Pakistan

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

for achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Sustainable Development Goals

Government of Pakistan
2017 - 2030
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. i
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... i
I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 12
1. Context ............................................................................................................................... 12
2. Purpose of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan .............................................. 13
3. Valuation of Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services and its Contribution to Human Well-
being ................................................................................................................................... 14
4. Causes and Trends of Biodiversity Loss ............................................................................ 14
4.1. Population Growth ......................................................................................................... 15
4.2. Policy, Planning, and Institutional Shortfalls ................................................................ 15
4.3. Land Use -Degradation and Desertification .................................................................. 16
4.4. Deforestation .................................................................................................................. 19
4.5. Open Access Resources ................................................................................................. 19
4.6. Grazing ........................................................................................................................... 20
4.7. Unsustainable Fishing .................................................................................................... 20
4.8. Promotion of High Yield Varieties and Exotic Breeds .................................................. 21
4.9. Extensive Use of Agrochemicals ................................................................................... 21
4.10. Pollution...................................................................................................................... 21
4.11. Water Scarcity ............................................................................................................ 22
4.12. Global Climate Change .............................................................................................. 22
5. Constitutional, Legal and Institutional Framework ............................................................ 22
5.1. Biodiversity Legal Framework at Federal level............................................................. 22
5.2. Provincial Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Laws ......................................................... 24
5.3. Biodiversity Policy Framework ..................................................................................... 24
5.4. Biodiversity related Conventions, Declarations and Agreements ................................. 25
5.5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)......................................................................... 26
5.6. Institutional Framework ................................................................................................. 26
6. Review of Progress on BAP Implementation..................................................................... 27
6.1. Progress on Implementation of BAP (2000):................................................................. 27

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6.2. Biodiversity Scenarios ................................................................................................... 27

6.3. Processes for development of Biodiversity Action and Plan (BAP)and National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ........................................................................... 28
II. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ..................................... 30
1. Vision ................................................................................................................................. 30
2. Goals ................................................................................................................................... 30
3. Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 30
4. Strategies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 30
5. Biodiversity Awareness ...................................................................................................... 31
5.1. Context ........................................................................................................................... 31
5.2. Issues and Trends ........................................................................................................... 31
5.3. Strategies and Actions.................................................................................................... 32
6. Gender, Poverty, and Biodiversity Nexus .......................................................................... 33
6.1. Context ........................................................................................................................... 33
6.2. Issues and Trends ........................................................................................................... 33
6.3. Strategies and Actions.................................................................................................... 34
7. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in National Planning and Policy Processes .......................... 34
7.1. Context ........................................................................................................................... 34
7.2. Issues and Trends ........................................................................................................... 34
7.3. Strategies and Actions.................................................................................................... 35
8. Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species ................................................................... 35
8.1. Context ........................................................................................................................... 35
8.2. Issues and Trends ........................................................................................................... 36
8.3. Strategies and Actions.................................................................................................... 38
9. Forest Ecosystems .............................................................................................................. 40
9.1. Context ........................................................................................................................... 40
9.2. Issues and Trends ........................................................................................................... 41
9.3. Strategies and Actions.................................................................................................... 43
10. Inland Wetland Ecosystems ............................................................................................... 45
10.1. Context........................................................................................................................ 45
10.2. Issue and Trends ......................................................................................................... 47
10.3. Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................ 48

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11. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems ......................................................................................... 50

11.1. Context........................................................................................................................ 50
11.2. Issues and Trends........................................................................................................ 51
11.3. Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................ 52
12. Sustainable Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity ................................................................... 54
12.1. Context........................................................................................................................ 54
12.2. Issues and Trends........................................................................................................ 55
12.3. Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................ 55
13. Sustainable Production and Consumption .......................................................................... 57
13.1. Context........................................................................................................................ 57
13.2. Trends and Issues........................................................................................................ 58
13.3. Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................ 59
14. Synthetic Biology – challenges and opportunities from a biodiversity perspective .......... 59
14.1. Trends and Issues........................................................................................................ 60
14.2. Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................ 61
III. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION ....................................... 63
15. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 63
16. Implementation of NBSAP ................................................................................................ 63
17. Communication and Outreach Strategy ............................................................................. 63
18. Plan for Resource Mobilization .......................................................................................... 64
19. National Coordination Mechanisms ................................................................................... 64
20. Clearing-House Mechanism ............................................................................................... 65
21. Monitoring and Evaluation ................................................................................................. 65
IV. References ........................................................................................................................ 109

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Map of Pakistan .............................................................................................................. xi

Figure 2: Population growth in Pakistan, 1960 -2010 .................................................................. 15
Figure 3: National Public Sector Development (NPSD) Allocations ........................................... 16
Figure 4: Major Land Uses in Pakistan......................................................................................... 17
Figure 5: Wind and water erosion across Pakistan between 1998 and 2007. ............................... 18
Figure 6: Changes in forest cover across Pakistan between 1990 and 2010. ............................... 18
Figure 7: Numbers of goat, sheep, and camels in Pakistan (1990 - 2014) ................................... 19
Figure 8: Progress on Implementation of the BAP (2000) in 2015. ............................................ 27
Figure 9: Holdridge Life Zones of Pakistan ................................................................................ 38
Figure 10: Level of various threats in different forest types (FCPF RFP, MoCC, 2012) ............ 41
Figure 11: The Major Wetlands of Pakistan. .......................................................................... 47
Figure 12: Map showing EES in Arabian Sea. ......................................................................... 51

LIST OF ANNEXES
Annex1:Matrix showing NBSAP targets and Indicators for Monitoring ..................................... 66
Annex 2: Mammalian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP .............. 91
Annex 3: Game Animals ............................................................................................................... 94
Annex 3: Bird species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP .......................... 95
Annex 4: Reptiles and amphibians of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP ..... 99
Annex5: Fish species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP ......................... 100
Annex 6: Marine species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP.................... 101
Annex 7: Plant species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP ....................... 102
Annex8: List of PAs (National Parks) in need of effective management plans ......................... 103
Annex 9:List of Ramsar Sites in Pakistan................................................................................... 105
Annex 10: Ecosystems and Habitats Identified for Filling Gaps in the PA System ................... 106

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List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

ABTs Aichi Biodiversity Targets
AJK State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
BAP Biodiversity Action Plan
BRC Bio Resource Research Centre
BWG Biodiversity Working Group
CAF Central Asian Flyway
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBI City Biodiversity Index
CDR Carbon Dioxide Removal
CHM Clearing House Mechanism
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CMS Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
CoP Conference of Parties
CRI Climate Risk Index
DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid
ECO Economic Cooperation Organization
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EPA Environmental Protection Act
ENERCON National Energy Conservation Center
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas
FSMP Forestry Sector Master Plan
GB Gilgit-Baltistan
GBO Global Biodiversity Outlook
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIS Global Information System
GMO Genetically Modified Organism
GM Genetically Modified
HYVs High Yield Varieties
IBC Institutional Biosafety Committee
ITPGRFA International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
LMO Living Modified Organism
MAPs Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
Mha Million hectares
MoCC Ministry of Climate Change
NBC National Biosafety Committee
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan
NCS National Conservation Strategy
NSC National Steering Committee
NEQS National Environmental Quality Standards
NIM National Institute of Management
NRM Natural Resource Management
NSPP National School of Public Policy
NSDS National Sustainable Development Strategy
NTFPs Non-timber Forest Products
NWCS National Wetland Conservation Strategy
PA Protected Area
PARC Pakistan Agriculture Research Council
PBS Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
PCRWR Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources
PEPA Pakistan Environment Protection Act
PIPS Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies
PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
PSCI Pakistan Sustainable Cotton Initiative

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REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
SBP Statistical Bureau of Pakistan
SCP Sustainable Consumption and Production
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
STAR System for Transparent Allocation of Resources
TEV Total Economic Value
UN United Nations
UNEP United Nations Environment Program
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority
WCS World Conservation Strategy
WRI World Resource Institute
WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development
WWF World Wildlife Fund

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Executive Summary
Context

Pakistan was among 150 countries that signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at
the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and ratified it in 1994. A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) of Pakistan
was approved by the Pakistan Environment Protection Council in 2000 as a principal instrument
for implementing the Convention at the national level (CBD, Article 6) and mainstream the
protection of biodiversity in policies and planning of the country.

Conference of the Parties (CBD CoP) regularly reviews the status of biodiversity and continues to
set goals to halt its loss at the global level. At the meeting held in 2002, the parties committed to
achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional, and
national levels by 2010.However a comprehensive overview of the state of biodiversity was
assessed in the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO3) which is the flagship publication of the CBD
and summarizes the latest data on the status and trends of biodiversity. The GBO3 raised alarm by
reporting that the 2010 Biodiversity Targets had not been met globally, and biodiversity continued
to be eroded. Against this background, the tenth meeting of the COP held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
in 2010, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with five Strategic Goals as well
as 20 “Aichi Biodiversity Targets” (ABTs) to be achieved by 2020.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, held during the 70th Session of the UN
General Assembly in September 2015, with over 150 heads of the states formally adopted the 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity
for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda (Goal 14-15 specifically cover ATBs)
Pakistan developed its first Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 1999 to implement the 2010
Biodiversity Targets. This document, Pakistan’s second NBSAP 2017-2030, has been prepared in
line with ABTs (2011-2020) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrates
Pakistan’s commitment to implement the objectives of the CBD: conservation of biodiversity, the
sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilisation of genetic resources. The NBSAP identifies legal, institutional, capacity, knowledge
and technical gaps in implementing the ABTs and provides recommendations for overcoming
these gaps. These include raising awareness and capacity, improving scientific and knowledge
capabilities, mainstreaming biodiversity and thereby improving national coordination
mechanisms, encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration and adopting a fresh financing strategy. The
NBSAP comprises of 74 proposed actions across five strategic goals and 20 ABTs requiring $74.8
million. The proposed actions are further classified into 31 thematic areas.
The document has been prepared after extensive stakeholder consultations in all provinces of the
Country and the draft was presented at a national meeting in Islamabad on November 5th, 2015
and endorsed by all the provinces and territories.

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Purpose of this document

The purpose of this document is to:
 Review progress for Pakistan on the Strategic Plan 2010-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity
Targets (ABTs)
 Establish national targets in line with ABTs, SDGs: National Biodiversity Strategies and
Actions Plan
 Provide recommendations to integrate Pakistan’s obligations under the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) into its national development and sectoral planning
frameworks
 Provide a framework for implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of the
National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan
 Provide a framework for implementation of provincial biodiversity action plans

Valuation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The biodiversity, or ecosystem services, refers to a set of benefits that fall into three distinct
economic categories: (i) ‘Goods’ (ii) ‘Services’ (iii) Cultural benefits. Besides these actual
benefits, biodiversity plays a significant role as a safety net in our changing world, particularly in
the face of climate change, and helps to maintain productive ecosystems.
The valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services still needs more efforts in the country
although the need to improve ecosystem services in the face of increasing natural calamities has
attracted the attention of the government. In 2012, the Government of Pakistan approved the
National Climate Change Policy and the Climate Change Financing Framework was developed
subsequently. The National Forest Policy (NFP 2016) has also been approved in principle by the
Council of Common Interests that is the highest constitutional, political and administrative forum
of the country.
The Causes and Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
The rapid population growth and consequent pressure on natural resources has caused land
degradation, desertification, loss of habitat, and has threatened the survival of many wild species.
There is a need of well-defined land reforms and tenure regimen especially in case of forests to
halt deforestation and over grazing thus causing ecosystems degradation. The forest areas are now
prone to water and wind erosion, depletion of soil fertility, water logging, and increased salinity.
Deforestation and degradation in the catchment areas has increased the siltation of dams, reducing
their capacity for storage of water for irrigation and power generation. Resource degradation is
further exacerbated by increasing scarcity of water, frequent droughts, and the lack of management
of land and water resources. Fragmentation and loss of habitat pose a serious threat to biodiversity
in all biomes, and consequently many populations of species are now confined to isolated small
pockets. In addition, the over-harvesting of fishery resources and use of inappropriate gear has
resulted in losses to aquatic biodiversity.
Crop genetic diversity in Pakistan is low because of the use of high-yield varieties (HYVs). This
genetic erosion is pronounced in wheat, rice, cotton, sorghum, sugarcane and vegetables, and at
the same time, between 75% and 80% of Pakistan's domestic livestock are cross-bred leading to a

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gradual loss of the genetic diversity. Consequently, the ability of livestock breeds to adapt to
climate change and to tolerate diseases is being significantly reduced. The excessive use of
pesticides and fertilizers has disturbed the agro-ecosystem, affected non-target and environment-
friendly organisms (including many bird species), induced pest resistance and resurgence, and
caused many health problems among the human population.
Environmental pollution is a growing problem in Pakistan and discharge of sewage and industrial
effluents into aquatic and marine ecosystems is a major threat to biodiversity and a cause of water-
borne diseases.
Climate change is identified as an emerging threat to biodiversity as well as for humans. At the
turn of the century, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2017, Pakistan was listed as one
of the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change. Since then, a significant human population
has been affected directly by climate-related disasters, and the country’s economy has been
crippled by devastating and repetitive floods during the last decade.
Constitutional, Legal and Institutional Framework
Pakistan’s National Conservation Strategy (NCS) was formulated in 1992 as the first policy
framework to encompass biodiversity and conservation. Subsequently, in year 2000, a
comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was prepared, and later, in 2005, the National
Environment Policy was adopted to provide an overarching framework for addressing
environmental issues.
The National Climate Change Policy (2012) aims at ensuring the climate change mainstreaming
in economically and socially vulnerable sectors and to steer Pakistan towards climate resilient
development. One of the major objectives of this policy is the conservation of natural resources
and long-term sustainability attained via several concrete measures encompassing forestry,
biodiversity, and vulnerable ecosystems. Pakistan has also developed a new comprehensive
National Forest Policy 2016 that focuses on the expansion of forests, natural habitats and green
areas for restoration of ecological functions to maximize economic benefits.
To streamline implementation of the Paris Agreement of Climate Change, Pakistan has enacted
Pakistan Climate Change Act 2017. The Act establishes a policy-making Climate Change Council,
along with a Climate Change Authority to prepare and supervise the implementation of projects to
address climate risks through adaptation and mitigation actions. Article 8atasks Climate Change
Authority to “formulate guidelines for the protection and conservation of renewable and non-
renewable resources, species, habitats, and biodiversity in general which are adversely affected
or threatened by climate change”.
The four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Federally Administered
Tribal Areas (FATA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have enacted provincial laws for the
management of the environment, forests, wildlife, and fisheries. The Pakistan Trade Control of
Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012 (CITES Act) also extends across the whole country. In addition
Access and Benefit Sharing Act has been drafted to facilitate access to genetic resources and their
derivatives for environmentally-sound uses.
The Forestry Wing of the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) is the national focal point for the
CBD. The Directorate of Biodiversity is responsible for coordination with the CBD Secretariat as
well as with the national, provincial, regional, local government agencies, and other stakeholders
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that are partners in the implementation of obligations under the Convention. The provincial and
territorial departments of Forestry, Wildlife, Fisheries, Environment, and Agriculture are
responsible for management of these sectors and matters related to biodiversity. The Pakistan
Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and the provincial governments have established research
stations for the in-situ conservation of important varieties of crops and major indigenous breeds of
cattle. In addition to the Government, international conservation organizations like International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Bio-Resource
Research Centre (BRC) and others are playing roles in biodiversity conservation.

Review of Progress on BAP Implementation

The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP 2000) contained recommendations for ‘immediate actions’ to
be taken within a year, ‘short term’ actions to be taken within five years, and ‘longterm actions’ to
be taken within ten years. The BAP comprised of 13 components, corresponding to articles of the
CBD. The plan included182 targets, 31 to be undertaken within a year, 81 within five years, and
25 within ten years. In the last 17 years some progress has been achieved in the country especially
there is an increased awareness and understanding of biological diversity concerns across the
sectors. As compared to the pre BAP era, there are more projects to conserve natural resources
including local breeds of crops, diversity of fishes, livestock, and poultry and cereal crops. A
review of BAP (2015) revealed that 137 actions proposed in the plan were invariably addressed to
some extent. It was noted that the understanding of the cause of biodiversity was high as compared
with the period of preparation of BAP when the capacity of the implementing partners was also
low.
A transparent and consultative process was adopted ensuring the wide participation of a broad
range of stakeholders from government, academia and civil society for the preparation of both the
BAP 2000 and the NBSAP. In addition, national and regional level workshops were organized for
consultation with a broad range of interest groups. In case of NBSAP, voluntary guidelines to
parties proposed by CBD for review of national biodiversity strategies and action plans were
followed.

I. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

A need to review and revise the action plan after 20 years was necessitated because of changing
policy scenarios, global environmental agenda, changing financial scenarios and possibilities. The
same remained the motivation for steering the NBSAP in right direction.

Vision
The guiding vision of the NBSAP is to provide the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services
to all the segments of society both the current and future generations, in particular the
marginalized, the poor, and the vulnerable by restoring and conserving the rich natural biodiversity
heritage of Pakistan. There by ensuring equitable sharing of benefits arising from sustainable use
of biodiversity.

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Goals
The goals of the NBSAP are as follows:
1. To conserve biodiversity at priority sites, including species and genetic diversity. In
pursuing this goal, the focus will be on in-situ site-specific conservation work, high priority
ex-situ conservation, combating wildlife trafficking, and illegal timber trade.
2. To mainstream biodiversity as an essential element of human development. This goal aims
to increase awareness of how biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services contribute to
human wellbeing, sustain development outcomes, and promote integration with key sectors
such as agriculture, poverty alleviation, climate change, health, democracy and
governance, economic growth, and trade.

Objectives
The objectives of NBSAP are based on the five strategic goals of the ABTs:
1. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming an understanding of
biodiversity across government and society;
2. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use;
3. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic
diversity;
4. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services, and;
5. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management, and
capacity building.
The whole consultative process determined the strategies to achieve the objectives of the NBSAP
through the actions cutting across the sectors, in particular biodiversity awareness, mainstreaming,
poverty alleviation, environment, and the CBD’s major thematic program areas.

Biodiversity Awareness

People remain unaware of the gradual loss of biodiversity and the consequences remain unnoticed.
Thus, well-planned and targeted efforts are proposed to create awareness among people through
mobilization of media including emerging technologies. The issue and its impact on human life
will be effectively highlighted in education at all levels for the youth and the management alike.

Gender, Poverty, and Biodiversity Nexus

The consultative process clearly indicated a need of linking the conservation issues with the
economic benefits for the resource users. Common property and open access resources are being
over-exploited especially by the landless and small landholders that rely heavily on resources for
subsistence. Men, women, and children have a different pattern of the use of natural resources and
therefore, their requirements need to be factored into conservation programmes. Thus, biodiversity
loss and the lack of access to natural resources near their homes leads to an increase in workload
and economic hardships, particularly for women. The consultations however brought the idea of

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the opportunity to alleviate poverty by restoring and maintaining the health of ecosystems on
which these communities depend.

Mainstreaming Biodiversity
The national consultation realized the need of mainstreaming biodiversity concerns in relevant
national policies and plans for sustainable development towards the development agenda The
NBSAP adopted as a policy instrument of the government, approval by the cabinet will act as an
effective instrument in achieving the goals of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
across different sectors. It will be aided by a ministerial Biodiversity Roundtable and support of a
group of ‘Opinion Leaders’. In addition, mobilization of financial resources is indicated for a
substantial and effective implementation of the NBSAP.

Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species

The diverse and discrete vegetation types in Pakistan contain many endemic species of flora, fauna
and the wild relatives of crops. Most natural ecosystems, need effective management that
otherwise have become open access resources. Approximately 14% of national area enjoys the
status of protection of some kind, however, effective management and representation pose serious
challenges.
The NBSAP consultations propose strategies to conserve the rich biological diversity of
ecosystems including strengthening of institutional and policy frameworks, expansion and
effective management of PAs, empowering local communities and improving knowledge and
skills related to conservation.

Forest Ecosystems
The forest cover in Pakistan is assessed employing different evaluation criteria and techniques by
different agencies. Setting aside the methodologies employed while reporting, the land under forest
is relatively small, and the cover is shrinking due to both deforestation and degradation mainly due
to poverty, population pressures and lack of fiscal space for strong policy initiatives in protecting
the forests.
Considerable efforts are made for the revival of forestry practices, aiming to expand the forest
cover through mega tree plantation programmes and strengthening the regulatory & forest
protection policy. The Green Pakistan Programme (2017) of the Federal Government, Green
Growth Initiative (2014) of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a project on Sustainable
Forest Management supported by GEF and Readiness Preparation Proposal RPP funded by FCPF
Forest Carbon Partnership facility by WB are some examples. Recent policy developments have
led the formulation of new national and provincial REDD+ management arrangements, the most
significant is the National Steering Committee (NSC) on REDD+. In addition, Pakistan has
committed to participate in the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to improve and restore forest cover.
In the consultation meetings while drafting NBSAP, experts and regional users suggested:
provision of enabling environment to integrate biodiversity concerns in the forestry sector,
signifying ecosystem approach, protecting and restoring forest biodiversity and making plantations
biodiversity friendly by increasing indigenous floral diversity. It also aims at enhancing social
values, knowledge base and adoption of technologies related with forest biodiversity.

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Inland Water Ecosystems

Pakistan is facing an acute water shortage and was considered to reach the ‘water stress line’ in
1990 and might run dry by 2025. Indus and its tributaries originate from the disputed territory of
Jammu and Kashmir and Tibet in China and the regional countries compete for water resources
for agriculture and power generation. Streams, rivers, natural lakes, and man-made reservoirs are
not only sources of water and fish but are also important habitats for migratory species.
Across Pakistan, over 40 protected wetland sites and 19 Ramsar Sites support the conservation
efforts. A number of different government agencies manage and control wetlands in their
respective spheres of activities including irrigation and hydropower generation, while provincial
Fisheries and Wildlife Departments regulate fishing and hunting. The present document proposes
some strategies to promote conservation and sustainable use: (1) ‘Sound watershed management
practices and climate change mitigation measures in the Indus basin to prevent water shortages in
the country’ (2) revision of policy, laws, and regulations to ensure conservation of fish and other
aquatic organisms, as well as equitable sharing of benefits; (3) appropriate measures to prevent the
spread of invasive species and their eradication from natural waters, and; (4) build capacity of all
stake holders to sustainably manage wetlands ensuring equitable sharing of benefits.

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

The Arabian Sea is a biodiversity rich area, included in Global 200 Priority Ecosystems and some
beaches are nesting grounds for globally endangered sea turtles. Anthropogenic activities have
contributed to habitat degradation and led to a decline of shrimp and many fish species. The Indus
Delta is heavily polluted by a variety of industrial & domestic effluents and nutrients. Gradual
upstream diversion of water channels is leading to salt water intrusion and increased salinity in the
Delta. The situation is further acerbated by climate change phenomenon exposing coastal
communities to the threat of cyclones due to their lack of resilience. Contrarily, the conservation
of biodiversity and improvements in the health of ecosystems can help local communities better
adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
To sustain marine ecological resources and enable adaptation to climate change the present
instrument proposes: (1) Establishment of a network of protected areas and specific conservation
measures for the recovery of species populations with declining numbers; (2) Development of the
capacity of coastal fishing communities to harvest marine resources in a sustainable manner, and;
(3) Improvements in institutional and regulatory frameworks to address challenges to the
conservation of marine biodiversity through sustainable use and the equitable sharing of benefits.

Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-biodiversity

Agriculture sector contributes significantly towards GDP, supports employment of a huge rural
population and ensures food security for the human population. The diverse agro-climatic
conditions, rich indigenous crop diversity and their wild relatives are unique to the country.
Northern and western Pakistan is considered as one of the global centres for the origin and diversity
of cultivated plants and livestock. However, obsolete agricultural practices and associated
chemical pollution, the introduction of high-yield varieties are leading to habitat loss and erosion
of local cultivars and livestock breeds.

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To address these issues, and achieving ABTs, the document proposes: (1) Principles and practice
of sustainable agriculture be incorporated into national policies, laws, investment strategies,
education, and extension programmes; (2) Capacity building and awareness raising of all
stakeholders be conducted, including farmers, the consumers, researchers, and extension
specialists, on the beneficial effects of agro-biodiversity; (3) Models of sustainable agriculture for
major crops be developed and promoted; (4) Bio-diversification of agro-ecosystems be restored in
time and space through crop rotations, cover crops, inter-cropping, crop and livestock mixtures,
and the conservation of pollinators and soil micro fauna, and; (5) The use of transgenic organisms
be considered very carefully to ensure that they pose no environmental and health risks over and
above the use of current crops and practices.

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

The Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) has a standalone goal within the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development requiring the countries to make fundamental changes to the way they
consume and produce goods and services (Goal 12 of SDG). Such changes to avoid unsustainable
consumption and production require commitment and action from all the partners. Pakistan is in
process of developing National Action Plan on SCP to identify key priority areas that are aligned
with the Sustainable Development Goals and Pakistan’s Vision 2025.
Poorly-regulated economic development, coupled with rapid demographic growth, has placed a
pressure on the natural resource base of Pakistan, especially land and water, and has significantly
increased levels of local pollution. Large-scale but unregulated harvest of medicinal plants for
domestic use and export fall in the domain of the production sector. However, other sectors like
coal mining and other industrial extraction, oil exploration, ship breaking, and hydropower projects
pose direct and indirect threats to biodiversity.
A number of strategies have been proposed to promote sustainable production and consumption:
(1) Making producers and consumers aware of the social costs and environmental consequences
of unsustainable consumption and production in order to minimize the ecological footprint of
pollution and the degradation of natural resources; (2) Development of sustainable consumption
and production patterns for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity fostered through
business and biodiversity initiatives; and (3) The active pursuit of strategic environmental impact
assessments, economic incentives, and law enforcement to achieve the goals of sustainable
consumption and production.

Emerging Issues (Biosafety, Geo Engineering, and Synthetic Biology) and Challenges
Use of biotechnology and other genetic techniques used to bring desired characteristics in plants
and animals is governed under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to ensure protection of
biodiversity. Synthetic biology an emerging science features the ‘de novo’ synthesis of genetic
material as well as an engineering-based approach to develop components, organisms, and
products.
Climate engineering (geo-engineering) comprises of an array of technologies and techniques to
manipulate global climate and moderate the effects of climate change through methods to absorb
and store atmospheric carbon and ways and means that aim to reduce the amount of heat trapped
by greenhouse gases by reflecting sunlight back into space.

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To date, the knowledge of the risks, benefits, and uncertainties related to GMOs and other
technologies as mentioned above are poorly understood. The following strategies are proposed (1)
There is a need to increase the national knowledge base regarding synthetic biology and in the
meantime precautionary approach must be adopted to handle such issues. (2) National capacity
and action will be improved for ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe
transfer including transboundary movement, handling and use of living modified organisms that
may have adverse effects on biological diversity and also taking into account risks to human health,
and; (3) Feasibility of capture carbon and safe storage will be examined taking into account its
possible impacts on biodiversity.

II. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

Implementation, monitoring, and evaluation form an integral component of the NBSAP. Effective
implementation will require working with, and building capacity of, the stakeholders at national,
provincial, regional and local levels; communicating and reaching out to mainstream biodiversity
values in the policy and planning processes; promoting sustainable consumption patterns in people,
as well as mobilizing resources for NBSAP implementation.

Implementation of NBSAP
Although efforts will be made to make maximum progress on the ABTs by 2020, yet the work will
continue beyond 2020 to achieve ABTs and SDG targets as well as meeting targets of Pakistan
Vision 2025. Whereas many actions will be taken at the provincial or regional levels, some cross-
cutting themes will be best addressed at the national level. Implementation of ABTs at the
provincial and regional level will be through their own Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
prepared as part of the NBSAP revision process. A Coordination Committee will mediate among
Ministries and provinces to facilitate implementation of NBSAP and monitor the progress, assist
in removal of bottlenecks if any, and provide guidance for resource mobilisation. Likewise,
Steering Committees will be established in provinces for similar actions at provincial levels.

Communication and Outreach Strategy

Avoiding the unintended negative consequences of policy measures on biodiversity necessitate
that policymakers have a clear understanding of the values of nature so they can facilitate in
mainstreaming biodiversity concerns across the sectors. It involves strengthening the capacities of
all the partners in conservation activities through suitable training modules. In addition to training,
mass and informal communication resources shall be necessary for raising awareness and
mainstreaming biodiversity using new and emerging tools and technologies.

Plan for Resource Mobilization

Many actions proposed in the NBSAP will either neatly fit, or be easily accommodated, into the
on-going development plans for relevant sectors at national, provincial, and regional levels.
Simultaneously, additional sources of funding will be explored via innovative mechanisms
available in the Ministry of Climate Change and other on-going donor projects, for example, the
project for REDD+ Readiness, and the GEF. In addition, bi-lateral and multilateral donor support

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will be solicited to meet the short fall in financial resources available for achieving ABTs in an
effective and timely manner.

National Coordination Mechanisms

The Directorate of Biodiversity will have overall responsibility for coordinating the
implementation of the NBSAP through its implementing partners in the relevant ministries at the
national level, provincial and regional governments, and other conservation organizations. CBD
focal points in the provinces will facilitate coordination among various stakeholders and for liaison
with the Directorate. The NBSAP also proposes the establishment of steering committees at
national and sub-national levels to ensure that necessary administrative and financial support is
made available for NBSAP implementation and monitoring.

Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM)

The Government of Pakistan in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan and with the support of GEF
and UNEP launched the CHM website on the International Day of Forests on March 7th, 2013.
This site contains useful relevant information as well as measures undertaken to conserve the
biological diversity. Efforts are needed to keep the website alive and dynamic.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Progress on the implementation of the NBSAP will be monitored on an annual basis via a flexible
framework of indicators (Annex 1) reflecting national circumstances and priorities. Monitoring
will not only measure progress towards the achievement of ABTs and national targets, but will
also help in identification of implementation issues, and in the adaptive management for effective
implementation of the NBSAP. An independent mid-term evaluation will also be commissioned,
subject to the availability of funds, to review the implementation of the NBSAP and to make
recommendations for achieving national targets in an effective and timely manner. The 6th National
Report to the CBD will be an evaluation of NBSAP Ensure this is reflected in the main text.

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Figure 1: Map of Pakistan

(Source: Survey of Pakistan)

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I. INTRODUCTION
1. Context
The World Conservation Strategy (WCS) launched by the IUCN in 1980 provided a blueprint to
halt and reverse the rapid deterioration in the condition of living resources on earth and urged the
preparation of national conservation strategies to focus attention on priority areas and raise public
consciousness. The WCS provided both an intellectual framework and practical guidance for these
conservation actions. Pakistan was among the few countries responding to the WCS and in
1992approved the National Conservation Strategy (NCS). Realizing the need, Pakistan was also
among the pioneer countries signing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the 1992
Rio Earth Summit, and ratified it in 1994.As an obligation under the Convention, Biodiversity
Action Plan was prepared and approved by the Pakistan Environment Protection Council in 2000
as a principal instrument for implementing the Convention at the national level.

The Conference of Parties (CoP VI) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in April
2002, committed to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global,
regional, and national levels by 2010 as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to benefit all life
forms on Earth. To achieve these 2010 targets, the CoP established seven thematic programmes of
work corresponding to
some of the major biomes
on the planet. These Biological diversity is about more than plants, animals, and
programmes included a microorganisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our
vision, guiding principles, need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and
potential outputs, and a a clean and healthy environment in which to live. (Convention on
suggested timetable for Biological Diversity)
implementation of the
2010 targets.

The Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO 3) commissioned by the Conference of Parties (CoP)
reported that 2010 Biodiversity Targets had not been met globally, and biodiversity continued to
be eroded with a consequential decline in ecosystem services threatening human well-being. With
this background, CBD CoP-10 (2010) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with
five Strategic Goals as well as 20 “Aichi Biodiversity Targets” (ABTs) to be achieved by 2020.
The five goals are listed below.

 Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming

biodiversity across government and society
 Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
 Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems,
species and genetic diversity
 Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
 Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge
management and capacity building

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The countries party to the Convention agreed to translate ABTs into revised and updated national
biodiversity strategies and action plans.

The 70th Session of the UN General Assembly (2015) formally adopted the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part
of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the
next 15 years. The implementation of Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs) and SDGs are
intertwined, mutually supportive and reinforcing. The successful implementation of one will
contribute towards the achievement of the other1.
2. Purpose of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Pakistan signed the Convention (CBD) in 1992 and ratified in 1994. Prior to this initiative,
recognizing the significance of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the National
Conservation Strategy was drafted (1991) and later adopted as national policy in 1992. In same
year, GOP developed Forestry Sector Mater Plan (1992) signifying the country’s commitment
towards the cause of biodiversity conservation. To meet the CBD’s obligations under article 6,
national reports are regularly submitted to report the progress towards the implementation of the
obligations under the Convention including Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2010-2020 and ABTs.

The status of implementation of the 2010 targets in Pakistan was reviewed in 2009 during the
preparation of Fourth National Report, and a review of BAP and ABTs was also carried out in
2014 during preparation of Fifth National Report. It was noted that while some progress had been
made on the CBD’s Programmes of Work and ABTs, on the whole ecosystems and habitats
continued to degrade, ultimately leading to diminished ecosystem services with consequent
impacts on the economic well-being, livelihood, and health of the people of Pakistan.
Recognising biodiversity as key to survival of human and the planet, and taking into account the
fair role, Pakistan’s NBSAP is closely aligned with the global biodiversity agenda and Sustainable
Development Goals. The five goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 remain the
guiding principles of NBSAP and twenty national targets are modelled to tune-up with ABTs.
Furthermore, 31 key thematic priority actions are identified based on the national priorities and
challenges. Overall 74 actions have been identified requiring USD 74.8 million worth of financial
resources. Majority of the actions are related to Goal B (26 actions) requiring a big chunk of the
finical resources ($31 Million).

The objectives of this Plan are as follows:

 Review progress for Pakistan on the Strategic Plan 2010-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity
Targets (ABTs)
 Establish national targets in line with Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs) and Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) - National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan
 Provide recommendations to integrate Pakistan’s obligations under CBD into its national
development and sectoral planning frameworks
 Provide a framework for implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of the
National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan
 Provide a framework for development of provincial biodiversity action plans

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3. Valuation of Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services and its Contribution to Human

Well-being
The term biodiversity, or ecosystem services, refers to a set of benefits that fall into three distinct
economic categories: (i) ‘Goods’ (i.e. products obtained for direct consumption or as inputs for
industry, such as resource harvests, and genetic material that contribute to the variety of crops and
animal breeding); (ii) ‘Services’ (i.e., recreational and tourism benefits or certain ecological
regulatory functions, such as water purification, climate or pollution regulation and erosion
control), and; (iii) Cultural benefits (i.e., scientific knowledge, spiritual and religious feelings, and
heritage and culture).In addition, biodiversity plays a significant role as a safety net in our changing
world, particularly in the face of climate change, and helps to maintain productive ecosystems.
Maintaining healthy and productive ecosystems carries immense importance for the poor and
vulnerable human populations whose subsistence depends directly upon these ecosystems. The
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005)2 highlighted the links between ecosystem services and
the elements that contribute to human well-being the latter being measured by Total Economic
Value (TEV) of the environmental services for communicating the measurable beneficial use of
ecosystems services and increasing public awareness and policy maker’s interests in biodiversity
conservation.
However, the valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services received the significance it deserves
only after the incidences of natural calamities during the past few years. Approval of the National
Policy of Climate Change and the Climate Change Financing Framework is a reflection of the
same. The role of Ministry of Environment was reorganized and it was renamed to become a fully-
fledged National Ministry of Climate Change to meet the emerging challenges. Recognizing the
tangible role of forests, the National Forest Policy has recently been approved (2015) by the
Council of Common Interests and it will help in moving to a national forest monitoring
mechanism, curb deforestation, mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases and protect biodiversity.
The Forest Policy aims to ‘expand the national coverage of forests, protected areas, natural habitats
and green areas for restoration of ecological functions and maximizing economic benefits while
meeting Pakistan’s obligations to international agreements related to forests.’
4. Causes and Trends of Biodiversity Loss
Land and habitat degradation and desertification are serious issues in Pakistan and the main
reasons for losses to agricultural productivity and biodiversity. Causes for loss of biodiversity
remain the same as described in the BAP (2000), although anthropogenic pressures have increased
due to a rapidly growing population, expansion of the area under human habitation, and poverty.
While conservation efforts have created some islands of success, vast areas of the country remain
unmanaged resulting in inter alia, loss of biodiversity. Habitat degradation and fragmentation in
all biomes pose a threat to biodiversity to an extent that only a few corridors remain connected to
the network of Protected Areas. Thus, many species are confined to isolated small populations
while habitat loss and the over exploitation of selected species for trade, food, and sport, have
exacerbated the situation. Lists of endangered mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants are
included at the end of this NBSAP as Annexes 2–7.

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4.1. Population Growth

A high rate of human population growth in Pakistan and the resulting pressure on natural resources
is accelerating the loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation. Pakistan has one of the
highest population growth rates in the world, and is the sixth most populated country on Earth.
Although the rate of population change has decreased slightly over the last two decades, increasing
population puts undue pressure on all the resources, especially the natural resource capital. Most
people living in rural areas, outside arable tracts, are heavily dependent on natural ecosystems for
fuel, forage, and small timber for construction. In mountainous areas, rapidly increasing population
and infrastructure development has increased the incidence of landslides. Breaking of fresh land
for agriculture and housing is causing loss of biodiversity and habitat fragmentation.

Figure 2: Population growth in Pakistan, 1960 -2010

4.2. Policy, Planning, and Institutional Shortfalls

Ineffective policy and planning frameworks as well as institutional weaknesses remain

contributing causes for the loss of biological diversity. The value of biodiversity and ecosystem
services, its contribution to the national economy, and potential to alleviate poverty has not been
well-integrated into national and local planning or development processes. Consequently, the
environment sector, including climate change, biodiversity, forestry, and wildlife remain at low
priority. This is illustrated by the budgetary allocations for biodiversity sectors from 2002 to 2013
(Figure 3). More or less similar situation prevails for other NRM sectors including agriculture,
livestock and fisheries indicating a dire need to explore opportunities and challenges for the
necessary coordinated development strategies that recognise and account for the true value of
natural resources, their ecosystem services, and the inherent resource trade-offs between sectors.

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Unsustainable resource utilization and the consequent environmental degradation might lead to
short-term economic gains but result in a huge national cost in terms of the impacts incurred such
as, decrease in quality and quantity of water, diminishing water storage capacity of dams for
irrigation and hydropower generation, impact on biological populations. The costs of protecting
species and ecosystems from exploitation can become prohibitively expensive especially in the
absence of sufficient resources, and the capacity to enforce regulations or other restrictions.
Customary community responsibilities for the use of natural resources have weakened with the
development of new economic opportunities eroding the need and concern for the sustainable use
of these resources. This concern has been further eroded by the disempowerment of local
communities, for example by state intervention in the management of community forests.

Figure 3: National Public Sector Development (NPSD) Allocations

4.3. Land Use -Degradation and Desertification

Around 80% of the Pakistan’s land area is arid and semi-arid, 12% dry sub-humid, and 8% humid
(Figure-4). Agricultural lands occupy nearly 35% of total area while a little over 4% of the total
area comprises forested lands. Most of the rural population rely on fragile rain-fed lands prone to
desertification, degradation, drought, flood and severe climate change impacts.
Studies have revealed that water and wind erosion, depletion of soil fertility, deforestation,
unsustainable livestock grazing, and water logging are the major causes of land degradation in
Pakistan3. The situation is further aggravated by water scarcity, frequent droughts, and the lack of
a land use plan. It is estimated that water logging affects 11 million hectares across the country,
while another five million hectares are affected by salinity and increased sodium content.

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Figure 4: Major Land Uses in Pakistan

Unsustainable land use is a major cause of land degradation and biodiversity loss and thus
demanding concerted efforts for systematic land use planning. Some practices contributing
towards land degradation and desertification include exploring new land and employing
unsustainable agricultural practices especially within the monsoon belt. It accelerates water
erosion in the uplands with negative impacts downstream. High rates of soil erosion, for example,
have reduced the useful life of the Tarbela and Mangla water reservoirs resulting in shortages of
power and irrigation water. Conversion of flood plains to agricultural fields has not only
contributed to the loss of valuable wetland habitats, but has also exacerbated the damage caused
by floods. Semi-arid lands are subjected to heavy soil erosion, primarily due to anthropogenic
(faulty cropping practices, overgrazing, and deforestation) and natural factors (wind and other
causes of erosion). Irrigated areas in Pakistan are infested with the twin-menace of water logging
and salinity. On the arid Balochistan plateau, water in geological formations is being heavily mined
for agriculture. The arid coastal lands and mangrove forests are also under increasing
environmental stress because of reduced freshwater flow and pollution caused by discharge of
sewage, and industrial effluents.

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Figure 5: Wind and water erosion across Pakistan between 1998 and 2007.
While some degree of wind and water erosion is part of natural processes, accelerated erosion
continues to be a major cause of land degradation and desertification in Pakistan. Water erosion
affects lands in high rainfall zones in north eastern Pakistan, and the area affected by water erosion
has increased by 27.3% in a period between 1998 and 2007. In contrast, wind erosion is
characteristic feature in areas of dry, loose, bare sands or finer materials subject to strong winds.
These include the Cholistan, Thal, Chagai, and Kharan sandy deserts, as well as hyper-arid areas
of fine silt in western Balochistan. Data shows that the area affected by wind erosion has increased
by 17.4% during the same period50.

Figure 6: Changes in forest cover across Pakistan between 1990 and 2010.
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The areas affected by slight, moderate, and severe wind and water erosion are shown in Figure 5.
Areas eroded by major streams along their courses, by waves and tides on the coastal plain, and
by snow over glaciated areas are also noteworthy in Pakistan. It has been estimated that by 2007,
2.282 million hectares had been eroded via bank erosion by streams, tides, and glaciers.
Disregarding the techniques and protocols, it is estimated that Pakistan has lost an average of
28000 ha of forest per year which amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.63%52. In
total, between 1990 and 2010, the country lost 41.3% of its forest cover, or around 946,000
hectares (Figure 6), while plantation area increased by 18.6% over the same period. The total rate
of habitat conversion3 for the period between 1990 and 2010 indicates that Pakistan has lost
33.2%of its forest and woodland habitats. The main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
are illegal cutting of trees at various scales of intensity as well as land conversion to accommodate
growing human needs.
4.4. Deforestation

The official estimate of forest cover in Pakistan is 5.4%, while forest cover according to assessment
by the FAO varies between 2.2% and 2.4%. Other wooded areas occupy another 1.8%. These
figures are based on various techniques and classifications used for forestry resource inventory.

4.5. Open Access Resources

More than 50% of the total area of Pakistan is characterized as open access resources, either
unmanaged by users or under weak communal control. Tenure and land use rights over these lands
vary greatly. These open access resource areas include state lands, vast areas of land of undefined
tenure, village shamlats (communal lands), and proprietary lands.

Figure 7: Numbers of goat, sheep, and camels in Pakistan (1990 - 2014)

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The areas are used for grazing, forage and fuelwood collection, usually by transhumant pastorals
and local communities. Increasing human and livestock populations as well as increased demand
for fuel wood in nearby townships are leading to a gradual, yet steady decline in the land quality
of these areas.
4.6. Grazing

Most arid and semi-arid land in Pakistan cannot be cultivated or planted because of natural and
anthropogenic factors. Except for alpine pastures in the northern mountainous region, most
rangelands are arid, receiving less than 300 ml of precipitation per year. Proprietary rights over
these lands are often undecided and generally local tribes and communities exercise usufruct rights
over these lands and resources are used by local and transhumant pastoral communities.
There is an increase in the population of range livestock between 1990 and 20144.Figure 7 reflects
that goats and sheep have increased by 80% and 10.6%, respectively, while the population of
camels has remained steady. Although increase in forage production on irrigated lands has been a
factor contributing towards an increase in livestock numbers, yet persistent overgrazing has
seriously depleted the carrying capacity of the rangelands. There are no recent estimates of this
loss of rangeland productivity. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that most rangelands have
lost as much as 50% of their potential grazing capacity.
Keeping in mind the importance of livestock to the national economy and in the sustainable
management of grazing lands, different models were adopted with limited success. This is because
pastoral management requires a diverse set of skills and approaches, as well as organizational setup
to deal with people rather than the land.
4.7. Unsustainable Fishing

Pakistan’s marine fisheries encompass1,126 km long coastline between Sir Creek in the east and
Jiwani in the west falling in the territorial waters of two provinces, Balochistan and Sindh. Due to
an increase in fishing vessels in the last two decades, the fish catch has steadily declined and the
size of fish caught is also smaller than normal. In addition, some fish species such as Gallo/ Cat
Fish (Netuma thalassina) and Kalaki/Indian Mackerel(Rastrelliger kanagurta) in Pasni,
Balochistan Province, Bako Zardum/Yellow Fin Trevally (Alepes djedaba), Paplet/
Pomfret(Pampus argenteus), and Kalgun/Spotted Mackerel (Scomberomorus munroi) in other
areas of Balochistan, and Palla (Tenualosa ilisha) in Sindh Province have suffered severe
population decline. Unsustainable harvesting is the leading cause of decline in fish resources. In
addition to damaging fish fauna, new and destructive fishing gear and prolonged fishing periods
often also destroy coral reef systems, as well as non-target fish and turtles.
Mangroves in the Indus delta provide habitat and breeding ground for a large variety of fish, crabs,
shrimp, and mollusc species, and sustain fisheries. However, mangrove ecosystems in the country
are being degraded due to the combination of salt-water intrusion up to 30 km inland and reduced
silt and nutrient flows due to upstream dam construction and agriculture. This is one of the main
causes for reduction in fish stock in the area. Municipal and industrial waste, effluent and
agricultural run-off, and oil spills at ports are all major causes of water pollution leading to
degradation of marine ecosystems. For example, it is estimated that around 472 million gallons of

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sewerage were being released into the sea on a daily basis 5which has been disturbing the marine
environment.
4.8. Promotion of High Yield Varieties and Exotic Breeds

Crop genetic diversity is generally low in Pakistan. Even though High Yield Varieties (HYVs) of
crops respond better to water and fertilizers, they are a threat to indigenous varieties and land races
that have been selected and maintained by farmers for generations. In many cases, hybrid and
Genetically Modified (GM) varieties are not adapted to local ecosystem conditions, and therefore
require higher inputs of fertilizers and the use of pesticides to get higher yields. This genetic
erosion is more pronounced in wheat, rice, cotton, sorghum, sugarcane, and vegetables.
Consequently, the ability of these crops to adapt to local environments and climate, and to tolerate
diseases remains uncertain. Though cross-breeding can lead to relatively rapid gains in
productivity, it can lead to genetic loss as often the parent stock is not maintained. Similarly,
domestic livestock in Pakistan is largely cross-bred for improved meat production and this requires
continual monitoring via scientific surveys.
4.9. Extensive Use of Agrochemicals

The use of pesticides and fertilizers has increased rapidly in recent years. For example, the
consumption of pesticides increased two-fold in the period between 2000 and 2004, but gradually
reduced to 73,632 tons in 20106. The widespread and sometimes indiscriminate use of pesticides
has disturbed the agro-ecosystem and killed non-target and environment-friendly organisms,
increased pest resistance and increased the chances of pest resurgence. This, in turn, has led to the
application of higher doses of agrochemicals. Heavy doses of pesticides have reduced the
populations of natural pest enemies very significantly in cotton growing areas. Pesticides destroy
the natural biotic balance in agricultural soils and reduce the diversity and abundance of
invertebrate fauna, rodents, reptiles and amphibians with cascading effects at higher trophic levels.
Direct mortality of wildlife, especially birds, following the use of organophosphates has frequently
been reported. The increasing presence of pesticides in agricultural runoff has both acute and
chronic effects on aquatic fauna. It is estimated that 25% of all pesticides used in Pakistan end up
in the sea7.
The use of fertilizers is estimated to have almost doubled over the last three decades. The excessive
use of nitrogenous fertilizers leads to eutrophication of water channels and wetlands, the spread of
aquatic vegetation, and reduced aquatic diversity.
4.10. Pollution

In the context of biodiversity conservation and its very existence, pollution is a growing problem.
The discharge of sewage and industrial effluent into aquatic and marine ecosystems is a major
threat to aquatic habitat and biodiversity. Petrochemicals, paper and pulp, food processing industry
tanneries, oil refineries, textile and sugar industries are major industrial contributors to aquatic
pollution8.Ten major cities of the country produce 60% of all urban waste water, discharging
directly into natural streams and rivers. Indiscriminate and unplanned disposal of industrial
effluents, agricultural drainage water, municipal and industrial waste water into rivers, canals and
drains is causing deterioration of water quality and eutrophication in the downstream sections,
environmental degradation and has impacts on human health. Eutrophication results into
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biodiversity loss; decrease in species richness (number of species) and equality (number of
individuals in each species).
Significant of coastal pollution is around the Karachi harbour where an estimated 90,000 tons of
oil products from vessels and port terminals are dumped every year9. High levels of toxic heavy
metals have been reported from the coastal waters and sea near Karachi. These are likely to have
both acute and chronic toxic effects on human beings, marine biodiversity, and birds. The impacts
of these pollutants on commercial fin-fish and shrimp fisheries are likely to be significant.
4.11. Water Scarcity

The bulk of Pakistan's farmland is irrigated through a canal system, and some of the land is
irrigated though extraction of water from the aquifers. According to research carried out by the
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Pakistan is facing an acute water
shortage and touched the ‘water stress line’ in 1990 and may run dry by 2025.The country is almost
water-scarce presently, with an alarming rate of 1,017 cubic meters water available per capita
annually, which is dangerously close to 1,000 cubic meters - the threshold of water scarcity. The
study predicts that if this trend of depleting water reserves continues at this rate, it is feared that
the country will face acute water shortage thus demanding a need to redress the issue or a drought-
like situation might emerge. Other sources categorizing the country already the third most water-
stressed in the world,10 even more disturbing factor is the quantity and quality of the groundwater
supply.
Three major rivers enter into Pakistan from India, diversion/ blockade of water by the upper
riparian countries is a global concern. It is also threat to Pakistan being a lower riparian country.
The decreased and regulated flow of water upstream is degrading the ecosystems downstream.
Further, Climate Change is also severely affecting the Indus River Basin.
The situation demands a regular exchange of information between the regional countries on water
supply, development of hydropower projects as well as research on ecosystems services and
climate change.
4.12. Global Climate Change

In 2017, Pakistan ranked 7th on the long term Climate Risk Index (CRI) of German watch11. The
CRI indicates a level of exposure and vulnerability to extreme events, and serves as a warning in
order to be prepared for more frequent and/or more severe climatic events. Recent past has
witnessed displacement of huge population due to drought and floods and heavily crippled the
economy. Somewhat similar estimates are available that as many as 2.7 million people could be
affected annually by river floods in Pakistan by 203012.
5. Constitutional, Legal and Institutional Framework
5.1. Biodiversity Legal Framework at Federal level

Constitution of Pakistan (1973): The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan does not
include any direct reference to biodiversity protection. However, the superior courts of Pakistan
have interpreted the phrase ‘right to life’ used in Article 9 of the Constitution and have held that
the word ‘life’ used in this context encompasses the environment in all its dimensions. Thus,

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‘environmental pollution and ecology’ was a subject on which both federal and provincial
government could legislate, but under the 18thConstitutional Amendment of 2012, this was made
the exclusive domain of provincial assemblies. However, the parliament of Pakistan is still
empowered to legislate on international treaties, conventions and agreements, international
arbitration, national planning and national economic coordination including planning and
coordination of scientific and technological research.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA), 1997: The PEPA of 1997 provided the key
environmental legislation instrument for the entire country until the 18th Constitutional
Amendment transferred the responsibility of environmental legislation and management to the
provinces. The PEPA was more focused on environmental protection in general, primarily through
controlling pollution, rather than ecosystem-based measures for conservation of biodiversity.
Responding to the devolution, by December 2014, all provinces enacted their own provincial
Environmental Protection Acts EPAs, so the PEPA is now in force only for the Islamabad Capital
Territory, and FATA. National Environmental Quality Standards prepared by PEPA were adopted,
and updated where necessary, by the provinces.
Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012 (CITES Act): Pakistan has been
signatory to CITES since 1976, an inter-governmental treaty to ensure that wild fauna and flora in
international trade are not exploited unsustainably. CITES establishes an international legal
framework together with common procedural mechanisms for the strict control of international
commercial trade in species threatened by extinction. Species covered by CITES are listed in three
appendices, according to the degree of protection required, and the import and export of wildlife
in accordance with the provisions of CITES is controlled by the Ministry of Climate Change,
(MoCC), Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with provincial wildlife authorities. For
effective implementation of CITES provisions in Pakistan, an exclusive law entitled ‘The Pakistan
Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012’ was enacted.
This legislation regulates the export, re-export, and import of any specimen included in any
Appendix of CITES and fixes punishment for contravention13. The law also provides for the
establishment of a management authority, represented by all provinces, to enable concessions on
scientific and legal grounds. This law has significant implications for the sustainable harvesting of
non-timber forest products, especially medicinal and aromatic plants as it not only helps to check
unsustainable harvesting practices but also encourages beneficiary communities to make sure that
species are conserved and protected with a sustainable-use regime in place.
Pakistan Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing Act, 2012 (Draft) This legislation,
drafted in 2012, intends to facilitate access to genetic resources and their derivatives for
environmentally-sound uses, protecting associated traditional knowledge, equitably sharing
benefits derived from them, promoting technology transfer and building associated scientific
knowledge and technological capacity. The act is a legislative requirement under the International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture(ITPGRFA) to which Pakistan is a
party, and is intended to protect community rights in respect to genetic resources, including: (1)
The inalienable right use traditional knowledge in customary ways; (2) The right to regulate access
to traditional knowledge, and; (3) The right to share the benefits arising from the utilization of
traditional knowledge.14

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Climate Change Act 2017: It outlines the new institutional architecture for climate action. It
proposes to establish an independent Pakistan Climate Change Authority which will, under the
guidance of a high-powered Pakistan Climate Change Council (chaired by the Prime Minister and
with representation from all provinces, including the Chief Ministers), provide a framework for
mitigating and adapting to the effects of the changing climate on various sectors of the economy
and develop appropriate response strategies. The Bill also establishes a Pakistan Climate Change
Fund, managed by a Board. The fund will mobilize resources from both domestic and international
sources to support mitigation and adaptation initiatives in the country.
5.2. Provincial Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Laws

All the provincial governments and governments of AJK and GB have provincial laws for the
management of forests, fisheries, and wildlife resources in areas under their jurisdiction. Marine
fisheries are regulated by the federal government under the Exclusive Fishing Zone (Regulation
of Fishing) Act, 1975, as amended in 1993. This extends to the whole of Pakistan and to waters
within the exclusive fishery zone beyond territorial waters. It regulates the management of fishing
in exclusive economic zone of the country.
5.3. Biodiversity Policy Framework

National Conservation Strategy (1992): The Pakistan NCS (1992) was the first policy
framework for biodiversity and conservation and as such had three objectives: (1) Conservation of
natural resources; (2) Sustainable development; (c) Improved efficiency in the use and
management of resources. Of these, ‘biodiversity conservation’ was one of the fourteen
programme areas for priority work action, and the NCS had a central influence in mainstreaming
environmental and sustainability dimensions in other policies, plans, and strategies, including
Pakistan’s Eighth Five-Year Plan, which borrowed heavily from the NCS in terms of greening its
development objectives. The success of NCS prompted interest in developing provincial and local
level conservation strategies and since then, all provinces have developed their conservation or
sustainable development strategies.
Biodiversity Action Plan(2000): Although biodiversity considerations started receiving attention
in national planning processes after the NCS, it was not until 2000 that a comprehensive BAP was
prepared for implementation as part of the CBD. The 2000 BAP was approved by the PEPA and
thus adopted as the first comprehensive strategic action plan for the country wide conservation of
biodiversity. Pakistan’s BAP provides a brief assessment of the status and trend of the nation’s
biodiversity, outlines strategic goals and objectives, and identifies a plan of action that includes
coordination arrangements and implementation measures. It has 13 components, corresponding to
specific articles of the CBD, 25 objectives and proposed 182 actions of which 31 were to be
immediately undertaken within a year, 81 within five years, and 25 within ten years.
National Environment Policy (2005): The National Environment Policy provides a guideline for
addressing the environmental issues facing Pakistan, particularly pollution of fresh and coastal
waters, air pollution, and lack of proper waste management, deforestation, loss of biodiversity,
desertification, natural disasters and climate change. It also provided directions for addressing
cross-sectoral issues as well as the underlying causes of environmental degradation and
conformation with international obligations. The National Environment Policy, while recognizing
the goals and objectives of the NCS, National Environmental Action Plan, and other existing
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environment related national policies, strategies and action plans, provides broad guidelines for
addressing environmental concerns and ensuring effective management of the environmental
resources at national, provincial, regional, and local levels.
National Sustainable Development Strategy, 2012 (NSDS): The NSDS envisions the evolution
of a just and harmonious society via the promotion of vibrant and equitable economic growth
without the over-exploitation of natural resources and the fair distribution of development
dividends to all, in particular marginalized, poor, and vulnerable in society and to future
generations. The strategy is aligned with the emerging concept of ‘green economy’ as an alternate
to the Framework for Economic Growth (2011), prepared by the Planning Commission of
Pakistan.
National Climate Change Policy (2012): The National Climate Change Policy, approved by the
[Check date/year] Government in 2012 has the overall goal ‘to ensure that climate change is
mainstreamed in the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the economy and to steer
Pakistan towards climate resilient development’. One of the major objectives of this policy is
conservation of natural resources and long term sustainability further elaborated through specific
measures under forestry, biodiversity, and other vulnerable ecosystems. With respect to forestry,
the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) outlines the need to restore and enhance Pakistan’s
forest cover under sustainable forest management to ‘withstand present and probable future
impacts of climate change.’ Biodiversity-related policy measures include setting national
biodiversity indicators and provision of requisite financial resources for implementation of the
BAP.
To support the Climate Change Policy, in 2013 the Government prepared a Framework for
Implementation of the Climate Change Policy (2014-2030) which lists priority, short-term,
medium-term and long-term actions to be implemented in various sectors including forestry.
Draft National Forest Policy (2015): This policy has recently been approved by the Council of
Common Interests and aims to establish a national forest monitoring mechanism to curb
deforestation, mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases and protect biodiversity. The objective of
the Forest Policy is to ‘expand the national coverage of forests, protected areas, natural habitats
and green areas for restoration of ecological functions and maximize economic benefits while
meeting Pakistan’s obligations to international agreements related to forests.’
In addition to these policies, there are some draft policies that have yet to be approved by the
parliament. These include the National Wetlands Policy and National Rangelands Policy. These
draft documents provide guiding principles for effective management of wetland and rangelands.
5.4. Biodiversity related Conventions, Declarations and Agreements

The global efforts to conserve the natural environment and its components are coherent with the
objectives of the convention. Some of the treaties and conventions already well under
implementation, rather gave way to evolution of CBD and defining the goals and objectives of the
later. Pakistan is party to the three Rio conventions and CITES, CMS and Ramsar Convention.
The activities carried out under these conventions are mutually reinforcing so recognizing a need
of a closer cooperation among the governing bodies at national level. Similarly action by relevant
agencies in Pakistan for SAARC and ECO affairs are also addressed by the Ministry of Climate
Change in a coordinated manner.
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5.5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

At the Millennium Summit in September 2000, the world leaders adopted the UN Millennium
Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and
setting out a series of time-bound targets. The eight Millennium Development Goals were set to
expire by the end of 2015, and therefore the Heads of States met in the United Nations on
September 25th 2015, and adopted a new set of sustainable development agenda (SDG) goals
to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity by 2030. The 17 SDGs have specific
targets to achieve over 15 years period 2016 -2030. The following two goals deal specifically with
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in water and on land:
 SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
for sustainable development
 SDG 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and
reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
5.6. Institutional Framework

The Forestry Wing of the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) is the national focal point for the
CBD. Within the framework, the Directorate of Biodiversity in the office of the Inspector General
of Forests is responsible for coordination with the CBD secretariat as well as with the national,
provincial, regional, local government agencies, and other stakeholders responsible for
implementation of CBD obligations. During the preparation of 5th National Report to CBD
meetings were with the provincial and regional governments and other stakeholders and firm
linkages were established. Provincial focal points for CBD were designated and a coordination
mechanism for engaging the stakeholders in its implementation was established.
At provincial level, the departments of Forestry, Wildlife, Fisheries, Environment, and Agriculture
and Livestock are responsible for management of these sectors and all other matters related to
biodiversity. More efforts are required for mainstreaming biodiversity concerns in the policy and
plans of these sectors and even more awareness of national obligations under CBD needs to be
raised at the provincial level. The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has, initiated
work on agro-biodiversity and hosts a prominent institution for conservation of plant genetic
resources. At provincial levels, field research stations are established for the in-situ conservation
of important varieties of crops and major indigenous breeds. Academia are sensitized and research
and studies are conducted in the domain of wildlife and biodiversity or allied fields. There are
some zoological and botanical gardens but their in-situ conservation potential is not being fully
utilized.
In addition to the Government institutions, international conservation organizations like the IUCN,
the WWF and BRC play significant role in creating awareness, building capacity, policy
development, and jointly implementing biodiversity conservation projects.

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6. Review of Progress on BAP Implementation

6.1. Progress on Implementation of BAP (2000):

The Biodiversity Action Plan (2000) had recommendations for ‘immediate actions’ to be taken
within a year, ‘short term’ actions to be taken within five years, and ‘long-term actions’ to be taken
within ten years. The BAP comprised 13 components, corresponding to articles of the CBD,
specifically planning and policies, legislation, identification and monitoring, in-situ conservation,
ex-situ conservation, sustainable use, incentive measures, research and training, public education
and awareness, EIA, access issues, exchange of information, and financial resources. The plan
included182 targets, 31 to be undertaken within a year, 81 within five years, and 25 within ten
years. Since the adoption of BAP, its implementation has been rather less pronounced. A review
of implementation of BAP revealed that in many areas, the action was initiated only partially
(Figure 8), the reason being that the targets were too ambitious adopted without considering the
financial constraints, lack of human resources and institutional capacity.

Figure 8: Progress on Implementation of the BAP (2000) in 2015.

A slight decrease in, otherwise, current high rate of human population is not likely to contribute in
alleviating anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity, deforestation and degradation of ecosystems.
6.2. Biodiversity Scenarios

In current scenario, habitats loss, degradation and defragmentation is likely continue thus lowering
of ecological connectivity, natural resources depletion, and loss of agro-biodiversity. However, the
recent successful recovery of some of the threatened species of wildlife and vulnerable habitats
has created hope that populations of more threatened species will be recovered and that there will
be more PAs being managed effectively. A brief overview of scenarios covering different biomes
and resource management regimes are presented in this section.
Terrestrial Ecosystems: There is no serious threat of deforestation in areas managed by the
government. However, the peripheral areas will continue to get degraded under heavy pressure of
grazing and the collection of fuel wood. In areas where tenure rights are not well-defined the
habitat degradation is likely to continue. Conversely, recent initiatives have resulted in increased
forest cover on private lands through planting the indigenous species and it will increase the areas
with high potential for sport hunting.

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Aquatic Ecosystems: The fish catch in both inland waters and marine areas will continue to
increase, to meet both increasing demands in the country and the growing export market. However,
enforcement of laws and regulations to curb the use of harmful fishing methods will improve over
time. A number of hydropower projects are currently under construction on rivers in mountainous
region and more are planned for the future. These projects are likely to fragment aquatic habitats
and have serious impacts on cold water aquatic biodiversity unless appropriate technologies are
included in their design to address these threats. Such initiatives will add to the existing habitat
resources for fish and other game.
Climate Change: In view of increasing average temperatures, caused by climate change, the
natural habitats in the northern mountainous region of Pakistan are likely to shrink, negatively
impacting the native species such as snow leopards, brown bears and others that live within a
narrow habitat niche. Increases in snow and glacier melt, coupled with extreme climatic events,
will adversely impact habitats through increase in intensity and frequency of floods and droughts.
The impact of climate change on agriculture is already becoming evident as many farmers
particularly in dry land areas have reported changes in the sowing dates and time required for crop
maturity.
6.3. Processes for development of Biodiversity Action and Plan (BAP)and National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

A transparent and consultative process was adopted for the preparation of both the BAP (2000)
and the NBSAP ensuring the participation of broad range of stakeholders from government,
academia and civil society. In addition, national and regional level consultative workshops were
organized. In case of NBSAP, voluntary guidelines to parties proposed by CBD for review of
national biodiversity strategies and action plans were followed for the revision process. The
following is a brief overview of the processes that were applied for the development of the BAP
and the NBSAP.
Biodiversity Action and Plan (2000)
The preparation of BAP 2000 was initiated with the formulation of a motivated and skilled
Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) to guide the process. In the National inception workshop
different thematic groups held consultations with stakeholders and formulate strategies
background papers and actions to achieve the objectives of the CBD. The initial draft was reviewed
by the BWG, and then circulated widely for peer review. After incorporation of the concerns, draft
was finalized by the BWG and submitted for formal approval. The BAP was considered in a
meeting of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council in 2000 and approved.
Finalization of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
An initial road map for revision of the NBSAP was shared with the BWG for review: a core group
examined the road map and the working papers and the group made suggestions. The revised road
map and working papers were shared in consultative meetings with smaller groups comprised of
key resource persons, professionals and other stakeholders.
The provincial governments and other partners responsible for implementation of NBSAP in the
field were approached though consultative meetings were organized with stakeholders in Karachi,
Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. Meetings were also held with policy makers

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and planners in the provinces, while keeping in view the need of sub-national strategies and action
plans for decentralized implementation. Technical support was provided to make the regional
strategies for achieving the CBD Strategic Goals, ABTs and SDGs. The NBSAP thus incorporates
information from all the regional plans. The draft NBSAP was widely circulated among all
stakeholders, key resource persons and members of the BWG for peer review.

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II. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

1. Vision
The guiding vision of the NBSAP is to make available the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem
services to all segments of society, in particular the marginalized, poor, and vulnerable and future

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the
natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution,
shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life
of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend (CBD).
generations by restoring and conserving the rich natural biodiversity heritage of Pakistan, and
rendering its use sustainable based on the principles of equitable sharing of benefits.
2. Goals
The goals of NBSAP are as follow:
1. To conserve biodiversity at priority sites, including species and genetic diversity. In
pursuing this goal, the focus will be on in-situ site-specific conservation work, high priority
ex-situ conservation, wildlife trafficking, and illegal timber trade.
2. To mainstream biodiversity as an essential element of human development. This goal aims
to increase awareness of how biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services contribute to
human wellbeing, sustain development outcomes, and promote integration with key sectors
such as agriculture, poverty alleviation, climate change, health, democracy and
governance, economic growth, and trade.
3. Objectives
The objectives of NBSAP are based on the five strategic goals of the ABTs, as follows:
3. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming an understanding of
biodiversity across government and society;
4. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use;
5. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic
diversity;
6. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services, and;
7. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management, and
capacity building.
4. Strategies and Actions
The strategies and actions to achieve the objectives of the NBSAP are organized around cross-
cutting issues, in particular biodiversity awareness, mainstreaming, poverty alleviation improving
environment and the CBD major thematic program areas which are terrestrial ecosystems, forest

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biodiversity, inland and coastal wetlands, coastal lands and marine ecosystems, and agro-
biodiversity. The distribution of proposed actions by each of the five strategic goals of ABTs are
presented below along with timeline, proposed actions and associated cost estimates. The
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation arrangements of the NBSAP are discussed in Part-III
of this Plan.

5. Biodiversity Awareness

5.1. Context

Loss of habitat and biodiversity is largely due to the lack of awareness among the users regarding
the significance and need for its conservation and sustainable use. Similarly, the importance of
biodiversity for human wellbeing generally contrasts with the commonly held worldview of social
and economic development. Thus, generating awareness through effective communication is very
significant before people can be asked to be a part of the solution. Change takes time, and simply
getting the word out is not going to have an impact on biodiversity conservation. Therefore, well
planned and targeted efforts will be required to obtain commitment and cooperation from end-
users and those who are responsible for determining national policies and plans. It is worth bearing
in mind that biodiversity is a relatively new concept for some stakeholders and acceptance of new
ideas is always a long process. It is, therefore, important to equip younger generations with the
knowledge, science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status
and trends, and the consequences of its loss.

“New scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and
making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die,
and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.(Max Planck)

Although the BAP recognized a need of a comprehensive strategy for communication and outreach
to raise biodiversity awareness, the measures taken to date remained at lower levels of priority.
National level knowledge management, outreach, and communication strategies should involve
key stakeholders and other important groups as appropriate to provide targeted and comprehensive
inputs for holistic and countrywide implementation of the NBSAP. Likewise, communication
alone may not be sufficient to achieve the desired results unless linked with economic incentives
and supported by legal frameworks, especially when there are economic or structural barriers to
overcome.
5.2. Issues and Trends

Reports, memoranda, and other publications are effective tools for communication provided that
politicians and decision makers get enough understanding of the issue through other tools of
communication including workshops and seminars. It is necessary to ask: Do decision makers have
time for this cause? Do they feel the need and desire to be educated? Do they see the relevance of
such workshops? Will such workshops even be productive? Experience has shown that rather

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reaching all the politicians and decision makers, it is more effective to accept their level of
knowledge and interests and concentrate on how best to put biodiversity on their agendas. To gain
this cooperation with stakeholders and to place biodiversity high on the agenda, government
departments and in other sectors of the society, a range of communication, education and
awareness interventions are needed.
The two main modalities: formal and informal communication are practiced: Informal
communication takes place at face-to-face meetings, often in informal settings and formal
communication involves networking, establishing working relationships, defining common goals,
updating knowledge, and influencing decision making processes.
All the members of a stakeholder group are heterogeneous assemblage of ideas and beliefs. Thus
demanding to identify the opinion leader/s in each group, involve them in the whole process to
avoid to the risk of non-cooperation. Opinion leaders have followers, and are trusted for the value
of their information. They have different networks in their own spheres, and have skills and interest
to connect with people in a diverse manner. The opinion leaders may not be experts in biodiversity,
but their views and beliefs are usually treated with the utmost respect.
5.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies will be adopted as part of the NBSAP and actions will be taken to make
people and policy makers aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to
conserve and use it sustainably.
Strategies:
1. Mobilize mass media, especially print, audio-visual, and digital social media to create
public awareness of the values of biodiversity and consequences of its loss.
2. Introduce knowledge, values, and consequences of the loss of biodiversity in
education at all levels, especially schools, colleges, and universities.
3. Educate policy makers, planners, and administrators in development and business
sectors through opinion leaders and introducing biodiversity concerns in relevant
training academies.
Actions:
1. Awareness days will be organized to commemorate the major environmental themes of
national and international importance: biodiversity, desertification and drought, forests,
tourism, wetlands and wildlife, etc.(ABT 1)
2. A focus group comprising of ‘opinion leaders’ representing print, audio-visual, and social
media will be constituted soon after the adoption of the plan to mobilize the media for
raising awareness.(ABT 1)
3. A cadre of environmental journalists will be created to act as ‘biodiversity champions’ for
commercial media and make contributions to print media, produce audio messages for
radio, and video clips for TV. (ABT 1)
4. The electronic and social media including new and emerging technologies will be used to
create awareness as well as to market our rich biodiversity as a heritage that could help
attracts tourists and engage young people as stewards for biodiversity conservation. (ABT
1)

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5. A task forces comprising of Ministries of Climate Change, Education, Science and

Technology, and Food Security, and Higher Education Commission will be constituted by
to take steps for inclusion of biodiversity module in curriculum of universities, colleges
and schools (ABT 1)
6. A support group comprising of ‘opinion leaders’ from among the policy makers and
planners will be constituted to guide the process for increasing the biodiversity knowledge
of decision makers and act as a change agent through informal communications. (ABT2)
7. The capacity of National School of Public Policy (NSPP), National Institute of
Management (NIM), National Defence College, and PIPS will be built by 2018, to
incorporate biodiversity consideration in training courses for decision makers of mid-
career and senior managerial levels. (ABT 19)
8. The targets for creating biodiversity awareness will be integrated in the annual and medium
term development plans. (ABT 20)
9. Additional financial resources if needed for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized by.
(ABT 20)

6. Gender, Poverty, and Biodiversity Nexus

6.1. Context

Majority of population lives in rural areas especially the poor and marginalized communities,
many of them are landless or small landholders and rely on goods and services derived from
biodiversity and ecosystems for their subsistence. Their livelihood is therefore strongly linked to
biodiversity and ecosystem services. The loss of biodiversity enhances the poverty and
vulnerability to climate change and other catastrophes.
Since women, men, and children use natural resources differently, gender-sensitive and gender-
responsive conservation programmes will be more socially acceptable and sustainable in the long
run. In many parts of the country, women and children are responsible for collecting firewood,
fodder, and Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPS) hence loss of biodiversity in the neighbourhood
will lead to an increased workloads and economic hardships. Projects or programmes that do not
take into consideration the needs of rural poor are likely to go counter effective, especially in the
vicinity of project areas. The Malakand Social Forestry Project, for example, benefited some users
at the expense of those grazing their livestock, collection of fodder and fuel wood. Sustainability
of such programmes remains at stake. Lessons learnt from such projects will be utilized in the
forthcoming programs and projects.
6.2. Issues and Trends

More than 60% of the area of Pakistan is either open access or comprises of common property
resources, the latter usually governed by traditional rules that determine who and when each
resource can be used. Such common resources are depleted over time due to over exploitation of
resulting in deteriorating ecosystems, livelihood burdens, increased poverty and decreased health
and women and children are more affected to their specific role.
Parallel to these challenges, there is an opportunity to alleviate poverty by restoring and
maintaining the health of ecosystems on which these communities depend. Examples of common
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property, or open access resources that are threatened with over-exploitation and loss of
biodiversity include habitats such as mountain ecosystems, range lands, wetlands, coastal areas,
and forests. Thus, gender and poverty considerations cut across all thematic areas of biodiversity
conservation and will be an integral component of relevant strategies and action plans.
6.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies and actions will be adopted as part of the NBSAP and actions will be
taken to enable the different segments of the society getting the due share of ecosystem services
and benefits:
Strategies and actions:
Mobilize resources while executing the programmes and projects considering:
1. Elements of cooperative management regimes for conservation and sustainable use of
natural resources by local and marginalized communities especially the women and other
vulnerable groups giving them management authorities as well as their increased
responsibility for the management of such resources.
2. Case studies need to be conducted illustrating customary use of biological resources,
households participating in traditional activities and consumption of traditional foods.
7. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in National Planning and Policy Processes
7.1. Context

The fate of natural ecosystems depends to a large extent on a wide range of national policies and
programmes for economic development or the lack of polices and plans to advance environmental
objectives. This is particularly true for the development of roads, urbanization, and industrial
development in coastal areas and near inland waters, the diversion of river water for agriculture
and the development of water storage dams. Therefore, incorporation of biodiversity values into
national accounting and reporting systems is necessary to limit unintended negative consequences
of policy decisions on biodiversity. Landless and small landholders rely for their subsistence on
goods derived from ecosystems including NTFP. Loss of biodiversity increases the workload of
women and children and contributes to poverty. Mainstreaming of biodiversity values in national
policies and plans across different sectors therefore depends on the identification, demonstration
and use of values in their various forms.
The National Climate Change Policy suggests policy measures to conserve natural resources and
protect forests, biodiversity, and other vulnerable ecosystems. Similarly, the Forest Policy provides
recommendations for expanding the national coverage of forests, protected areas, natural habitats
and green areas for restoration of ecological functions.
7.2. Issues and Trends

Biodiversity values are not well reflected in the current national reporting and accounting systems.
This is primarily due to the absence of appropriate valuation of biodiversity, inadequate assessment
of impact of biodiversity loss on livelihoods of the poor, and lack of a clear understanding about
how restoration of ecosystem goods and services can contribute to poverty alleviation. Therefore,

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demonstration of the benefits of investing in conservation and restoration as well as the potential
contributions required to meet a wide range of economic and policy objectives will be required
before values of biodiversity can be integrated into planning processes, and national accounting
and reporting systems. Furthermore, mainstreaming requires a sustained effort, over several years
and on several fronts, and must occur regularly within, and across, sectors.
7.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies and actions will be adopted and actions taken in order to mainstream
biodiversity considerations in national policies, plans, and poverty alleviation programmes:

1. Technical and administrative capacity will be developed for the valuation of biodiversity
using low cost tools and methods that, in addition to economic values, recognize social and
cultural values;
2. Biodiversity valuation studies shall be undertaken and demonstration projects initiated in
ecosystems where people rely heavily on biodiversity for subsistence, and;
3. The NBSAP shall be adopted as a policy document and a stakeholder Biodiversity Round
Table established for mainstreaming biodiversity in policies, plans, reporting and
accounting systems.
8. Terrestrial Ecosystems, Habitats, and Species
8.1. Context

Pakistan is bestowed with a rich natural heritage of biodiversity due to diverse physiography, soil
types, and climate. Terrestrial biomes range from deserts in the south to the mountain ranges of
the Himalayas, Karakorum, and Hindu Kush in the north and west. Of the total national land area,
62.7%constitutes wilderness, regions that are neither suitable for agriculture or for commercial
forestry. These areas comprise of deserts, arid lands and mountains. While a small percentage of
these lands are privately owned, the majority is either communally-owned or state lands with
undefined tenure and usufruct rights. There is no management authority for these lands and the
predominant land use in these areas is grazing and fuel wood collection. A small percentage of
these lands have been declared as game reserves and with the exception of the enforcement of
hunting laws, there is no habitat management. Similarly, approximately 5.9 million ha of these
lands are designated as rangelands, though lacking effective management50.

The ecological health of these ecosystems has not been assessed, yet it can safely be said that these
ecosystems are heavily degraded due to ever increasing anthropogenic pressures. These
ecosystems make significant contribution to the livelihoods of the landless and poor, making
significant contributions to the national economy with a potential for economic development and
growth. A 2006 World Bank report estimated a loss of seven billion rupees as a consequence of
degradation and deforestation of natural ecosystems. Due to the economic significance of these
assets, there is a need of valuation studies of biodiversity to influence investments for restoration
of biodiversity and alleviation of poverty15.

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Two terrestrial ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the list of global 200 priority ecosystems of
the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. These ecosystems and their conservation status are shown
in Table 1.
Table 1: Terrestrial ecosystems of Pakistan classified as Global 200 Eco-Regions

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Status Representation in PA

System

Western Himalayan Temperate Forests Critical or endangered Adequate

Tibetan Plateau Steppe Vulnerable Adequate

A large number of species of flora and fauna with a restricted range are found in Pakistan. Of the
plant species, five monotypic genera (Douepia, Sulaimania, Kurramiana, Wendelboa, and
Spiroseris) and 400 species belonging to 169 genera and 45 families occur in Pakistan16restricted
to the northern and western mountains. The fauna includes some endemic mammals such as the
Balochistan Forest Dormouse, and the Pale Grey Shrew. In addition, the Balochistan Pygmy
Jerboa is an example of an endemic genus, while the Woolly Flying Squirrel, Eupetaurus cinereus,
the sole member of its genus, may exist just in Pakistan. The Punjab Urial has recently been
elevated to a full species, while the Chiltan Wild Goat, Capra aegagrus chialtanensis is an example
of an endemic subspecies.
Pakistan is signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or Bonn Convention, aiming
to conserve migratory animal species over the whole of their distribution range. The Siberian Crane
Leucogeranus leucogeranus, for example, is a critically endangered17 migratory bird species. For
its conservation, the CMS Secretariat developed a Memorandum of Understanding (Siberian Crane
MoU) in early 1993 proposing a number of conservation measures and this MoU was signed by
Pakistan in 1998. The population of Siberian Crane (Central Asian flocks) that used to visit
Pakistan in the winter is now thought to be extirpated. However, a MoU on the Conservation of
Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptor MoU) was concluded under the auspices of
CMS in 2008. This is an inter-governmental agreement to conserve migratory birds of prey in the
African and Eurasian regions and was signed by Pakistan in 2008.
Though considered as a barrier to the sustained existence of biodiversity, yet, sprawling urban
landscape can work as an effective tool for biodiversity conservation. Setting aside patches of
protected habitat in the anthropogenic activities will help in creating ecologically responsible
development in adjacent areas, as well as meeting the needs of nature. However, high cost of land
in urban environments can pose severe challenges.
8.2. Issues and Trends

Habitat mapping has been carried out periodically and the ecosystems of Pakistan are described
using different tools and techniques. The natural habitats of Pakistan are grouped into different
vegetation types based on technical parameters as well as management objectives, physiognomy

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and source of information. Another classification recognizes 17 ecosystems based on NOAA

satellite imagery. Many endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna and a large proportion
of the wild relatives of crops found in the country underline the need of a comprehensive national
assessment of biodiversity, its status and trends across Pakistan. The habitat and ecosystem
mapping evolved gradually53, 54, 55These classifications are based on criteria like climatic zones,
agro-ecological zones, aridity zones, cropping zones coupled with administrative units with
varying degrees of consensus. The context of these classifications and techniques used therein
result in somewhat different results however, all signifying the diversity and richness of these
habitat types. More recently, based on new and emerging techniques, the area under the geographic
coverage of the country is classified to meet the needs of climate change scenarios 6. The
application of Holdridge life zone (HLZ) classification system revealed existence of 26 discrete
habitat types in the country.
Since the initiation of establishing a network of PAs in 1974 the numbers of such areas have
steadily increased with initial selection made on the basis of sites or species rather than any
ecological considerations. The practice continues except in few areas with strict enforcement of
wildlife laws and managed under a plan. Some habitats associated with of endangered but high
value trophy species are being successfully managed by local people and communities, giving an
indication of replication of efforts.
Pastoral Management: Extensive pastoral production covers some 25 percent of the world's land
area and produces 10 percent of the meat used for human consumption and supporting about 20
million pastoral households. Pastoral production is split between the extensive enclosed systems
that are typical of North America, Australia and parts of South America, and the open access
systems of Africa, the Andes, Asia and Siberia,. In Pakistan pastoral grazing is widely practiced
in the arid and semi-arid areas. Both long range nomadic pastoralists and short range roaming
nomads are abundant but there have been no census on these pastoralists. They are still considered
largely the province of "traditional" producers. Recent initiatives have attempted to undermine the
traditional grazing systems they developed over centuries and highlighting the newly developed
ways, means and technologies.
A large number of research and development projects employed different models and application
of North American style range management was one such initiative though unsuccessful. The
reason is being wide social, cultural, and land tenure differences. Across Pakistan, pastoral systems
differ widely and thus would require different management approaches. Other than agricultural
and forest lands which comprise less than 40% of the total area of the country, vast areas of land
that are considered ‘wasteland’ need to be managed to control land degradation and desertification,
and to improve ecosystem services and livelihoods via biodiversity conservation, and including
the pastoralists into the mainstream range management policies.
Currently the existing forestry, agriculture, and livestock departments are not integrating natural
resource management in their plans and programs. Therefore there is a need to establish an
independent government agency to manage these lands and valuable biodiversity resources of the
country.

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Figure 9: Holdridge Life Zones of Pakistan

Protected Areas (PA): Protected Areas have been established in Pakistan to achieve the goals of
conservation ecosystem services and cultural values. These protected Areas include game reserves,
wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks spread over approximately 12% of the total area of the
country. The protected area system review18reported that many protected areas of Pakistan do not
meet the established criteria, and a PAs Gap Analysis59, 60revealed many ecological and
management gaps, together with the identification of fragmented habitats with few or no ecological
corridors or connections between them.
8.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies will be adopted and actions will be taken to fill gaps in protected areas
and recovery of population of threatened species, implement the CBD programmes of work on
protected areas, as well as ABTs.
Strategies:
1. Institutional and regulatory frameworks will be improved and implemented to address new
and emerging challenges in line with the objectives of the Convention.
2. Natural habitats will be conserved through the expansion, including establishment of
corridors, and the effective management of the network of protected areas integrated with
landscapes.
3. Local communities will be empowered and their capacity developed so they can act as
custodians of protected areas and landscapes.

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4. Knowledge, science base, and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning,
status and trends will be improved. The conservation status of known threatened species
will be improved.
5. Pastoralists and nomadic people with the huge potential of maintaining livestock and small
ruminants need to be mainstreamed in range management policies and their traditional
knowledge should be used to create an enabling environment.

Actions
1. Institutional effectiveness and efficiency will be enhanced to ensure effective management
and monitoring of the biodiversity resources. Initiatives with the adoption of NBSAP (ABT
17);
2. A GIS laboratory will be established to assess the health (deforestation) and condition
(degradation) of ecosystems and habitats, and maps prepared to identify conservation
priorities and opportunities (ABT 19);
3. An ecosystem classification system using agreed international standards, including broad
indicators of biodiversity, will be developed. (ABT 19);
4. At least 20% of degraded ecosystems of ecological significance will be restored to combat
desertification and demonstrate economic, social, and cultural benefits (ABT 15);
5. A study will be conducted to identify negative incentives and propose positive incentives
that will reduce the rate and ultimately halt the degradation and fragmentation of
ecosystems(ABT 3);
6. The lists of PAs will be refined to include only those sites that meet the internationally
recognized definitions (ABT 11);
7. Management plans will be prepared on priority basis and implemented for effective and
equitable management of PAs (annex 3) integrated into the wider landscapes(ABT 11);
8. Local communities will be empowered and their capacity built to both collaborate in the
management of PAs as well as establish community conservations areas on common
property lands(ABT 11);
9. The PA network will be expanded by 2020 to cover at least 17% of terrestrial area to fill
in the gaps in the protected area system (annex 4) and to establish corridors between
fragmented habitats of threatened species(ABT 11);
10. Mechanisms will be developed for financial sustainability of PAs (ABT 11);
11. The gap between scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve knowledge and
practice of biodiversity conservation(ABT 19);
12. Recovery plans will be prepared and implemented to improve the conservation status of
major threatened species of flora and fauna (Annex 2) in different ecosystems (ABT 12);
13. The directorate of biodiversity, MoCC, in collaboration of other conservation partners will
work on eradicating practices counter to the norms of animal wellbeing and ethics.
14. The directorate of biodiversity, MoCC, in collaboration with other partners will put
continued efforts for ex-situ conservation;
15. Targets for the conservation of ecosystems, habitats, and species will be integrated in the
annual and medium term development plans (ABT 20), and;
16. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized
(ABT 20)
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9. Forest Ecosystems

9.1. Context

The forests of Pakistan are grouped into five physiognomic classes, conifers, scrub, riverine,
mangroves, and plantations. Natural forests comprise a number of diverse ecosystems, including
the Western Himalayan Temperate Forests, one of the global 200 priority ecosystems. In addition,
Balochistan hosts the world’s second largest compact forest of Juniper (UNESCO 2013; Man and
Biosphere Reserve), and is considered a living fossil. While almost all forest ecosystems in
Pakistan are threatened, edible pine nut (Pinus gerardiana) forests, found primarily in community-
controlled areas, are under serious threat of disappearance due to logging by local people as a
means of supporting their livelihoods. A wide variety of medicinal plants grow in abundance in
the temperate forests of the western Himalayan and Hindukush mountain ranges producing huge
amount, for example, 500 tons of medicinal plants are produced in Hazara and Malakand alone.
Likewise, 16 tons in the Murree Hills, 38 tons in Azad Kashmir, and about 24 tons in Gilgit-
Baltistan are extracted for domestic use and export19.
The area of different forest types and percent annual change in their cover over five and ten year
periods is given in Table2 (PFI, 2004).
Table 2: Change in area of different forest types, 1992 to 2004

Forest Type Forest Cover(000 ha) Rate of

change %

1992 1997 2001 Five Yr. Ten

Yr.

Conifer 1,913 1,479 1,512 4.54(-) 2.09(-)

Scrub 1,191 1,652 1,323 7.74(+) 1.11(+)

Riverine 173 144 150 3.35(-) 1.33(-)

Mangrove 207 159 158 4.64(-) 2.37(-)

Plantation 103 165 174 12.04(+) 6.89(+)

Total Forest 3,587 3,599 3,317 0.06(+) 0.75(-)

Rangeland 28,505 22,645 23,546 4.11(-) 1.74(-)

Total Types 32,092 26,244 26,863 3.64(-) 1.63(-)

Source: Pakistan Forest Institute

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9.2. Issues and Trends

Different agencies and institutions have been assessing the forest cover using different yardsticks
and have invariably pointed out a decreasing trend of forest cover in the country. Parallel to this
trend, social forestry and efforts on linear plantations have proved fruitful and forestry resources
assessment in the country has indicated the priority areas of immediate attention.
Forests are small islands in a vast ocean of rapidly growing human population and consequently
face a number of threats. In many forests, local communities are entitled to a percentage of shares
from the sale of timber and thus they pressurize the government for access to logging. Due to the
short supply and growing demand for construction material, timber prices are high and the mafias
in collusion with the rights holders indulge in all sorts of tactics, including illegal logging practices.
People living near forests also depend on fuel wood for cooking and heating their homes in the
winter. Once they run out of fuel wood on their own or communal lands, they turn to the forests
for wood extraction. A recent study concluded that 80% of deforestation in KP was due to cutting
of trees for fuel20. Overgrazing by cattle also has a negative effect on the forests since the natural
regeneration of the seedlings is hampered by trampling and browsing. The magnitude of various
threats estimated on a scale of 1 to 10 in different forest types is shown in following figure.

Figure 10: Level of various threats in different forest types (FCPF RFP, MoCC, 2012)

Irrigated plantations and the strips of land along highways and canals are important components
of the forestry resources of the country. These plantations have traditionally been made up of pure

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stands of one, or a mix of two species of commercial importance, and can play a significant role
in promoting conservation of biodiversity.
Many forests have been classified as protected areas under the wildlife laws administered by the
Provincial Wildlife Departments of Pakistan. This has created conflict of interest between the two
agencies, and so far, there is no mechanism for joint management for such protected areas. Under
UN MDGs, Pakistan had made significant contribution to its commitment to increase its forest
cover from 4.8% to 6.0% by 2015and is obliged to report the status of forests in a transparent
manner to various international conventions and UN agencies. With this in mind, the government
engaged the services of WWF Pakistan to estimate the district wise forest cover using satellite
imagery.
According to Pakistan’s National Determined Contributions (NDC) document submitted to
UNFCCC, contributions of ‘Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)’ sector towards
greenhouse gas emissions of the country are merely 2%. However, these emissions are consistently
increasing due to deforestation estimated at 27,000 hectares per year. It is anticipated that by 2030,
Pakistan’s emissions from LULUCF sector will almost triple62. Considerable efforts are made for
the revival of forestry in the country. These include expanding the forest cover through mega tree
plantation programmes such as National Green Pakistan Programme; Billion Tree Tsunami
Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Sustainable Forest Management project funded by United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/ Global Environment Facility (GEF);strengthening the
regulatory & forest protection policy mechanism and implementation of international mechanisms
under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), such as, Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).
The Green Pakistan Programme is being launched in 2017 by the federal government with support
from all the provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The main objective of the Programme is “to facilitate
transition towards environmentally resilient Pakistan by mainstreaming notions of adaptation and
mitigation through ecologically targeted initiatives covering afforestation, biodiversity
conservation and enabling policy environment.” The programme target is to add 100 million
indigenous plants including 20% fruit plants all over the country in the next five years. The
programme also aims to revive and functionally reorganize wildlife departments at provincial and
territorial levels through development of time bound plans, including staff capacity building
programs and incentive-driven performance regimes.
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (the northern province of Pakistan) launched the “Green
Growth Initiative (GGI)” in 2014 as a flag bearer of the clean and green revolution in Pakistan.
The GGI aims to (i) increase area of forests by two percent through converting 30,000 hectares of
additional land into forests annually, (ii) increase density (area of forests having canopy cover
below 50%) of 7% degraded forests by closure against grazing and fire and (iii) establish rules for
REDD+ to assign carbon value to forests and institute REDD+ as a tool to promote conservation.
Through GGI, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa launched the “Billion Tree Afforestation”
campaign to involve local communities in the sacred pursuit of greening the province.
Recent policy developments have led to the formation of new institutions and governing bodies to
address deforestation in the wake of climate change. These include new national and provincial

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REDD+ management arrangements, which will influence the development of Pakistan’s National
REDD+ Strategy and its implementation framework.
Pakistan has recently secured funding of 9.338 million USD from GEF for a multi-focal area
project on Sustainable Forest Management “SFM”. The aim of the project is to secure multiple
benefits in high conservation value forests by addressing problems of forest decline, biodiversity
loss and greenhouse gas emissions.
The tremendous potential of forest landscape restoration (FLR) has led 40 governments,
companies and private associations – including three jurisdictions from Asia – to commit to the
Bonn Challenge, a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land into
restoration by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. In 2016, IUCN, together with the UNEP
and FAO, launched The Restoration Initiative (TRI), a project to support 10 countries in Asia and
Africa in achieving their restoration objectives. TRI is supported by a US$ 54 million grant from
the GEF, with over US$ 200 million in co-financing. Myanmar, Pakistan and China are part of
TRI and will benefit immensely from the technical expertise it offers.
9.3. Strategies and Actions

The following strategies and actions are proposed to address the issues discussed above, to
implement the CBD Programme of Work on Forest Biological Diversity, and to contribute to the
implementation of the ABTs 2011 to 2020.

Strategies:
1. An enabling institutional and policy environment will be created to mainstream
biodiversity conservation and sustainable use considerations in the forestry sector;

2. Forest biological diversity, including ecosystem services, will be protected and restored
through adoption of an ecosystem approach for the management of all forest types;

3. Plantations shall be made biodiversity friendly by increasing floral diversity, and;

4. Knowledge, the science base, and technologies relating to forest biodiversity, its values,
functions, status and trends will be improved to prevent loss of forest biodiversity, and
mitigation measures adopted including reforms of the rights and concessions of local
people.

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Actions:
1. A GIS laboratory will be established for the assessment of the health (deforestation) and
condition (degradation) of forest ecosystems and maps prepared compatible with remote
sensing technologies to identify conservation priorities and opportunities (ABT 19);
2. A forest classification system using agreed international standards including broad indicators
of biodiversity will be developed (ABT 19);
3. Representative forest landscapes of special importance for biodiversity will be designated as
Forest Biodiversity Reserves and effectively managed (ABT 11);
4. Canal and roadside plantations will be made biodiversity friendly to play a significant role
for conservation of the pollinators, avifauna and serving as corridors between fragmented
habitats (ABT 11);
5. Suitable ecosystem approaches will be developed after the adoption of NBSAP and piloted
in different forest ecosystems; and training workshops held for managers for their application
(ABT 7);
6. A GIS lab will be established by 2018 to prepare a baseline and monitor health (deforestation)
and condition (degradation) of forests using remote sensing techniques and impact on
biodiversity and ecosystem services (ABT 5);
7. At least 25% of all degraded forest ecosystems will be restored by 2020 to improve their
resilience and contribution to carbon stocks (ABT 15);
8. Collaborative, or joint, forest management approaches will be piloted in different forest
ecosystems to reduce the anthropogenic impacts by improving livelihoods of local people
based on sustainable use of components of biodiversity (ABT 7);
9. Forest and forest related policies, laws, and regulations will be reviewed in early phase of
NBSAP implementation to provide a sound basis for conservation and sustainable use of
forest biological diversity (ABT 7);
10. The code for the preparation of management plans will be revised to incorporate the
ecosystem approaches for sustainable management of forests and biodiversity (ABT 7);
11. Landscapes that provide essential services related to water for major dams, and contribute to
health, livelihoods, and well-being of local communities will be restored by 2020 and
safeguarded (ABT 14);
12. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the knowledge
and practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);
13. Measures to achieve the targets for conservation of forest biodiversity will be integrated in
the annual and medium term development plans (ABT 20), and;
14. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized soon
after the adoption of NBSAPS. (ABT 20).

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10. Inland Wetland Ecosystems

10.1. Context

The inland wetland ecosystems of Pakistan comprise streams, rivers, numerous natural lakes, man-
made reservoirs, the Indus River delta, and the wetland complexes of the Indus basin. Lakes also
include high altitude alpine and glacial freshwater lakes and saltwater lakes in coastal areas. The
inland water resources of Pakistan are dominated by the Indus River System, comprising the Indus,
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers which all originate in the western Himalayas, flow from
northeast-to-south, and drain into Arabian Sea through the Indus Delta. The Kabul River,
originating in Afghanistan, drains into the Indus, near Attock. In addition to the Indus River
system, there are also a number of other small rivers in Balochistan including the Hub, Gudri, and
the Nal Rivers, which all drain into the Arabian Sea on the Makran coast.

Pakistan has one of the world's largest man-made canal irrigation systems, comprising a number
of large dams, barrages, and a network of irrigation canals and waterways. The following wetland
ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the list of global 200 priority ecosystems of the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment (Table 3).
Table 3: The Wetland Ecosystems of Pakistan Included in Global 200 Eco-
regions

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Status Representation in

PA System

Rann of Kutch Flooded Critical or endangered Adequate

Grasslands

Indus River Delta Critical or endangered Inadequate

Wetlands comprise a continuum of braided and meandering river channels, oxbow lakes, and
seasonally flooded depressions in the Indus basin. There is no accurate assessment of the total area
of all the wetlands because of the seasonal flooding and drought regimens and the later influences
the population of migratory birds as well. The complex between the town of Chashma in the north
and the city of Sukkur in the south is estimated to encompass 9,700 km2.21 Streams and rivers are
not only the lifeline of agriculture and hydropower generation, but also provide livelihoods to
thousands of people through artisan fisheries, and serves as a refuge for large numbers of wintering
migratory birds. Around 225 site shave been identified, and listed, as significant wetland sites,
distributed all over Pakistan from the sea coasts in the south to high mountains in the north. The
major wetlands of Pakistan are shown in Figure 10.
The conservation and sustainable use of wetlands was first focused through the ‘Pakistan Wetland
Programme.’ This GEF supported project focused on creating an enabling environment through
establishment of sustainable institutions; enhancing planning and land-use decision-making;
development, adoption and implementation of the National Wetlands Policy; enhancing the
technical competence of government agencies and communities; raising nationwide wetlands

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awareness; and securing the long-term financial sustainability of wetlands conservation initiatives.
In response to the need to generate practical, replicable examples of viable wetlands conservation
practice in Pakistan, four demonstration sites were established in different development eco-
regions, namely the Makran Coastal Wetlands Complex, the Central Indus Wetlands Complex, the
Salt Range Wetlands Complex, and the Northern Alpine Wetlands Complex. The Indus Wetland
Complex in Sindh also received attention through the WWF programme ‘Indus for All’ which was
launched in 2007. The programme addressed the issues of natural resource management, pollution,
sea erosion, loss of species, deforestation, hunting of birds and animals, and poverty.
Pakistan has more than 670 species of birds of which one third are water birds, and most of these
are migratory species, including geese, ducks, swans, waders, and other water birds. Species that
require urgent conservation attention include the Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus),
the Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone), the Dalmatian Pelican, (Pelicanus crispus), the Sociable Plover
(Vanellus gregarious), the Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus), Pallas’s Fish Eagle
(Heliaeetus leucoryphus), and vultures. Pakistan has been a signatory to the Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands since 1971 and ratified this agreement in 1976. This convention is an
intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sensible use of wetlands. In order to fulfil the
obligations of this convention, Pakistan initially designated nine Ramsar sites and, at present, there
are 19 wetlands on the Ramsar list (Annex 5). Although, there is no specific legislation for the
protection and sensible use of wetlands, Provincial Wildlife Laws provide legal protection to most
of these sites. In addition, to enable the conservation and sensible use of wetlands and their
resources, a National Wetland Policy has also been developed but has not yet been approved by
the Parliament.
The freshwater fish fauna of Pakistan comprises 198 species, including 12 introduced taxa. The
fish fauna is predominantly South Asian, with some West Asian and high Asian elements. The fish
fauna of the northern areas of Pakistan comprises 20 species and is completely high Asian in
makeup restricted mainly to GB province. A major component of the fish fauna, especially warm
water fish, is restricted to the Indus plain, which comprises about 140 species. Of these, the genus
Schistura is restricted to sub-mountain areas while the genus Triplophysa is mainly confined to
high altitude regions. Snow trout are found in the Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakoram
mountain ranges and are not represented in the Indus plain. Other than sport fishing, fishing rights
in inland waters are auctioned every year for the duration of the fishing season, and rainbow and
brown trout represent potential threats to the highly specialized local cold water fish fauna. In
addition, introduction of Tilapia fish is a real threat to the local fish fauna in warmer waters22.
Aquaculture is a rather recent activity in Pakistan and is still in its infancy; the potential fish fauna
to be farmed is rich but only seven warm water species and two cold water species have been
cultivated so far on a commercial scale. Trials experimenting with shrimp in culture were carried
out in the Indus delta region but did not succeed due to the non-availability of hatchery-produced
seed. With the exception of trout culture in KP and GB, virtually all aquaculture currently carried
out in Pakistan is pond-based and utilizes various carp species. In the past, most fish farmers
stocked their ponds with only indigenous species such as catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita),
mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala). More recently, two fast growing invasive species, the grass carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), have been introduced
to increase the fish yield per unit area. These two species have good economic value, and have

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become popular amongst producers as well as consumers. Two species of trout namely brown trout
(Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are also cultured in KP, AJK, and GB.

Figure 11: The Major Wetlands of Pakistan.

While many lakes in the highlands are unmanaged, rivers, man-made reservoirs, and canals are
primarily managed for irrigation and hydropower generation. Fishing is regulated by the Fisheries
Department and hunting is controlled by the various Wildlife Departments. However, there is little
coordination between these agencies, and they act independently without much consultation. Apart
from overfishing and hunting, the threats to wetland biodiversity include discharge of industrial
effluent and municipal waste. In addition, diversion of water for agriculture and construction of
hydropower stations have resulted in shrinkage of many wetlands and fragmented habitats. The
use of illegal nets, dynamite, and poison fishing are other serious threats to aquatic biodiversity.
10.2. Issue and Trends

Pakistan is a range state of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) indicating an urgent need for science-
based, internationally coordinated conservation measures, ensuring the survival of migratory
species and their habitats. Forty-six wetlands in the country have protected status in the form of
national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves. Of these, 15wetlands of international
importance have been designated as Ramsar Sites. The CMS Action Plan (2008) for the CAF
provides the basis for the 30 range states to take individual and coordinated region-wide activities

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to conserve water birds and their habitats. This agreement covers 175 species of divers, grebes,
pelicans, cormorants, herons, storks, ibises, flamingos, geese, cranes, rails, sun grebes, jacanas,
crab plovers, oystercatchers, stilts, avocets, pratincoles, plovers, scolopacids, gulls, and terns. Of
these 13 species are listed in Appendix I of the CMS.
Pakistan is home to a number of aquatic species of conservation importance. The golden mahseer
Tor putitora23, a popular game fish species, is endangered because of overfishing and loss of
breeding grounds, while another freshwater species Kashmir Catfish Glyptothorax kashmirensis24,
found only in the Jhelum River, is critically endangered and is in imminent danger of extirpation.
The Indus River dolphin Platanista gangetica25, endemic to Pakistan, is under extreme pressure
from loss of habitat and overfishing and listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species. The gharial Gavialis gangeticus also found only in the Indus River and its tributaries, is
nearly extirpated in Pakistan, while the narrow-headed soft shell turtle Chitra indica26 is
endangered in the country’s rivers.

The NBSAP suggests ways and means for species and habitat conservation, single species action
plans, as well as emergency measures. Priority issues for the conservation of migratory water birds
and their habitats include improving information on population status, trends, as well as precise
migration routes. In addition, it is important to improve the capacity of local agencies and
communities to monitor and manage wetlands, while ensuring their sustainable use for the local
people. A policy document for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity in
Pakistan is already prepared and needs ownership and effective implementation. The National
Climate Change Policy (2012), however, recognizing the importance of wetlands in maintaining
and sustaining regional ecological processes that support globally important biodiversity such as
bird migration routes and wintering grounds, has outlined a number of policy measures to protect,
sustain and enhance the wetlands.
10.3. Strategies and Actions

While a foundation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands biodiversity has been laid,
efforts must be continued if we are to achieve fruitful results. The following strategies and actions
are designed to implement the CBD programme of Work “Inland Waters Biodiversity” and ABTs.
Strategies:
1. Sound watershed management practices and climate change mitigation measures shall be
adopted in the Indus basin to prevent water shortages in the country;
2. Biodiversity considerations shall be included in the policy, legal, and regulatory
frameworks to ensure conservation of fish and other aquatic organisms, and equitable
sharing of benefits;
3. Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent the introduction of freshwater invasive
species and control their spread to other areas, and where feasible, invasive alien species
will be eradicated in habitats of significant biological diversity, and;
4. Build the capacity of relevant stakeholders to sustainably manage fisheries and
aquaculture, and ensure equitable sharing of benefits.

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Actions

1. The feasibility of an effective cross boundary coordination mechanism between India

and Pakistan to protect the watershed values of Indus Basin shall be explored for joint
action to combat water scarcity and conserve wetland biodiversity.
2. An effective coordination mechanism will be established for integrated management
of water, fish, and wildlife resources of wetlands (ABT 6);
3. Institutional capacity will be strengthened soon after the adoption of NBSAP for
effective enforcement of laws, and sustainable management of the wetlands ( ABT 17);
4. Biodiversity considerations will be incorporated in fisheries policies, laws and
regulations to ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits (ABT 6);
5. A procedure for sustainable harvest of fish stock will be developed in early phase of
NBSAP implementation to minimize impact on threatened species and vulnerable
habitats (ABT 6);
6. A baseline survey will be undertaken to assess the biodiversity of key inland wetlands
and establish a system to monitor at regular intervals the status of species most in
decline (ABT 6);
7. Wetlands protected areas will be established by 2019 covering at least 15% area of
wetlands of biodiversity significance and effectively managed together with the
surrounding landscapes (ABT 11);
8. Management plans will be prepared and implemented for integrated management of
RAMSAR sites (Annex 5) including the surrounding landscapes after the NBSAP is
adopted (ABT 11);
9. The spread of alien species will be prevented through appropriate measures to prevent
their escape into natural habitats from hatcheries and aquaculture (ABT 9);
10. The impact of alien species in wetlands of biodiversity significance will be assessed
and measures taken to control and ultimately eradicate invasive alien species by 2020
(ABT 9);
11. Important wetland habitats of national biodiversity significance together with
surrounding landscapes will be co-managed with custodial communities by 2017
through their empowerment and building capacity for conservation and sustainable use
(ABT 6);
12. Plans will be prepared and implemented for recovery of depleted freshwater fish
species (Annex 2) (ABT 12);
13. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the
knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);
14. The targets for conservation of inland water ecosystems will be integrated in the annual
and medium term development plans (ABT 20), and;
15. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized
(ABT 20).

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11. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

11.1. Context

Pakistan’s sea-coast, between Sir Creek in Sindh and Jiwani in Balochistan, measures 1,098 km,
with 768km in Balochistan and 330 km in Sindh. Three coastal and marine ecosystems of Pakistan
are included in the Global 200 Priority Ecosystems (Table 4). These ecosystems are comprised of
the Arabian Sea (Figure 1127), sandy and rocky beach ecosystems, estuaries, coastal lagoons,
backwaters, and recently discovered corals in Astola Island. The mangrove vegetation (covering
86,727 ha) is mainly restricted to river estuaries with scattered patches along the coast. Although
mangroves play a useful ecological role, their economic value is not well recognized. There are
four species of mangroves found in Pakistan, with Avicennia marina being the predominant
species.
Table 4.Global 200 Eco-regions represented in Pakistan.

Global 200 Eco-region Conservation Representation

Status in PA System

Rann of Kutch Flooded Critical or Adequate

Grasslands endangered

Indus River Delta Critical or In adequate

endangered

Arabian Sea Critical or No

endangered representation

A 20 km stretch of beach on Hawkes Bay and Sandpit are nesting grounds of the green turtle
(Chelonia mydas) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). In Balochistan, there are
three major green turtle nesting sites: Ormara, Astola (Haft Talar) Island (a small, un-inhabited
island about 6 km in length) and Jiwani. In addition, a small population of turtles also nests on the
beaches of Hingol National Park to the east of Ormara. Nesting and hatching of green turtles takes
place all year round, with peak nesting in November and peak hatching in October.
Pakistan is a member country for the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and
Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia
(IOSEA) is an intergovernmental agreement that aims to protect, conserve, replenish and recover
sea turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region, working in
partnership with other relevant actors and organizations.
Astola Island was notified as Pakistan’s first marine protected area on 15 June 2017 by the
Government of Balochistan. Total protected area with this addition is 12.6% of the total area of
the country.

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11.2. Issues and Trends

Coastal and marine biodiversity faces numerous threats, some of which require action at national
level while others require global action. Marine fisheries are a direct livelihood source for over a
million people and encompass more
than 125,000 households. There are
approximately 15,000 fishing vessels
of various sizes ranging from small to
medium-sized boats, large launches,
and trawlers, engaged in fishing,
though using conventional fishing
gear. The species exported (with little
value addition) are mainly shrimp
(65%), Indian mackerel, ribbon-fish,
tuna, sole and crab. Sardines are
caught as trash fish and converted into
chicken feed. There has been a sharp
decline in the fish and shrimp catches
recently as a result of over-fishing and
fishing during the breeding season
(June to August).

Two species of sawfish, the knife-

tooth and narrow-snout, as well as
Pondicherry shark (Carcharhinus
hemiodon)28Ganges sharks(Glyphis
gangeticus)29longheaded eagle
ray(Aetobatus flagellum) are Figure 12: Map showing EES in Arabian Sea.
endangered in Pakistan. Scalloped
hammerhead, squat-headed
hammerhead, and broad-fin sharks
have been overfished for use in the shark-fin trade, while the blue whale, the largest creature on
Earth, is an endangered marine mammal in Pakistan.

Marine turtles in Pakistan face multiple threats, including natural predators, incidental catch,
illegal collection of animals and eggs as well as other anthropogenic activities along the nesting
sites.30

Excess nutrient input result in eutrophication, anoxic conditions and result in fish kill events. The
Indus Delta is heavily polluted by a variety of effluents and oil spills together with clearing of
mangrove areas for industrial and agricultural purposes as well as for urban expansion. The
development of Gwadar as a port city needs conservation of some small beaches that serve as
nesting habitats for the turtles in the locality.

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Ban on fishing as a tool to conserve the species is not a feasible option when the many communities
depend on fishing and other related activities for their livelihoods. Therefore, policy measures to
address the problem of biodiversity loss must integrate access rights and community based
management in the fishery management and conservation plans. The fisher folk usually have the
knowledge of the resources and if provided the necessary support can learn to use these resources
in a sustainable manner. Some measures include limiting the entry for fish exploitation and
regulation of fishing gear, collection of resource rent, and benefit distribution. It also includes
addressing the overfishing and by-catch through sustainable fishery practices, setting catch limits
on target species, and by catch reduction plans. Marine protected areas that are off limits to fishing
and limit local pollution may help raise the resilience of local ecosystems to climate change and
ocean acidification. Protected areas can benefit both fisheries and tourism by preserving important
spots of marine biodiversity and fish spawning grounds.
Climate change threatens the coastal communities in Pakistan due to sea water rise and lack of
resilience to cyclones. The measures aiming at sustainable fisheries practices and others in brown
sector will help in facing the vulnerability to climate change.

In addition to climate change, progressive upstream diversion of Indus waters and the gradual
depletion of freshwater discharges and accompanying reduction in silt load is increasing salinity
in the Indus delta. A decline in fresh water discharge from Indus was observed from 49 trillion
gallons to 0.24 trillion gallons in 2006 since 1947. In the absence of a considerable volume of such
flows there is no decelerating factor to check sea intrusion and it is estimated that the sea has
intruded 54 km upstream along the main course of the River Indus, Sindh31.
11.3. Strategies and Actions

Conservation and sustainable use of resources in marine and coastal areas is recognized well by
the government and the conservation agencies. Declaration of first marine protected area is a step
towards achieving the goals and targets under CBD and other obligations. The various
conservation initiatives on turtles, mangroves, the wetlands and programs like Indus for All
(WWF) and Mangroves for the Future (IUCN) laid the foundation for conservation and sustainable
use of wetlands biodiversity in the country. However, there is a need to scale up efforts to prevent
loss of biodiversity and considering the livelihood of poor and marginalized populations. The
following strategies and actions are designed to implement the CBD programme of Work “Inland
Waters Biodiversity” and Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Strategies
1. A network of protected areas shall be established and specific conservation measures taken
for recovery of populations of species most in decline to enhance the resilience of marine
biodiversity to climate change; Astola Island as first Marine Protected Area is a significant
step towards implementation of ABTs.
2. The capacity of coastal fishing communities will be developed to harvest marine organisms
in a sustainable manner, and;
3. The institutional and regulatory frameworks will be improved to address the challenges of
the 21stcentury for conservation of marine biodiversity, through sustainable use and
equitable sharing of benefits;

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Actions:
1. Laws, regulations, and policies shall be updated or drafted by incorporating biodiversity
concerns and effective management of marine biodiversity on sound ecological principles
and to prevent threat of extinction of utilized species(ABT 6);
2. The capacity of fisheries departments will be strengthened by 2017 to ensure compliance
with laws and regulations for harvesting fish and invertebrates within sustainable harvest
limits (ABT 19);
3. An assessment of stocks and limits of sustainable harvest levels of major species will be
determined and measures proposed for enforcement (ABT 6);
4. The population of known threatened marine species particularly of those in most decline
(Annex 2) shall be monitored regularly starting 2017 and remedial measures taken to
improve and sustain their population (ABT 12);
5. Pilot projects will be launched after the adoption of NBSAP to develop and test
approaches for organizing, empowering, and building capacity of coastal communities to
sustainably harvest fish and invertebrate stocks (ABT 6);
6. Protected areas covering at least 10% of the marine area of biodiversity significance will
be established and managed effectively as seascapes for conservation and sustainable
use(ABT 11);
7. Management plans for mangrove forests will be prepared based on ecosystem approach
and implemented by 2018(ABT 5);
8. A pilot project will be launched during the early phase of NBSAP implementation for the
restoration of at least 7,000 ha of degraded mangrove ecosystems jointly with the
custodial communities on sustainable use principles and equitable sharing of benefits
(ABT 5);
9. Climate Change Adaptation Plans will be prepared by 2018 for the coastal areas and
capacity of coastal communities developed to cope with the impacts of climate
change(ABT 10);
10. The number of operating fleets will be capped at 7,000 by 2020 to prevent over
exploitation of marine fish and invertebrate resources(ABT 6);
11. The fishing boats will be modified by 2020 to improve the outdated fishing methods
(ABT 6);
12. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the
knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);
13. The targets for conservation of coastal areas and marine ecosystems will be integrated in
the annual and medium term development plans. This will include the establishment of
Marine Protected Areas (ABT 20), and;
14. Additional financial resources, if needed, for implementing NBSAP will be mobilized
(ABT 20).

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12. Sustainable Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity

12.1. Context

The agricultural sector is a vital source of economic growth for Pakistan contributing
approximately 22% to the country’s GDP, accounting for over 60% of exports, and employing
more than 60% of the rural labour force. Crops, including fruit, vegetables, and livestock,
contribute in almost equal proportions to the economy. Out of the 79.61 mha total area of Pakistan,
about 22 mha is cultivated, of which 75.5% is under irrigation, and the remainder is dryland
agriculture. Dryland agriculture is synonymous with rain fed (barani) conditions, where land
holdings are small and often fragmented. Dryland rainfall (125–1000 mm) is bimodal, mainly
(~60%) monsoonal and highly erratic. Rain fed areas are sub-humid (>500 mm), semi-arid (300–
500 mm), and arid (<300 mm)32.
The main crops of irrigated agriculture are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables,
in addition to milk, beef, mutton, and eggs. Dryland crops include wheat, chickpea, sorghum,
millet, barley, maize, lentil, peanut, rapeseed-mustard, and guar seed. A significant majority of the
farmers hold less than two hectares of land, which constitutes 22% of total cultivated area. Almost
all of the irrigated areas are cultivated with high yielding varieties with a heavy input of agro-
chemicals and conventional irrigation practices. Such agricultural practices causing a shortage of
canal water, water logging and salinity, depletion of aquifers and deterioration of water quality
downstream. Due to Green Revolution endemic varieties of crops vanished and new varieties were
introduced to increase the yield per acre, the new varieties which were dependent on large amount
of water increase the yield per acre but produced environmental problems like water logging and
salinity. The loss of endemic crop was actually the loss of biological diversity. Similarly due to
Green Revolution, the use of insecticides and endemic crop loss has adversely affected the
population of pollinating insects. Despite growth in agricultural productivity, there is a net import
of agricultural commodities worth about US$2 billion.
Pakistan has diverse agro-climatic conditions and a good natural resource base for agriculture. It
is rich in indigenous crop diversity with an estimated 3,000 different cultivated plants and around
500 wild relatives of cultivated crops. -+Northern and western Pakistan comprises one of the world
centres on the origin and diversity of cultivated plants33. Many wild and local cultivars survived
in Pakistan up to the era of the Green Revolution.
Livestock is a source of livelihood at the rural level, helping to reduce disparity in income, and
provides security in case of any crop failure thus plays a role in poverty alleviation and to uplift
the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. Livestock contribution to agriculture value added
stood at 55.9% while it contributed 11.8% to the national GDP during 2013-1434.
Pakistan livestock includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camels, horses, asses and mules. The Indian
subcontinent was one of the first places to domesticate cattle, buffalo and chicken. Pakistan now
has two breeds of buffalo, eight of cattle, one of yak, 25 of goat, 28 of sheep, one of horse, four of
camel, and three of indigenous poultry. The buffalo breeds Nili-Ravi, Azakheli, and Kundi are
dairy breeds. Among the cattle, there are three dairy breeds (Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Cholistani),
five draught breeds (Bhagnari, Dhanni, Dajal, Acahi, Gibrali, Lohani, and Rojhan) and one dual-
purpose breed (Tharparkar or Thari). The pure-bred animals are believed to constitute only 20-
25% of the cattle population. Of the sheep breeds, 14 are thick-tailed and 14 thin-tailed. Almost
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75-80% of Pakistan’s domestic livestock breeds are derivatives of established breeds and the
proportion of ‘non-descript ’livestock to pure stock is on the increase.
12.2. Issues and Trends

The focus of agricultural policies in Pakistan has been on maximising yields of crops and the
production of dairy and meat. Agricultural technologies that ensured a ‘green revolution’ during
the past few decades have had a high ecological cost, contributed towards pollution, and resulted
in loss of biodiversity. To improve environmental health and make agriculture sustainable,
attention is being paid to the development of high productivities of plants and animals, using their
natural adaptive potentials, with a minimal disturbance of the environment. There was a shift of
the focus from agro-ecosystems to a crop culture. Important elements of agro-ecosystems like
pollinators, soils microorganisms and predators of crop pests received little or no attention.
Indiscriminate application of chemicals and loss of floral diversity has adversely affected the
population of pollinating insects. Consequently, the yields of crops, vegetables and fruits
dependent on pollination have declined in many parts in Pakistan35. Bee-keeping is well developed
in some parts of country, and needs further efforts to its adoption as natural pollinating agent.
The freshwater resources of the country are based on snow and glacier melt and monsoon rains,
and are highly sensitive to climate change. Western rivers of Indus Basin are source of 104 MAF
(million acre feet) water for agriculture and around35 MAF outflows to the sea. A large useable
groundwater aquifer adds to the water for agriculture use. This natural reservoir, is largely
recharged from the surface flows and rains and is being exploited heavily and particularly in some
hyper-arid areas36.Freshwater resources have shrunk from about 5,000 m3 per capita to less than
1,500 m3 per capita and water availability is expected to decline below1,000 m3by 203537. More
than 90% of the water is used for agriculture and water shortages coupled with global warming
poses a serious threat to the food security of the country and livelihoods of people employed in
this sector. The best water management practices and optimum use of agro-chemicals needs to be
promoted for major crops to make agriculture sustainable and environment friendly. The Pakistan
Sustainable Cotton Initiative (PSCI) has successfully demonstrated best water management
practice and significantly reduced applications of pesticides and fertilisers in cotton production
without significantly affecting yields38.
The impact of climate change is likely to have more impact in mountains and arid regions where
rain fed agriculture is practised. Farmers and pastoralists have always had to cope with variability
in the weather, but climate change will produce more permanent shifts in temperature and
precipitation and we should be ready to adapt to new conditions.
12.3. Strategies and Actions

To address these issues, contribute to the CBD programme of work on agro-biodiversity, and
implement the ABTs 2010-2020, the following strategies are proposed.
Strategies:
1. The principles and practices of sustainable and biodiverse agriculture research and
development will be incorporated into national policies, laws, investment strategies,
education, and extension programmes;

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2. Capacity building and awareness raising of all stakeholders, including farmers, the
consumers, researchers, and extension specialists, on the beneficial effects of agro-
biodiversity;
3. Models of sustainable agriculture for major crops shall be developed and promoted
particularly by managing organic matter, enhancing soil biotic activity, minimizing water
losses and use of agro-chemicals;
4. The bio diversification of agro ecosystems will be restored in time and space through crop
rotations, cover crops, intercropping, crop/livestock mixtures, conservation of pollinators,
and soil biodiversity, and;
5. The use of transgenic organisms would be considered very carefully to ensure that they
pose no environmental and health risks or at least no more than the use of current crops
and practices.

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Actions:
1. The considerations of sustainable agriculture, bio diversification of agro ecosystems,
conservation of pollinators and soil biodiversity, wise use of transgenic organisms,
and climate change will be incorporated in agriculture policies and plans by 2017
(ABT 13);
2. Sustainable agriculture and bio diversification of agro ecosystems shall be integrated
in the educational and extension programmes of agriculture and animal
sciences(ABT 7);
3. The gaps in the in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the agro biodiversity will be
assessed during the early phase of NBSAP implementation and measures taken to fill
the gaps (ABT13);
4. Models of sustainable production of major crops with minimum external inputs and
wise use of water shall be developed, tested, and demonstrated on farms by
2020(ABT 7);
5. The diversity of local varieties and land races of crops, fruits, and breeds of livestock
and poultry and local knowledge of their management will be documented and
incentive measures tested for on-farm conservation by 2018(ABT 18);
6. Important local varieties, land races and breeds will be improved by 2020 through
selection for resistance to disease, drought tolerance, and for increased
production(ABT 13);
7. Pilot on-farm models of biodiverse agro-ecosystems will be established in major
agro-ecological zones(ABT 7);
8. Models of bio diversification of agro-ecosystems will be developed, tested, and
demonstrated in major agro-ecological zones by 2020(ABT 7);
9. Appropriate legislative and regulatory measures will be adopted by 2018 for the
prevention, early detection, rapid response and control of invasive species(ABT 9);
10. The gap between the scientists and conservationists will be bridged to improve the
knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation (ABT 19);
11. The targets for conservation of agrobiodiversity will be integrated in the annual and
medium term development plans(ABT 20), and;
12. Additional financial resources will be mobilized to meet any shortfall for fully
achieving the targets (ABT 20).

13. Sustainable Production and Consumption

13.1. Context

The Oslo Symposium in 1994 defined Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) as ‘the use
of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life
while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste
and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of
further generations’. The concept of SCP was later recognized in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, adopted in 2002 at the WSSD. To ensure sustainable consumption and production
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patterns is also aim of goal 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agreement
requires countries to make fundamental changes in the way that our societies produce and consume
goods and services and encourages implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on
SCP. The change in patterns of unsustainable consumption and production requires commitment
and action of the government, the business sector, non-state actors and individuals.
13.2. Trends and Issues

Productive Sector: The productive sector of Pakistan is dominated by the textile, edible oil, sugar,
fertilizer, cement, chemical and leather industries. These sectors indirectly impact biodiversity
through air pollution, and discharge of industrial waste in open land spaces, or in the water bodies.
Coal mining and other industrial mining and oil exploration industries, the ship-breaking industry,
and hydropower projects pose direct and indirect threats to biodiversity. Growing cement
industries in the habitat of Punjab Urial in Salt Range pose a threat to the survival of this endemic
ungulate species.
Loosely regulated economic development, coupled with increasing population has put acute
pressure on the country’s natural resource base, particularly land and water, and significantly
increased levels of local pollution.
Timber and Trade in Species: Pakistan has a small natural forest cover and consequently prices
of construction timber are very high which fuels illegal logging. According to Forest assessment
surveys conducted by Faith country has lost more than half of its original 4.4% forest cover in the
last 50 years. Fortunately, plantations and increasing trend to plant trees on farm boundaries has
taken a lot of pressure off the natural forests. Many species of flora and fauna are collected for
trade such as mazri (Nannorrohps ritchiana) for mats and baskets, medicinal plants, morels and
turtles for food, etc. Extraction of economic non-woody plants is highly unregulated and adversely
impacts the health and condition of habitats and threatens species with extinction. Some of the
species included in CITES Appendix 1 are smuggled out of the country.
There is a growing and unsustainable extraction of some natural resources from the ecosystems
both to meet the subsistence needs and meet the market demand. This includes heavy dependence
on firewood, fresh and salt water fisheries, and range livestock for meat. Sustainable extraction of
these natural resources requires educating consumers, local communities, as well as policy makers
on the ecological cost and environmental consequences of over exploitation of resources.
Urban Biodiversity: The CBD CoP IX recognized the role of cities, city governments and local
authorities in the implementation of NBSAPs. A City Biodiversity Index (CBI) has been designed
as a tool for self-assessment and monitoring urban biodiversity which is comprised of three
components, that is: (i) native biodiversity in the city, (ii) ecosystem services provided by native
biodiversity in the city, and (iii) governance and management of native biodiversity in the city.
Islamabad with its green blocks, should take the lead in developing a CBI.
The National Energy Conservation Centre (ENERCON) has been mandated to implement the 10
year framework on SCP focusing on public sector buildings, guidelines for urban planning and
certification and labelling. The ENERCON work plan needs to include land use policy and
conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems. The Pakistan EPA is responsible for enforcement
of PEPA (1997), approving EIAs, IEEs, and establishment of environment laboratories. Pak-EPA
was mandated to prepare or revise, and establish the NEQS with approval of the PEPC, and take
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measures for the prevention of pollution, protection of the environment, and sustainable
development. PEPA contained provisions for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and
considerations were integrated in the EIA and IEE guidelines. However, after the 18th amendment
in the constitution, the functions of Pak-EPA were delegated to the provinces.
13.3. Strategies and Actions

To promote sustainable consumption and production patterns for the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity, the following strategies and actions will be taken.
1. The awareness of producers and consumers of the social cost and environmental
consequences of unsustainable production and consumption will be raised to minimize the
ecological foot print of pollution and degradation of natural resources;
2. Sustainable consumption and production patterns for the conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity, both in the public and the private sector, will be fostered through business
and biodiversity initiatives, and procurement policies that are in line with the objectives of
the CBD will be promoted;
3. Strategic environmental impact assessment, economic incentives and enforcement of the
laws and regulations shall be actively pursued to achieve the goals of sustainable
production and consumption, and;
4. The urban parks and green corridors along highways and canals shall be made biodiversity
friendly.

14. Synthetic Biology – challenges and opportunities from a biodiversity perspective

Synthetic Biology is an emerging field that is set to revolutionize the global life sciences and
biotechnology landscape. Synthetic biology aims “to design and engineer biologically based parts
(DNA), novel devices (circuits) and systems (organisms) as well as redesigning existing, natural
biological systems”.
Building on recent developments in different techniques and methodologies in biosciences and by
applying key principles from engineering disciplines, the nascent industry aims to reboot what has
traditionally been known as genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Organisms developed through synthetic biology currently fall within the scope of traditional
biotechnology-based Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) and GMOs.
Key developments that have led to the emergence of synthetic biology include:
 Increasing power and exponentially decreasing cost of DNA sequencing technologies,
 Substantially decreasing costs of DNA synthesis, or the ‘writing’ or ‘printing’ of DNA
molecules,
 The cross-pollination of ideas, concepts and principles of seemingly disparate fields,
 Synthetic Biology has been a significant focus in the National Bio economy Blueprint, and
has also been dedicated funds in several initiatives especially in energy.
 New opportunities and challenges for establishing research institutions.

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 Opening of funding program for Synthetic Biology and has forecasting ‘Next steps in
Synthetic Biology’ report for its future strategy.
 Strategic shift towards investments in life sciences and into cutting-edge areas of
biomedicine.
 IT interface of life sciences for developing next-generation platforms for synthetic biology.
The shifts in government policies and corporate strategies are testament to the opportunity that lies
ahead in synthetic biology. The global economic activity is already estimated to be at USD 1.6
billion and is estimated to grow at a compound rate of a 44.2 percent to about USD 38.7 billion by
2020 with direct impact on sectors including, and not restricted to, medicine, agriculture, livestock,
energy and the chemical industries.
The seemingly overlapping technologies have discrete boundaries as well and in terms of products,
there are two types of living organisms engineered through synthetic biology:
1) Those which are intended for use within the laboratory or industrial setting; the end-product
in this case is a specific protein or a biological compound which is then shipped. Classic
examples of these cell factories are the bacterium Escherichia coli and the yeast,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
2) The second type is engineered cells or organisms which are meant for environmental
release. Here the engineered cell or organism itself is the product. Risk assessment,
standard procedures and regulations in this regard are very vague and very tricky.
14.1. Trends and Issues

Globally, we have already seen synthetic biology products out there in the market and some might
turn into interesting case study for the principle of access and benefit sharing.
From a biodiversity and conservation perspective, there is an emerging discourse on the interplay
of conservation and synthetic biology and whether both disciplines undermine each other’s efforts
or whether there can be a mutually beneficial alliance. Several arguments are being made in
support and against this idea. Firstly, the question of unintended outcomes, especially horizontal
gene transfer, which means that synthetic genes (and therefore traits) may transfer from engineered
organisms to wild type ones in nature, which although exposed to the forces of natural selection,
may become invasive disturbing the ecosystem and resulting in biodiversity loss. Secondly, the
threat posed by private ownership of engineered organisms and their products to the principle of
access and benefit sharing and by extension, the livelihood of subsistence farmers and low-income
communities. This is something that has been observed in the ‘biotechnology’ era and has led to
major socio-economic problems. The ownership of diverse biological traits and the biodiversity in
general, is a special concern from a perspective of a developing country, like Pakistan. Another
concern is related to land-use policies and the potential increase in demand for land, particularly
with applications like biofuel production that demand high volumes of sugar from sugarcane fields,
or use microalgae and other cultivated plants ultimately posing a risk to biodiversity.
On the other hand, it can also be argued that horizontal gene transfer is a concern for engineered
organisms meant for environmental release only which can be guarded by following a
precautionary principle and an exhaustive case-by-case risk assessment and mitigation process.
Also, that fact that synthetic biology by nature (of its low cost and broader dissemination) is
democratic and has been propagated far and wide means that the open culture might be challenging

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for companies which intend to capture the intellectual property. As already mentioned, synthetic
biology methods are more accurate and specific compared to traditional biotechnology which
decreases the chance of unwanted and unintended effects.
This gives rise to another potential approach to the problem which is to use synthetic biology as a
tool and carefully deploying it to address problems faced in conservation. There are already
attempts being made to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth and the passenger
pigeon for example – a process commonly known as de-extinction. Synthetic biology can also be
used to address other major issues like the threat from invasive species to biodiversity and the
recovering of lost habitats through bioremediation.
Both sides of the argument for and against the use of engineered organisms and/or their products
need an unbiased, evidence-based discourse particularly in a local context, looking at local
realities, culture and ethical values. Decisions taken after an honest discourse such as this would
then lead to more informed and contextualised decisions in the best interest of not just our flora
and fauna but also human life. This will also ensure that we do not miss out on the potential
economic revolution emerging technologies like synthetic biology bring with them which is also
crucial for the socio-economic development of the country.
In Pakistan, there has been a recent appearance of research and educational activities in the field
of synthetic biology. The outcome and activities included in the domain of health and environment.
In Pakistan, biosafety rules titled ‘Pakistan Biosafety Rules, 2005’ were made under the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Act, 1997, and National Biosafety Guidelines were also issued in 2005.
The Biosafety Rules and Guidelines recommended setting up (a) Institutional Biosafety
Committee (IBC), (b) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and National Biosafety Committee
(NBC). All institutions, both public and private involved in research and development in
Biotechnology, are required to establish IBC, which is responsible for giving clearance for
initiating research according to the Biosafety Guidelines. Up till now, nearly 40 IBCs belonging
to both private and public sector have been registered with the NBC. A National Biosafety Centre
was established at the federal government level.
14.2. Strategies and Actions

The following strategy and actions are proposed to address the interface of synthetic biology,
biodiversity and conservation in Pakistan.
Strategy:
1. Develop a national position by curating an unbiased, discourse at the interface of synthetic
biology, biodiversity and conservation on provincial and national levels.
2. Review regulations related to biosafety and strengthen implementation.
3. Bring transparency and openness to all decisions, particularly to GM food/crops in the best
interest of the public.
4. Use technology to protect the biodiversity including bio-surveillance and cataloguing of
DNA sequence of all our species beginning with the exotic ones.

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Actions:
1. Create a working paper with all ‘big questions’ relating to synthetic biology and
biodiversity and biosafety and hold a series of provincial roundtables (atleast 3) with
all stakeholders. This should be followed by consultative roundtables at the Federal
level to reach a consensus on key questions of especially in relation to the safety and
ethics of synthetic biology and conservation.
2. Constitute an Advisory Committee that meets annually to review Pakistan’s latest
position based and in response to latest developments in the fast-paced field of
synthetic biology and also the evolving discourse in the country.
3. Review and strengthen regulations following a precautionary principle. This should
cover safe transfer including transboundary movement, environmental release,
through assessment of GM crops
4. Bring transparency and openness down to the grassroots in the use of LMOs and
GMOs. This should include making all documents and decision publicly available
online.
5. Introduce labelling of seed with all pros and cons for farmers in local languages and
labelling of food items derived from GM crops for consumers (ABT17).
6. Review the Pakistan Biosafety Rules in light of all developments in the technology
and strengthen implementation of IBCs, TACs and NBC.
7. Introduce bio-surveillance and develop capacity on provincial and national levels,
especially using the next-generation DNA sequencing methods, which are
exponentially developing and becoming cost-effective, for biosafety purposes,
disease outbreak detection and the movement of timber and exotic species.
8. Use next-generation DNA sequencing methods to catalogue the biodiversity of
Pakistan and strengthen the germplasm storage capacity at the provincial and
national level.
9. An efficient regulatory, administrative and monitoring framework will be
established for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol (ABT 17).

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III. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

15. Introduction
Implementation of the NBSAP is not only our international obligation but also a national need of
preserving natural heritage, ecological integrity of the environment, and well-being of our people.
Similarly, it is imperative to implement the NBSAP to meet the targets of biodiversity protection
and conservation. Effective implementation will require working with, and building capacity of,
the stakeholders at national, provincial, regional and local levels; communicating and reaching out
to mainstream biodiversity values in the policy and planning processes; promoting sustainable
consumption patterns in people, as well as mobilizing resources for NBSAP implementation.
16. Implementation of NBSAP
A matrix of ABTs showing proposed national actions, timelines, and funds required and the agency
responsible for implementation and monitoring indicators is given in Annex 1. The proposed
timeline is rather ambitious but an effort will be made to make maximum progress on the ABTs
by 2020. Work on implementation of NBSAP, however, will continue beyond 2020 to achieve
SDG targets as well as meeting targets of Pakistan Vision 2025. Whereas many actions will be
taken at the provincial or regional levels, there will be some cross-cutting themes that will be best
addressed at the national level. Implementation of ABTs at the provincial and regional level will
be through their own Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans prepared as part of the NBSAP
revision process.
A Coordination Committee will be set up at the national level for coordination among Ministries,
facilitate implementation of NBSAP in different federating units, monitor progress, assist in
removal of bottlenecks if any, and provide guidance for resource mobilisation. Similarly, Steering
Committees will be established in every federating unit for coordination among different sectors,
to facilitate cross-sectoral integration, monitor progress on implementation, and help in resource
mobilization.
During the process of consultation with the stakeholders, it was realised that most there is a general
lack understanding of biodiversity and its values. Therefore, building their capacity for
implementation of the NBSAP will be crucial for achieving the results. This will first require
strengthening the capacity of the Biodiversity Directorate in the Ministry of Climate Change,
MoCC, which will in turn build capacity of other stakeholders. A series of thematic workshops
will be held to increase their knowledge of biodiversity, exchange experiences, enhance their
understanding of the NBSAP, and train them in the use of relevant tools and mechanisms. The
workshops will provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to identify ways and means of
overcoming challenges in the implementation of NBSAP.
17. Communication and Outreach Strategy
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, faced with the challenge of meeting the
basic socio-economic needs of its people and building basic physical infrastructure to cope with
the needs of a growing population. Considering the limitations of financial resources and pressing
needs for investments in socio-economic sectors, investments in biodiversity are likely to remain

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a low priority. However, in order to minimize the unintended negative consequences of policy
decisions on biodiversity, it is important for decision makers to have a clear understanding of the
values of nature so they can create an enabling environment to mainstream biodiversity protection.
To facilitate this, suitable training modules will be developed and introduced in the training
programmes for senior policy makers, planners and parliamentarians at the National School of
Public Policy (NSPP), the National Institute of Management NIM, and the Pakistan Institute of
Parliamentary Studies (PIPS).
In addition to the above, communication resources will be mobilized to raise awareness regarding
biodiversity and its importance. A cadre of environmental journalists will be trained who can then
act as ‘biodiversity champions’ for print media as well as radio and television. To facilitate
exchange of ideas among policy makers, planners and politicians, focus group discussions will be
organized. These policy makers will be encouraged to spread the message of biodiversity
conservation in both formal and informal settings.
18. Plan for Resource Mobilization
Many actions of the NBSAP to achieve Aichi Biodiversity Targets will either neatly fit in or will
be accommodated in the existing development budget of various biodiversity related sectors at the
national, provincial and regional levels. Simultaneously, additional sources of funding will be
explored through innovative mechanisms available in the MoCC, and other on-going donor
projects, for example, project for REDD+ Readiness, and the STAR allocation under the GEF.
Opportunities will also be explored to tap funds available under Green Climate Fund (GCF) in
coordination with Climate Finance Unit at MOCC, particularly for actions under the climate
change theme. In addition, bilateral and multilateral donor support shall be solicited to meet the
shortfall in the financial resources for achieving the ABTs in an effective and timely manner.
19. National Coordination Mechanisms
The MoCC shall have the overall responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the NBSAP
through its Directorate of Biodiversity. The implementing partners will be the relevant ministries
at the national level, the provincial and regional governments and major international conservation
organizations like IUCN, BRC, SLF and WWF. Because of the diversity of sub-sectors at
provincial and regional level, the Planning and Development or its designated Department shall
be a focal point for the CBD to coordinate among various stakeholders and act as a liaison with
the MoCC. For the purpose of coordination with the implementing partners a Steering Committee
shall be established as follows:
 Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change Chair
 Inspector General of Forests Deputy Chair
 Secretary, Ministry of Food Security Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, Punjab Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, Sindh Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, KPK Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, Balochistan Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, AJK Member
 Secretary, Planning and Development, GB Member

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 Secretary, Planning and Development, FATA Member

 Secretary, Planning Commission Member
 Provincial Secretary, Wildlife, Forest, Environment, Agriculture Member
 Chief Environment and Energy, UNDP Member
 IUCN Pakistan Member
 WWF Member
 BRC Member
 Director, Biodiversity, MoCC Secretary
The Steering Committee shall meet at least once every year and its functions shall include but not
be limited to the following:
 Suggest ways and means to ensure that biodiversity considerations are integrated into the
policy and planning processes, and design of poverty alleviation programmes.
 Ensure that the financial needs implementation of NBSAP receive due consideration during
the process of allocation of funds;
 Provide guidance to the stakeholders for effective implementation of the NBSAP;
 Review the plans and progress of stakeholders for implementation of the NBSAP;
 Provide guidance and assistance in securing additional sources of funds from bilateral and
multilateral donors for implementation of the NBSAP, and;
 Deliberate on all emerging issues related to conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity
and equitable sharing of benefits, and provide appropriate advice to the government for
policy decisions.

20. Clearing-House Mechanism

The CHM website contains useful relevant information as well as data about the measures
undertaken to conserve the biological diversity. Efforts are needed to keep the website alive and
dynamic.
21. Monitoring and Evaluation
The progress on the implementation of the NBSAP shall be monitored on an annual basis through
a flexible framework of indicators keeping in view the national circumstances and priorities. A
framework based on an indicative list of indicators contained in the annex to the CBD decision
XI/3 is given in Annex1. The monitoring will not only measure progress towards the achievement
of NBSAPs and national targets, but also help in identification of implementation issues, and in
adaptive management for its effective implementation. Subject to availability of funds, an
independent mid-term evaluation shall be commissioned in 2020, to review the implementation of
NBSAP and make recommendations for achieving national targets by 2030 in an effective and
timely manner. Final evaluation of NBSAP will be undertaken in 2030. The monitoring and
evaluation reports will be presented to the National Steering Committee and Provincial
Coordination Committees for their help in overcoming the obstacles in successful achievement of
the targets. The reports will also form a basis for national and international reporting obligations
and guide the national planning process. The monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be
established within the first year of the adoption of the NBSAP.

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Annex1:Matrix showing NBSAP targets and Indicators for Monitoring

Thema Actions Targe Cost Target Responsible Agency Indicators for Monitoring
tic t date
Area

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society.

Target 1:By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it
sustainably.

1.1. Awareness days will be

organized to commemorate
following major  Trends in awareness and
Awareness

environmental themes of Six attitudes.

2017– MoCC in collaboration
national and international $3.5 awareness
2020 with federating units
importance: biodiversity, days  Trends in public engagement
desertification and drought, with biodiversity
forests, tourism, wetlands,
wildlife, etc.

1.2. A focus group

comprising of ‘opinion
Awareness

leaders’ representing print,

Quarterly Trends in communication
audio-visual, and social 2018 $0.5 MoCC
meetings programmes and actions
media will be constituted to
mobilize the media for
raising awareness.

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1.3. A cadre of 12 articles in

environmental journalists print media
will be created to act as
Awareness

‘biodiversity champions’ for 12 radio

Trends in communication
commercial media and 2018 $2.0 messages MoCC
programmes and actions
make contributions to print
media, produce audio
6 video clips
messages for radio, and
for TV
video clips for TV.

1.4. Electronic media like a

high quality website, and
emerging tools and
techniques will be used to
Awareness

Regular
create awareness as well as
contributions Trends in use of social media for
to market our rich 2018 $0.1 MoCC
of news and conservation of biodiversity
biodiversity as a heritage
views
that could help attracts
tourists and engage young
people as stewards for
biodiversity conservation.

1.5. A task forces

comprising of Ministries of
Climate Change, Education,
Awareness

Science and Technology, Trends in inclusion of

and Food Security, and 2018- Quarterly
$1.0 MoCC biodiversity modules in
Higher Education 2019 meetings
curriculum.
Commission will be
constituted to take steps for
inclusion of biodiversity
module in curriculum of
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 – NBSAP

universities, colleges and

schools.

Target 2: By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty
reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting
systems.

2.1. A support group

comprising of ‘opinion
leaders’ from among the
Mainstreaming

Trends in incorporating natural

Biodiversity

policy makers and planners

Two retreats resource, biodiversity, and
will be constituted to guide 2018-
$0.25 per year for MoCC ecosystem service values into
the process for increasing 2019
five years national policy and planning
the biodiversity knowledge
processes.
of decision makers and act
as a change agent through
informal communications.

2. 2. Low cost tools and

Mainstreamin
g Biodiversity

methods for valuation of Trends in guidelines and

biodiversity will be Seven
2018 $0.1 MoCC applications of economic
developed soon after the ecosystems
appraisal tools.
adoption of NBSAP that in
addition to economic value

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 – NBSAP

recognize the social and

cultural values.

2.3. Valuation studies will

Mainstreaming

be undertaken in major
All the provinces, Azad
Biodiversity

ecosystems to influence Trends in integration of

Jammu and Kashmir,
policy makers and planners At least six biodiversity and ecosystem
2018 $0.5 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
for mainstreaming studies service values into sectoral and
Federally Administered
biodiversity in national development policies.
Tribal Areas (FATA)
planning and development
processes.

Biodiversity
Mainstreaming

incorporated
Biodiversity

2.4. Biodiversity will be Trends in incorporating natural

in the
incorporated in national MoCC and Statistical resource, biodiversity, and
2020 $0.12 national
accounting and reporting Bureau of Pakistan ecosystem service values into
accounting
systems. national accounting systems.
and reporting
systems.
Mainstreaming

Biodiversity Planning Commission

2.5. A Biodiversity Round Trends in policies considering
Biodiversity

integrated in and Ministries of

Table will be constituted for biodiversity and ecosystem
2018- national Climate Change, Food
integration of biodiversity $0.05 services in environmental impact
2020 policies and Security, Science and
considerations in national assessment and strategic
planning Technology, Culture and
policies and plans. environmental assessment
process. Tourism.

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 – NBSAP

Target 3: By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed
in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking
into account national socioeconomic conditions.

A study will be conducted

Natural Ecosystems

Trends in identification,
to identify negative
All the provinces, Azad assessment and establishment
incentives and propose
Jammu and Kashmir, and strengthening of incentives
positive incentives that will
2018 $0.25 Ten studies Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and that reward positive contribution
reduce and ultimately halt
Federally Administered to biodiversity and ecosystem
the degradation and
Tribal Areas (FATA) services and penalize adverse
fragmentation of
impacts.
ecosystems.

Target 4: By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have
implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well
within safe ecological limits.
Sustainable Production

4.1. A work plan for

and Consumption

sustainable production and

consumption of biodiversity
Trends in extent to which
will be prepared by 2016
MoCC, ENERCON and biodiversity and ecosystem
and implemented within the 2018 $0.125 Work Plan
EPA service values are incorporated
Ten-Year Framework of
Ten-Year framework.
Programmes on Sustainable
Consumption and
Production.

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 – NBSAP

Urban Biodiversity Islamabad,

4.2. A demonstration project Peshawar
to develop and test a Lahore,
Biodiversity Index will be Karachi,
2018 $0.1 Municipal Authorities Trends in biodiversity of cities
launched in major cities to Quetta,
assess and monitor urban Gilgit,
biodiversity. Muzaffaraba
d

4.3. Rules under the

Trade in Species

Pakistan Trade Control of

Wild Fauna and Flora Act Trends in population and
will be made and policy extinction risk of utilized
2018 $0.065 MoCC
guidelines issued for trade species, including species in
in species of flora and fauna trade
to prevent extinction of the
threatened species.

4.4. The government

institutions, academia,
Sustainable Production and

business sector and other

non-state actors will act
Consumption

individually and severally to Government All the provinces, Azad Trends in coordination among
strictly adhere to agencies; Jammu and Kashmir, stakeholders;
precautionary principle for 2020 $0.125 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
Academia;
protecting biological Federally Administered
diversity from the potential NGOs Tribal Areas (FATA) Trends in information sharing
risks posed by genetically
modified organisms
resulting from modern
biotechnology.

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Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use.

Target 5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to
zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.

5.1. Management plans for

Ecosystems
Mangrove

mangrove forests will be

prepared based on 2018 $0.25
Management Balochistan and Sindh Trends in condition and
Plans vulnerability of ecosystems
ecosystem approach and
implemented.

5.2. A pilot project will be

Mangrove Ecosystems

launched for restoration of

at least 7,000 ha of
degraded mangrove
Trends in condition and
ecosystems jointly with the 2018 $1.5 7,000 ha Balochistan and Sindh
vulnerability of mangroves.
custodial communities on
sustainable use principles
and equitable sharing of
benefits.

Target 6: By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally and
applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted
species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of
fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecological limits.
6.1. An effective
coordination mechanism Coordination All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries

Committees Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in coordination and

Inland

will be established for

integrated management of 2018 $0.15 comprising Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and cooperation among various
water, fish, and wildlife of all Federally Administered agencies
resources of wetlands. stakeholders Tribal Areas (FATA)

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 – NBSAP

6. 2. Biodiversity
considerations will be
incorporated in fisheries Updated All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries
fisheries Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in up-take of biodiversity
Inland

policies, laws and

regulations to ensure 2018 $0.1 policies, laws Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and considerations in policies, laws,
sustainable use and and Federally Administered and regulations
equitable sharing of regulations Tribal Areas (FATA)
benefits.
6.3. A baseline survey will
be undertaken to assess the All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries

biodiversity of key inland Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in extinction risk of

Inland

wetlands and establish a 2018 $0.5 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and target and bycatch aquatic
system to monitor at regular Federally Administered species
intervals .the status of Tribal Areas (FATA)
species most in decline.

6.4 A procedure for

sustainable harvest of fish All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries

stock will be developed and Standard Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in proportion of utilized
Inland

implemented to minimize 2018 0.06 operating Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and stocks outside safe biological
impact on threatened procedure Federally Administered limits.
species and vulnerable Tribal Areas (FATA)
habitats.

6.5. Important wetland

habitats of national All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries

Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in capacity and

Inland

biodiversity significance Six wetland

together with surrounding 2018 $1.5 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and empowerment of fishing
sites
landscapes will be co- Federally Administered communities.
managed with custodial Tribal Areas (FATA)
communities through their

73
 – NBSAP

empowerment and building

capacity for conservation
and sustainable use.

6.6. Laws, regulations, and

policies shall be updated or
drafted by 2016
incorporating biodiversity Updated
Fisheries
Marine

Trends in up-take of biodiversity

concerns and effective policies, laws
2018 $0.02 Balochistan and Sindh considerations in policies, laws,
management of marine and
and regulations.
biodiversity on sound regulations
ecological principles and to
prevent threat of extinction
of utilized species.

6.7. Pilot projects will be

launched to develop and test
approaches for organizing,
Fisheries
Marine

At least 6 Trends in capacity and

empowering, and building
2018 $0.6 pilot test Balochistan and Sindh empowerment of fishing
capacity of coastal
sites communities.
communities to sustainably
harvest all fish and
invertebrate stocks.
Fisheries
Coastal

Marine

6.8. The number of Balochistan 3,000 fleets;

and

operating fleets will be 2020 $0.0 7,000 fleets Trends in fishing effort capacity.
Sindh 4,000 fleets
capped to prevent over

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 – NBSAP

exploitation of marine fish

and invertebrate resources.

Fisheries
Coastal

Marine

6.9. The fishing boats will Trends in proportion of depleted

At least 2000 Balochistan 1,000 boats;
and

be modified to improve the 2020 1.0 target and bycatch species with
boats Sindh 1,000 boats
outdated fishing methods. recovery plans.

6.10. An assessment of
stocks and limits of
Fisheries
Marine

Trends in proportion of utilized

sustainable harvest levels of
2018 0.05 Two sites Balochistan and Sindh stocks outside safe biological
major species will be
limits.
determined and strictly
enforced.

Target 7: By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of
biodiversity.

7.1. Suitable ecosystem

approaches will be
All the provinces, Azad
developed after the adoption
Forestry

Jammu and Kashmir,

of NBSAP and piloted in At least six Trends in forests under
2018 $0.3 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
different forest ecosystems; pilot sites ecosystem management.
Federally Administered
and training workshops held
Tribal Areas (FATA)
for managers for their
application.

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 – NBSAP

7. 2. Collaborative or joint
forest management  Trends in anthropogenic
approaches will be piloted impacts on forest
All the provinces, Azad
in different forest ecosystems;
Forestry

Jammu and Kashmir,

ecosystems to reduce the At least 6  Trends in forest based
2018 $1.0 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
anthropogenic impacts by pilot sites livelihoods;
Federally Administered
improving livelihoods of
Tribal Areas (FATA)  Trends in proportion of
local people based on products derived from
sustainable use of sustainable sources
components of biodiversity.

7.3. Forest and forest related

policies, laws and All the provinces, Azad
Trends in uptake of biodiversity
Forestry

regulations will be drafted Jammu and Kashmir,

Policies and considerations in forest and
by 2018 to provide a sound 2018 $0.1 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
laws forest related policies, laws, and
basis for conservation and Federally Administered
regulations.
sustainable use of forest Tribal Areas (FATA)
biological diversity.

7.4. The Code for the

preparation of management All the provinces, Azad
Forestry

plans will be revised by Revised Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in use of revised code for
2018 to incorporate the 2018 $0.3 working plan Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and preparation of working Plan.
ecosystem approaches for code Federally Administered
sustainable management of Tribal Areas (FATA)
forests and biodiversity.
biodiversity

7.5. Models of sustainable Cotton,

production of major crops All the provinces, Azad Trends in area of aquaculture
Agro

sugarcane,
with minimum external 2018 $0.5 Jammu and Kashmir, ecosystems under sustainable
rice, and
inputs and wise use of water wheat. Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and management.
shall be developed, tested,
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 – NBSAP

and demonstrated on farms Federally Administered

by 2020. Tribal Areas

7.6. Sustainable agriculture All the provinces, Azad

Agriculture

and bio-diversification of Brochures on Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in uptake of sustainable

agro ecosystems will be 2018 $0.3 sustainable Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and agriculture in agriculture
integrated in the extension agriculture Federally Administered extension.
programmes of agriculture. Tribal Areas (FATA)

7. 7. Pilot on-farm models

Agriculture

At least 15
of bio diverse agro All provinces (12 sites);
biodiverse Trends in number of farms
ecosystems will be 2020 $0.5
farms in AJK and GB (3 sites) practicing biodiverse agriculture.
established in major agro-
operation
ecological zones.

Target 8: By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem
function and biodiversity.

8.1. A five-year work plan

Development

All the provinces, Azad

Sustainable

will be prepared and Reduction in

Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in proportion of
implemented to bring water water
2020 $1.5 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and wastewater discharged after
pollution of the ecologically pollution to
Federally Administered treatment.
significant wetland safe limits
Tribal Areas (FATA)
ecosystems within safe.
Sustainable
Developme

8.2. Independent third party Federal EPA;

reviews of strategic 2018- Trends in appraisal of EIA
nt

$0.0 All EIAs All provincial EPAs;

environmental impact 2020 reports.
assessment studies will be EPAs of AJK and GB

77
 – NBSAP

mandatory for all public and

private sector economic
development projects.

8.3. Dialogue will be

Development

initiated with businesses and All the provinces, Azad

Sustainable

Business
government agencies to groups; Jammu and Kashmir,
Trends in pollution deposition
develop plans for 2018 $1.5 NGOs Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
rate.
controlling pollution and Federally Administered
provide incentives for Tribal Areas (FATA)
implementing the plans.

Target 9: By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or
eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment.

9.1. The spread of alien

All the provinces, Azad
species will be controlled
Fisheries

Jammu and Kashmir,

through appropriate Trends in number of invasive
2018 $0.2 Prevention Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
measures to prevent escape alien species.
Federally Administered
into natural habitats from
Tribal Areas (FATA)
hatcheries and aquaculture.

9.2. The impact of alien

species in wetlands of All the provinces, Azad
Fisheries

biodiversity significance Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in the impact of invasive

will be assessed and 2020 $0.2 Control Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and alien species on extinction risk
measures taken to control Federally Administered trends.
and ultimately eradicate Tribal Areas (FATA)
invasive alien species.

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 – NBSAP

9.3. Appropriate legislative

Agriculture All the provinces, Azad
and regulatory measures Trends in policy responses,
Jammu and Kashmir,
will be drafted to prevention Law and legislation and management
2018 $0.1 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
early detection, rapid readiness plans to control and prevent
Federally Administered
response and control of spread of invasive alien species.
Tribal Areas (FATA)
invasive species.

Target 10:By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate
change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning.

Climate Change Adaptation

Climate Change

Plans will be prepared by

2018 for the coastal areas Trends in pressures, pollution,
Planning and
and capacity of coastal 2018 0.1 Balochistan and Sindh climate change, and over
readiness
communities developed to exploitation.
cope with the impacts of
climate change.

Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity.

Target 11.By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially
areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably
managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation
measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.

MoCC;
Protected Areas

11.1. The lists of protected

Redefined All the provinces, Azad Trends in representative
areas will be refined to
provincial Jammu and Kashmir, coverage of protected areas of
include only those sites that 2018 $0.1
and National Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and terrestrial, marine and inland
meet the internationally
Lists of PAs Federally Administered water systems.
recognized definition.
Tribal Areas (FATA)

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Protected Areas 11.2. Management plans

will be prepared and All the provinces, Azad
Management
implemented for effective 2017 Jammu and Kashmir,
plans Trends in effective and equitable
and equitable management – $2.0 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
prepared and management of the PAs
of protected area (Annex 3) 2020 Federally Administered
Implemented
integrated into the wider Tribal Areas (FATA)
landscapes

11.3. The protected areas

network will be expanded to
cover at least 17% of All the provinces, Azad
Protected

terrestrial area to fill in the Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in ecosystem and habitats
Areas

gaps in the protected area 2020 $2.0 New PAs Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and condition and management
system (Annex 4) and to Federally Administered effectiveness
establish corridors between Tribal Areas (FATA)
fragmented habitats of
threatened species.

11.4. Mechanisms will be All the provinces, Azad

Trends in representative
Protected

developed and put in place Private- Jammu and Kashmir,

Areas

coverage of protected areas of

to ensure the financial 2018 $1.0 Public Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
terrestrial ecosystems and
sustainability of the partnerships Federally Administered
habitats.
protected areas. Tribal Areas (FATA)
11. 5. Representative forest
landscapes of special All the provinces, Azad
At least 15 Trends in protected area
Protected

Jammu and Kashmir,

Areas

importance for biodiversity Forest condition and/or management

will be designated as Forest 2018 $0.30 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
Biodiversity effectiveness including more
Biodiversity Reserves and Federally Administered
Reserves equitable management.
effectively managed. Tribal Areas (FATA)

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11.6. Wetlands protected

areas will be established At least 12
wetland area
Protected
covering at least 15% area Trends in representative
Areas
added to the All provinces (12);
of wetlands of biodiversity 2019 $0.15 coverage of protected areas of
significance and effectively Protected AJK and GB (3) forest ecosystems.
managed together with the Areas
surrounding landscapes. network

11.7.RAMSAR sites
(Annex 5) and surrounding All the provinces, Azad
Protected

At least 15 Jammu and Kashmir,

Areas

landscapes will be Trends in increase in pollinators

effectively managed under 2017 $0.45 sites Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
and avifauna diversity.
plans through local managed Federally Administered
community organizations. Tribal Areas (FATA)

11.8. Protected areas

covering at least 10% of the
marine area of biodiversity
Protected

Trends in representative
Areas

significance will be 3 Marine

established and managed 2018 $0.5 Sindh and Balochistan coverage of protected areas of
PAs
effectively as seascapes for inland water systems.
conservation and
sustainable use.

Target 12:By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of
those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.
Conservation

12.1 Recovery plans will All the provinces, Azad

(Fauna)
Species

be prepared and Species of Jammu and Kashmir,

Trends in population of selected
implementation to improve 2018 $1.2 fauna in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
species.
the conservation status of Annex 2 Federally Administered
major threatened species of Tribal Areas (FATA)

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 – NBSAP

fauna (annex 2) in different

ecosystems.

12. 2. Recovery plans will

Conservation

be prepared and All the provinces, Azad

Species

implementation to improve Species of Jammu and Kashmir,

(Flora)

Trends in population of selected

the conservation status of 2018 $0.5 flora in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
species.
major threatened species of Annex 2 Federally Administered
flora (annex 2) in different Tribal Areas (FATA)
ecosystems.
Conservation

12.3. Plans will be All the provinces, Azad

Species of
Species

Water)

prepared and implemented Jammu and Kashmir, Trends in extinction risk of

(Fresh

fresh water
for recovery of depleted 2017 $0.6 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and target and bycatch aquatic
fish in Annex
freshwater fish species Federally Administered species.
2
(annex 2). Tribal Areas (FATA)

12.4. The population of

known threatened marine
Conservation

species particularly of
(Marine)
Species

those in most decline state Species of

2016 –
(annex 2) shall be $0.5 marine fauna Balochistan and Sindh Trends in trade of species.
2020
monitored regularly and in Annex 2
remedial measures taken to
improve and sustain their
population.

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Target 13: By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives,
including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species is maintained, and strategies have been developed and
implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.

•Trends in genetic diversity of cultivated plants, and farmed and domesticated animals and their wild relatives.
• Trends in genetic diversity of selected species.
• Trends in number of effective policy mechanisms implemented to reduce genetic erosion and safeguard genetic diversity
related to plant and animal genetic resources.

13.1. The considerations of

sustainable agriculture, bio Ministry of Food
diversification of agro Security; Trends in number of effective
biodiversity

ecosystems, conservation of policy mechanisms implemented

Revision of All the provinces, Azad
Agro

pollinators and soil to reduce genetic erosion and

2018 $0.15 policies and Jammu and Kashmir,
biodiversity, wise use of safeguard genetic diversity
plans Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and related to plant and animal
transgenic organisms, and
climate change will be Federally Administered genetic resources.
incorporated in agriculture Tribal Areas (FATA)
policies and plans.

Pakistan Agriculture
At least 6 Research Council;
13. 2. The gaps in the in-situ
biodiversity

field stations Trends in genetic diversity of

and ex-situ conservation of All the provinces, Azad
Agro

and 6 farms cultivated plants, and farmed and

the agro biodiversity will be 2018 $0.75 Jammu and Kashmir,
established domesticated animals and their
assessed and measures taken Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and wild.
for in situ
to fill the gaps. Federally Administered
conservation.
Tribal Areas (FATA)

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13.3. Important local

biodiversity varieties, land races and Local
breeds will be improved by varieties of
Agro

Trends in genetic diversity of

2020 through selection for 2020 $0.4 cotton, rice, PARC
selected species
resistance to disease, sugarcane,
drought tolerance, and for and wheat.
increased production.

Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health,
livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local
communities, and the poor and vulnerable.

Landscapes that provide

essential services related to
Ecosystems

Trends in benefits that humans

Services

water for major dams, and AJK, Khyber derive from selected ecosystem
At least six
contribute to health; 2020 6.0 Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, services
ecosystems
livelihoods and well-being Balochistan.
of local communities will be
restored and safeguarded.

Target 15:By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through
conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to
climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification.
Desertificati

15.1. At least 20% of the At least four

degraded ecosystems of Trends in area of degraded
pastoral
on

ecological significance will 2018 $2.5 Balochistan ecosystems restored or being

management
be restored to combat restored
projects
desertification and to

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demonstrate economic,
social and cultural benefits.

15.2. At least 25 percent of

all degraded forest All the provinces, Azad
Climate
Change

ecosystems will be restored At least Jammu and Kashmir, Status and trends in extent and
to improve their resilience 2020 $3.0 60,000 ha Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and condition of habitats that provide
and contribution to carbon restored Federally Administered carbon storage.
stocks. Tribal Areas (FATA)

Target 16. By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising
from their Utilization is in force and operational, consistent with national legislation.

16.1. The Nagoya Protocol

Trends in legislative,
on Access to Genetic
administrative or policy
Resources and the Fair and
Already measures and institutional
Equitable Sharing of 0.10 MoCC
achieved structures in place for
Benefits Arising from their
implementing the Nagoya
Biodiversity

Utilization will be ratified

Protocol.
by 2016.

Trends in legislative,
16.2. The draft ABS Act of
administrative or policy
Pakistan will be revised
measures and institutional
after thorough consultation 2018 0.5 MoCC
structures in place for
with federating units by
implementing the Nagoya
2018.
Protocol.

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Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.

Target 17: By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced implementing an effective,
participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action plan.

• Trends in implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, including development, comprehensiveness,
adoption and implementation.

MoCC;
Policy Framework

17.1. The revised BSAP All the provinces,

will be approved as a policy Azad Jammu and
Approval, Trends in implementation of
document and Kashmir, Gilgit
2018 $0.10 printing and national biodiversity strategies
implementation and Baltistan (GB) and
dissemination and action plans.
monitoring mechanisms in Federally
place. Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA)
Institution

Framewor

17. 2. A national
Trends in implementation of
biodiversity conservation Biodiversity
al

2018 $.10 MoCC national biodiversity strategies

k

policy will be drafted and Policy

and action plans.
approved.

MoCC;
Policy Framework

17.3. Institutional All the provinces,

effectiveness and efficiency Azad Jammu and Trends in integration of
will be enhanced to ensure Implementation Kashmir, Gilgit
2018 $3.0 biodiversity policy in sectoral
effective management and of NBSAP Baltistan (GB) and planning processes.
monitoring of the Federally
biodiversity resources. Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA)

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 – NBSAP

17.4. An efficient
regulatory, administrative
Biosafety
Capacity for
and monitoring framework Trends in implementation of
2020 $0.15 regulation of MoCC
will be established for the Cartagena protocol
biosafety
implementation of the
Cartagena Protocol.

17.5 A ten year national

biosafety frameworks will
be established for the
implementation,
coordination, and Ten year Ministries of Climate
Biosafety

monitoring of the Protocol, National Change, Science and Trends in implementation of the
2020 $0.10
including mechanisms to Biosafety Technology, and 10-year framework.
make science-based risk framework Education
assessments and ensuring
transparency in the
development and use of
LMOs

Target 18: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to
national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the
Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.
Agro Biodiversity

The diversity of local PARC;

varieties and land races of
crops, fruits, and breeds of Documentation All the provinces, Trends in farming with
livestock and poultry and 2018 $1.0 of Agro- Azad Jammu and traditional knowledge and use of
local knowledge of their biodiversity Kashmir, Gilgit local varieties and breeds.
management will be Baltistan (GB) and
documented by 2018 and Federally

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 – NBSAP

incentive measures tested Administered Tribal

for on-farm conservation. Areas (FATA)

Target 19:By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and
trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied.

2020 $0.25 Transboundary MoCC Progress on transboundary

19. 1. A cross boundary Cooperation cooperation between Pakistan
Transboundary
Cooperation

coordination mechanism and India for management of

between India and Pakistan Indus basin.
will be developed .to protect
the watershed values of
Indus Basin shall to combat
water scarcity and conserve
wetland biodiversity.

19.2. A GIS lab will be

established for assessing Mapping and assessment of
health (deforestation) and ecosystems report
All the provinces, Azad
Knowledge

condition (degradation) of
GIS System; Jammu and Kashmir,
forests, ecosystems and
2018 $0.75 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
habitats and maps prepare Mapping Number of habitat and species
Federally Administered
compatible with remote inventories
Tribal Areas (FATA)
sensing technologies to
identify conservation
priorities and opportunities.

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 – NBSAP

19.3. A forest and Forest, ecosystem and habitat

ecosystem classification Classificatio All the provinces, Azad classification and mapping
Knowledge

system using agreed n of forests, Jammu and Kashmir, report

international standards 2018 $0.25 ecosystems Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and
including broad indicators and habitats Federally Administered
of biodiversity will be classification Tribal Areas (FATA) Number of forests, habitat and
developed. species inventories.

19.4. The gap between the

Knowledge

scientists and Ministries of Climate

conservationists will be Knowledge Change, Science and Trends in interaction between
2020 $025
bridged to improve the sharing Technology, and scientists and conservationists.
knowledge and practice of Education
biodiversity conservation.

19.5. The capacity of

National School of Public
Policy (NSPP), National
Institute of Management
Biodiversity
(NIM), National Defense
Knowledge

lessons Trends in incorporating natural

College, and Pakistan
incorporated Ministry of Climate resource, biodiversity, and
Institute of Parliamentary 2018 $0.05
in training Change ecosystem service values into
Studies (PIPS) will be built
courses of 3 training courses.
to incorporate biodiversity
institutes
consideration in training
courses for decision makers
of mid-career and senior
managerial level.

Target 20: By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively implementing the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in accordance with the consolidated and agreed process in the Strategy for

89
 – NBSAP

Resource Mobilization should increase substantially from the current levels. This target will be subject to changes contingent to
resource needs assessments to be developed and reported by Parties.

20.1. The targets for

Mechanism

creating biodiversity
Financial

awareness will be integrated Planning Commission,

2020 $0.0 Annual Plans
in the annual and medium federating units
term development plans.

20.2. Additional financial

Mechanis
Financial

Office of Inspector General of

resources if needed for
m

2018 $0.25 Project Portfolio Forests, All relevant sectors in

implementing NBSAP will
federating units
be mobilized to meet.

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Annex 2: Mammalian species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

1. Snow Leopard Panthera uncia AJK, KP, GB

2. Common Leopard Panthera pardus AJK, KP, Balochistan,

Punjab

3. Brown Bear Ursus arctos isabellinus AJK, KP, GB

4. Himalayan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus thibetanus AJK, KP,

5. Balochistan Black Bear Ursus thibetenus gedrosianus Balochistan

Grey langur
6. Semnopithecus ajax AJK

7. Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena Balochistan, KP, Sindh

8. Himalayan Lynx Felis lynx GB

9. Tibetan Wolf Canis lupus Chanco Balochistan, GB, AJK, KP

10. Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes Across the country

Indian Wild Ass
11. Equus hemionus khur Sindh

12. Wild ass / Kiang Equus hemionus kiang GB

13. Red / Desert Lynx Caracal caracal Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab

14. Sand Cat Felis margarita Balochistan

15. Blanford’s Fox or King Fox Vulpes cana Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan,
KP

16. Indian Wild Dog or Dhole Cuonal pinus GB, AJK

17. Wooly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus AJK, GB

18. Kashmir Flying Squirrel Eoglaucomys fimbriatus AJK, GB

19. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista KP, AJK, Punjab
Eurassian Otter
20. Lutra lutra AJK, KP< GB

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21. Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata Punjab, Sindh

22. Indus Dolphin Platanista gangetica minor Punjab, Sindh

Fishing Cat
23. Prionailurus viverrinus Sindh, Punjab
Pallas’ Cat or Steppe Cat
24. Otocolobus manul KP, GB, Balochistan

25. Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Punjab, Sindh

26. Asiatic Pygmy / Tibetan Shrew Sorex thibetanus AJK, GB, KP

27. Gilgit Tube-nosed Bat Murinatu binaris GB, KP, AJK

28. Long-fingered Bat (extra- Myotis longipes AJK, KP

limital)

29. Leisler’s Noctule or Hairy- Nyctalus leisleri KP, Punjab, AJK

armed Bat

30. Mountain Noctule Nyctalus montanus KP, AJK

31. Blasius’ or Peters’ Horseshoe Rhinolophus blasii AJK, Punjab, KP

Bat

32. Blyth’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus lepidus AJK, Punjab, KP

33. Big-eared Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus macrotis AJK, Punjab, KP

34. Least Mouse-tailed Bat Rhinopoma muscatellum Balochistan

35. Yellow Desert Bat Scotoecus pallidus Punjab, Sindh, AJK

36. Rhesus Macque Macaca mulatta mulatta Punjab, KP, AJK, GB

37. Ratel or Honey Badger Mellivora capensis Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan

38. Cape Hare Lepus capensis KP, GB, AJK, Balochistan,

Punjab

39. Himalayan Wood Mouse or Apodemus rusiges (syn: GB, KP, AJK, Balochistan,
FieldMouse sylvaticus) Punjab

40. Quetta or Afghan Mole Vole Ellobius fuscocapillus KP, Balochistan

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41. Cheesman’s Gerbil Gerbillus cheesmani Balochistan

42. Indian Hairy-footed Gerbil Gerbillus gleadowi Sindh, Punjab

43. Balochistan Gerbil Gerbillus nanus Balochistan

44. Himalayan Marmot Marmota himalayana GB (Deosai)

45. Great Gerbil or Giant Day Jird Rhombomys opimus Balochistan

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Annex 3: Game Animals

Afghan Urial Ovis vignei cycloceros Balochistan

1.
2. Kabal Markhor Capra falconeri jerdoni Balochistan, KP

3. SulemainMarkhor Capra falconeri megaceros Balochistan,

4. Astor Markhor Capra falconeri falconeri GB

5. Kashmir Markhor Capra falconeri AJK

6. Chiltanwild Goat Capra aegagrus chialtanensis Balochistan

7. Marco Polo’s Sheep Ovis ammon polii GB, KP

8. LadakhUrial Ovis vignei vignei GB

9. Blue sheep Pseudois nayaur GB

10. Sindh Ibex Capra aegagrus Sindh, Balochistan

11. GoiteredGazelle Gazella subgutturosa Balochistan

12. Chinkara Gazella bennettii AJK, Balochistan, KP,

Punjab, Sindh

13. Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra Punjab,

14. Blue Bull / Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus AJK, Punjab, Sindh

15. Punjab Urial Ovis vignei punjabiensis Punjab

16. Hog deer Axis porcinus Punjab, Sindh

17. Flare-horned Markhor Capra falconeri AJK, KP

18. Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus chrysogastor AJK, KP, Gb

19. Barking deer / Muntjak Muntiacus muntjac AJK, Punjab

20. Himalayan Goral Nemoredus goral AJK, KP

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Annex 4: Bird species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

Chir Pheasant
1. Catreus wallichii AJK
Western Tragopan Pheasant
2. Tragopan melanocephalus AJK, KP
Snow Partridge
3. Lerwa lerwa GB
Red Jungle Fowl
4. Gallus gallus AJK

5. Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps Punjab

6. Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulate Balochistan Punjab,

macqueenii Sindh, KP

7. Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Balochistan, Punjab,

Sindh, KP

8. Common Crane Grus grus Balochistan, Sindh, KP

9. Sarus Crane Grus Antigone Sindh

10. White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Punjab, Sindh

11. Kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelana Punjab, KP, AJK

12. White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis Punjab, Sindh

13. Longbilled Vulture Gyps indicus Sindh

14. Indian Black Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Sindh, Punjab

15. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Sindh, Punjab,

Balochistan

16. Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris. Sindh, Punjab

17. Himalayan snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis GB, AJK

18. Chukar Alectoris chukar Balochistan, KP,

Punjab, Sindh

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19. See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis Punjab, Sindh, KP,

Balochistan

20. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Punjab, Sindh, KP,

Balochistan

21. Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Punjab, Sindh, KP,

Balochistan

22. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Native

23. Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica Native

24. Jungle Bush-quail Perdicula asiatica Native

25. KoklassPheasant Pucrasia macrolopha GB, KP,AJK, Punjab

26. Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus GB, KP,AJK

27. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus AJK, Punjab, Sindh

28. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliacal Native (Non-breeding)

29. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Native (Non-breeding)

30. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Native resident

31. Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides Native

32. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Native resident

33. Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus Winter visitor

34. Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus Possibly extinct

35. Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus Native

36. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Native non-breeding

37. Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastate Native resident

38. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Native non-breeding

39. Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus Native resident

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40. Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Native resident

41. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Native non-breeding

42. Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Native non-breeding

43. Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Native breeding

44. Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax Native non-breeding

45. Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Native

46. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Native resident

47. Green Avadavat Amandava Formosa Extinct Possibly

48. Falcated Duck Anas falcate Native non-breeding

49. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Native resident

50. Lesser White-fronted Anser erythropus Native

Goose

51. Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri Possibly extinct

52. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Native

53. Long-billed Bush Bradypterus major Native resident

Warbler (Summer Breeding)

54. Jouanin's Petrel Bulweria fallax Native resident

55. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Native non-breeding

56. Bristled Grass Warbler Chaetornis striata Native breeding

57. Pale-backed Pigeon Columba eversmanni Native non-breeding

58. European Roller Coracias garrulous Native breeding

59. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Native non-breeding

60. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus Native resident

asiaticus

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61. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Native resident

62. Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra Summer breeding

(winter record)

63. Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola Possibly extinct

64. Yellow-rumped Indicator xanthonotus Native resident

Honeyguide

65. Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius Extinct

66. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Native non-breeding

67. Marbled Teal Marmaronetta Native resident

angustirostris

68. Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Native

69. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Native non-breeding

70. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Native non-breeding

71. Tytler’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri Summer breeding

72. Long-tailed Prinia Prinia burnesii Native resident

73. Grey-capped Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla Native

74. Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis Native breeding

75. Stoliczka’sWhin-chat Saxicola macrorhynchus Possible Extinct

76. Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda Native resident

Sterna melanogaster

77. River Tern Sterna aurantia Native resident

78. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis Native resident

melanocephalus

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Annex 5: Reptiles and amphibians of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

The conservation status of the majority of the reptilian and amphibian fauna of the country has
not been evaluated in particular with regard to25 endemic reptile and three amphibian species.

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

1. Indian Python Python molurus AJK, Punjab

2. Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus Balochistan, Sindh

palustrispalustris

3. Gavial / Gharial Gavialis gangeticus Punjab (extinct in wild), Sindh

4. Narrow-headed Softshell Chitra indica Punjab, Sindh, KP,

5. Spotted Mud Turtle Geoclemys hamiltonii Punjab, Sindh

6. Crowned River Turtle Hardella thurjii Punjab, Sindh

7. Afghan Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii KP, Balochistan

8. Sindh Star Tortoise Geochelone elegans Sindh

9. Brown River turtle Kachuga smithii Punjab, Sindh

10. Sawback Turtle Kachuga tecta tecta Punjab, Sindh

11. Indian Softshell Aspideretes gangeticus Punjab, Sindh, KP

12. Peacock Softshell Aspideretes hurum Punjab, Sindh, KP

13. Indian Flapshell Lissemys punctate Punjab, Sindh, KP

andersoni

14. Tibetan Frog Nanorana pleskei

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Annex6: Fish species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

1. Golden Mahasheer Tor putitora AJK, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

2. Snow Carp Group of species AJK, KP, Gb

Kashmir Catfish
3. Glyptothorax kashmirensis AJK
Butter Catfish
4. Ompok bimaculatus KP, Punjab, Sindh
PabdahCatfish
5. Ompok pabda AJK, KP, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh
Freshwater Shark/Malli
6. Wallago attu AJK, Balochistan, KP, Sindh, Punjab
Gangetic Ailia
7. Ailia coila Punjab, Sindh

8. Humped Featherback Chitala chitala Punjab, Sindh

9. Gangetic Goonch Bagarius bagarius Punjab, Sindh

10. Himalayan SnowTrout Schizothorax plagiostomus AJK, GB, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

11. Common Carp Cyprinus carpio AJK, GB, KP, Punjab, Balochistan

12. Zebrafish Danio rerio KP, Punjab, Sindh

13. Bengala Barb Megarasbora elonga KP, Punjab, Sindh

14. LadakhSnowtrout Schizopygopsis stoliczkai GB, KP

15. StoliczkaTriplophysaloach Triplophysa stoliczkai GB (Deosai plateau)

16. Whiptail Catfish Sisorr abdophorus Punjab, Sindh

17. Gangetic Leaf fish Nandus nandus Punjab, Sindh

18. Chameleon Fish Badis badis Punjab, Sindh

19. Gangetic Mud Eel Monopterus cuchia Punjab, Sindh

20. One-stripe SpinyEel Macrognathus aculeatus Punjab, Sindh

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Annex 7: Marine species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

Green Sea Turtle
1. Cheloniamydas japonica Balochistan, Sindh
Hawksbill
2. Eretmochelys imbricate bissa Balochistan, Sindh

3. Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Balochistan, Sindh

olivacea

4. Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta gigas Balochistan, Sindh

5. Leatherback Dermochelyscoriascea Balochistan, Sindh

6. Yellowfin Tuna Thunnusalbacares Balochistan, Sindh

7. Corals All species Balochistan, Sindh

8. Knife tooth Sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidate Balochistan, Sindh

9. NarrowsnoutSawfish Pristiszijsron Balochistan, Sindh

10. PondicheryShark Carcharhinushemiodon Balochistan, Sindh

11. Ganges Shark Glyphisgangeticus Balochistan, Sindh

12. Scalloped hammerheadShark Sphyrna lewini Balochistan, Sindh

13. Squat-headed Hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran Balochistan, Sindh

Shark

14. BroadfinShark Lamiopsistemminckii Balochistan, Sindh

15. Longheaded Eagle Ray Aetobatus flagellum Balochistan, Sindh

16. Great Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Balochistan, Sindh

17. Little Indian Porpoise or Neophocaena phocaenoides Balochistan, Sindh

Black Finless Porpoise

18. Indian Humpback Dolphin Sousa chinensis Balochistan, Sindh

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Annex 8: Plant species of conservation concern to be recovered under NBSAP

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Distribution

1. Indian Maple Acer caesium AJK, KP,

2. Nepalese Alder Alnusne palensis AJK, KP

3. Alder, Sharol Alnus nitida AJK, KP

4. Himalayan Yew Taxus wallichiana AJK, KP, GB,

5. Juniper Juniperus excelsia Balochistan

6. Chilghoza Pinus gerardiana Balochistan, GB

7. Indian snakeroot Rauvolfia serpentine AJK, KP

8. Costus, Kuth Saussurea costus AJK, KP, GB

9. Kutki Picrorhiza kurroa AJK, KP, GB

10. Nag Chhatri Trillium govanianum AJK, Gb

11. Marsh orchid or Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza graggeriana AJK, GB

12. Marsh orchid or Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza hatagirea AJK, GB

13. Aconite, Atees Aconitum heterophyllum AJK, KP, GB

14. Primrose Primula sp. AJK, KP, GB

15. Himalayan Mayapple Podophyllum hexandrum AJK, KP, GB

16. Gugul Commiphora wightii Sindh

17. Mazri Nannorrhops ritchiana Balochistan, KP, Punjab

18. Bakau Rhizophora mucronata Sindh

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Annex9: List of PAs (National Parks) in need of effective management plans

PA Location Status
Sr.
Margalla Hills NP Islamabad Not implemented
1.
Machiara NP Azad Jammu and Under implementation
2.
Kashmir
Ghamot NP
3. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Pir Lasorha NP
4. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Toli Pir NP
5. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Gurez Musk Deer NP
6. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Deva Vatala NP
7. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Poonch River Mahsheer NP
8. Azad Jammu and Lacks management
Kashmir plan
Chiltan-Hazargangi NP Balochistan Not implemented
9.
10. Hingol NP Balochistan Under implementation

11. Khunjerab NP Gilgit-Baltistan Under implementation

12. Deosai NP Gilgit-Baltistan Not implemented

13. Central Karakorum NP Gilgit-Baltistan Under finalization

14. Hunderab-Shandoor NP Gilgit-Baltistan Lacks management

plan

15. Karmbhar NP Gilgit-Baltistan Lacks management

plan

16. Ayubia NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under implementation

17. ChitralGol NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under implementation

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18. Sheikh Buddin NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management

plan

19. SaifulMaluk NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management

plan

20. Lulusar-Dodhipath NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management

plan

21. Broghil NP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacks management

plan
Lal Sunhara NP
22. Punjab Lacks management
plan

23. Kala Chitta NP Punjab Lacks management

plan

24. Chinji NP Punjab Lacks management

plan

25. Murree-Kahuta- Punjab Lacks management

KotliSattianNP plan

26. Khirthar NP Sindh Under implementation

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Annex 10:List of Ramsar Sites in Pakistan

Sr. Ramsar Site Location Remarks

1. Astola (Haft Talar) Island Balochistan Needs attention

2. Chashma Barrage Punjab Received attention

3. Deh Akro-II Desert Wetland Complex Sindh Needs attention

4. Drigh Lake Sindh Needs attention

5. Haleji Lake Sindh Received attention

6. Hub Dam Sindh, Balochistan Needs attention

7. Indus Delta Sindh Received attention

8. Indus Dolphin Reserve Sindh Received attention

9. Jiwani Coastal Wetland Balochistan Needs attention

10. Jubho Lagoon Sindh Needs attention

11. Kinjhar (Kalri) Lake Sindh Received attention

12. MianiHor Balochistan Needs attention

13. Nurri Lagoon Sindh Needs attention

14. Ormara Turtle Beaches Balochistan Received attention

15. Runn of Kutch Sindh Needs attention

16. Tanda Dam Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Needs attention

17. Taunsa Barrage Punjab Received attention

18. Thanedar Wala Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Needs attention

19. Uchhali Complex Punjab Received attention

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Annex 11: Ecosystems and Habitats Identified for Filling Gaps in the PA System

Vegetation Ecosystem Proposed Sites Location Representation Priority

Type

Marine and Astola Island, Arabian Sea Balochistan Gap High

Island Arabian Sea including Astola

Indus Delta Arabian sea Sindh Gap High

including Indus
Delta

Littoral and Avicenna – Ganjabad,Cheer Balochistan Inadequate Medium

Mangrove Ceriops Koh, Sonmiani,
Gwathar Bay,
Jiwani, Kalmat

Jubho Lagoon, Sindh Inadequate High

Nurri Lagoon,
Hawks Bay

Riverine Dalbergia sissoo Indus River, D. Punjab Gap High

– Populus G. Khan
euphratica

Acacia nilotica– Indus River, Sindh Inadequate High

Populus Hyderabad
euphratica

Wetlands, Tamarix dioica- Northern AJK Adequate High

Swamps and Typha angustata, Kashmir wetland
Seasonal complex
Inundations
Wasta Lake, and Balochistan High
Zarri Daggar
Zhob,

Sand Dune Prosopis Thal Desert Punjab Gap High

Desert cineraria –
Salvadora D. I. Khan KP
oleoides

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Prosopis Thar Sindh Gap Medium

cineraria –
Tamarix aphylla

Capparis Sibi Balochistan Gap Medium

decidua – Sueda
fruticose

Dry Sub Olea ferruginea - KotKandhari and AJK Adequate Medium

Tropical Acacia modesta PirGali area
Semi- – Justicia
evergreen adhatoda
Scrub Forest

Dry Olea ferruginea Fort Munro Punjab Inadequate High

Temperate – Acacia
Semi- modesta –
evergreen Artemesia
Scrub Forest Maritima

Olea ferruginea Indus Kohistan Gilgit- Inadequate Medium

– Acacia Baltistan
modesta –
Monotheca
buxifolia

Sub-Tropical Pinus roxburghii Massar RF KP Inadequate High

Chir Pine – Quercu
Forest sincana

Sub-Tropical Acacia modesta Thumb Pattni AJK Inadequate High

Dry Mixed – Bauhinia Maloni Areas,
Deciduous variegate Chamairi
Forest
Garamthum KP

Acacia modesta Salt Range Punjab Gap High

– Butea
monosperma –
Acaica nilotica
var.
cuppressiormis

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Balochistan Juniperus Khalifat, Balochistan Inadequate High

Dry excelsa – Zargoon, and
Coniferous Fraxinus Ziarat
Forest xanthoxyloides

Himalayan Pinus PirChinassi AJK Inadequate High

Moist wallichiana –
Temperate Abies pindrow Kamal Ban, KP High
Forest Manshi, and
Kund Forest

Himalayan C.deodara– P. Kumrat Valley KP Gap High

Dry wallichiana
Coniferous
Forest Piceas mithiana Nanga Parbat, Gilgit- Inadequate High
– Pinus Astore Baltistan
wallichiana

Pinus Shishi Valley KP Gap High

gerardiana –
Pinus Takhat –i- Balochistan High
wallichiana- Suleiman
Quercus baloot
Tangir GB

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