Deterioration impact of Indian crested porcupine, Hystrix indica, on forestry and agricultural systems in Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, Hystrix indica is abundant and distributed all over the country. It has been identified as a serious pest of traditional as well as non-traditional crops, fruit orchards, vegetables, flowering plants and grasses of forage importance in rangelands. The most important porcupine damage, however, occurs in forestry and reforestation areas. Damage estimates of 52.5% to Melia azedarach, 24.3% to Morus alba and 1% to Dalbergia sissoo in different irrigated forest plantations of Punjab has been described. Severe stocking damage of 60% to Pinus roxburghii and 42% to Robinia pseudoacacia was recorded in different areas of Tarbela Watershed Management Project. Crops of economic importance such as maize, groundnut and potatoes are severely damaged in irrigated plains and mountain regions. Among the vegetables, okra, pumpkin, bitter gourd, and onions are badly damaged. In rangelands different species of grasses such as Pennisetum sp., Cenchrus ciliaris and Cymbopogan jawarancusa are uprooted which severely affects sustainable grazing. Dirt raised embankments of link and irrigational canals have become weakened because of the most favourable denning sites for the porcupines. Damage to plastic tubing is common where drip irrigation is practised.