Reading Materials about “CKNP” & “DNP”

READINGS MATERIALS
(Intro to „CKNP” & “DNP”)
FOR
RFO TEST (PROJECT “CKNP” &
“DNP”)
(But not limited to these only….)

Part-IV
General Info about
“CKNP” & “DNP”
Note:
The MCQs & Terminologies have been copied from authentic
Sources….. These provide only general ideas….. about Wildlife &
Forestry…. therefore…. don’t guarantee any “GB Govt
Recommended Test Structure”

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Contents (Part-V1-Information about “CKNP” & “DNP”)

1. National Parks in Pakistan.

2. Central Karakoram National Park.
3. Deosai National Park.

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1. NATIONAL PARKS IN PAKISTAN

National park
A national park is not like a city park or public garden with fenced boundaries and having
play grounds, picnic spots, jogging and walking tracks etc. Rather it is a reserve of land usually
declared and owned by a national government, meant for the protection and preservation of the
outstanding scenery, natural landscape, natural flora and fauna in natural state and protected
from hunting, cutting of vegetation, developmental activities and pollution

History of National Parks

The idea for the establishment of a national park came from William Wordsworth (1810),
who described the Lake District as a sort of national property, George Catlin (1832), who wrote
about preserving the Native Americans in a magnificent park – A nation‟s park containing man
and beast in all the wild and freshness of their nature‟s beauty. The first practical effort by any
government was in USA on April 20, 1832, when President Andrew Jackson signed the
legislation to establish Hot Spring Reservation in Arkansas to protect the natural, thermal springs
and adjoining mountainsides. The next effort was again in USA on June 30, 1864 by President
Abraham Lincoln ceding the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to the state of California. The
first ever national park in the world was Yellowstone National Park (USA) established in 1872.

National Parks in Pakistan

There are now 6,555 national parks worldwide and 21 exist in Pakistan representing
different ecological regions of the country and covering about 29,589 km², about 3 % of the total
area (10,060,96 km²) of the country. A century after the establishment of first national park, Lal
Sohanra National Park was the first to be established in Pakistan in 1972. The largest national
park is the Northeast Greenland National Park, located in Greenland and covering an area of
972,000 km².Minimum required area for a national park is 1000 acre (04 km²) and such a
national park exists in Pakistan that is ToliPir National Park located in Poonch district of AJ&K.

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Purpose and Objectives of National Parks

Protection of biodiversity is the main purpose for the establishment of a national park
however, being biologically, geologically and culturally important, the national parks also serve
to cater for education, recreation and scientific purposes for the public. People visit the parks to
see and share the wonders of their land and to learn about the forces and the people who have
shaped it through the centuries. Outstanding scenery, majestic places, natural flora and fauna in
natural state renders positive impacts on visitors‟ mind thus helping divert a nation‟s attitude
towards a healthy tract. National parks ensure the preservation of national natural heritage,
culture and monuments, and present them to the public.
Role of National Parks in Nature Conservation
Due to the growing threats to nature like global warming, population expansion, habitat
destruction and worldwide reduction of biological diversity, the national parks are now being
considered as the ecological laboratories, gene pools and bulwarks against the irreversible
change or the loss of species and hence, preserving the nature and ensuring the ecological health
of the planet. National parks are the ideal places for eco-tourism, tracking, bird and animal watch
and nature photography. National parks with their lush green forest components neutralize the
carbon emissions in the surrounding environments.

National Parks in Pakistan

1. Margallah Hills National Park: Islamabad, established 1980, area 15,883 ha.
2. Hazarganji Chiltan National Park: Balochistan, established 1980, area 15,555 ha.
3. Hingol National Park: Balochistan, established 1997, area 6, 19,043 ha.
4. Kirthar National Park: Sindh, established 1974, area 3, 08,733 ha.
5. Ayubia National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1984, area 3,122 ha.
6. Chitral Gol National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1984, area 7,750 ha.
7. Sheikh Badin National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 1999, area 15,540 ha.
8. Saiful Maluk National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 2003, area 12,026 ha.
9. Lulosar Dodipat National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established 2003, area 75,058 ha.
10. Broghil Valley National Park: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, established August 25, 2010, Area
134,744 ha.
11. Khunjerab National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1975, area 2, 27,143 ha.

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12. Hunderab Shandoor National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 1, 65,000 ha.
13. Deosai National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 3, 63,600 ha.
14. Central Karakoram National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established 1993, area 9, 73,845 ha.
15. Qurumber National Park: Gilgit-Baltistan, established August 2, 2011, area 74,000 ha.
16. Machhiara National Park: AJ & K, established 1996, area 13,532 ha.
17. Ghamot National Park: AJ & K, established 2004, area 27,271 ha.
18. Pir Lasoorha National Park: AJ & K, established 2005, area 1,580 ha.
19. Toli Pir National Park: AJ & K, established 2005, area 1,000 ha.
20. Musk Deer Gorez National Park: AJ & K, established 2007, area 52,815 ha.
21. Deva Vatala National Park: AJ & K, established 2007, area 2,993 ha.
22. Poonch River Mahaseer National Park: AJ & K, established 2011
23. Lal Suhanra National Park: Punjab, established 1972, area 51,368 ha.
24. Chinji National Park: Punjab, established 1987, area 6, 097 ha.
25. Kala Chitta National Park: Punjab, established Dec. 2008, area 36,965 ha.
26. Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park: Punjab, established Sep. 2009

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2. Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP)

Outlines:
1. General (CKNP)
 Overview
 History
2. Management and Regulations
 Management Plan
 Offices
3. Park Environment
 Ecological zones
 Fauna
 Flora
4. Research Opportunities.
5. Projects
 SEEDS
 SHARE

1. General Information:

The Central Karakoram in the Gilgit-Balitstan

of Pakistan is a mountain area endowed with rich
biodiversity, natural beauty and important resources.
The Park compasses the world‟s largest glaciers,
outside the Polar Regions. It was declared as the
Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) in 1993:
today it is the largest protected area of Pakistan,
covering over 10,557.73 km2 in the Central Karakorum
mountain range and the highest park all over the world,
it is characterized by extremes of altitudes that range
from 2,000 m a.s.l. to over 8,000 m a.s.l., including K2, the second highest peak in the world. It
falls into four administrative districts of Gilgit-Baltistan Region.
In order to facilitate the maintenance of Central Karakoram National Park ecological integrity
while, at the same time, providing sustainable management opportunities for local communities
and visitors, a zoning system has been implemented.

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This consists of two main zones, the Buffer Zone and the Core Zone, for a total of
10,557.73 Km2. The Buffer Zone, which is part of the Park and the Core Zone, which includes
areas with an higher degree of protection and corridors for tourists with basic facilities
The Buffer Zone (BZ) is supporting a
harmonic interaction between nature
conservation and the use of the natural renewable
resources through a sustainable way. This promotes
the conservation of landscapes, traditional forms of
land use, together with social and cultural
features. It is considered a part of CKNP and is
spreading for about 2,950.9 square kilometers. It is
not continuous around the whole Park, but it is
present mainly near the human settlements and near
to the areas where there are unsustainable activities and therefore a transition zone is needed.
The Core Zone (CZ), with a surface of about 7,606.83 square kilometers aims at
preserving a unique ecosystem, representative of the CKNP area. It is populated by important
species, where long-term conservation and preservation have to be ensured. On the one hand,
this area is impressive both for flora and fauna, on the other hand, the presence of a relevant
number of high peaks, many of them over 7.000 m, and glaciers covering about the 38% of the
whole Park surface, is attracting a relevant number of visitors. To preserve the nature integrity,
the Park has designated specific corridors where tourists are allowed to enter, with basic facilities
to reduce as much as possible their impact on this fragile, yet highly valuable, zone.
1.1 History (CKNP):

For centuries, the Gilgit Baltistan was one of the most remote and inaccessible region of
the sub-continent but, since 1965, roads to the southern lowlands of Pakistan connected the GB
on a year-round basis. Then, the realization of the Karakoram Highway (completed in 1978),
which links Pakistan and China, opened up the Gilgit Baltistan to a series of unprecedented
changes (social, economic, cultural and environmental).First Karakoram explorers have been the
English during the period of their possession of the area. We have to wait early twentieth-century
to find a real interest which can be defined “climbing-touristic” as well as “exploratory”. Duke of
Abruzzi arranged the first expedition toward the Baltoro Glacier on 1909, while in 1929 Duke of
Spoleto with the famous scientist Ardito Desio organized a new scientific expedition in the area.
Eric Shipton and other climbers started a more extensive frequentation of the area up to the first
expeditions till years of postwar period, paving the way for the climbing Karakoram tourism.
The Italian expedition to K2 of 1954 has seen the first ascent of this mountain and some years
after, in 1957, the German expedition to Broad Peak marked the turning towards a touristic
development of the area included in the present CKNP. From 1960s the touristic flow of
climbers and trekkers has progressively increased, also for the concentration in the area of
exceptional opportunities for mountain adventure activities, of peaks and unique sceneries
known all over the world.

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2. Management and Regulation:

2.1 Management Plan:

The Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP) was declared as national park in 1993. In
2009, CKNP still needed a Management Plan dedicated not only to conservation, but also to
meet the needs of the local communities of this area. Therefore, to support an integrated social,
economic and environmental development of the area, Ev-K2-CNR, in collaboration with local
institutions and international agencies, launched the Karakorum Trust II and the Social,
Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) projects.

The objective of the CKNP Management Plan is to improve local communities quality of life
and the conservation of environment, architectural and cultural heritage, and enhance the
capacity of local communities and institutions to adapt to climate change. This has been done by
promoting sustainable development in the Karakorum area through coordination of ongoing
efforts and initiatives, strengthening the decision support system and the institutional mechanism
for a better management of the Park.

2.2 Offices (CNKP):

CKNP Headquarters:
Sadpara Road, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan
Tel: +92 5815 921018

CKNP Visitors information & registration center:

– Hushey Village, District Ghanche, Gilgit- Baltistan Pakistan
– Askoli Maidan, Askoli village, Upper Braldo
– Shigar, District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan
– Hisper village, Nagar No1, District Hunza Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan.

3. Park Environment (CKNP):

3.1 Ecological Zones:

The great altitudinal range and the climatic

conditions, low precipitation and the effects of
westerly humid winds, have carved out distinctive
ecological zones, which have been identified on the
basis of researches on vegetation and on the rich
faunal component associated to each zone. The
distribution of natural vegetation is closely linked to

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climatic and topographic conditions. The decreasing diversity in natural vegetation towards the
north, it is due to increasing aridity; thus, the expansion of forests declines northwards. A major
cause of this, it is the significant difference in precipitation, humidity, and the varying periods of
snow coverage. The vegetation of lower sub alpine areas is influenced by arid to semi-arid
conditions, whereas plants of the alpine and sub-nival level are influenced by humidity.

Each valley in CKNP provides agricultural lands

and pastures at several distinct altitudinal levels.
Most of the cultivated area and major settlements are
along the beds of the major rivers, crops include
Wheat, Maize and Potato while Apricot and
Pomegranate are the most common fruit trees of the
orchards. Popular plantation is very common within
the cultivated areas and also as separated plantation
for domestic timber use.

Alpine Dry Steppe (Artemisia-Steppe): The heterogenous moraine and gravel base of the
valley floor and lower slopes are covered by sparse grass and bush lands and represent the lowest
vegetation zone. According to the predominant scrub-species it is also referred to as Artemisia-
Steppe.

Sub-alpine Scrub Zone: Riverbanks covered by

scrubs and tree patches are located in the Sub-Alpine
Scrub zone. They are distributed in narrow belts along
streams, often bordering with small ravines on upper
slopes. The Sub-Alpine Scrub zone is important for both
livestock and mountain ungulate species like markhor,
Himalayan ibex, and Ladakh urial, and it is also
considered to be an important summer grazing ground
for these species. The vegetation of this zone is
represented by small deciduous species.

Alpine Meadows and Alpine Scrub Zone: The areas, accessible only during the peak summer
season, host a semi-humid steppe with „open‟ to „semi-closed‟ forest in the lower-lying areas of
this ecoregion (Intermediate pastures).

Permanent Snowfields and Cold Deserts (Sub-Nival and Nival Zones): In the high alpine and
sub-nival zone at altitudes of about 4,200 m-5,100 m, patchy and sparse alpine vegetation forms
final grassy seats that are accessible only in July and August.

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3.2 Fauna of the Park:

The CKNP is a refuge area not only for threatened species, i.e. markhor, musk deer, urial,
Marco Polo sheep (presence to be confirmed in CKNP) and snow leopard, but also for not
threatened but important “flag” species, i.e. blue sheep, ibex, lynx and wolf. The CKNP was
proposed in the early 90‟s of the XX Century to protect the major mountain massifs, watersheds
and glaciers of the Central Karakorum region and to form a contiguous conservation area with
the Kunjerab National Park and the Deosai National Park. In practice, the status of the threatened
large mammal species inhabiting the Central Karakorum National Park is almost unknown, but
some information indicates that numbers of the snow leopard and especially of markhor are very
low and close to their biological threshold. Over-hunting, habitat loss and isolation of small
populations have probably been the main reasons for this depletion.

MAMMALS
Snow Leopard
Snow leopards are large cats, most active at
dawn and dusk. They have long thick fur, from smoky
grey to yellowish tan, with whitish underparts, and
dark grey to black open rosettes on their body (with
small spots on their heads and larger spots on their legs
and tail). Snow leopards show adaptations to live in
cold mountainous environments: stocky bodies, thick
fur, small and rounded ears to decrease heat loss from
the body. Their feet are large, and the tail is long and
flexible, which helps them to maintain their balance while chasing prey in precipitous terrain.

Lynx
Lynxes have very short tails, with long powerful legs
and large paws. The short tail has a thick black tip,but
no black rings above. Their ears terminate in long,
black hair tufts, and their cheeks are framed by longer
white and black hair. Their overall body colour is
silvery grey, with a reddish under fur, showing more
reddish tones in summer coat. Immature lynxes have
black spots all over the body, which fade with age,
although some adults still show faint spots on the
outside of the upper limbs and forehead.

Brown Bear
Brown bears have furry coats in shades of blonde, brown, black,or a combination of these
colours. The longer outer guard hairs of the brown bear are often tipped with white or silver,
giving a “grizzled”appearance. Their heads are large and round with a concave facial profile, a

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characteristic used to distinguish them from other bears. Like all bears, brown bears are
plantigrades and can stand up on their hind legs for extended periods of time. Males are 40-50%
larger than females.

Wolf
The Indian wolf (present in Central-South Pakistan)
is smaller in size than the Tibetan wolf (Northern
Areas). The wolf is greyish brown (the Indian one) to
creamy (the Tibetan) in colour, with paler legs and
face and the upper back and dorsal surface of tail
with black hair. The front feet have five toes, the
inner one being vestigial (not visible in pugmarks),
and the hind feet have four toes. Claws are
irretraceable.

Red Fox
Red foxes have elongated bodies and relatively short limbs. They are the largest species of the
genus Vulpes. In the typical red morph, their coats are generally bright reddish-rusty with
yellowish tints. A stripe of weak, diffuse patterns of many brown-reddish-chestnut hairs occurs
along the spine. Two additional stripes pass down the shoulder blades which, together with the
spinal stripe, form a cross. The lower back is often a mottled silvery colour. The flanks are
lighter coloured than the back, while the chin, lower lips, throat and front of the chest are white.
The remaining lower surface of the body is dark, brown or reddish. The upper parts of the limbs
are rusty-reddish, while the paws are black. The top of the tail is brownish-reddish, but lighter in
colour than the back and flanks. The tip of the tail is white.

CorsacFox
The appearance of the Corsac fox is fairly typical among the Vulpes species. It is grey to
greyish-red in colour with silver undertones. The under parts are white with yellow undertones.
The back is intensively hoary-reddish. The tip of the tail is black.

Stone marten
Stone martens are long, slender, short-legged mustelid predators with long, bushy tails. Their
brown coats have a forked white marking at the throat. Its nose is of a light peach or grey colour.
Its feet are not so densely furred, thus making them look less broad, with the paw pads remaining
visible even in winter.

Golden marmot
Marmots are large rodents, with flat head and
short neck. Their body shape and size reflect the
partly subterranean life, being streamlined and
flexible: marmots are capable of pushing their

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way through narrow holes. Hind legs are shorter than forelegs. The large eyes are close to the top
of the head, allowing the animal to see the terrain above ground while remaining inside the
burrow. Ears are small and barely extend beyond the fur. Long whiskers are located on checks,
lower jaw, around the nose, and eyes.

Himalayan Ibex
The coat colouration varies widely across ibex‟s range. The general colour of the pelage is a light
tan, with the undersides lighter. In winter, mature males become much darker, with varying
patches of white on the neck and back. Males have a beard. Both sexes have horns. Females
show slender, shorter, backward curving horns, while males have massive horns, flattened on
their front edge and roughly triangular in cross section.

Markhor
A large wild goat, formerly found throughout the
mountains from Kashmir and Turkestan to
Afghanistan, but now greatly reduced in numbers and
range. Habitat loss, overhunting (for meat and
trophies), and competition with livestock are the main
causes of its decline. The markhor stands about 95–
102 cm at the withers and has long corkscrew-shaped
horns. Its coat is reddish brown in summer and long,
grey, and silky in winter. The male has a long, heavy
fringe on its throat and chest.

Bharal or blue Sheep

Despite their name, blue sheep are neither blue nor
sheep: they are slate-grey to brownish and closer to
the goats than to the sheep, as morphological,
behavioural, and molecular analyses have shown.
Blue sheep are sexually dimorphic, with males larger
than females. Adult males have rather large,
backward-sweeping horns, whereas females have
very small horns. They are not present in the Park but
they may migrate into it.

Urial
The urial is a medium-size wild sheep. The face is generally greyish, the long slender legs and
belly are creamy-white while the body fur is a reddish-grey colour. Adult rams show a chest ruff,
predominantly white in the throat region and black as it extends down to the sternum. In summer
coat the ruff is much shorter, but still conspicuous. Urial males have large horns, curling
outwards from the top of the head, turning in to end somewhere behind the head. On the
contrary, females have shorter, compressed horns.

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Musk Deer
Musk deer are primitive deer, not having antlers, but a pair of tusklike upper canines. Both sexes
have well-developed upper canines, and in males these grow 7-14 cm (3-5 inches) long and
protrude from the mouth in a fang-like manner. The canines are constantly growing, but, they are
also easily broken, due to their mobility and fragility. It looks like a small deer with a stocky
build, and hind legs longer than front legs. The general colour of the coat is a slightly grizzled
dark brown. The ears are large and rounded, generally lined with whitish fur. The musk gland is
found only in adult males. It lies in a sac located between the genitals and the umbilicus, and its
secretions are most likely used to attract mates and mark the territory. Musk deer have been
hunted for their scent glands which can fetch up to U.S. $45,000/ kg on the black market.

BIRDS

The Gilgit and Baltistan Region of Pakistan has one of the most diverse avifauna of the
mountain regions of the world, but unfortunately little information is available on the
distribution, status and ecology of many of the bird species. Around 90 species of birds are
known to occur in the CKNP in 13 families. Common snow cock, Chukar, rock pigeon, snow
pigeon, oriental turtle dove, booted eagle, and common kestrel are among the common resident
birds of the area. Common hoopoe, common cuckoo, common swift and Eurasian nightjar
represent summer breeding birds of the area. Hen harrier, Eurasian skylark, Spanish sparrow,
Himalayan accentor, Eurasian goldfinch, and pine bunting are winter visitors to the area. Rare
birds of the CKNP include snow partridge, Himalayan Monal, golden eagle, alpine accentor,
mountain finch, and Hume‟s Wheatear.

FISHES:

The CKNP is endowed with a wealth of fresh water resources from river, stream to alpine
lakes. The fish fauna is relatively poor due to high turbidity, low water temperature, high water
speedband long stretches of narrow gorges of rivers. Recent studies report about 17 species of
native fish and three of exotic fishes, belonging to five families. Out of these 17 native species,
four are endemic to the GB; while several others have restricted range confined to one or two
localities. For example, species Triplophysa stoliczkai, Ptychobarbus conirostis, and
Schizopygopsis stoliczkai are only found in eastern water-heads up to Kachura, close to Skardu
city.

3.3 Flora of the Park:The vegetation of Central Karakorum National Park covers only a small
percentage of the park area (14.7%). High elevation, coldness, and the rough topography,
indeed, restrict the area suitable for plants establishment. In particular, temperature is a
limiting factor at higher elevations (above 4500 m) while insufficient water availability
during the growing season is impeding plants growth at lower altitudes (below 2000 m,
where natural vegetation is mainly found around water bodies as streams or lakes).

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Additionally, vegetation has been affected by the millennium-old human and livestock
presence.
Nevertheless, different vegetation types grow in the CKNP and they are of major importance
both for ecological reasons (e.g. as habitat for wildlife, biodiversity conservation) and for the
sustainment of local communities (e.g. for the provision of grazing ground, firewood,
timber). Additionally environmental services like
protection from soil erosion, regulation of water
quantity and quality, nutrient recycling are being
provided.
The plant communities present in Central
Karakorum National Park are of particularly
interest since the park location in the transition
zone between sub-tropical humid condition to the
south and continental dry climate of northern
areas. Indeed, inside the CKNP borders, this
transition is evident moving from southwest
towards northeast. CKNP can therefore ideally be divided into two main ecological zones: a
southwest part, around Gilgit district, which is relatively warmer and partially influenced by
the summer monsoon and the northeast part, felling mostly in Skardu district which is
characterized by a more continental climate (Treydte et al., 2006). This climate patterns have
a major influence on vegetation characteristics and distribution: it is of particularly interest to
deeply evaluate the effect of climate transition on the CKNP forest resources, especially for
their importance in the livelihoods of local communities. Overall, the South-Western sector is
characterized by a forest composition and structure which is richer both in area, biomass and
species. Most of the largest forest of CKNP are located in the Southern lateral valleys of the
main Gilgit river valley (with few exceptions on the southern border of CKNP along Indus
river).
Good examples of those rich forest ecosystems can be found in Haramosh, Khaltaro,
Bagrote, Jaglot Gor and Astak valleys among others. On the contrary, in the North-Eastern
valleys, mainly plant adapted to cold and xeric environment can be found. Forest cover is
more fragmented and sparse with lower
densities, stand biomass and increments.
Forests areas here are therefore more
scattered.
Vegetation types, which partially follow
the classification proposed by Champion et
al. (1965), have been formulated according
to the species composition and, therefore, as
a consequence of the most prominent
ecological processes shaping their

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geographic distribution. Overall, inside the CKNP limits 4 forests and 3 shrub-lands types
can be recognized.

FOREST
The forests inside the CKNP have been classified into 3 broad categories sparse trees, open
forest and closed forest.

Sparse trees vegetation

It‟s a class with a reduced tree cover (<10%) which
therefore cannot be classified as a forest according
to FAO standards. The tree individuals are sparse and
small (<5 m), often Junipers or heavily
degraded mountain dry temperate coniferous forests.

Open Forest
It‟s the first classification of forest. Can be the result
of the degradation of a closed forest or a forest
growing on poor soil. The vegetation cover is
between 10 and 50% and the mean height of tallest
trees is between 5 and 15 m. In this category are
included the forest which might be managed in the
future and in which reforestation is suggested. The
species composition can be various, from degraded
spruce (Picea smithiana) and Pine (Pinus wallichiana)
to dense Juniperus woodland.

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Closed Forest
It‟s the category which includes the most productive forests. The vegetation cover is above 50%
and the mean height of tallest trees it‟s above 15 m. The sustainable forest management will be
applied mostly to this category. Usually this class is composed by dense forests of spruce (Picea
smithiana), pine (Pinus wallichiana) and/or birch (Betula utilis). This category have the highest
biomass and increment.

4. Research Opportunity:

The CKNP offers many research opportunities for scientists studying cryosphere, water
resources management forestry, applied geology and geological instability, innovative
technologies for territorial management, atmospheric sciences and climate, wildlife. A
preliminary written permission of the Park Directorate is required to conduct any research
activities in all the Park areas. The Management Plan of the Park established and collected clear
guidelines and protocols for researchers.

5. Projects (CKNP)

5.1 SEED

The SEED (Social Economic Environmental

Development) Project is an initiative submitted by
EvK2Cnr Committee, Italy and the Karakoram
International University, within the framework of the
Debt for Development Swap program between the
Governments of Italy and Pakistan. The project
started in 2009 and it will end in 2014. It aims to
realize an integrated social, economic and
environmental development, including the complete realization of Central Karakoram National
Park.

With this aim, the project operates in compliance with the priorities defined in
Implementation plan for the Agenda 21, developed at the World Summit of Sustainable
Development in 2002 to achieve the reduction of poverty and support the sustainable
development of mountain ecosystems. The Project objectives are to improve livelihood and life
quality of local people and to realize economic development, mainly by supporting eco-
sustainable tourism sector. SEED also focus on CKNP, aiming to build a strong, intrinsically
scientific park management. The process involves the participation of the local communities
living in and around the park, which is impossible without providing tangible benefits for the
well-being of these communities.

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5.2 SHARE

Stations at High Altitude for Research on the

Environment (SHARE):

Mountains represent an important source of water, energy and biological diversity.

Moreover, mountains provide key resources as minerals, forest and agricultural products as well
as recreation. However, mountain areas that cover about a fourth of the Earth‟s land surface
giving hospitality at about 13% of world population are fragile ecosystems, very sensitive to
global climate changes. For these reason and following the UN resolutions and indications Ev-
K2-CNR launched the SHARE project – Stations at High Altitude for Research on the
Environment – with the aim to promote continuous scientific observations in key high-mountain
regions able to contribute to knowledge on regional and global climate change. Through these
activities, national and international governments are supported in order to promote sustainable
development and adaptation policies against climate change effects in the mountain regions. In
particular, thanks to a direct cooperation with UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program),
extreme attention is devoted in addressing priority issues and present themes..
Specific aims of SHARE are to improve scientific knowledge on climate variability in mountain
regions, by ensuring the availability of long term, high quality data. To this aim, a global
mountain observation network on atmospheric composition, meteorology and glaciology,
hydrology and water resources, biodiversity and human health has been implemented and
maintained. SHARE activities also plan to include the design of mitigation and adaptation
strategies to oppose the effects of climate change.

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3. DEOSAI NATIONAL PARK

Above the tree line and at an average height of 13,500 feet above sea level, the Deosai Plains
are among the highest plateaus in the world. The Deosai Plains cover an area of almost 3,000
square kilometers. For just over half the year - between November and May - Deosai is snow-
bound. In the summer months when the snow clears up, Deosai is accessible from Skardu in the
north and the Astore Valley in the west.

Sheosar Lake

Deosai Lake, or Sheosar Lake from the meaning "Blind lake" is in the park. The lake, at
an elevation of 4,142 metres (13,589 ft), is one of the highest lakes in the world. Its length is 2.3
kilometres (7,500 ft), width 1.8 kilometres (5,900 ft) and average depth 40 metres (130 ft).

Fauna and Flora:

The Deosai National Park was established in 1993 to protect the survival of the
Himalayan brown bear and its habitat. Having long been a prize kill for poachers and hunters,
the bear now has a hope for survival in Deosai where its number has increased from only 19 in
1993 to 40 in 2005. During the last decade, a few but effective measures have been taken by the
Government of Pakistan for the survival of brown bear in the region. In 1993, Himalayan
Wildlife Project was founded with a substantial financial support from international
environmental concerns. But the brown bear is still under threat.

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The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Marmot
locally called Phia, Gray Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard and over 124 resident
and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, griffen
vulture, kestrel, sparrow hawk, and snow cock.

The following species are found in Deosai Artemisia maritima, Polygonum affine,
Thalictrum alpinum, Bromus oxyodon, Saxifraga flagellaris, Androsace mucronifolia, Aster
flaccidus, Barbarea vulgaris, Artemisia maritima, Agropyron longearistatum, Nepeta connate,
Carex cruenta, Ranaculyus laetus, Arenaria neelgerrensis, Astrogalus leucophylla, Polygonum
amplexinade, Echinop nivetus, Seria chrysanthenoides, Artemisia maritima, Dracocephalum
nutsus, Anapalas contorta, Chrysopogon echinulatus, and Dianthus crinitus. There were also
observed some medicinal plants which are localy famous i.e Thymu linearis (Reetumburuk),
Saussures lappa (kuth), Ephedra intimedia (Say), Viola canescens (Skora-mindoq),
Dracocephalum muristanicum (Shamdun) and Artemisia maritima (Bursay) etc are used as
traditional drug therapies.

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Stay Blessed……. All

the best for your
future endeavors…..
Aameen

Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar. Page 20