Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Birdlife International

Project Code: 171-680-014	Start Date: 01/04/1992	End Date: 31/03/1994
Commitment: £75,805	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
This major, three-year project addresses the urgent need for action to conserve Pakistan's Himalayan temperate forests.

The need for action is acute. These forests have long suffered degradation and destruction due to a rapidly increasing population, many of whom are dependent upon forest resources. The threats to wildlife are through habitat loss (due to timber extraction, overgrazing, and clearance for cultivation) exacerbated by hunting and other forms of disturbance. A number of forest species are now approaching extinction; Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus crysogaster), Pir Panjal Markhor (Capra falconeri), Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) and Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) are just some of the forest species now listed in the IUCN Red Data Books.

Provision for conservation is currently inadequate. The number of designated protected areas for Himalayan temperate forest is small, particularly containing the above named species. Existing staff and expertise are overstretched and the majority of people are unaware of the problems.

Himalayan temperate forests are an invaluable human resource, protecting watersheds, maintaining soil fertility and regulating river flow. Local livelihoods depend almost completely upon the forest for timber, firewood, grazing, fodder and a variety of minor forest products.

This proposal focusses upon the Western Tragopan, probably the most threatened of the forest fauna. The value of focussing upon this pheasant arises from the following facts: pheasant conservation is well-advanced and already has access to the highest levels of decison-making in Pakistan; the bird is well-known to local people, making it a useful symbol; it is a good indicator of biologically rich habitat; and much work has been carried out on the species over the last few years so that a momentum has been established.

Project Objectives:
To conserve the Himalayan temperate forests of Pakistan, and to encourage appropriate rural development (to take pressure off forest resources).

To develop protected areas, encourage forest management for wildlife conservation and encourage appropriate rural development.

To train Pakistani personnel.

To conduct educational and pubicty work (including the appointment of an Educational Officer).

To promote further research on the Himalayan temperate forest ecosystem.

Intended Outputs:
The upgrading of existing protected areas promoted in the Azad Stateof Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K).

The designation of new protected areas in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) promoted.

Extra wildlife staff.

Appropriate rural development adjacent to protected areas promoted.

Forest management for wildlife conservation promoted in regions (additional to protected areas) identified as important for wildlife.

Pakistani project officers and provincial wildlife and forest staff trained.

An education officer appointed to develop environmental education and publicity.

Publicity and educational materials, and use of local and national media.

Series of lectures and presentations for more senior audiences.

More young people to visit the Himalayan jungle.

Co-ordinated survey work on Western Tragopans and other forest wildlife.

Socio-economic research co-ordinating in the regions of existing and proposed protected areas.

Further ecological research on theWestern Tragopan.