Biodiversity in Pakistan: Key issues

Abstract

Pakistan is rich in biodiversity, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions which cover almost 80% of the total land area. A number of animal and plant species are threatened and/or endangered largely due to over-exploitation and loss of natural habitat. Rapid human population growth is increasing pressure on the country's natural resource base. Increased poverty has forced rural people to exploit biodiversity at unsustainable rates. Factors like deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, salinity and waterlogging are posing major threats to the remaining biodiversity of the country. The continuing loss of forest habitat, with its associated fauna and flora, will have serious implications for the nation's other natural and agricultural ecosystems. The Protected Areas System was established for in-situ conservation of biodiversity and although a number of laws have been framed to conserve various components of biodiversity, they have not been implemented. All efforts to reverse losses and promote diversity are in vain without local participation. The Government of Pakistan prepared the National Conservation Strategy (NCS) in 1992, with biodiversity conservation as an essential component. Pakistan is a signatory to many international initiatives and is making concerted efforts to conserve its biodiversity in all ecological regions. It is proposed that all the stakeholders including the government agencies, local communities and NGOs work together as partners to conserve biodiversity. In this article the present status, threats and challenges faced by biodiversity are highlighted. Proposals are presented for workable strategies that could help conserve and realize sustainable levels of biodiversity.