September 13, 2003

A Protected Area is defined as “An area of land and/or sea specially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means. “

Protected Areas (PAs) are managed for a variety of reasons, which include:

* Scientific research

* Wilderness protection

* Preservation of species and genetic diversity

* Maintenance of environmental services

* Protection of specific natural and cultural features

* Tourism and recreation

* Education

* Sustainable use of resources from natural ecosystems

* Maintenance of cultural and traditional attributes

The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world’s leading global network of protected area specialists.

The World Congress on Protected Areas or World Parks Congress (WPC) as it has become known, is a 10 yearly major international event which provides a unique opportunity to take stock of protected areas; provide an honest appraisal of progress and setbacks; and chart the course for protected areas over the next decade and beyond. The 5th WPC being held in Durban, South Africa from 8 to 17 September, 2003, has been organized by IUCN — The World Conservation Union, its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), South African National Parks and the Government of South Africa.

The challenge before the 2003 Congress is to show how protected areas are relevant to the broader economic, social and environmental agenda for humankind in the 21st Century.

 

Why WPC?

Protected areas are essential for safeguarding our future. Without an effective network of protected areas benefits like clean air and water, fertile soils, inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife will be lost.

Over 44,000 protected areas provide people around the world with life-sustaining material, spiritual, and recreational values. PAs cover almost 13 per cent of the Earth’s land surface. National parks, wilderness areas, multiple use and other types of reserves provide water, protect soils, and filter air. They offer materials from nature to meet the needs of local communities. PAs help balance the Earth’s climate, provide nutrients to the production of food and fibre, and mitigate the impact of major storms and other catastrophic natural events.

 

Theme of the Congress

The theme of the Vth WPC is Benefits Beyond Boundaries. It captures the opportunities for protected areas in the next millennium and reinforces the vital contribution that protected areas make to sustain life on earth. It also reflects growing understanding of the many values that protected areas provide and the shifting approaches to their establishment and management.

 

A vision by youth

I nput of ideas and recommendations from young people from all around the world on how best to manage protected areas during the 21st century will take the form of a Durban Youth Accord. The Youth Accord will be incorporated into the Durban Accord, the comprehensive vision for protected area management for the next 10 years and beyond.

 

Outputs of the Congress

World Parks Congress have a record of catalyzing important change for protected areas at all levels: global, regional, national and local. The Durban Congress will celebrate and focus the world on protected areas: an irreplaceable asset. The growth in the number of protected areas and universal acceptance of the protected area concept throughout the world represent a tremendous commitment by countries to protect their biodiversity and heritage so that it may be passed on to future generations.

The WPC is the premier global event where the big issues for the protected area profession will be drawn out and debated. Parks Congresses are the only occasions when a truly global picture can be obtained for protected areas. The Congress will deliver:

Key outputs: WPC Recommendations; Durban Accord and Action Plan; input into the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); United Nations List & State of the World’s Parks report; Protected Area User Manual for managers; African Outputs; PALNet-Protected Areas Learning Network. Other outputs: will relate to: Tourism, Transboundary Initiatives, Protected Area Categories Review, The Spiritual Values of Protected Areas, etc.

 

Previous WPCs

The four previous World Parks Congresses have been held in: Seattle, USA, 1962; Yellowstone, USA, 1972, National Parks — A Heritage for a Better World; Bali, Indonesia, 1982, Parks for Development; and Caracas, Venezuela, 1992, Parks for Life. Since Venezuela, a great deal of progress has been achieved:

* The number and proportion of the Earth’s surface with protected area status more than doubled in the last ten years;

* The overall target of 10 per cent of land and sea covered by protected areas has been surpassed;

* Protected areas are recognized as a key element in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by 187 nations;

* Protected areas have been successfully linked across international boundaries and in some cases made a significant contribution to peace;

* The value of traditional and other non-scientific knowledge has been recognized and local communities are becoming increasingly engaged in protected area management.i

(The writer works in Communications for IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Pakistan.)

Some protected areas of Pakistan

* Sindh: Kirthar (NP), Indus Dolphin Reserve, Hala and Mirpur Sakro (GR), Haleji Lake, Hawkesbay/ Sandspit Beaches and Kinjhar Lake (WS).

* Balochistan: Hazarganji Chiltan and Hingol (NP), Ziarat Juniper and Dureji (WS), Zangi Nawar and Gogi (GR), Chagai-Seistan Desert and Jiwani Beaches (Unclassified).

* NWFP: Chitral Gol, Ayubia, Saiful Maluk Lake and Lalusar Lake (NP), Maroba (GR), Borraka (WS).

* Northern Areas: Deosai Plains and Khunjerab (NP), Astore and Baltistan (WS).

* Punjab: Cholistan, Kharar Lake and Changa Manga Plantation (WS), Lal Suhanra (NP); and Federal Territory: Margalla Hills.

 

Protected Areas of Pakistan house

* one of the world’s highest parks, Khunjerab National Park, NWFP;

* one of the largest fortresses in the world, Rani Kot Fort, in Kirthar National Park, one of Pakistan’s largest National Parks;

* the 18th century tombs at Taung and pre-historic archaeological remains at Koh Tarash in Kirthar; Sadhu Bela temple in Indus Dolphin Reserve; and Makli

* endangered mammals like woolly flying squirrel and the Blind Indus dolphin — the only cetacean to reside in one of the world’s longest rivers, the Indus River

* total world population (estimated to be 800) of the endangered Chiltan markhor in Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, Balochistan

* Deosai Plains National Park, Northern Areas, on one of the highest plateaus in the world;

* threatened mammals like ibex, markhor, urial, goitred gazelle, Marco Polo sheep, snow leopard, Balochistan black bear

* medicinal plants like Seabuck thorn, Peelu, wild mint, ajwaeen, Gul-e-banafshan, gaozaban, reetha, bakain, ratanjot

* many important wildlife and plant species, species of birds, insects, marine and fish (Mahseer, Ruhu), vegetation. Some flora and fauna: pistachio, wild olives and almonds, chilghoza forests, turtles, crocodiles, reptiles, otter, flamingos, partridges, falcons, houbara bustard, pelican, waterfowl, crane, swan, Marbled Teal, pangolin, brown bear, blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, bluebull, Indian chinkara, blackbuck, musk deer, Indian gazelle, hyena, desert wolf, musk deer, wild boar.

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