PESHAWAR, Aug 18: The proposed joint wildlife peace park, at Chinese border beyond Khunjrab, could not be developed owing to the activities of separatist movement in Xinjiang.

Sources said a proposal had been submitted for development of an international peace park for the conservation of wildlife on the borderland.

Under the plan, through a trans-boundary agreement, Khunjrab Wildlife National Park on Pakistan side and Taxkorgan Natural Reserve on Chinese side would be declared an international peace park for wildlife to promote eco-tourism.

The area of Khunjrab Park is about 227,000 hectors and the government declared it wildlife national park in 1975, while Taxkorgan Natural Reserve covers 1.5 million hectors.

Under the Bonn Convention, countries can develop international wildlife parks on the border areas to regulate hunting and animal trade and conserve wild species.

A source said the idea floated in early 1980s had been discussed at national and international forums.

Conservators from the countries had agreed to declare Khunjrab and Taxkorgan an international park to provide sanctuary to the endangered wildlife.

“The separatist movement in Xinjiang province is the main irritant,” an official of the provincial ministry of environment disclosed and added that the Chinese government was reluctant to work on the project.

Apart from militant infiltration, the official said, a large number  of poachers sneaked into Chinese territory from Pakistan and other countries for hunting wild animals and birds, which worried China.

The Xinjiang province shares its border with Pakistan, Kirgizistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. In 1980s a Muslim movement, backed by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, started struggle for an independent state in the Karakoram region.

Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalayas meet in the region, having a favourable environment for wildlife and birds conservation.

The most endangered and rare species, including snow leopard, Markhor, ibex, marcopolo sheep, blue sheep, falcons and numerous kinds of flora and fauna are found in the Karakoram region.  

The wild animals, however, are living in an uncertain environment because  of the loss of habitats, poaching and trapping.