2.1 Assessment of wildlife population in game reserves

An assessment of wildlife was done as a collaboration among NAFD, IUCN-P, WWF-P and AKRSP (IUCN-P et al, 2001). It aimed to determine the current status of mountain ungulates in some game reserves in Northern Areas that are managed by the Northern Areas Forest Department (NAFD). The report also discusses capacity building of the partner organizations during this process. The results, analysis and other information provided by the survey teams have also been discussed. Finally, recommendations are provided.

The government, NGOs and representatives of communities conducted wildlife surveys in Nar goro, Sherquilla, and Daniyore game reserves as well as Kande-kane area in Ghanche district. The Northern Areas Conservation Strategy (NACS) support project provided logistic and financial support and the Mountain Areas Conservation Program (MACP) undertook the lead role. WWF-P, AKRSP and NAFD provided their staff and helped in identifying village wildlife guides (VWGs)

The main objectives of the survey was:
• Enhance coordination and partnership among organizations for conservation of natural resources including sharing of expertise and resources for creating synergy.
• Building capacity of NAFD, AKRSP and communities in conducting wildlife surveys in protected areas and outer countryside.
• Catalyzing involvement of local communities in sustainable management of protected areas, including watch and ward by them in lieu of economic incentives.
• Using common techniques of wildlife survey in Northern Areas for comparing result.
• Assessing the overall population size of mountain ungulates in the entire protected areas system of Northern Areas at a later stage by studding the current status of species for developing Northern Areas red list of wild mammals.
The following recommendations were given by the team:

• Regular wildlife monitoring is required in all protected areas to get detailed information and clear picture of the status of wild animals, especially those that are hunted.
• Capacity building of VWGs, living around the protected areas, needs strengthening by involving them in regular training programs that are organized jointly by IUCN, WWF-P, AKRSP and the Forest Department.
• The Forest Department should involve local communities residing within and around the protected areas in their joint management
Measures should be taken by the Forest Department for the recovery of urial in Nar and Goro valleys.
• Heavy grazing pressure is pushing wild animals out of their habitat in the Danyore game reserve. Improved and sustainable grazing management is necessary .It should be explored through dialogues with the communities living in and around the game reserves and other kind of protected areas.
• The Forest Department should prepare a list of potential field staff and VWGs for training and send it to IUCN-MACP and WWF–Pakistan. These organizations should train them, especially in population survey techniques and conservation planning. This will help them to conduct training sessions for community representatives to formulate conservation plans at the valley /game reserve level.

Table . Wild ungulates sighted in Nar-Goro, Sherquilla and Danyore game reserves, and Kande-Kaney area in Northern Areas

Source: IUCN-P, NAFD, WWF-P and AKRSP. 2001. Wildlife population assessment in some game reserves in the Northern Areas. Report.