal Wetland Complex

36

Wetland Degradation

And Loss

37

Wetland degradation is the damage of the functions caused by human activities and wetland loss is the loss of their area due to human actions (Moser et al, 1996)

Wetland loss is the loss due To the conversion of wetland

To non-wetland habitats A result of human activities

Wetland Degradation And Loss

Biological alteration Removal of wetland or riparian vegetation Introduction of non-native/exotic species

Causes of wetland loss and degradation

Continued….

Release of pollutants and toxic substances Change in nutrient level

Chemical Alterations

Filling

Draining

Dredging &stream channelization

Peat mining

Flooding &changes in sediment depostion patterns due to dam construction

ATV/Recreational uses

Physical Degradation

56% to 65% of existing wetland has been converted to intensive agricultural use in Europe and North America,

27% in Asia, 6% in South America 2% in Africa, pointing to a total loss of 26% to agriculture globally

(OECD, 1996).

The rivers of Pakistan, has been regulated to a great extent by constructing headwork, barrages and dams.

Rate And Extent Of Wetland Loss

47

Expansion of settlements, urbanization, drainage for agriculture, hunting and pollution appeared to be the top five major threats in the region.

It has also been brought into the notice that aquatic weed invasions influence about 182,118 hectors of wetlands in Pakistan and badly affect the fish output (Gopal & Wetzel, 1995).

Rate And Extent Of Wetland Loss

49

Sustainable Development And Management Of

Wetlands In Pakistan

50

RC was held in 1971, in acknowledgment of the importance and worth of wetlands.

Pakistan’s wetland program is working to protect and promote globally significant biodiversity and has two main objectives;

To create and maintain enabling environment for sustainable and effective conservation of natural wetlands at local level.

To implement sustainable wetland conservation strategy at four representative sites that will serve as model for subsequent wetland conservation.

Sustainable Development And Management Of Wetlands In Pakistan

The program is actively working in four representative areas namely:

Lakes of the alpine region Lakes of the Salt Range Coastal wetlands Riverine wetlands

The program is working on two main dimensions:1) Promote sustained yield management models that maintain

these survival oriented activities

2) Protect and conserve the biodiversity of concerned regions.

CONTI…

WWF Pakistan has established a wetland centre at Sandspit, located in west of Karach, are aimed to

Conserve the wetlands of Pakistan, Identify the wetland complexes,enhance biodiversity Create awareness among the people Prepare and implement national wetland conservation strategies

CONTI…

The chief driving forces at the back of wetlands working are their hydrology and hydrodynamics.

The main factors that are causing changes and can potentially alter the natural hydrology of wetlands of Pakistan are

Disruption of natural drainage systems

Diversion of water flow

Construction of infrastructure and dams in drainage basins, overgrazing

Deforestation

Conclusion

Wetlands Of Pakistan

Increasing awareness among the people about the conservation and ‘Wise Use Concept’ of wetland resources.

At the outset a national wetland inventory based on modern scientific techniques should be prepared.

Quantitative studies of wetland depletion and services losses should be conducted.

Wetland protection and sustainable use legislation should be made practical and effective according to the instructions of RC.

Suggestions

Information about wetland inventory should be utilized to point out priority areas for protection and management and action should be taken in the light of their evaluation.

About wetland inventories should be made available electronically, as in this way accessibility and regular updating of information can be made easy.

Devising a standardized, flexible and effective approach and preparation of generic wetland inventory database.

Suggestions