Gwadar - Government of Balochistan

10.3. Forestry Land use
10.3.1. Notified Forests
There are three (3) Notified natural forests which are Pishukan,
Gwadar and Pasni, measuring 7,511 hectare in total; see table
E1 Annexure E for details.
10.3.2. Notified Protected Areas
There are two notified protected areas: Hingol National Park
and Buzi Makola, measuring 764,201 hectare in total; see table
E2 Annexure E for further details.
10.3.3. Rangelands
The type of rangeland present in the district is classified as South Western Balochistan Range. It has got species like:
Euphorbia cauduicifolia, Haloxylon sp., Calligonum polygonoides, Heliotropium sp., Aerva javanica, Alhaji camelerom,
Nannorrhops ritchieana, Eliosine sp., Lasiurus sp., Chrysopogon sp., Aristida sp. and Cymbopogon sp. The productivity is
fair with average productive capacity of 160 kg /hectare. The rangelands are degraded due to overgrazing and fuel wood
pressure. Most of the rangelands in the district belong to the communities living around them. Due to communal
ownership, usually these are accessible to all members of the community. On the management side, no one assumes the
responsibility for undertaking any activity aimed either at restoration of depleted areas or for improvement to increase
the forage production and other tangible and intangible benefits. There is no limit on the number, type, season and
period/duration of grazing. This free access to range resource by everyone and absence of responsibility on management
side has led to what could be termed as the “Tragedy of Commons”, which has resulted in overgrazing and uprooting of
bushes/shrubs from rangelands beyond their carrying capacities. As a consequence, most of the rangelands in the district
are being degraded.
10.4. Forest Production
Notified Forest Area (%)
(Forest Department)
Notified Protected Area(%)
(Forest Department)
Buzi Makola
19%
Gwadar, 25%
Pishukan, 12%
Pasni, 63%
Hingol
National Park
81%
The useful plants fall mainly in the categories of fodder; fuel wood for energy purpose and construction wood for roofing
and small implements and medicinal plants for people and livestock. However, timber is not produced on commercial
basis.
10.5. Non-Timber Forest Produce
Leaves of Dwarf Palm Nannorrhops ritchieana, locally called Pesh, are used for weaving floor mats, bags, roofs for huts
(gedan) and even for shoes. There is no knowledge or application of more advanced weaving patterns and coloring of
materials and of more market oriented handicraft products. Mainly the raw materials (bundles of Mazri palm leaves) are
sold while the processed products are used locally.
10.6. Wildlife
Wildlife habitat type is Arid Sub-Tropical. There are no historical bench marks to determine the status of wildlife in the
area. However, according to the local community, the number of wildlife species has declined probably due to
uncontrolled excessive hunting and long span of droughts. The key species include:
Table 10.2: Wildlife Common Species
Wildlife Type Common Species
Mammals Caracal (Felis caracal), Honey badger (Melivoracapensis), Chinkara (Gazellagazella), Ibex
(Capra aegagrus), Urial (Ovisvigneicycloceros), Stripped Hyena (Hyaenahyaena), Wolf
(Canis lupus), Bengal fox (Vulpesbengalensis ), Asiatic Jackal (Canisaureus), Cape hare
(Lepuscapensis), Porcupine (Hystrixindica), hedgehog etc.
Sometimes Plumbeous Dolphin can be observed along coastal areas of the district.
Birds The typical terrestrial bird groups found in the district are Wheatears, Common
Babblers, Larks, Sand Grouses, Partridges, the Houbara Bustard, Shrikes, Buntings, Beeeaters,
Hoopoes, as Pigeons and Doves, Brown-headed Raven, owls and birds of prey
(Eagles, Vultures, Hawks, Buzzards, Falcons) etc.
The major birds found along coast line, lagoons and estuaries are seagulls, terns,
pelicans, flamingos, herons, egrets, plovers, lapwings, stints, sandpipers, godwits,
shanks, coots, curlews, king fishers, Osprey, etc.
Reptiles The coastal areas are refuge of Green and Olive Ridley Turtles. Previously Marsh
Crocodiles were found in the rivers but now they are rare. Spiny-tail Lizard, Black Rock
Agama and Monitor Lizard are common lizards found in the district. Among snakes the
Common Krait, two types of Cobras (the Common Cobra and the Brown or Oxus Cobra)
and Vipers like Saw-scaled Sand Viper (Echinatuscarinatussochurecki) and Horned Viper
(Pseudocerastuspersicus) are commonly found in the district.
10.6.1. Wildlife Statistics
(Provincial and District Forest Departments, IUNC, UNDP, WWF, GEF)
Wildlife survey was conducted in Hingol National Park and since the park is located jointly in three districts therefore, its
data particularly for Gwadar district is not available.
10.7. Wetlands
Akara Dam, Astola (Haft Talar) Island, Astola Sea Mount, Dasht Kor, Jiwani Estuary, Kalmat Kor, Pasni Bay and Shabbi Creek
are important wetlands in the district. Among these, two sites Astola Island and Jiwani Estuary are RAMSAR sites and
globally recognized as wetlands under the Ramsar Convention which is the only global environmental treaty that deals
with a particular ecosystem. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. These wetlands provide refuge
and wintering grounds to the Pala-arctic migrant birds. The major birds found are Seagulls, Terns, Pelicans, Flamingos,
Herons, Egrets, Plovers, Lapwings, Stints, Sandpipers, Godwits, Shanks, Coots, Curlews, King Fishers and Osprey.
10.8. Commercial Forestry (Plantations)
There was no commercial forestry plantation in the district; however, tree species planted for amenity and farm forestry
purpose can be included in this category, which are mostly planted along water channels, water storage ponds, around
farmlands and household compounds. The common species are Ziziphus mauritiana, Euclyptus sp., Dalbergia sissoo,
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