Pakistan National Parks, Wildlife & Conservation

Makran Coast Ecology, Margalla Hills, Snow Leopard & Himalayan Bear

Jun 28, 2009

In the past few decades, Pakistan has set up an extensive network of national parks to protect its rich biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

From the Himalaya in the north to the Makran coast in the south, Pakistan claims a wide range of ecosystems. High mountains, valleys, alpine forest, jungle, stone and sand deserts, marshlands and a coastal strip support a variety of wildlife. Rare mountain species include the snow leopard and Himalayan bear.

Hunting remained prevalent well into the 20th century but encouraged by the World Wildlife Fund, attitudes changed. Hunters were successfully drawn into conservation projects by financial incentives and new ecological awareness. Pakistan’s national parks and reserves aim to protect every species across the country and reintroduce those threatened with extinction.

Pakistan Natural World, Makran Coast Ecology, Hingol and Kirthar National Parks

Covering over 600 000 hectares on the Makran Coast and its hinterland, from semi desert to montane and subtropical forest, Hingol is Pakistan’s largest national park. The Hingol river is rich in fish and bird life and there are marsh crocodiles, green turtles and dolphins in coastal waters.

The park supports the endangered Sindh leopard and the rare Indian fox, along with urial sheep, chinkara gazelles and over 3000 ibexes.

Kirthar, the second largest national park, has seen its wild goat and urial population triple in 30 years and claims 58 bird species, including many birds of prey. Rock pythons, Sind cobras, vipers and the royal rat snake all live there.

Lal Suhanra and Hazarganji Chiltan, Pakistan Wildlife and Conservation

Also in the South, the Lal Suhanra National Park covers some farmland, forest and desert and the large Patisar Lake, home to myriad birds and up to 30 000 ducks and coots. The rare Indian wolf and the golden jackal roam in the park and black buck and Indian rhino have been reintroduced. Reptiles include the sand boa.

The Hazarganji Chiltan in Balochistan is relatively small but claims a dramatic scenery of mountains, ravines and precipitous slopes. The park was created to protect the Markhor, or wild goat, but is also known for its colourful flora in spring and summer.

North Pakistan National Parks, Margalla Hills, Snow Leopard and Himalayan Bear

The high plateau and mountain ranges of the north boast several national parks. The Himalayan musk deer and the elusive snow leopard may be spotted above the tree line, especially in the Chitral Gol, while in the popular bird watching area of the Murree Hills, black bears live in temperate pine forests. The Himalayan brown bear is found in the Deosai National Park but remains endangered, numbering just over 20.

Pakistan’s most accessible national park are the Margalla Hills which can be visited year round near Islamabad. Rugged and steep, drained by the river Kurang in the foothills of the Himalaya, the park was set up to protect the gray goral, barking deer and leopard. It’s great for bird watching, vultures, falcons, golden oriole, paradise flycatcher and kalij pheasant.

The copyright of the article Pakistan National Parks, Wildlife & Conservation in Pakistan Travel is owned by Solange Hando. Permission to republish Pakistan National Parks, Wildlife & Conservation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.