LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved the management plan for Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary (TBWS), jointly developed by representatives of Punjab forests, wildlife and fisheries department and WWF-Pakistan, says a press release.

The plan was finalised through a series of meetings at local and provincial levels with the involvement of all, direct and indirect, stakeholders.

It will be jointly implemented by Punjab government and WWF-Pakistan.

Punjab government has approved Rs110 million budget for a period of two years (2014-16) for the improved management of the wildlife sanctuary which is also designated as a Ramsar Site (a wetland of global significance).

TBWS was declared protected under the Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974 and the plan was drafted keeping in view various threats that the wildlife sanctuary faced, including conversion of riverine forests for agricultural purposes, degrading wildlife habitat, grazing pressure, cutting of trees for fuelwood, overfishing and illegal bird hunting.

The plan, after its implementation, will contribute towards better management of the habitat, wildlife and fisheries management, social mobilisation, public awareness, environmental education, tourism and recreation in the buffer zones and floodplain management.

It is hoped the plan will yield a participatory approach and improvement in protected regime in the area.

TBWS is home to a variety of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, especially the blind Indus dolphin. The sanctuary comprises a large water reservoir and series of ponds and lakes between embankments. The core land area provides a typical ecosystem of riverine forests which is the habitat of many threatened species like the endangered hog deer.

Published in Dawn February 12th , 2015

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